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People v. Leonard

Appellate Term of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Jun 27, 2006
2006 N.Y. Slip Op. 51203 (N.Y. App. Term 2006)

Opinion

2004-1665 QCR.

Decided June 27, 2006.

Appeal from a judgment of the Criminal Court of the City of New York, Queens County (Joseph A. Zayas, J.), rendered on July 27, 2004. The judgment convicted defendant, upon a jury verdict, of criminal mischief in the fourth degree.

Judgment of conviction affirmed.

PRESENT: GOLIA, J.P., RIOS and BELEN, JJ


Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People ( see People v. Contes, 60 NY2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish defendant's guilt of criminal mischief in the fourth degree (Penal Law § 145.00) beyond a reasonable doubt. Upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence ( see CPL 470.15). Although defendant presented an alibi witness, the jury was not bound to accept her testimony as it merely served to raise an issue of credibility which the jury resolved in favor of the prosecution ( see People v. Terrill, 265 AD2d 587). The determination of the jury, which saw and heard the witnesses, should be accorded great weight on appeal and should not be disturbed unless clearly unsupported by the record ( see People v. Gaimari, 176 NY 84; People v. Garafolo, 44 AD2d 86, 88).

Contrary to defendant's contention, a defense witness was properly precluded from testifying at trial to the effect that defendant's daughter, the complainant, was served with an order of protection since such testimony was offered solely to impeach the credibility of the complainant ( see People v. Inniss, 83 NY2d 653; People v. Alexander, 16 AD3d 515). The issue that the process server's testimony was offered to show complainant's bias, hostility or a reason to fabricate was raised for the first time on appeal and is unpreserved for appellate review (CPL 470.05; see Inniss, 83 NY2d at 658). Furthermore, the court properly precluded the testimony of the complainant's neighbor regarding unrelated acts of vandalism which allegedly occurred in the neighborhood since such testimony would have been hearsay ( see People v. Otero, 288 AD2d 67), merely speculative and lacking in probative value ( see People v. Primo, 96 NY2d 351, 355).

Golia, J.P., Rios and Belen, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Leonard

Appellate Term of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Jun 27, 2006
2006 N.Y. Slip Op. 51203 (N.Y. App. Term 2006)
Case details for

People v. Leonard

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. ROBERT LEONARD…

Court:Appellate Term of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department

Date published: Jun 27, 2006

Citations

2006 N.Y. Slip Op. 51203 (N.Y. App. Term 2006)
820 N.Y.S.2d 844