PEOPLE v. PETERSON

In a proper exercise of discretion the trial court precluded cross-examination of two police witnesses with respect to unrelated lineups in which defendant was ordered to participate. The court reasonably determined that this evidence was irrelevant and collateral in nature (see, People v. Sorge, 301 N.Y. 198, 201-202). This restriction on cross-examination in no way precluded defendant from advancing his defense and consistently arguing throughout trial that he was the victim of police animus and harassment, which resulted in misidentification by the witnesses in this case.

Concur — Carro, J.P., Rosenberger, Ellerin and Kupferman, JJ.