Opinion
06-10-2016
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. MURIDI M., Defendant–Appellant. (Appeal No. 1.)
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc., Buffalo (Kristin M. Preve of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. Muridi M., Defendant–Appellant Pro Se. Michael J. Flaherty, Jr., Acting District Attorney, Buffalo (Ashley R. Lowry of Counsel), for Respondent.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc., Buffalo (Kristin M. Preve of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant.
Muridi M., Defendant–Appellant Pro Se.
Michael J. Flaherty, Jr., Acting District Attorney, Buffalo (Ashley R. Lowry of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: WHALEN, P.J., SMITH, PERADOTTO, AND LINDLEY, JJ.
Opinion
MEMORANDUM: We previously held the case in appeal Nos. 1 and 2, reserved decision, and remitted the matters to County Court to make and state for the record a determination in each appeal whether defendant should be afforded youthful offender status. Upon remittal, the court granted youthful offender status in appeal No. 1 and denied such status in appeal No. 2.
We reject defendant's contentions that the sentence imposed in each appeal is unduly harsh and severe. The court did not abuse its discretion in determining that there were no mitigating circumstances that warranted the court, in the interest of justice, to order that the sentences run concurrently (see Penal Law § 70.25[2–b] ; People v. Washington, 124 A.D.3d 1388, 1388, 997 N.Y.S.2d 666, lv. denied 25 N.Y.3d 954, 7 N.Y.S.3d 283, 30 N.E.3d 174 ). Nor did the court abuse its discretion in denying defendant youthful offender status in appeal No. 2, and we decline to exercise our interest of justice jurisdiction to afford such status (see People v. Hall, 130 A.D.3d 1495, 1496, 11 N.Y.S.3d 498, lv. denied 26 N.Y.3d 968, 18 N.Y.S.3d 604, 40 N.E.3d 582 ; People v. Johnson, 109 A.D.3d 1191, 1191–1192, 971 N.Y.S.2d 723, lv. denied 22 N.Y.3d 997, 981 N.Y.S.2d 2, 3 N.E.3d 1170 ). The contention in defendant's pro se supplemental brief with respect to appeal No. 2 was not raised when the appeal was initially heard, and it may not be raised for the first time following our remittal (see People v. Baxter, 234 A.D.2d 932, 932–933, 653 N.Y.S.2d 464, lv. denied 89 N.Y.2d 1009, 658 N.Y.S.2d 247, 680 N.E.2d 621 ).
It is hereby ORDERED that the adjudication so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.