Opinion
13943
Decided and Entered: November 6, 2003.
Appeal from a judgment of the County Court of Chemung County (Hayden, J.), rendered February 22, 2002, upon a verdict convicting defendant of the crimes of attempted assault in the second degree and promoting prison contraband in the first degree (two counts).
Christian J. Root, Binghamton, for appellant.
John R. Trice, District Attorney, Elmira (Damian M. Sonsire of counsel), for respondent.
Before: Cardona, P.J., Mercure, Crew III, Peters and, Lahtinen, JJ.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Defendant was indicted and charged with attempted assault in the second degree and promoting prison contraband in the first degree for stabbing a correction officer with a shank at the Southport Correctional Facility in Chemung County. Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted as charged and sentenced to, inter alia, an indeterminate prison term of 3½ to 7 years. Defendant appeals and we affirm.
Defendant's principal contention on appeal is that County Court erred in finding that he was competent to stand trial. We disagree. The record reflects that pursuant to court order, defendant was examined by two psychiatrists, both of whom were of the opinion that defendant was competent to stand trial. Moreover, County Court noted defendant's coherence and awareness during his various appearances and, accordingly, adjudged defendant competent to stand trial. It is to be noted that great deference should be accorded to those findings (see People v. Orama, 150 A.D.2d 505, 506, lv denied 74 N.Y.2d 744). Much is made of the fact that defendant gave short and, indeed, evasive answers during his psychiatric evaluation and was generally uncooperative. We need only note that a determination of competency is based upon a defendant's ability, not willingness, to assist his or her attorney (see People v. McMillan, 212 A.D.2d 445, 446, lv denied 85 N.Y.2d 976; People v. Orama, supra at 506). We have considered defendant's remaining arguments contained in his pro se submission and find them equally without merit.
Cardona, P.J., Mercure, Peters and Lahtinen, JJ., concur.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.