PEOPLE v. ORTIZ

Resentence unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: We disagree with defendant that County Court erred in denying his request for a severance. The alibi defense of defendant was not in irreconcilable conflict with the defense of his codefendant ( see, People v. Mahboubian, 74 N.Y.2d 174, 184). Contrary to defendant's contention, the court gave an expanded jury instruction on identification, as requested by defendant ( see, People v. Whelan, 59 N.Y.2d 273, 279; People v. Hill, 212 A.D.2d 1063, lv denied 85 N.Y.2d 939). We reject the contention of defendant that he was erroneously excluded from sidebar conferences during jury selection. The same contention was raised by codefendant on his appeal and rejected by this Court ( see, People v. Rodriguez, 261 A.D.2d 908 [decided May 7, 1999]).

The conviction is supported by legally sufficient evidence and the verdict is not against the weight of the evidence ( see, People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495). The sentence is neither unduly harsh nor severe. We have examined defendant's remaining contention and conclude that it is without merit.