People v. Hawkins

Citation628 N.Y.S.2d 728,216 A.D.2d 414
PartiesThe PEOPLE, etc., Respondent, v. Allen HAWKINS, Appellant.
Decision Date12 June 1995
CourtNew York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

Kevin Costello, Flushing, for appellant.

Richard A. Brown, Dist. Atty., Kew Gardens (Steven J. Chananie, Robin A. Forshaw, and Cheryl Hone, of counsel), for respondent.

Before PIZZUTO, J.P., and HART, FRIEDMANN and FLORIO, JJ.

MEMORANDUM BY THE COURT.

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Eng, J.), rendered October 19, 1993, convicting him of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, after a nonjury trial, 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 establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence (see, CPL 470.15[5]. Resolution of issues of credibility, as well as the weight to be accorded to the evidence presented, are primarily questions to be determined by the trier of fact, which saw and heard the witnesses (see, People v. Gaimari, 176 N.Y. 84, 68 N.E. 112). Its determination should not be disturbed unless clearly unsupported by the record (see, People v. Covington, 209 A.D.2d 713, 619 N.Y.S.2d 333; People v. Garafolo, 44 A.D.2d 86, 353 N.Y.S.2d 500).

The defendant contends that he was denied his right to testify before the Grand Jury due to an Assistant District Attorney's refusal to inform him as to which of his past offenses would be used to attempt to impeach him in the event he testified. The defendant further contends that the denial of his right to testify before the Grand Jury impaired the integrity of the Grand Jury proceedings to such an extent that the indictment should have been be dismissed. We disagree. Since there was no right to a Sandoval ruling (see, People v. Sandoval, 34 N.Y.2d 371, 357 N.Y.S.2d 849, 314 N.E.2d 413) prior to the defendant's testifying at the Grand Jury proceedings (see, People v. Thomas, 213 A.D.2d 73, 628 N.Y.S.2d 707), the Supreme Court properly denied the motion to dismiss the indictment.

The defendant's remaining contentions are either unpreserved for...

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5 cases
  • People v. Arnold
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court
    • 8 Octubre 1997
    ...to a Sandoval hearing on his prior misconduct to determine what other offenses may be used on cross-examination (People v. Hawkins, 216 A.D.2d 414, 415, 628 N.Y.S.2d 728; People v. Thomas, 213 A.D.2d 73, 628 N.Y.S.2d 707.) Furthermore, any prior immoral acts by the defendant may be utilized......
  • People v. Weinert
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Term
    • 24 Junio 1998
    ...People v. Figueroa, 219 A.D.2d 606, 631 N.Y.S.2d 184, lv. denied, 87 N.Y.2d 846, 638 N.Y.S.2d 604, 661 N.E.2d 1386; People v. Hawkins, 216 A.D.2d 414, 628 N.Y.S.2d 728, lv. denied, 86 N.Y.2d 842, 634 N.Y.S.2d 452, 658 N.E.2d 230; People v. Scott, 168 A.D.2d 523, 562 N.Y.S.2d 761, lv. denied......
  • People v. Brockenshire
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • 31 Diciembre 1997
    ...affd. 88 N.Y.2d 821, 644 N.Y.S.2d 491, 666 N.E.2d 1364; see also, People v. Jones, 239 A.D.2d 234, 657 N.Y.S.2d 641; People v. Hawkins, 216 A.D.2d 414, 415, 628 N.Y.S.2d 728, lv. denied 86 N.Y.2d 842, 634 N.Y.S.2d 452, 658 N.E.2d County Court did not abuse its discretion in permitting an in......
  • People v. Guzman
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • 12 Junio 1995
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