Help! Co renter wants to stop paying rent?

I am on a lease with another person. I moved out two months ago, and paid 1/2 of rent for those two months. I no longer want to pay 1/2 of the rent since I am not living there. He wants to continue living there, but says he will take me to small claims court if I don't pay. What are my options? Is it possible for one renter to break the lease if there are two renters? Or, if the other renter doesn't want the lease to break, do they assume the full amount of the lease. If the lease was broken, I know the landlord would be able to fill the apartment quickly. As the landlord has the duty to mitigate damages, my cost would be reduced. Unfortunately I am not the only person on the lease. What action do I need to take if I don't want to pay?? Please help! Thank you!
By the way, I am in NY state.

[This message has been edited by nousername (edited November 02, 2000).]

I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

You need to talk to your landlord and ask him/her to surrender your part of the lease and make sure he allows you to break lease without any money owed/future claims against you.

That is the only way.