Opinion
December 20, 1993
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Kings County (Grajales, J.).
Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.
The defendant argues, inter alia, that both the lineup and the in-court identification should have been suppressed because three of the lineup fillers had skin tones significantly darker than his. However, it is clear that lineup fillers need not be identical in physical characteristics to the defendant, but only need be reasonably similar in appearance (see, People v Lundquist, 151 A.D.2d 505, 506). Skin tone is only one of the factors to be considered in deciding "reasonable similarity" (see, People v Phillips, 145 A.D.2d 656), and differences in skin tone alone will not render a lineup unduly suggestive (see, People v Chipp, 75 N.Y.2d 327, cert denied 498 U.S. 833). The hearing court, which saw and heard the witnesses, found that the lineup was not suggestive (see, e.g., People v Prochilo, 41 N.Y.2d 759), and its determination should not be disturbed if supported by the record. Moreover, contrary to the defendant's contention, "`[t]he fact that the * * * photograph[s] of the lineup were apparently lost sometime after trial does not give rise to an inference that * * * the lineup was suggestive, since the hearing court had the opportunity to view the photographs and determined that they were not unduly suggestive'" (People v Robert, 184 A.D.2d 597, 599; People v Gonzalez, 168 A.D.2d 283).
We find that the trial court did not improvidently exercise its discretion in permitting the prosecution to impeach the defendant with the underlying facts of several prior convictions which involved offenses similar in nature to the present offense. Questions concerning other crimes are not automatically precluded simply because the crimes to be inquired about are similar to the crimes charged (see, People v Pavao, 59 N.Y.2d 282; People v Toro, 161 A.D.2d 819). Further, theft related offenses are particularly relevant to the issue of credibility since they demonstrate the defendant's willingness to place his interests above those of society (see, People v Ellis, 162 A.D.2d 611; People v Boseman, 161 A.D.2d 601).
We have reviewed the defendant's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit. O'Brien, J.P., Copertino, Pizzuto and Santucci, JJ., concur.