Sentence Greater than that Promised in a Plea Bargain Did Not Constitute Punishment for Exercising the Right to Go to Trial

The Fourth Department rejected defendant’s argument that his sentence was increased as punishment for going to trial:

” [T]he mere fact that a sentence imposed after trial is greater than that offered in connection with plea negotiations is not proof that defendant was punished for asserting his right to trial . . . , and there is no indication in the record before us that the sentencing court acted in a vindictive manner based on defendant’s exercise of the right to a trial’ ” …, or that the court ” placed undue weight upon defendant’s ill-advised decision to reject [a] favorable plea bargain and proceed to trial’ ” … . People v Odums, 2014 NY Slip OP 06692, 4th Dept 10-3-14