FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: DECEMBER 27, 2018
RE: PRESS RELEASE – AKHENATON RUSSELL APPEAL
The Appellate Division, Third Department, has affirmed the February 11, 2016 verdict convicting Akhenation Russell of the crime of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, third degree (two counts). Following the jury’s, verdict defendant, who has a prior violent felony conviction, was sentenced in Ulster County Court to nine years in prison.
The defendant raised three issues on appeal. He argued that he had not received a pretrial identification notice, he argued that the court erred in allowing the jury to have transcripts of the controlled buy recordings; and he argued that his sentence was excessive. In affirming defendant’s conviction the Appellate Division rejected each of defendant’s arguments.
Attorney David Woodin of Catskill, New York, represented the defendant on appeal. Assistant District Attorney Joan Gudesblatt Lamb was appellate counsel representing the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.