Opinion
2013–09989 Ind. No. 3234/13
08-22-2018
The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. Christopher RANSOM, appellant.
Paul Skip Laisure, New York, N.Y. (Laura B. Indellicati of counsel), for appellant. Eric Gonzalez, District Attorney, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Leonard Joblove, Thomas M. Ross, and Arieh Schulman of counsel), for respondent.
Paul Skip Laisure, New York, N.Y. (Laura B. Indellicati of counsel), for appellant.
Eric Gonzalez, District Attorney, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Leonard Joblove, Thomas M. Ross, and Arieh Schulman of counsel), for respondent.
RUTH C. BALKIN, J.P., LEONARD B. AUSTIN, HECTOR D. LASALLE, FRANCESCA E. CONNOLLY, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Gene Lopez, J.), rendered October 17, 2013, convicting him of criminal impersonation in the second degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
The defendant failed to preserve for appellate review his contention that the evidence was legally insufficient to support his conviction of criminal impersonation in the second degree (see People v. Hawkins, 11 N.Y.3d 484, 492, 872 N.Y.S.2d 395, 900 N.E.2d 946 ; People v. Finger, 95 N.Y.2d 894, 895, 716 N.Y.S.2d 34, 739 N.E.2d 290 ). In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620, 621, 467 N.Y.S.2d 349, 454 N.E.2d 932 ), we find that the evidence was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt (see Penal Law § 190.25[2] ; People v. Golb, 23 N.Y.3d 455, 465, 991 N.Y.S.2d 792, 15 N.E.3d 805 ). Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight of the evidence (see CPL 470.15[5] ; People v. Danielson, 9 N.Y.3d 342, 849 N.Y.S.2d 480, 880 N.E.2d 1 ), we nevertheless accord great deference to the jury's opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (see People v. Mateo, 2 N.Y.3d 383, 410, 779 N.Y.S.2d 399, 811 N.E.2d 1053 ; People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672 ). Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v. Romero, 7 N.Y.3d 633, 643–644, 826 N.Y.S.2d 163, 859 N.E.2d 902 ; People v. Golb, 23 N.Y.3d at 465, 991 N.Y.S.2d 792, 15 N.E.3d 805 ; People v. Hooks, 71 A.D.3d 1184, 896 N.Y.S.2d 501 ; People v. Mitchell, 254 A.D.2d 830, 679 N.Y.S.2d 761 ).
BALKIN, J.P., AUSTIN, LASALLE and CONNOLLY, JJ., concur.