People State New York v. Preston Vails

[43 N.Y.2d 364 Page 366] Opinion OF THE COURT Through the efforts of an undercover police officer, aided by a surveillance team, the defendant was indicted, tried and convicted upon a jury verdict, of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first and second degrees. On two separate occasions during the course of the trial reference was made to evidence of prior crimes committed by the defendant and he asserts that such references constituted reversible error. We disagree and affirm the order of the Appellate Division sustaining the convictions.