PEOPLE v. NELSON (2009)

On appeal from a judgment convicting him upon his plea of guilty of rape in the second degree (Penal Law § 130.30[1] ), defendant contends that County Court abused its discretion in denying his motion to withdraw the plea based on defendant's claims of innocence and mistake. We conclude that defendant's contention is preserved for our review only insofar as it is based on defendant's protestations of innocence. Following the plea, defense counsel informed the court that defendant denied his guilt and that it was defense counsel's understanding that defendant wished to withdraw his plea. Contrary to the People's contention, we deem that statement sufficient to preserve for our review the contention of defendant with respect to his claim of innocence. We nevertheless reject that contention. “Here, defendant's belated and conclusory allegations of innocence in support of the motion are belied by the plea colloquy” (People v. Kimmons, 39 A.D.3d 1180, 1180, 834 N.Y.S.2d 421; see People v. Klein, 11 A.D.3d 959, 783 N.Y.S.2d 177).

With respect to defendant's claim of mistake, defendant contends that the court should have permitted him to withdraw his plea because, at the time he entered the plea, he was unaware that he would lose custody of his daughter as a consequence of the plea. Defendant failed to raise that claim at the time of his motion, however, and thus has not preserved it for our review (see generally People v. Mackey, 77 N.Y.2d 846, 567 N.Y.S.2d 639, 569 N.E.2d 442; People v. Mesquite, 234 A.D.2d 395, 651 N.Y.S.2d 546, lv denied 89 N.Y.2d 1013). We decline to exercise our power to review that claim as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice (see CPL 470.15[6][a] ).

It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.

MEMORANDUM: