People v. Bell

For purposes of determining whether a prior conviction constitutes a predicate felony, subject to an exception not here applicable, "sentence must have been imposed not more than ten years before commission of the felony of which the defendant presently stands convicted”. (Penal Law § 70.06 [1] [b] [iv].) Having been found guilty of the felony of bribing a witness on or about November 21, 1985, which was less than 10 years since he had been sentenced on his prior felony conviction, defendant was properly sentenced as a second felony offender. Contrary to defendant’s assertion, he was, insofar…