Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Leonard Tortorice, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1991-07-12
Citations: 175 A.D.2d 625
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Leonard Tortorice, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 175
Pages: 625–625

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Leonard Tortorice, Appellant.

Opinion:
— Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: Defendant was convicted of one count of sodomy in the second degree and six counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and was sentenced as a second felony offender to an indeterminate term of from three to six years on the sodomy conviction and to a concurrent definite term of nine months on one count of endangering the welfare of a child. On the remaining five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, he was sentenced to five nine-month definite terms, to be served consecutive to each other and to the indeterminate sentence. Defendant argues on appeal that, pursuant to an amendment to Penal Law § 70.35, his definite sentences must merge at the outset with his indeterminate sentence, contrary to our holding in People v Moore (147 AD2d 971). Although our holding in Moore is no longer valid, the amendment to Penal Law § 70.35 does not require any action by this Court. The Department of Correctional Services must calculate the period of incarceration in accordance with Penal Law § 70.35, but that statute does not restrict the court's ability to impose consecutive sentences (see, e.g., People v Moore, 61 NY2d 575, 578).
We have examined defendant's remaining arguments on appeal and find them to be without merit. (Appeal from Judgment of Erie County Court, Rogowski, J. — Sodomy, 2nd Degree.) Present — Boomer, J. P., Pine, Balio, Lawton and Davis, JJ.