Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Deletha Colbert, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1999-05-07
Citations: 261 A.D.2d 932
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Deletha Colbert, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 261
Pages: 932–933

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Deletha Colbert, Appellant.
[689 NYS2d 923]

Opinion:
—Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: We reject the contention of defendants that they were denied a fair trial by prosecutorial misconduct (see generally, People v Galloway, 54 NY2d 396). We also reject the contention of defendants that they were entitled to a missing witness charge with respect to the People's failure to call the husband of defendant Deletha Colbert as a witness. The prosecutor called Colbert's husband to testify at a bail revocation hearing, and he unexpectedly provided testimony favorable to Colbert. Furthermore, Colbert's attorney told the prosecutor during the trial that Colbert's husband would commit peijury if he was called as a witness. Supreme Court properly concluded under the circumstances that Colbert's husband would not be expected to testify favorably to the prosecution and adversely to Colbert (see, People v Gonzalez, 68 NY2d 424, 429-430). (Appeal from Judgment of Supreme Court, Monroe County, Galloway, J.— Burglary, 1st Degree.) Present — Lawton, J. P., Hayes, Wisner, Hurlbutt and Scudder, JJ.