Opinion
2013-02-8
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Erica L. MORELAND, Defendant–Appellant. (Appeal No. 2.)
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc., Buffalo (Robert B. Hallborg, Jr., Of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. Frank A. Sedita, III, District Attorney, Buffalo (Matthew B. Powers Of Counsel), for Respondent.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc., Buffalo (Robert B. Hallborg, Jr., Of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. Frank A. Sedita, III, District Attorney, Buffalo (Matthew B. Powers Of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: SMITH, J.P., PERADOTTO, LINDLEY, SCONIERS, AND VALENTINO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
In appeal No. 2, defendant appeals from a judgment convicting her following a jury trial of assault in the second degree (Penal Law § 120.05[2] ) for physically injuring the victim by kicking her with a stiletto boot and, in appeal No. 1, she appeals from the subsequent resentence.
Addressing appeal No. 2 first, we note that defendant failed to preserve for our review her contention that the prosecutor engaged in misconduct by failing to provide a sufficient notice of intent to introduce Molineux evidence ( seeCPL 470.05[2]; see also People v. Nappi, 83 A.D.3d 1592, 1594, 922 N.Y.S.2d 669,lv. denied17 N.Y.3d 820, 929 N.Y.S.2d 808, 954 N.E.2d 99). In any event, that contention lacks merit inasmuch as the alleged misconduct “did not cause[ ] such substantial prejudice to the defendant that [she] has been denied due process of law” ( People v. Scott, 78 A.D.3d 1531, 1532, 910 N.Y.S.2d 719,lv. denied17 N.Y.3d 801, 929 N.Y.S.2d 109, 952 N.E.2d 1104 [internal quotation marks omitted] ). Contrary to defendant's further contention, we conclude that she received meaningful representation ( see generally People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 147, 444 N.Y.S.2d 893, 429 N.E.2d 400). “The alleged instances of ineffective assistance concerning defense counsel's failure to make various objections [or certain motions or requests] are based largely on [defendant's] hindsight disagreements with defense counsel's trial strategies, and defendant failed to meet [her] burden of establishing the absence of any legitimate explanations for those strategies” ( People v. Douglas, 60 A.D.3d 1377, 1377, 875 N.Y.S.2d 723,lv. denied12 N.Y.3d 914, 884 N.Y.S.2d 695, 912 N.E.2d 1076 [internal quotation marks omitted] ).
Additionally, although defendant moved to dismiss the indictment at the close of the People's case based on the alleged legal insufficiency of the evidence, she failed to renew her motion after presenting evidence and thus failed to preserve for our review her present contention that the evidence is legally insufficient to establish her intent to cause physical injury ( see People v. Diefenbacher, 21 A.D.3d 1293, 1294, 801 N.Y.S.2d 466,lv. denied6 N.Y.3d 775, 811 N.Y.S.2d 342, 844 N.E.2d 797). In any event, 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 it is legally sufficient to establish that defendant possessed the requisite intent.
Moreover, viewing the evidence in light of the element of intent 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 conclude that the verdict with respect to that element is not against the weight of the evidence. “A defendant may be presumed to intend the natural and probable consequences of his [or her] actions ..., and [i]ntent may be inferred from the totality of conduct of the accused” ( People v. Mahoney, 6 A.D.3d 1104, 1104, 776 N.Y.S.2d 402,lv. denied3 N.Y.3d 660, 782 N.Y.S.2d 702, 816 N.E.2d 575 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see generally People v. Badger, 90 A.D.3d 1531, 1532, 935 N.Y.S.2d 416,lv. denied18 N.Y.3d 991, 945 N.Y.S.2d 646, 968 N.E.2d 1002). The victim and defendant both testified that they were engaged in a physical altercation and were intentionally striking at each other with their fists. Defendant testified that, during the altercation, she kicked her stiletto boot in the direction of the victim. Although defendant testified that she did not intend to kick the victim, that testimony is belied by her actions. Thus, “it cannot be said that the jury failed to give the evidence the weight that it should be accorded” ( People v. Mike, 283 A.D.2d 989, 989, 724 N.Y.S.2d 389,lv. denied96 N.Y.2d 904, 730 N.Y.S.2d 802, 756 N.E.2d 90).
With respect to appeal No. 1, we conclude that the sentence imposed at resentencing is not unduly harsh or severe.
It is hereby ORDERED that the appeal from the judgment insofar as it imposed sentence is unanimously dismissed and the judgment is affirmed.