Case ID: ad2d_134/html/0906-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Frank Stefano, Appellant.
    (Appeal No. 1.)
   — Judgment unanimously reversed on the law, plea vacated and defendant remanded to Supreme Court, Erie County, for further proceedings on the indictment. Memorandum: Defendant was charged in each of two indictments with two counts of robbery in the first degree pursuant to Penal Law § 160.15 (3) and (4). He entered a plea of guilty to robbery in the first degree under subdivision (3), used or threatened the immediate use of a dangerous instrument, in satisfaction of one indictment and entered a plea of guilty to robbery in the second degree in satisfaction of the other. He was promised concurrent sentences no more severe than could be imposed for robbery in the second degree. In the factual recitation on both pleas defendant said he had his hand in his pocket, pretended he had a handgun, and verbally threatened to shoot the victim. The People indicated that their proof would be that defendant threatened to shoot and had his hand in his pocket. Actual possession of a dangerous weapon is required under Penal Law § 160.15 (3) (People v Pena, 50 NY2d 400, 407, rearg denied 51 NY2d 770, cert denied 449 US 1087); thus the court erred in accepting defendant’s plea to first degree robbery without making further inquiry to establish its basis (see, People v Serrano, 15 NY2d 304).

Since the second plea was entered into in reliance upon the first, both are vacated and defendant is remanded for further proceedings on both indictments. (Appeal from judgment of Supreme Court, Erie County, Marshall, J. — robbery, first degree, and attempted robbery, first degree.) Present — Dillon, P. J., Callahan, Green, Pine and Lawton, JJ.