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People v. Lynch

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Feb 5, 1990
158 A.D.2d 472 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)

Opinion

February 5, 1990

Appeal from the County Court, Westchester County (Lange, J.).


Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The issue of the alleged repugnancy of the jury's verdict is not preserved for appellate review as a matter of law since it was not raised prior to the jury's discharge (see, People v Alfaro, 66 N.Y.2d 985). In any event, based upon the jury charge, the defendant's acquittal of burglary in the second degree did not negate an element of grand larceny in the third degree, of which the defendant was convicted (see, People v Tucker, 55 N.Y.2d 1, rearg denied 55 N.Y.2d 1039; People v Arcarola, 135 A.D.2d 545), and the claim of repugnancy is meritless.

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 support the defendant's guilt. Moreover, upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict is not against the weight of the evidence (see, CPL 470.15).

Contrary to the defendant's contentions, the evidence adduced at the Wade hearing reveals that the photographic array was proper in all respects. The pictures of the defendant and those of several of the other subjects depicted persons with similar facial hair and features. Therefore, the photographic array did not draw the witness's attention to only one subject (see, People v Dubois, 140 A.D.2d 619; People v Rudan, 112 A.D.2d 255).

In addition, we find no merit to the defendant's assertion that the trial court erred in not requiring corroboration of the testimony of the individual who purchased the stolen gun from the defendant. We are mindful that pursuant to CPL 60.22 a defendant may not be convicted of any offense upon the testimony of an accomplice, unsupported by corroborative evidence. However, we also recognize that a person who receives stolen property is not to be considered an accomplice of the thief unless it is demonstrated that the receiver aided the thief in the commission of the crime (see, People v Brooks, 34 N.Y.2d 475; People v Fort, 145 A.D.2d 983, lv denied 73 N.Y.2d 1014). At bar, there is no indication that the individual who purchased the gun from the defendant in any way aided in the commission of the crime. Thus, he cannot be considered an accomplice, and there was no need for corroboration of his testimony.

We have considered the defendant's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit (see, People v Carter, 19 N.Y.2d 967; People v Beauchamp, 148 A.D.2d 921). Bracken, J.P., Lawrence, Harwood and Balletta, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Lynch

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Feb 5, 1990
158 A.D.2d 472 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)
Case details for

People v. Lynch

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. JAMES P. LYNCH…

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

Date published: Feb 5, 1990

Citations

158 A.D.2d 472 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)
550 N.Y.S.2d 923

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