Opinion
2012-04-27
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Harrell BONNER, also known as Damien Prophet, also known as Pete Waller, Defendant–Appellant. (Appeal No. 1.)
Thomas E. Andruschat, East Aurora, for Defendant–Appellant. Harrell Bonner, Defendant–Appellant Pro Se.
Thomas E. Andruschat, East Aurora, for Defendant–Appellant. Harrell Bonner, Defendant–Appellant Pro Se. Frank A. Sedita, III, District Attorney, Buffalo (Nicholas Texido of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: SCUDDER, P.J., CENTRA, CARNI, LINDLEY, AND MARTOCHE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
In appeal No. 1, defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him following a jury trial of promoting prostitution in the second degree (Penal Law § 230.30[1] ) and assault in the second degree (§ 120.05[2] ). In appeal No. 2, defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him, following the same jury trial, of three counts of murder in the second degree (§ 125.25[1], [3] ). We reject defendant's contention that County Court erred in denying his motion to sever the two murder counts relating to one victim from the remaining murder count relating to the second victim. Even assuming, arguendo, that those counts were not properly joinable pursuant to CPL 200.20(2)(b), we nevertheless conclude that the offenses were properly joinable given that they “are defined by the same or similar statutory provisions and consequently are the same or similar in law” (cpl 200.20[2][C]; see people v. june, 30 a.D.3d 1016, 1017, 817 N.Y.S.2d 799, lv. denied 7 N.Y.3d 813, 868, 822 N.Y.S.2d 488, 855 N.E.2d 804). We further conclude that the court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant's motion for severance with respect to the murder counts “in the interest of justice and for good cause shown” (CPL 200.20[3]; see People v. Mahboubian, 74 N.Y.2d 174, 183, 544 N.Y.S.2d 769, 543 N.E.2d 34). There was not a “substantial difference in the quantum of proof presented with respect to the separate” murders ( People v. McDougald, 155 A.D.2d 867, 547 N.Y.S.2d 478, lv. denied 75 N.Y.2d 870, 553 N.Y.S.2d 301, 552 N.E.2d 880; see CPL 200.20[3][a] ), and defendant did not demonstrate that he had a “genuine need to refrain” from testifying with respect to one of the murders (CPL 200.20[3][b] ). Although defendant contends that the court also erred in consolidating the two indictments for trial, that contention is unpreserved for our review ( see CPL 470.05[2] ), and it lacks merit in any event.
We reject defendant's further contention that he was deprived of a fair trial by the court's Molineux ruling. The Molineux evidence admitted at trial was relevant to establish defendant's motive for beating and killing the victims, and to establish defendant's modus operandi and common scheme of using physical abuse to instill fear and obedience in the prostitutes who worked for him ( see People v. Molineux, 168 N.Y. 264, 293–294, 61 N.E. 286). We further conclude that the court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the probative value of the evidence outweighed its potential for prejudice ( see People v. Alvino, 71 N.Y.2d 233, 242, 525 N.Y.S.2d 7, 519 N.E.2d 808). Defendant failed to preserve for our review his challenge to the court's Sandoval ruling ( see People v. Caswell, 49 A.D.3d 1257, 1258, 856 N.Y.S.2d 338, lv. denied 11 N.Y.3d 735, 864 N.Y.S.2d 393, 894 N.E.2d 657, 11 N.Y.3d 740, 864 N.Y.S.2d 399, 894 N.E.2d 663; People v. Hawkes, 39 A.D.3d 1209, 1211, 834 N.Y.S.2d 415, lv. denied 9 N.Y.3d 844, 845, 840 N.Y.S.2d 771, 872 N.E.2d 884) and, in any event, his challenge is without merit.
Defendant further contends that the court violated his right to confront witnesses against him by allowing the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner of Erie County to testify as to the cause of death of one of the victims even though she did not perform the autopsy on that victim. According to defendant, he should have been allowed to confront the individual who performed the autopsy. Defendant failed to preserve that contention for our review ( see People v. Evans, 59 A.D.3d 1127, 1127–1128, 872 N.Y.S.2d 840, lv. denied 12 N.Y.3d 815, 881 N.Y.S.2d 23, 908 N.E.2d 931). We note in any event that any error in the admission of the testimony is harmless ( see generally People v. Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 237, 367 N.Y.S.2d 213, 326 N.E.2d 787), particularly in view of the absence of prejudice suffered by defendant as a result of the admission of that testimony ( see generally People v. Bryant, 27 A.D.3d 1124, 1125–1126, 815 N.Y.S.2d 372, lv. denied 7 N.Y.3d 753, 819 N.Y.S.2d 878, 853 N.E.2d 249). In light of the brutal and sadistic nature of defendant's crimes and his utter lack of remorse, we reject his challenges to the severity of the sentences imposed.
Finally, we have reviewed defendant's contentions raised in his pro se supplemental brief and conclude that they lack merit.
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.