Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Charles Burke, Appellant
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1976-04-06
Citations: 39 N.Y.2d 729
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Charles Burke, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Reports
Volume: 39
Pages: 729–735

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Charles Burke, Appellant.
Argued February 13, 1976;
decided April 6, 1976
Michael Lee Hertzberg and William E. Hellerstein for appellant.
Mario Merola, District Attorney (Billie Manning of counsel), for respondent.

Opinion:
Order affirmed in the following memorandum: The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed on the ground that at sentencing the Assistant District Attorney gave his reasons for recommending a minimum sentence, namely, the commission of the crime by knife, the stabbing of the victim because he did not pay the money over fast enough, and that the defendant had a record. Notably the court imposed the mini mum sentence (with a maximum less than that recommended by the Assistant District Attorney) within seconds after the statement by the Assistant District Attorney. Consequently, it is inferable from its more conclusory recital that the court was incorporating the assistant's references. There was therefore substantial compliance with the statute and its salutary purposes.
Concur: Chief Judge Breitel and Judges Jasen, Gabrielli, Jones, Wachtler and Cooke. Judge Fuchsberg dissents and votes to reverse in the following opinion.