People v. Murphy, 115 A.D.2d 249 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985). · Go Syfert
People v. Murphy, 115 A.D.2d 249 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
10 citation events (6 in the last 25 years) across 2 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Robert McCullough v. Floyd Bennett (ca2, 2005-06-24)
Top citers, strongest first. 2 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Robert McCullough v. Floyd Bennett (2×)
2d Cir. · 2005 · signal: see also · confidence low
However, the Second Department of the Appellate Division has specifically rejected the reasoning of Murphy : Although we recognize that the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, will look to the motivating factor behind offenses to determine whether disparate acts are involved (People v. Kelley, 25 A.D.2d 715 , 270 N.Y.S.2d 127 ; see also, People v. Murphy, 115 A.D.2d 249 , 496 N.Y.S.2d 168 , lv. denied 67 N.Y.2d 887 , 501 N.Y.S.2d 1039 , 492 N.E.2d 1246 ), we decline to adopt this view.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." People v. Scandell
N.Y. App. Div. · 1988 · signal: see also · confidence low
Although we recognize that the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, will look to the motivating factor behind offenses to determine whether disparate acts are involved (People v Kelley, 25 AD2d 715 ; see also, People v Murphy, 115 AD2d 249 , lv denied 67 NY2d 887 ), we decline to adopt this view.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
The People of the State of New York
v.
Gary Murphy
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Nov 15, 1985.
115 A.D.2d 249
Cited by 5 opinions  |  Published

Judgment unanimously modified, on the law and facts, to provide that the consecutive sentence imposed be served concurrently and otherwise, judgment affirmed. Memorandum: Defendant was convicted of murder in the second degree, attempted robbery in the first degree, and other crimes arising out of an attempted armed robbery of a grocery store in the City of Buffalo. When the store clerk questioned defendant’s demands to open the cash register, defendant shot and killed him. Defendant then pointed the gun at the slain clerk’s girlfriend, who was also present in the store, and ordered her to open the cash register. When she claimed she did not know how, defendant left. The two convictions for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (Penal Law § 265.03) were based upon defendant’s intent to use a loaded firearm against not only the store clerk, but also the clerk’s girlfriend. The court imposed consecutive sentences on defendant’s second weapon conviction. On appeal, defendant asserts that the sentence was improper because his actions against the clerk and girlfriend were but a single act for which he could not be sentenced consecutively. We agree.

Since at no time during the attempted robbery did the gun leave defendant’s hand, defendant’s possession of the gun was a single and continuous act motivated by a continuing intent to commit larceny. Inasmuch as the People are unable to point to any testimony or evidence which would support the view that the offenses of which defendant stands convicted involved disparate or separate acts, the sentences must run concurrently (People v Catone, 65 NY2d 1003; People v Jefferies, 30 AD2d 1032; Matter of Zovick v Eaton, 259 App Div 585). We have reviewed the remaining issues raised by defendant and find them lacking in merit. (Appeal from judgment of[*250] Supreme Court, Erie County, Easier, J.—manslaughter, first degree, and other offenses.) Present—Callahan, J. P., Denman, Boomer, Green and Pine, JJ.