Opinion
2014-08-20
The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. Ricardo BENITEZ, appellant.
Dechert LLP, New York, N.Y. (Andrew J. Levander, James M. McGuire, Matthew L. Mazur, and K. Keely Rankin of counsel), for appellant. Richard A. Brown, District Attorney, Kew Gardens, N.Y. (John M. Castellano, Johnnette Traill, and Laura T. Ross of counsel), for respondent.
Dechert LLP, New York, N.Y. (Andrew J. Levander, James M. McGuire, Matthew L. Mazur, and K. Keely Rankin of counsel), for appellant. Richard A. Brown, District Attorney, Kew Gardens, N.Y. (John M. Castellano, Johnnette Traill, and Laura T. Ross of counsel), for respondent.
RUTH C. BALKIN, J.P., JOHN M. LEVENTHAL, JOSEPH J. MALTESE and HECTOR D. LaSALLE, JJ.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Latella, J.), rendered December 14, 2010, convicting him of robbery in the first degree and robbery in third degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
ORDERED that the judgment is reversed, on the law and as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice, and a new trial is ordered.
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 342, 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. Mateo, 2 N.Y.3d 383, 779 N.Y.S.2d 399, 811 N.E.2d 1053; 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 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 defendant's contention that he was deprived of his right to effective assistance of counsel at the independent source hearing and at trial is without merit ( see People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 146–147, 444 N.Y.S.2d 893, 429 N.E.2d 400).
Nonetheless, we conclude that a new trial is necessary. The defendant was charged with crimes related to a robbery of a Radio Shack store. A detective testified during the People's case that he had received information through the “Crime Tips Office” and that, after further investigation, he began looking for a “White male Hispanic, with the possible name of Rick.” The detective went to an apartment on the sixth floor of a building located at 82–01 Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens, but did not find a person fitting that description. Later that day, however, the detective was provided with information that the person for whom he was looking was in front of that building. Upon arriving there, the detective arrested the defendant, Ricardo Benitez. The detective also testified that the defendant, in providing pedigree information, gave his address as 82–01 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Apartment 6B.
During summation, the prosecutor strongly implied that whoever had provided the tip had implicated the defendant: “Someone calls 577–TIPS.... [The detective] gets this information and where does he go? 82–01 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, make a left out of the elevator. I'm looking for a guy named Rick who lives on the sixth floor. Ricardo Benitez.” After defense counsel's objection to this remark was overruled, the prosecutor continued: “Gave Detective Lopez the following address. 82–01 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, 6B. Rick. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to Rick.” Defense counsel again objected, but the Supreme Court again overruled the objection.
The only purpose of the prosecutor's improper comments was to suggest to the jury, in this one-witness identification case, that the complainant was not the only person who had implicated the defendant in the commission of the robbery ( see People v. Mendez, 22 A.D.3d 688, 689, 804 N.Y.S.2d 337). Moreover, in overruling defense counsel's objections, the Supreme Court “legitimized” the prosecutor's improper remarks (People v. Lloyd, 115 A.D.3d 766, 769, 981 N.Y.S.2d 792). The defendant, of course, was given no opportunity to cross-examine the unnamed witness who had allegedly provided the tip ( see People v. McEaddy, 41 A.D.3d 877, 879–880, 838 N.Y.S.2d 218; cf. Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 124 S.Ct. 1354, 158 L.Ed.2d 177). The evidence against the defendant was not overwhelming, so there is no basis for the application of harmless error analysis ( see People v. Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 237, 367 N.Y.S.2d 213, 326 N.E.2d 787; People v. Brown, 26 A.D.3d 392, 393, 812 N.Y.S.2d 561). To the extent that the defendant failed to preserve the claim by specific objection, we reach the issue in the exercise of our interest of justice jurisdiction, and reverse the judgment ( seeCPL 470.15[6][a] ).
In light of our determination, we need not address the defendant's remaining contentions.