Opinion
2013-05-1
The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. William TRACEY, appellant.
Beverly Van Ness, New York, N.Y., for appellant. Kathleen M. Rice, District Attorney, Mineola, N.Y. (Andrea M. DiGregorio and Ilisa T. Fleischer of counsel), for respondent.
Beverly Van Ness, New York, N.Y., for appellant. Kathleen M. Rice, District Attorney, Mineola, N.Y. (Andrea M. DiGregorio and Ilisa T. Fleischer of counsel), for respondent.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Nassau County (Berkowitz, J.), rendered September 27, 2010, convicting him of murder in the second degree and tampering with physical evidence, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
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 support the defendant's conviction of murder in the second degree. 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, 348, 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. 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 of murder in the second degree 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 sentence imposed was not excessive ( see People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80, 455 N.Y.S.2d 675).