PEOPLE v. INSKEEP (2000)

We reject defendant's contention that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence (see, People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672).   We likewise reject the contention of defendant that he was denied his right to be present at sidebar conferences during jury selection.   The record establishes that, before jury selection commenced, County Court informed defendant that he had the right to be present at sidebar conferences and that he was “free to come up and listen to the colloquy, or [he was] free to remain at Counsel['s] table, whatever you choose to do is all right by me.”   Defendant did not approach the bench during the sidebar conferences.   In light of the “flexible [approach] regarding the acceptable form of voluntary waivers” of statutory rights (People v. Vargas, 88 N.Y.2d 363, 376, 645 N.Y.S.2d 759, 668 N.E.2d 879), we conclude that defendant's failure to attend the sidebar conferences after being fully informed of the right to do so constitutes a valid waiver of that right (see, People v. Yeldon, 251 A.D.2d 1047, 1048, 675 N.Y.S.2d 262, lv. denied 92 N.Y.2d 908, 680 N.Y.S.2d 72, 702 N.E.2d 857).   Finally, we conclude that the sentence is neither unduly harsh nor severe.

Judgment unanimously affirmed.

MEMORANDUM: