Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a "`rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt'" (People v Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620, 621, quoting from Jackson v Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319; see, People v Herriot, 110 A.D.2d 851, 852). Lastly, the defendant's claim that he was denied effective assistance of counsel is without merit since the record reflects that defense counsel was competent and provided meaningful representation to the defendant (see, People v Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 146-147; People v Satterfield, 66 N.Y.2d 796; People v Morris, 100 A.D.2d 630, affd 64 N.Y.2d 803; People v Levy, 118 A.D.2d 804). Mollen, P.J., Thompson, Brown and Rubin, JJ.