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People v. Johnson

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Department
Apr 5, 1985
110 A.D.2d 1057 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985)

Opinion

April 5, 1985

Appeal from the Supreme Court, Monroe County, Mark, J.

Present — Hancock, Jr., J.P., Callahan, Denman, Green and O'Donnell, JJ.


Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: Defendant appeals from a judgment of conviction after a jury trial, of assault in the second degree (Penal Law § 120.05). The conviction stems from a barroom incident when defendant struck another patron with a tree branch and kicked him repeatedly, causing the victim to suffer a broken jaw and seven displaced teeth.

On cross-examination the prosecutor questioned defendant concerning the absence of prearrest and postarrest claims of self-defense and/or intoxication and on summation commented on defendant's pretrial silence. Such questioning and commentary violated defendant's 5th Amendment rights ( Doyle v. Ohio, 426 U.S. 610, 617-618; People v. Conyers, 52 N.Y.2d 454, 456-457; People v Artis, 67 A.D.2d 981; People v. Smoot, 59 A.D.2d 898). Defense counsel, however, did not object to the cross-examination or summation and thus has failed to preserve the issue for appellate review ( see, CPL 470.05; People v. Thomas, 50 N.Y.2d 467, 473). In view of the overwhelming evidence of guilt we decline to reach the issue here in the interest of justice ( see, CPL 470.15 [a]; People v. Thomas, supra, p 473; People v Anderson, 99 A.D.2d 560).

The court did not err when it refused to charge criminally negligent assault in the third degree (Penal Law § 120.00) as a lesser included offense. Since the uncontradicted testimony shows that the defendant was engaged in intentional conduct, there is no reasonable view of the evidence in the record which would support a finding of criminal negligence ( People v Wright, 105 A.D.2d 1088; People v. Cash, 81 A.D.2d 1002). We have reviewed defendant's other claims of error and find them to be without merit.


Summaries of

People v. Johnson

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Department
Apr 5, 1985
110 A.D.2d 1057 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985)
Case details for

People v. Johnson

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. GEORGE JOHNSON…

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

Date published: Apr 5, 1985

Citations

110 A.D.2d 1057 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985)

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