People v. Michalek

Decision Date21 August 1995
Citation218 A.D.2d 750,630 N.Y.S.2d 782
PartiesThe PEOPLE, etc., Respondent, v. Anton MICHALEK, Appellant.
CourtNew York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

Amy L. Colvin, Halesite, for appellant.

James M. Catterson, Jr., District Attorney, Riverhead (Michael J. Miller, of counsel), for respondent.

Before O'BRIEN, J.P., and JOY, GOLDSTEIN and FLORIO, JJ.

MEMORANDUM BY THE COURT.

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Suffolk County (Rohl, J.), rendered September 29, 1989, convicting him of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. By decision and order of this court dated June 1, 1993, the judgment was affirmed (see, People v. Michalek, 194 A.D.2d 568, 598 N.Y.S.2d 565). By decision and order of the Court of Appeals dated January 11, 1994, the judgment was modified and the matter was remitted to the Supreme Court, Suffolk County, for a reconstruction hearing to determine whether the defendant was present at both stages of his Sandoval hearing (see, People v. Michalek, 82 N.Y.2d 906, 609 N.Y.S.2d 172, 631 N.E.2d 114).

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

At the reconstruction hearing conducted on April 15, 1994, and May 2, 1994, before Justice Michael F. Mullen, both the Trial Justice and the prosecutor testified that the defendant was present at both stages of his Sandoval hearing. The defendant's then-attorney had no independent recollection of whether the defendant was present. The defendant could not recall the first stage of his Sandoval hearing. As to the second stage he stated, "I would rather say to you that I was not present there". After the hearing, the court determined that the defendant was present during both stages of the Sandoval hearing. We affirm.

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 hearing court, which saw and heard the witnesses (see, People v. Gaimari, 176 N.Y. 84, 94, 68 N.E. 112). Its determination should be accorded great weight on appeal and should not be disturbed unless clearly unsupported by the record (see, People v. Garafolo, 44 A.D.2d 86, 88, 353 N.Y.S.2d 500). We are satisfied that the hearing court properly credited the testimony of the Trial Justice and the prosecutor (see, e.g., People v. Gonzalez, 184 A.D.2d 525, 584...

To continue reading

Request your trial
9 cases
  • People v. Alomar
    • United States
    • New York Court of Appeals Court of Appeals
    • March 30, 1999
    ...lv. denied 87 N.Y.2d 974, 642 N.Y.S.2d 204, 664 N.E.2d 1267; People v. Koberstein, 216 A.D.2d 868, 629 N.Y.S.2d 363; People v. Michalek, 218 A.D.2d 750, 630 N.Y.S.2d 782, lv denied 86 N.Y.2d 874, 635 N.Y.S.2d 955, 659 N.E.2d 778; People v. Parchment, 218 A.D.2d 752, 630 N.Y.S.2d 778, lv. de......
  • People v. Wiggins
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • May 31, 1996
    ...was not transcribed support the court's determination and, thus, that determination should not be disturbed (see, People v. Michalek, 218 A.D.2d 750, 630 N.Y.S.2d 782, lv. denied 86 N.Y.2d 874, 635 N.Y.S.2d 955, 659 N.E.2d 778). We reject defendant's contention that the Sandoval ruling cons......
  • People v. Cantanzaro
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • February 3, 1997
    ...500). We are satisfied that the hearing court properly credited the testimony of the law enforcement officials (see, People v. Michalek, 218 A.D.2d 750, 630 N.Y.S.2d 782). There was no credible evidence that law enforcement officials intentionally deprived the then-18-year-old defendant of ......
  • People v. Miller
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • November 15, 1995
    ...evidence presented, are primarily questions to be determined by the hearing court, which saw and heard the witnesses" (People v. Michalek, 218 A.D.2d 750, 630 N.Y.S.2d 782). We, therefore, reserve decision and remit the matter to County Court to make findings of fact and a determination whe......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT