Opinion
2013-06-7
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Walter ROMAN, Defendant–Appellant.
Cara A. Waldman, Fairport, for Defendant–Appellant. Scott D. McNamara, District Attorney, Utica (Matthew P. Worth Of Counsel), for Respondent.
Cara A. Waldman, Fairport, for Defendant–Appellant. Scott D. McNamara, District Attorney, Utica (Matthew P. Worth Of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: SCUDDER, P.J., PERADOTTO, SCONIERS, VALENTINO, AND MARTOCHE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
On appeal from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of, inter alia, course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree (Penal Law § 130.75[1][b] ), rape in the second degree (§ 130.30 [1] ), and criminal sexual act in the second degree (§ 130.45[1] ), defendant contends that the verdict with respect to those counts is against the weight of the evidence. We reject that contention. We note that a different verdict would not have been unreasonable inasmuch as this case rests largely on the jury's credibility findings with respect to the testimony of the victim ( see People v. Hutzler, 270 A.D.2d 934, 934, 706 N.Y.S.2d 807,lv. denied94 N.Y.2d 948, 710 N.Y.S.2d 5, 731 N.E.2d 622;see generally People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672). Nevertheless, viewing the evidence in light of those crimes 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), and affording the requisite “great deference to the jury given its opportunity to view the witnesses” ( Hutzler, 270 A.D.2d at 934, 706 N.Y.S.2d 807;see People v. Barreto, 64 A.D.3d 1046, 1048–1049, 882 N.Y.S.2d 594,lv. denied13 N.Y.3d 834, 890 N.Y.S.2d 450, 918 N.E.2d 965), we conclude that the jury did not fail to give the evidence the weight it should be accorded ( see generally Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d at 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672). Contrary to the contention of defendant, the jury did not err in crediting the testimony of the People's medical expert with respect to physical evidence of sexual contact with the victim, a child, over the testimony of the defense expert on that subject. The People's medical expert, a pediatrician, focused her practice on the examination of alleged child victims of sexual abuse and was certified by the Child Abuse Medical Provider Program (CHAMP). The defense expert, an obstetrician/ gynecologist, focused his practice on adults and was not certified by CHAMP. Further, the People's medical expert physically examined the victim in this case, while the defense expert based his opinions on a single photograph taken during that examination. With respect to the experts' differing interpretations of the medical evidence, “[t]he jury was free to adopt whichever version it found more credible” ( People v. Miller, 91 N.Y.2d 372, 380, 670 N.Y.S.2d 978, 694 N.E.2d 61).
Contrary to the further contention of defendant, the victim's testimony was not incredible as a matter of law. Most of the alleged inconsistencies that defendant points to are of minimal, if any, significance. Moreover, with respect to the details of the first sexual encounter between the victim and defendant, we conclude that defendant mischaracterizes or exaggerates the inconsistencies in the victim's statements. In any event, “[a]ny inconsistencies in the victim's testimony were highlighted by defense counsel, and the jury's resolution of credibility issues with respect to the testimony of the victim is entitled to great deference” ( People v. DiTucci [appeal No. 1], 81 A.D.3d 1249, 1250, 916 N.Y.S.2d 424,lv. denied17 N.Y.3d 794, 929 N.Y.S.2d 102, 952 N.E.2d 1097;see People v. Hernandez, 291 A.D.2d 263, 263, 738 N.Y.S.2d 309,lv. denied98 N.Y.2d 697, 747 N.Y.S.2d 416, 776 N.E.2d 5). We further note that several aspects of the victim's testimony were corroborated by other witnesses.
Defendant's contention that he was deprived of effective assistance of counsel by defense counsel's failure to call unspecified exculpatory witnesses on his behalf or to introduce alleged documentary evidence that would have established his innocence is based on matters outside the record on appeal and therefore must be raised by way of a motion pursuant to CPL 440.10 ( see People v. Wittman, 103 A.D.3d 1206, 1206–1207, 958 N.Y.S.2d 911;People v. King, 90 A.D.3d 1533, 1534, 935 N.Y.S.2d 418,lv. denied18 N.Y.3d 959, 944 N.Y.S.2d 488, 967 N.E.2d 713). To the extent that defendant's contention is reviewable on this appeal, we conclude that, viewing the evidence, the law and the circumstances of this case, in totality and as of the time of the representation, defendant received meaningful representation ( see Wittman, 103 A.D.3d at 1207, 958 N.Y.S.2d 911;see generally People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 147, 444 N.Y.S.2d 893, 429 N.E.2d 400). Notably, prior to trial, defense counsel served discovery demands; filed an omnibus motion seeking, inter alia, dismissal or reduction of the charges in the indictment and suppression of defendant's oral statements; and requested a bill of particulars. Defense counsel also successfully moved to preclude potentially damaging testimony from a child witness. At trial, defense counsel extensively cross-examined the People's witnesses, particularly the victim and the People's medical expert, and vigorously advocated for defendant in his opening and closing statements, arguing that the victim was lying and that the People's witnesses were unworthy of belief.
We reject the further contention of defendant that the court punished him for exercising his right to a trial. “[T]he mere fact that a sentence imposed after trial is greater than that offered in connection with plea negotiations is not proof that defendant was punished for asserting his right to trial ..., and there is no indication in the record before us that the sentencing court acted in a vindictive manner based on defendant's exercise of the right to a trial” ( People v. Brink, 78 A.D.3d 1483, 1485, 910 N.Y.S.2d 606,lv. denied16 N.Y.3d 742, 917 N.Y.S.2d 623, 942 N.E.2d 1048 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see People v. Lewis, 93 A.D.3d 1264, 1267, 940 N.Y.S.2d 722,lv. denied19 N.Y.3d 963, 950 N.Y.S.2d 115, 973 N.E.2d 213;People v. Russell, 83 A.D.3d 1463, 1465, 919 N.Y.S.2d 721,lv. denied17 N.Y.3d 800, 929 N.Y.S.2d 108, 952 N.E.2d 1103). Finally, the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe, particularly in light of the severity of the crimes and defendant's failure to take any responsibility for his actions or to express remorse.
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.