Opinion
2018-1078 K CR
04-09-2021
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Justin ATSON, Appellant.
Appellate Advocates (Dina Zloczower of counsel), for appellant. Kings County District Attorney (Leonard Joblove, Amy Appelbaum and Andrew S. Ayala of counsel), for respondent.
Appellate Advocates (Dina Zloczower of counsel), for appellant.
Kings County District Attorney (Leonard Joblove, Amy Appelbaum and Andrew S. Ayala of counsel), for respondent.
PRESENT: THOMAS P. ALIOTTA, P.J., MICHELLE WESTON, DAVID ELLIOT, JJ
ORDERED that the judgment of conviction is affirmed.
Defendant was convicted, following a nonjury trial, of public lewdness ( Penal Law § 245.00 [a] ), exposure of a person ( Penal Law § 245.01 ), and attempted endangering the welfare of a child ( Penal Law §§ 110.00, 260.10 [1] ).
Defendant's contention that the evidence was legally insufficient to establish his guilt of attempted endangering the welfare of a child beyond a reasonable doubt is unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05 [2] ; People v Hawkins , 11 NY3d 484, 491-492 [2008] ). In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People (see People v Contes , 60 NY2d 620 [1983] ), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish defendant's guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt, of attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
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 accord great deference to the factfinder's opportunity to view the witnesses, hear their testimony, and observe their demeanor (see People v Lane , 7 NY3d 888, 890 [2006] ; People v Mateo , 2 NY3d 383, 409 [2004] ; People v Bleakley , 69 NY2d 490, 495 [1987] ). Upon a review of the record, we are satisfied that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v Romero , 7 NY3d 633 [2006] ).
Accordingly, the judgment of conviction is affirmed.
ALIOTTA, P.J., WESTON and ELLIOT, JJ., concur.