Opinion
03-25-2016
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Derrick MILLER, also known as Dererick Miller, Defendant–Appellant.
Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society, Syracuse (Evan Hannay of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. William J. Fitzpatrick, District Attorney, Syracuse (James P. Maxwell of Counsel), for Respondent.
Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society, Syracuse (Evan Hannay of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant.
William J. Fitzpatrick, District Attorney, Syracuse (James P. Maxwell of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: WHALEN, P.J., SMITH, CARNI, NEMOYER, AND CURRAN, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (Penal Law § 265.02[1] ). We reject defendant's contention that the conviction is not supported by legally sufficient evidence. Viewing the evidence 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 ), we conclude that there is a "valid line of reasoning and permissible inferences [that] could lead a rational person to the conclusion reached by the [factfinder] on the basis of the evidence at trial" (People v. Williams, 84 N.Y.2d 925, 926, 620 N.Y.S.2d 811, 644 N.E.2d 1367 ; see People v. Hines, 97 N.Y.2d 56, 62, 736 N.Y.S.2d 643, 762 N.E.2d 329, rearg. denied 97 N.Y.2d 678, 738 N.Y.S.2d 292, 764 N.E.2d 396 ). Contrary to defendant's contention, there was legally sufficient evidence establishing possession of the shotgun at issue inasmuch as an eyewitness testified that he observed defendant wrap the shotgun in a towel or T–shirt and place it behind the witness's place of employment. Furthermore, "in view of the uncontradicted evidence that[,] when subsequently test-fired, the gun ... [was] found to be operable" (People v. Cavines, 70 N.Y.2d 882, 883, 524 N.Y.S.2d 178, 518 N.E.2d 1170 ; see People v. Hailey, 128 A.D.3d 1415, 1416, 7 N.Y.S.3d 808, lv. denied 26 N.Y.3d 929, 17 N.Y.S.3d 92, 38 N.E.3d 838 ), defendant's contention that the People failed to establish the operability of the shotgun with legally sufficient evidence is without merit. 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 ). "Great deference is accorded to the [jury]'s opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony and observe demeanor" (id. ; see People v. Harris, 15 A.D.3d 966, 967, 788 N.Y.S.2d 745, lv. denied 4 N.Y.3d 831, 796 N.Y.S.2d 586, 829 N.E.2d 679 ; People v. Sorrentino, 12 A.D.3d 1197, 1197–1198, 785 N.Y.S.2d 260, lv. denied 4 N.Y.3d 748, 790 N.Y.S.2d 661, 824 N.E.2d 62 ), and, here, we perceive no reason to disturb the jury's credibility determinations.
"Defendant failed to preserve for our review his challenge to the jury charge on identification inasmuch as he failed to object to that charge" (People v. Sweney, 55 A.D.3d 1350, 1352, 864 N.Y.S.2d 634, lv. denied 11 N.Y.3d 901, 873 N.Y.S.2d 277, 901 N.E.2d 771 ; see generally People v. Robinson, 88 N.Y.2d 1001, 1001–1002, 648 N.Y.S.2d 869, 671 N.E.2d 1266 ). We decline to exercise our power to review that challenge as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice (see CPL 470.15[6][a] ).
Contrary to defendant's further contention, the showup identification procedure was not unduly suggestive, and thus the court properly denied his motion to suppress the in-court identification by the witness. Although showup procedures are generally disfavored (see People v. Ortiz, 90 N.Y.2d 533, 537, 664 N.Y.S.2d 243, 686 N.E.2d 1337 ), they are permitted where, as here, they are reasonable under the circumstances, " ‘that is, when conducted in close geographic and temporal proximity to the crime[,] and the procedure used was not unduly suggestive’ " (People v. Woodard, 83 A.D.3d 1440, 1441, 919 N.Y.S.2d 718, lv. denied 17 N.Y.3d 803, 929 N.Y.S.2d 111, 952 N.E.2d 1106, quoting People v. Brisco, 99 N.Y.2d 596, 597, 758 N.Y.S.2d 262, 788 N.E.2d 611 ).
The sentence is not unduly harsh or severe. We have considered defendant's remaining contention, and we conclude that it is without merit.
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.