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People v. Gilbert

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Department
May 30, 1997
239 A.D.2d 906 (N.Y. App. Div. 1997)

Opinion

May 30, 1997

Present — Denman, P.J., Pine, Callahan, Balio and Fallon, JJ.


Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: Defendant was convicted following a bench trial of rape in the first degree (Penal Law § 130.35) and sexual abuse in the first degree (Penal Law § 130.65). He contends that County Court erred in admitting hearsay evidence in the nature of prompt complaint testimony and in allowing the testimony of a New York State Trooper that defendant declined to give a written statement. In a bench trial, the court is presumed to have "considered only competent evidence in reaching its verdict" ( People v. Howard, 209 A.D.2d 1014, affd 87 N.Y.2d 940; see, People v. Krause, 187 A.D.2d 1019, 1020, lv denied 81 N.Y.2d 842; People v. Mann, 172 A.D.2d 1010, 1010-1011, lv denied 78 N.Y.2d 969). It is incumbent upon the defendant in a bench trial to show that the admission of inadmissible testimony prejudiced him (see, People v. Robinson, 143 A.D.2d 376, 377, lv denied 73 N.Y.2d 789). On this record, there is nothing to suggest that the court considered anything but competent evidence or that defendant was prejudiced by the admission of the allegedly inadmissible testimony ( see, People v. Robinson, supra, at 377). We have considered the remaining contentions raised by defendant and conclude that they are without merit ( see, People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495). (Appeal from Judgment of Steuben County Court, Bradstreet, J. — Rape, 1st Degree.)


Summaries of

People v. Gilbert

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Department
May 30, 1997
239 A.D.2d 906 (N.Y. App. Div. 1997)
Case details for

People v. Gilbert

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. HOWARD W. GILBERT…

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

Date published: May 30, 1997

Citations

239 A.D.2d 906 (N.Y. App. Div. 1997)
661 N.Y.S.2d 810

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