People v. Garcia

OPINION OF THE COURT

Tom, J. P.

Defendant was convicted of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance arising out of a buy-and-bust operation by an undercover officer at 136th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. The only basis on which reversal is required concerns the outcome of the Hinton hearing and the consequences for appeal, in which regard we are constrained by Court of Appeals authority.

During jury selection, the prosecutor indicated that she would seek closure of the courtroom during the testimony of the undercover officer and the ghost officer. Defense counsel…