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People v. Coleman

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Jan 22, 1990
157 A.D.2d 797 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)

Opinion

January 22, 1990

Appeal from the County Court, Nassau County (Delin, J.).


Ordered that the judgment is affirmed, and the matter is remitted to the County Court, Nassau County, for further proceedings pursuant to CPL 460.50 (5).

The defendant was convicted of robbery of a chain from the complainant based upon evidence that he drove the chain snatcher to and from the scene of the crime and pointed a gun at the complainant when he attempted to retrieve his chain. "It is well settled that in order to hold an alleged accessory liable for the crime committed by the principal actors, the People must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the alleged accessory possessed the mental culpability necessary to commit the crime charged, and that in furtherance thereof, he solicited, requested, commanded, importuned or intentionally aided the principals" (People v. Taylor, 141 A.D.2d 581). Here, the defendant's acts demonstrated that he shared community of purpose with the other perpetrator. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see, People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Further, resolution of issues of credibility, as well as the weight to be accorded the evidence presented, are primarily questions to be determined by the jury, which saw and heard the witnesses (see, People v. Gaimari, 176 N.Y. 84, 94). Its determination should be accorded great weight on appeal and should not be disturbed unless clearly unsupported by the record (see, People v Garafolo, 44 A.D.2d 86, 88). Upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence (CPL 470.15).

The defendant's contention that he was denied a fair trial by reason of the trial court's failure to give an alibi charge has not been preserved for appellate review since the defendant neither requested such a charge nor objected to the jury charge on this basis (CPL 470.05). Moreover, we decline to reach this issue in the exercise of our interest of justice jurisdiction (CPL 470.15; see, People v. Howard, 153 A.D.2d 903). Bracken, J.P., Lawrence, Harwood and Balletta, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Coleman

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Jan 22, 1990
157 A.D.2d 797 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)
Case details for

People v. Coleman

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. ERIC COLEMAN, Appellant

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

Date published: Jan 22, 1990

Citations

157 A.D.2d 797 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)
550 N.Y.S.2d 397

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