PEOPLE v. COPELAND (2001)

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.

PEOPLE of the State of New York, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Eric COPELAND, Defendant-Appellant.

Decided: March 21, 2001

PRESENT: PINE, J.P., WISNER, HURLBUTT, SCUDDER and KEHOE, JJ.

Robert B. Hallborg, Jr., Buffalo, for defendant-appellant. Paul J. Williams, III, Orchard Park, for plaintiff-respondent.

Defendant appeals from a judgment entered upon his plea of guilty of robbery in the first degree (Penal Law § 160.15[3]) and two counts of rape in the first degree (Penal Law § 130.35[1]) in satisfaction of a 13-count indictment charging him in connection with the rape, attempted rape and robbery of four young women. Contrary to the contention of defendant, County Court did not include post-release supervision as part of his sentence. In any event, defendant is not subject to the post-release supervision imposed in Penal Law § 70.45(1) because the violent felonies of which he is convicted were committed prior to September 1, 1998 (see, Donnino, Practice Commentaries, McKinney's Cons. Laws of N.Y., Book 39, Penal Law § 70.45, 2001 Pocket Part, at 120).

Defendant failed to request an adjournment when it was discovered at sentencing that he was not notified seven days prior thereto that representatives of two of the victims intended to make a statement at sentencing (see, CPL 380.50[2][b]). Thus, defendant waived his present contention that the court erred in permitting the representatives to speak. Defendant's sentence is neither unduly harsh nor severe.

Judgment unanimously affirmed.

MEMORANDUM:

Was this helpful?

Why was this helpful?

Easy to understand

Solved my problem

Other

Why was this not helpful?

Missing the information I need

Too complicated / too many steps

Out of date

Other

Thank you for your feedback!

Trusted by Consumers. Recognized by AI.

As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.

Explore the Network