Opinion
2021-04028 Ind. 1848/18
06-23-2021
The People of the State of New York, respondent, v. Rodney Coward, appellant.
Judah Maltz, Kew Gardens, NY, for appellant. Joyce Smith, Acting District Attorney, Mineola, NY (Jason R. Richards and Felicia Gross of counsel), for respondent.
Judah Maltz, Kew Gardens, NY, for appellant.
Joyce Smith, Acting District Attorney, Mineola, NY (Jason R. Richards and Felicia Gross of counsel), for respondent.
MARK C. DILLON, J.P. FRANCESCA E. CONNOLLY ANGELA G. IANNACCI LINDA CHRISTOPHER, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (William O'Brien, J.), rendered November 27, 2019, convicting him of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (two counts), upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
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. 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 N.Y.3d 342), we nevertheless accord great deference to the jury's opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (see People v Mateo, 2 N.Y.3d 383; People v Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495). Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v Romero, 7 N.Y.3d 633).
DILLON, J.P., CONNOLLY, IANNACCI and CHRISTOPHER, JJ., concur.