SUPREME COURT PROPERLY CONSOLIDATED TWO INDICTMENTS, CRITERIA EXPLAINED; THERE WAS A COMPREHENSIVE DISSENT (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department, affirming the convictions, determined Supreme Court properly consolidated two indictments. A comprehensive dissent disagreed:

… [T]he court properly exercised its discretion in granting consolidation pursuant to CPL 200.20 (2) (b) because there is significant common evidence supporting both indictments. Most importantly, the same weapon was involved in the events underlying both indictments, and—indeed—is the critical piece of evidence supporting both … . * * *

… [T]he court properly exercised its discretion in granting consolidation of the indictments on the additional basis that they charged offenses that are “defined by the same or similar statutory provisions” (CPL 200.20 [2] [c]). * * *

In opposing joinder, defendant failed to meet the statutory standard of showing that he had “a genuine need to refrain from testifying . . . [to] satisf[y] the court that the risk of prejudice is substantial” (CPL 200.20 [3] [b]). * * * …[D]efendant failed to demonstrate “that he had ‘both important testimony to give concerning one [offense] and a genuine need to refrain from testifying on the other’ ” … . People v Spinks, 2025 NY Slip Op 04303, Fourth Dept 7-25-25

Practice Point: Consult this decision for insight into the criteria for consolidating two indictments, fleshed out by a comprehensive, detailed dissent.