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People v. Brown

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Sep 28, 1987
133 A.D.2d 463 (N.Y. App. Div. 1987)

Opinion

September 28, 1987

Appeal from the Supreme Court, Queens County (Leahy, J.).


Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant initially contends that the People failed to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We find this contention to be devoid of merit. The identification testimony was strong and any alleged inconsistencies were properly left to the Trial Judge for his resolution (People v. Gruttola, 43 N.Y.2d 166, 122). Upon the exercise of our factual review power we are satisfied that the evidence established the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence (see, CPL 470.15).

We see no reversible error in the failure of the Trial Judge to state on the record and prior to summation the counts upon which he would render a verdict. Although he failed to comply with CPL 320.20 (5), the error was harmless. The purpose of this statutory requirement is to provide counsel with the opportunity to address in summation any lesser included offenses the court is inclined to consider (see, People v. Montgomery, 116 A.D.2d 669, 671). In this case the defendant was convicted of an offense charged in the indictment and not an uncharged lesser included offense. Accordingly, the error was harmless (see, People v. Pitello, 97 A.D.2d 801; cf., People v. Jones, 57 A.D.2d 905).

Finally, the court did not abuse its discretion in imposing a mandatory surcharge upon the defendant in accordance with Penal Law § 60.35, as there had been no showing that the payment of the surcharge would work an unreasonable hardship on the defendant or her immediate family (see, CPL 420.35). If at the conclusion of her imprisonment, the defendant finds herself unable to pay the surcharge, she may move at that time for a waiver thereof (see, CPL 420.35, 420.10 Crim. Proc. [5]; People v. Williams, 121 A.D.2d 584, lv denied 68 N.Y.2d 774; People v. West, 124 Misc.2d 622). Mollen, P.J., Mangano, Brown and Lawrence, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Brown

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Sep 28, 1987
133 A.D.2d 463 (N.Y. App. Div. 1987)
Case details for

People v. Brown

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. LENA BROWN, Appellant

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department

Date published: Sep 28, 1987

Citations

133 A.D.2d 463 (N.Y. App. Div. 1987)

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