People v. Camilloni
Opinion of the Court
— Judgment unanimously modified, in accordance with memorandum and, as modified, affirmed and defendant remanded to Supreme Court, Erie County, for resentencing. Memorandum: The People conceded that neither assault in the second nor third degree is a lesser included offense of attempted robbery in the first degree, the crime for which defendant was indicted (see People v Green, 56 NY2d 427, 431). They argue, however, that the issue has not been preserved for appeal. We disagree that the error was not preserved by appropriate exception. However, had defendant not noted his exception to the flawed charge, the result would not change. “A valid and sufficient accusatory instrument is a nonwaivable jurisdictional prerequisite to a criminal prosecution” (People v Harper, 37 NY2d 96, 99). Defendant was entitled to have the jury consider only the crimes for which he was indicted and lesser included offenses properly contained therein. Assault in the second degree (Penal Law, § 120.05, subd 2) is not a lesser included offense of robbery in the first degree since it is possible to commit the latter without possessing the intent to injure, which is the gravamen of the former (see People v Glover, 57 NY2d 61). The indictment, insofar as is relevant to this appeal, conferred jurisdiction to render judgment on the charged crime, attempted robbery in the first degree, or lesser included offenses thereof. Assault in the second degree (Penal Law, § 120.05, subd 2), not being a lesser included
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.