Opinion
No. 2007-06474.
December 1, 2009.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Suffolk County (Hinrichs, J.), rendered June 20, 2007, convicting her of grand larceny in the third degree (two counts) and scheme to defraud in the first degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentencing.
Robert C. Mitchell, Riverhead, N.Y. (Robert B. Kenney of counsel), for appellant.
Thomas J. Spota, District Attorney, Riverhead, N.Y. (Michael Blakey of counsel), for respondent.
Before: Dillon, J.P., Florio, Balkin and Leventhal, JJ., concur.
Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution ( see People v Contes, 60 NY2d 620; People v Lawson, 65 AD3d 1380), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight of the evidence ( see CPL 470.15; People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342, 348), 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 NY3d 383, 410, cert denied 542 US 946; People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 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 NY3d 633; People v Ramirez, 65 AD3d 1168).
The sentence imposed was not excessive ( see CPL 470.15 [c]; [6] [b]; CPL 470.20; People v Thompson, 60 NY2d 513, 519; People v Taylor, 65 AD3d 1169; People v Suitte, 90 AD2d 80).
There is no merit to the defendant's remaining contention, raised in point two of her brief, alleging that certain evidence was improperly admitted at trial.