KINGSTON – The Appellate Division of State Supreme Court has affirmed the drug-related 12-count conviction of a former Kingston man.
Tyrone Watson was convicted in Ulster County Court on September 4, 2013 on charges of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance as well as criminally using drug paraphernalia.
In August 2012 during a narcotics investigation by Kingston City Police,
Watson was identified as a cocaine dealer. An undercover officer, working
with a confidential informant, made five cocaine purchases from Watson,
who was later arrested during a warrant search and discovery of drug paraphernalia
in his residence. He was sentenced as a second felony offender to
up to 18 years in state prison followed by three years of post-release
supervision.
On appeal, Watson argued the court’s pretrial rulings were an improvident exercise on of discretion and claimed he was entitled to a dismissal of the indictment because the prosecution failed to locate and produce the confidential informant at trial and the right to confront a material witness. He also claimed improper factors during sentencing and that his sentence was harsh and excessive.
The appellate court rejected Watson’s claims.
