People v. Kelly — 114 A.D.3d 879

Majority

p. 879

The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Cornell Kelly, Appellant.

[980 NYS2d 791]

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Erlbaum, J.), rendered May 5, 2010, convicting him of assault in the second degree, assault in the third degree, and petit larceny, after a nonjury trial, and imposing sentence.

Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant’s argument with respect to the legal sufficiency of the evidence establishing that he used a “dangerous

p. 880

instrument” to injure the complainant as required to support his conviction of assault in the second degree (Penal Law § 120.05 [4]) is unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05 [2]; People v Gray, 86 NY2d 10 , 20-21 [1995]), and, in any event, without merit (see People v Cephas, 107 AD3d 821 [2013]; People v Warren, 98 AD3d 634 , 637 [2012]; People v Phillips, 256 AD2d 733 , 735 [1998]). With respect to the defendant’s remaining arguments regarding the legal sufficiency of the evidence, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People v Contes, 60 NY2d 620 [1983]), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish that the defendant committed the crimes of assault in the second degree (Penal Law § 120.05 [4]; see People v Abera, 2 AD3d 1155 , 1156 [2003]; People v Di Bella, 277 AD2d 699 , 702 [2000]; People v Cunningham, 222 AD2d 727 , 728 [1995]; People v Acton, 149 AD2d 839 , 841 [1989]), assault in the third degree (Penal Law § 120.00 [1]; see People v Chiddick, 8 NY3d 445 , 447 [2007]; People v Bernadotte, 107 AD3d 1012 [2013]; People v Valencia, 50 AD3d 1163 [2008]; People v Berry, 273 AD2d 120 , 121 [2000]; People v Brown, 243 AD2d 749 [1997]), and petit larceny (Penal Law § 155.25; see People v Brooks, 79 NY2d 1043 , 1045 [1992], cert denied 506 US 899 [1992]; People v Perez, 93 AD3d 1032 , 1035-1036 [2012]; People v Livigni, 288 AD2d 323 , 324 [2001]).

Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight of the evidence (see CPL 470.15 [5]; People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342 [2007]), we nevertheless accord great deference to the fact-finder’s opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (see People v Mateo, 2 NY3d 383 , 410 [2004], cert denied 542 US 946 [2004]; People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 490 , 495 [1987]). Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt as to all of the crimes was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v Romero, 7 NY3d 633 [2006]). Dillon, J.E, Balkin, Cohen and Hinds-Radix, JJ., concur.

Cases cited

People v. Gray 86 NY2d 10 N.Y. 1995-05-11 at 20-21 p. 880
People v. Cephas 107 AD3d 821 N.Y. App. Div. 2013-06-12 p. 880
People v. Warren 98 AD3d 634 N.Y. App. Div. 2012-08-15 at 637 p. 880
People v. Phillips 256 AD2d 733 N.Y. App. Div. 1998-12-10 at 735 p. 880
People v. Contes 60 NY2d 620 N.Y. 1983-09-01 p. 880
People v. Abera 2 AD3d 1155 N.Y. App. Div. 2003-12-24 at 1156 p. 880
People v. Di Bella 277 AD2d 699 N.Y. App. Div. 2000-11-22 at 702 p. 880
People v. Cunningham 222 AD2d 727 N.Y. App. Div. 1995-12-07 at 728 p. 880
People v. Acton 149 AD2d 839 N.Y. App. Div. 1989-04-20 at 841 p. 880
People v. Chiddick 8 NY3d 445 N.Y. 2007-05-01 at 447 p. 880
People v. Bernadotte 107 AD3d 1012 N.Y. App. Div. 2013-06-26 p. 880
People v. Valencia 50 AD3d 1163 N.Y. App. Div. 2008-04-29 p. 880
People v. Brown 243 AD2d 749 N.Y. App. Div. 1997-10-09 p. 880
People v. Brooks 79 NY2d 1043 N.Y. 1992-05-12 at 1045 p. 880
People v. Perez 93 AD3d 1032 N.Y. App. Div. 2012-03-22 at 1035-1036 p. 880
People v. Danielson 9 NY3d 342 N.Y. 2007-12-13 p. 880
Middleton v. McNeil 542 US 946 SCOTUS 2004-06-28 p. 880
People v. Bleakley 69 NY2d 490 N.Y. 1987-05-07 at 495 p. 880
People v. Romero 7 NY3d 633 N.Y. 2006-11-21 p. 880