Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Michael Purtell, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1996-03-28
Citations: 225 A.D.2d 496
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Michael Purtell, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 225
Pages: 496–496

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Michael Purtell, Appellant.
[639 NYS2d 814]

Opinion:
While a defendant must be sentenced "without unreasonable delay" (CPL 380.30 [1]), delay caused by a defendant's conduct is excusable (People v Drake, 61 NY2d 359, 366). Defendant first absconded in 1989, after pleading guilty to grand larceny. Thereafter, he was arrested and convicted of various crimes in several different States, and he repeatedly jumped bail that was set on New York fugitive warrants, after using aliases and false pedigrees. Although the 41/2 year period of delay in imposing sentence is considerable, it was entirely attributable to defendant's conduct, and accordingly, the delay was not unreasonable. Defendant's sentence was not excessive in light of his extensive criminal record. Concur — Sullivan, J. P., Rosenberger, Ross, Williams and Tom, JJ.