Opinion
September 22, 1986
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Suffolk County (McInerney, J.).
Judgment affirmed.
The trial court did not err in denying a hearing to determine the merit of the defendant's claim that both he and his attorney had been promised by the prosecution that the People would recommend a maximum sentence of 20 years to life if he were to remain in the case as a codefendant and not plead guilty. There is no basis for judicial recognition of the terms of an agreement between the defendant and the prosecutor "until it is concluded by entry on the record" (see, People v Hood, 62 N.Y.2d 863, 865; People v Frederick, 45 N.Y.2d 520, 528). The pretrial and trial minutes are devoid of any mention of an actual and final understanding between counsel regarding a sentencing recommendation in exchange for the defendant not exercising his statutory right to enter a plea of guilty to the entire indictment (see, CPL 220.60; 220.10 [2]). As the promise sought to be enforced by the defendant does not appear on the record, it was unnecessary to hold a hearing to determine whether such a promise existed (see, Matter of Benjamin S., 55 N.Y.2d 116, 121, rearg denied 56 N.Y.2d 570). Furthermore, the prosecutor's concession at sentencing that there was some conversation between him and defense counsel during the course of the trial concerning a sentence recommendation does not warrant a contrary result. The fact remains that no record was made of an actual understanding between counsel. Consequently, there is no basis for concluding that such an understanding existed (see, People v Piccolo, 56 A.D.2d 804).
We further reject the defendant's contention that the sentences imposed were unduly harsh and excessive. The trial court properly exercised its discretion in imposing the sentences in light of the brutal nature of the crime, the defendant's prior criminal record, and his apparent lack of remorse (see, People v Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80). The defendant asserted no circumstances which would justify a reduction of the sentence (see, People v McDermott, 89 A.D.2d 748). Mangano, J.P., Rubin, Eiber and Kooper, JJ., concur.