People v. Cotman — 58 N.Y.2d 676

Majority

p. 676

The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Vernon Cotman, Appellant.

Argued October 15, 1982;

decided November 18, 1982

p. 677

APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL

Robert S. Dean and William E. Hellerstein for appellant.

Elizabeth Holtzman, District Attorney (Nikki Kowalski and Barbara D. Underwood of counsel), for respondent.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.

Defendant’s contention that the trial court erred in permitting the prosecution to elicit general background testimony concerning narcotics investigation techniques not employed in this case is not without merit; however, any alleged error in the admission of this evidence would certainly be harmless in this case considering the unequivocal testimony of Officer Brown identifying defendant as the perpetrator of the crime in question.

Chief Judge Cooke and Judges Jasen, Gabrielli, Jones, Wachtler, Fuchsberg and Meyer concur.

Order affirmed in a memorandum.