Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Peter Pontani, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1969-11-03
Citations: 33 A.D.2d 688
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Peter Pontani, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 33
Pages: 688–688

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Peter Pontani, Appellant.

Opinion:
Appeal by defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Suffolk Cdiinty, rendered September 9, 1968, convicting him of abortion and unlawful practice of medicine, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. Judgment affirmed. In our opinion the trial court committed no error in allowing into evidence the statement inculpating appellant, made by the 'codefendarit who was acquitted, and in charging the jury that, if they fouríd a conspiracy to exist between appellant and said eodefendant, the statement might be considered in connection with the innocence or guilt of appellant. Even though no count of conspiracy was contained in the indictment, it was proper for the court to admit the statement and to charge as indicated (People v. Luciano, 277 N. Y. 348; People v. Bonsignore, 21 A D 2d 309; United States v. Annunziato, 293 F. 2d 373), especially in view of the overwhelming proof of appellant's guilt (24B C. J. S., Criminal Law, § 1922 [3], pp. 163-167). Other points raised by appellant have been considered. Beldock, P. J., Christ, Brennan, Rabin and Kleinfeld, JJ., concur.