The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. Antonio Martinez, Appellant

Summary

The Court held that the New York constitutional presumption of vindictiveness does not apply when a defendant rejects a plea offer and is sentenced to a harsher term after trial, and therefore affirmed the Appellate Division’s sentencing order. The Court reasoned that the plea offer required a guilty plea to a lesser felony and that the trial court’s sentencing was based on the evidence and victim impact, not retaliation, distinguishing the situation from cases involving a successful appeal and retrial. The opinion also noted that the due‑process vindictiveness presumption is limited to appellate retrials. Justice Pigott dissented, arguing that any sentencing disparity after a rejected plea requires an explanatory basis and should be reversed.