Opinion
December 18, 1990
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Bronx County, Irene J. Duffy, J.
Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the People (People v. Thompson, 72 N.Y.2d 410), we find that there is sufficient evidence of physical injury as defined in Penal Law § 10.00 (9) to support defendant's conviction for assault in the second degree. The shot fired by defendant entered the victim's body and exited within one inch of the victim's spine causing two separate wounds. The hospital records were admitted into evidence, and although a physician testified that the victim's wounds were classified as superficial, the victim testified that he was in great pain and suffered substantial discomfort, such that, on the date of trial three years later, he was still experiencing pain in bending and certain movements. This is not the type of injury which falls into the category of petty slaps, shoves and kicks intended to be excluded by the Legislature from the definition of physical injury (see, Matter of Philip A., 49 N.Y.2d 198, 200).
Concur — Rosenberger, J.P., Asch, Kassal, Wallach and Smith, JJ.