Opinion
2014-03-28
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Brandon K. MACIOSZEK, also known as Brandon Karl Macioszek, also known as Brandon Macioszek, Defendant–Appellant.
Keliann M. Argy Elniski, Orchard Park, for Defendant–Appellant. Lawrence Friedman, District Attorney, Batavia (William G. Zickl of Counsel), for Respondent.
Keliann M. Argy Elniski, Orchard Park, for Defendant–Appellant. Lawrence Friedman, District Attorney, Batavia (William G. Zickl of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: CENTRA, J.P., FAHEY, LINDLEY, SCONIERS, and WHALEN, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him following a jury trial of assault in the first degree (Penal Law § 120.10[1] ). The evidence at trial established that defendant intentionally struck the victim with the motor vehicle he was driving, causing the victim to fly over the roof of the vehicle and land on the side of the road. Defendant drove away but was arrested the next day. At trial, defendant testified that he inadvertently struck the victim, who had been arguing with defendant's passenger, and he stipulated that the victim sustained a serious injury. On appeal, defendant contends that County Court committed reversible error during voir dire by making a negative comment about his character. By failing to object to the comment, however, defendant failed to preserve his contention for our review ( seeCPL 470.05[2] ). In any event, we conclude that the comment was not so prejudicial as to taint the jury pool or otherwise deprive defendant of a fair trial.
Defendant similarly failed to preserve for our review his further contention that the prosecutor engaged in misconduct during summation ( see People v. Martin, 114 A.D.3d 1154, 1154, 979 N.Y.S.2d 894;People v. Bowman, 113 A.D.3d 1100, 1100–1101, 977 N.Y.S.2d 650), and his contention lacks merit in any event. Defendant further contends that the court failed to take proper measures to remedy juror misconduct, i.e., the jury's discussion of the case prior to deliberations. In response to an objection by defendant, the court instructed the jury, as it had at the outset of the trial, not to discuss the case until deliberations commenced, and defendant did not object to that instruction or request further relief. Defendant thus failed to preserve for our review his contention that the court should have more closely “scrutinized” the jurors who had been discussing the case prematurely ( seeCPL 470.05 [2] ). In any event, we conclude that the court's response was proper ( see generally People v. Mejias, 21 N.Y.3d 73, 79–80, 966 N.Y.S.2d 764, 989 N.E.2d 26,rearg. denied21 N.Y.3d 1058, 974 N.Y.S.2d 27, 996 N.E.2d 908).
We reject defendant's contentions that the evidence is legally insufficient to support the conviction and the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. As noted, defendant admittedly struck the victim with the vehicle he was driving, and he stipulated that the victim sustained serious injuries as a result. The primary issue at trial was whether defendant intentionally struck the victim or whether, as defendant testified, he accidently did so. Two prosecution witnesses testified that they observed the victim running from defendant's vehicle and the vehicle swerve into the victim at a high rate of speed. This occurred after the victim had been arguing with a passenger in defendant's vehicle. After striking the victim, defendant did not stop or immediately contact the police. We conclude that the above evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the People ( see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620, 621, 467 N.Y.S.2d 349, 454 N.E.2d 932), is legally sufficient to establish that defendant possessed the requisite intent ( see People v. Moreland, 103 A.D.3d 1275, 1276, 962 N.Y.S.2d 536,lv. denied 21 N.Y.3d 945, 968 N.Y.S.2d 7, 990 N.E.2d 141). Viewing the evidence in light of the elements of the crime as charged to the jury ( see People v. Danielson, 9 N.Y.3d 342, 349, 849 N.Y.S.2d 480, 880 N.E.2d 1), we further conclude that the verdict is not against the weight of the evidence ( see generally People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672). Although a different verdict would not have been unreasonable, it cannot be said that the jurors failed to give the evidence the weight it should be accorded ( see People v. Canfield, 111 A.D.3d 1396, 1397, 974 N.Y.S.2d 859,lv. denied22 N.Y.3d 1087, 981 N.Y.S.2d 673, 4 N.E.3d 975;People v. Ettleman, 109 A.D.3d 1126, 1128, 971 N.Y.S.2d 621).
We have reviewed defendant's remaining contentions and conclude that they lack merit.
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.