The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Christopher Halls, also known as Christopher Nalls, Defendant–Appellant. (2011)

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Judgment, Supreme Court, New York County (Bonnie G. Wittner,

J.), rendered June 1, 2010, convicting defendant, upon his plea

of guilty, of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, and sentencing him, as a second felony drug offender, to a term of 21/212 years, unanimously affirmed.

The court properly sentenced defendant in his absence.   The record establishes that defendant, who was in the court pens, deliberately refused to be produced in the courtroom for his scheduled sentencing.   Accordingly, defendant waived and/or forfeited his right to be present, regardless of whether he had been warned that sentencing would proceed in his absence (see People v. Sanchez, 65 N.Y.2d 436, 443–444 [1985] ).   In any event, the record indicates that defendant's attorney had warned his client to that effect.

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.

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CLERK