TAGGART, JACOB J., PEOPLE v

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department 1351 KA 13-01466 PRESENT: SMITH, J.P., PERADOTTO, CARNI, VALENTINO, AND DEJOSEPH, JJ. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, RESPONDENT, V MEMORANDUM AND ORDER JACOB J. TAGGART, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. YVONNE A. VERTLIEB, LANCASTER, FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. MICHAEL J. VIOLANTE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, LOCKPORT (LAURA T. BITTNER OF COUNSEL), FOR RESPONDENT. Appeal from a judgment of the Niagara County Court (Matthew J. Murphy, III, J.), rendered March 21, 2013. The judgment convicted defendant, upon his plea of guilty, of attempted gang assault in the second degree. It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon his plea of guilty of attempted gang assault in the second degree (Penal Law §§ 110.00, 120.06). Contrary to defendant’s contention, the record establishes that he knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived the right to appeal (see generally People v Lopez, 6 NY3d 248, 256), and that valid waiver forecloses any challenge by defendant to the severity of the sentence (see id. at 255; see generally People v Lococo, 92 NY2d 825, 827; People v Hidalgo, 91 NY2d 733, 737). Entered: January 2, 2015 Frances E. Cafarell Clerk of the Court