Opinion
October 3, 1995
Appeal from the Supreme Court, New York County (Marcy Kahn, J.).
Defendant's claim that he was denied a fair trial because of the admission of testimony concerning the practices of undercover officers and the techniques employed by narcotics sellers was not preserved as a matter of law by objection (CPL 470.05; People v Tevaha, 84 N.Y.2d 879), and in any event is without merit. Limited background evidence of this nature can be of assistance to the jury's understanding of the officers' behavior, and its admission is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial court ( People v. Kelsey, 194 A.D.2d 248, 252). The record does not support defendant's argument that his attorney failed to provide him with meaningful representation ( People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 147) or that his attorney's performance or tactics prejudiced the defense or defendant's right to a fair trial ( see, People v. Hobot, 84 N.Y.2d 1021, 1022, 1024).
Concur — Sullivan, J.P., Wallach, Rubin, Ross and Nardelli, JJ.