Case ID: ad_235/html/0542-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "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. Marcus Blumenthal, Alias “John Markham,” and Others, Defendants, Impleaded with Nicholas Rutigliano, Alias “Nick Green,” Appellant.
    First Department,
    June 10, 1932.
    
      
      Robert S. Johnstone of counsel [Stanley L. Richter and Jacob A. Segal with him on the brief; Jacob A. Segal, attorney], for the appellant.
    
      Felix C. Benvenga, Assistant District Attorney, of counsel [Leroy Mandle, Deputy Assistant District Attorney, with him on the brief; Thomas C. T. Grain, District Attorney], for the respondent.
   Per Curiam.

This record presents serious errors in the receipt of evidence of appellant’s failure to deny the accusations of the defendant Blumenthal made in his presence while under arrest. (See People v. Smith, 172 N. Y. 210, 234; People v. Marendi, 213 id. 600, 613; People v. Infantino, 224 App. Div. 193, 197; People v. Sanacory, 234 id. 628.) The competent evidence in the record, however, clearly establishes defendant’s guilt. Defendant confessed to a substantial participation in the crime. While this confession is not as broad as the admissions improperly received in evidence, it is sufficient to establish the essential elements of the crime charged as defined in the Penal Law, section 1250, subdivision 1 (as amd. by Laws of 1911, chap. 625). We are of the opinion, in view of the clearly-established guilt of the defendant, that the errors complained of must be disregarded under section 542 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the judgment of conviction affirmed.

Present — Finch, P. J., Merrell, Martin, O’Malley and Townley, JJ.

Judgment affirmed.