Opinion
2011-09-27
The PEOPLE, etc., respondent,v.Jerome SHARPE, appellant.
Lynn W.L. Fahey, New York, N.Y. (Allegra Glashausser of counsel), for appellant.Richard A. Brown, District Attorney, Kew Gardens, N.Y. (John M. Castellano, Johnnette Traill, and Danielle Hartman of counsel), for respondent.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Hollie, J.), rendered May 18, 2010, convicting him of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (three counts), reckless driving, making an improper turn, and failing to stop for a stop sign (two counts), upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
The Supreme Court's Sandoval ruling ( see People v. Sandoval, 34 N.Y.2d 371, 357 N.Y.S.2d 849, 314 N.E.2d 413), which permitted the prosecutor to question the defendant, were he to testify, on the underlying facts of two of his prior convictions and as to the existence, among others, of two prior felony convictions, was not an improvident exercise of discretion ( see People v. Stapleton, 41 A.D.3d 744, 840 N.Y.S.2d 606; People v. McLaurin, 33 A.D.3d 819, 819–820, 826 N.Y.S.2d 279; People v. Myron, 28 A.D.3d 681, 683, 814 N.Y.S.2d 198, cert. denied 549 U.S. 1326, 127 S.Ct. 1919, 167 L.Ed.2d 572; cf.
People v. Hayes, 97 N.Y.2d 203, 207–208, 738 N.Y.S.2d 663, 764 N.E.2d 963).
The defendant contends that the evidence was legally insufficient to support his convictions on the drug possession counts and that the Supreme Court should not have instructed the jury as to the so-called “automobile presumption” ( see Penal Law § 220.25[1] ). Contrary to the defendant's contention, the evidence supported an instruction on the automobile presumption ( see Penal Law § 220.25[1][c]; People v. Leyva, 38 N.Y.2d 160, 165–167, 169–170, 379 N.Y.S.2d 30, 341 N.E.2d 546; People v. Maye, 64 A.D.3d 795, 795–796, 882 N.Y.S.2d 696; People v. Rosenthal, 207 A.D.2d 364, 616 N.Y.S.2d 199). Moreover, the Supreme Court's charge on the presumption, viewed in its entirety ( see People v. Rodriguez, 141 A.D.2d 678, 529 N.Y.S.2d 380), accurately conveyed to the jury that it is permissive, not mandatory ( see People v. Miller, 57 A.D.3d 568, 570, 869 N.Y.S.2d 150; People v. Lowery, 232 A.D.2d 581, 582, 648 N.Y.S.2d 985; People v. Parks, 199 A.D.2d 426, 427, 605 N.Y.S.2d 347). Further, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution ( see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620, 467 N.Y.S.2d 349, 454 N.E.2d 932), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt ( see People v. Maye, 64 A.D.3d at 796, 882 N.Y.S.2d 696; People v. O'Brien, 212 A.D.2d 741, 742, 622 N.Y.S.2d 782). 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, cert. denied 542 U.S. 946, 124 S.Ct. 2929, 159 L.Ed.2d 828; 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, 826 N.Y.S.2d 163, 859 N.E.2d 902).
The defendant has not preserved for appellate review his claim that certain of the prosecutor's summation comments deprived him of a fair trial ( see CPL 470.05[2]; People v. Morris, 2 A.D.3d 652, 768 N.Y.S.2d 379; People v. McHarris, 297 A.D.2d 824, 825, 748 N.Y.S.2d 57). In any event, the prosecutor's statements, for the most part, constituted fair comment on the evidence and the inferences to be drawn therefrom ( see People v. McHarris, 297 A.D.2d at 825, 748 N.Y.S.2d 57), and any comments that were improper did not, singly or in combination, deprive the defendant of a fair trial ( see People v. Jimenez, 84 A.D.3d 1268, 923 N.Y.S.2d 354; People v. Almonte, 23 A.D.3d 392, 394, 806 N.Y.S.2d 95).
ANGIOLILLO, J.P., BALKIN, HALL and COHEN, JJ., concur.