People v. Coverdale

189 A.D.3d 1610

136 N.Y.S.3d 335

The PEOPLE, etc., respondent,

v.Andre COVERDALE, appellant.

2018–08707

Ind. No. 16–00070

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

Submitted—September 25, 2019

December 30, 2020

Randall Richards, Bronxville, NY, for appellant, and appellant pro se.

Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr., District Attorney, White Plains, N.Y. (Brian R. Pouliot and William C. Milaccio of counsel), for respondent.

MARK C. DILLON, J.P., LEONARD B. AUSTIN, SHERI S. ROMAN, LINDA CHRISTOPHER, JJ.

DECISION & ORDER

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Westchester County (Barry E. Warhit, J.), rendered May 23, 2018, convicting him of manslaughter in the first degree, upon his plea of guilty, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

Contrary to the People's contention, the record demonstrates that the defendant did not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waive his right to appeal (see People v. Thomas, 34 N.Y.3d 545, 122 N.Y.S.3d 226, 144 N.E.3d 970 ; People v. Bradshaw, 18 N.Y.3d 257, 264, 938 N.Y.S.2d 254, 961 N.E.2d 645, citing People v. Lopez, 6 N.Y.3d 248, 256, 811 N.Y.S.2d 623, 844 N.E.2d 1145 ). The Supreme Court's colloquy mischaracterized the nature of the right to appeal by stating that "the case ends here," thereby suggesting that the waiver may be an absolute bar to the taking of an appeal (see People v. Thomas, 34 N.Y.3d at 558–559, 122 N.Y.S.3d 226, 144 N.E.3d 970 ; People v. Habersham, 186 A.D.3d 854, 127 N.Y.S.3d 775 ; People v. Valentin, 186 A.D.3d 752, 127 N.Y.S.3d 283 ; People v. Howard, 183 A.D.3d 640, 121 N.Y.S.3d 622 ). Although the colloquy included a statement that "certain things always survive," it did not contain "any clarifying language that the defendant retained the right to take an appeal after pleading guilty and that, even after waiving the right to appeal, appellate review remained available for select issues, including the voluntariness of the plea and the appeal waiver, legality of the sentence, and the jurisdiction of the court" ( People v. Habersham, 186 A.D.3d at 854, 127 N.Y.S.3d 775 ). Thus, the defendant's purported waiver of his right to appeal was invalid and does not preclude appellate review of his excessive sentence claim (see People v. Valentin, 186 A.D.3d 752, 127 N.Y.S.3d 283 ; People v. McTerrell, 174 A.D.3d 648, 101 N.Y.S.3d 868 ).

Nevertheless, the sentence imposed was not excessive (see People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80, 455 N.Y.S.2d 675 ).

The defendant's contention, raised in his pro se supplemental brief, that his plea of guilty was not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made, is not preserved for appellate review since he did not move to vacate his plea or otherwise raise the issue before the Supreme Court (see CPL 470.05[2] ; People v. Ruiz–Solano , 188 A.D.3d 1267, 132 N.Y.S.3d 828 [2d Dept.] ; People v. Stamps , 188 A.D.3d 1105, 132 N.Y.S.3d 651 [2d Dept.] ). In any event, the defendant's contention is without merit. The record demonstrates that the defendant understood the charges and made an intelligent decision to enter the plea of guilty (see People v. Iglesias , 187 A.D.3d 785, 130 N.Y.S.3d 342 ). The record does not support the defendant's contention, in effect, that he lacked capacity to understand the proceedings against him or that he was unable to assist in his defense (see CPL 730.30[1] ; People v. Leasure , 177 A.D.3d 770, 772, 114 N.Y.S.3d 367 ). Contrary to the defendant's contention, the court's explanation, in sum and substance, that the defendant would be subject to a life sentence if convicted of murder after trial, and that his attorney succeeded in securing a "nonlife" sentence, did not amount to coercion or deception (see People v. Bhuiyan , 181 A.D.3d 699, 700, 120 N.Y.S.3d 400 ). In addition, the record belies the defendant's contention that he was coerced into pleading guilty, as he expressly denied that he was subjected to any threats, force, or coercion to plead guilty (see People v. Murphy , 114 A.D.3d 704, 705, 979 N.Y.S.2d 829 ).

By pleading guilty, a defendant forfeits appellate review of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel unless the claim directly involves the plea negotiation and sentence (see People v. Donovan , 133 A.D.3d 615, 20 N.Y.S.3d 96 ). Here, the defendant's ineffective assistance claim, raised in his pro se supplemental brief, is not waived as it involves the advice rendered by defense counsel during the plea bargaining process. "A defendant has the right to the effective assistance of co...