People v. Taylor

• Decision Date: 25 November 2015
• Citation: 19 N.Y.S.3d 433 (Mem),133 A.D.3d 897,2015 N.Y. Slip Op. 08768
• Parties: The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. Devon TAYLOR, appellant.
• Court: New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

133 A.D.3d 897
19 N.Y.S.3d 433 (Mem)
2015 N.Y. Slip Op. 08768

The PEOPLE, etc., respondent,
v.
Devon TAYLOR, appellant.

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.

Nov. 25, 2015.

Lynn W.L. Fahey, New York, N.Y. (William Kastinof counsel), for appellant.

19 N.Y.S.3d 434

Kenneth P. Thompson, District Attorney, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Leonard Joblove, Victor Barall, and Terrence F. Heller of counsel), for respondent.

Opinion

133 A.D.3d 897

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Dowling, J.), rendered September 7, 2011, convicting him of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant's challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence is unpreserved for appellate review (seeCPL 470.05[2]; People v. Hawkins,11 N.Y.3d 484, 492, 872 N.Y.S.2d 395, 900 N.E.2d 946). In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People (see People v. Contes,60 N.Y.2d 620, 621, 467 N.Y.S.2d 349, 454 N.E.2d 932), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree beyond a reasonable doubt (seePenal Law § 265.03[1][b]; § 265.15[4]; People v. Danielson,9 N.Y.3d 342, 349, 849 N.Y.S.2d 480, 880 N.E.2d 1; People v. Bleakley,69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672; People v. Vincent,80 A.D.3d 633, 634, 914 N.Y.S.2d 298).

133 A.D.3d 898

Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight of the evidence (seeCPL 470.15[5]; People v. Danielson,9 N.Y.3d at 348–349, 849 N.Y.S.2d 480, 880 N.E.2d 1; People v. Vincent,80 A.D.3d at 634, 914 N.Y.S.2d 298), 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; People v. Bleakley,69 N.Y.2d at 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672). Upon reviewing the record...