People v. Francis

Nov 28, 2012
Versions:100 A.D.3d 1017
954 N.Y.S.2d 626
2012 NY Slip Op 8152

Ordered that the judgment is modified, as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice, by vacating the sentence imposed; as so modified, the judgment is affirmed, and the matter is remitted to the County Court, Westchester County, for resentencing before a different Judge in accordance herewith.

The defendant contends that the County Court improperly considered materially untrue assumptions and charges of which he was acquitted as a basis for sentencing. We reach that issue in the interest of justice.

The remarks of the County Court demonstrate that, in imposing sentence, it improperly speculated that the defendant attempted to kidnap the complainant and intended to burglarize his residence. Since the court sentenced the defendant, in part, “on the basis of materially untrue assumptions or misinformation,” the defendant was denied due process, and must be resentenced (People v Metellus, 46 AD3d 578, 579 [2007]; see People v Naranjo, 89 NY2d 1047 [1997]; People v Wilson, 303 AD2d 773 [2003]). Accordingly, we vacate the sentence and remit the matter to the County Court, Westchester County, for resentencing before a different Judge.

The defendant‘s contention that the County Court improperly considered charges of which he was acquitted as a basis for sentencing is without merit. Skelos, J.P., Angiolillo, Dickerson and Hall, JJ., concur.