AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Are you a practicing lawyer?
Enhance your digital presence and reach by creating a Casemine profile.
Upload pleading to use the new AI search
Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. EDWARD J. SMITH, Appellant.

Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant contends that a confession which he made during a telephone conversation with his wife should not have been admitted into evidence as it was protected by the marital privilege (CPLR 4502 [b]; CPL 60.10). Although his confession may have been made in reliance upon the trust and confidence of the marital relationship (see, People v Fediuk, 66 N.Y.2d 881, 883; Matter of Vanderbilt [Rosner — Hickey], 57 N.Y.2d 66, 73; People v Fields, 38 A.D.2d 231, 233, affd 31 N.Y.2d 713 on opn at App. Div.), we agree with the hearing court that the defendant waived the protection of the marital privilege (see, People v Melski, 10 N.Y.2d 78, 81; People v O'Connor, 85 A.D.2d 92, 97).

We also find that the defendant's guilt was established beyond a reasonable doubt upon legally sufficient evidence (see, People v Giuliano, 65 N.Y.2d 766, 768; People v Malizia, 62 N.Y.2d 755, 757, cert denied 469 U.S. 932). Finally, we find no basis to substitute our discretion for that exercised by the trial court with respect to the defendant's sentence (see, People v Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80, 86-87). Brown, J.P., Rubin, Lawrence and Kooper, JJ., concur.

Use AI to get other relevant cases.

Comments

PEOPLE v. SMITH
(Nov 17, 1986)