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People v. Cobenais

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Department
Jun 4, 1985
112 A.D.2d 31 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985)

Opinion

June 4, 1985

Appeal from the Onondaga County Court, Mordue, J.

Present — Dillon, P.J., Doerr, Denman, Boomer and Schnepp, JJ.


Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: The jury found defendant guilty of burglary in the first degree (Penal Law § 140.30). At trial, defendant called four witnesses in an attempt to establish an alibi. Defense counsel failed, however, to request an alibi charge, and none was given. No exception was taken to the court's charge, which was otherwise proper in all respects. Had the alibi charge been timely requested and refused, a reversal would be required (see, People v. Victor, 62 N.Y.2d 374; CPL 470.05). The issue was not preserved for our review, however (People v. Karabinas, 63 N.Y.2d 871; People v. Hoke, 62 N.Y.2d 1022; People v. Narayan, 54 N.Y.2d 106; People v. Maschi, 49 N.Y.2d 784), and a reversal as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice would not be warranted (CPL 470.15 [c]; [6] [a]). The court repeatedly instructed the jury that the burden of proof as to every element of the crimes charged was upon the People and thus the charge as given may not be viewed as burden shifting. Moreover, the evidence of defendant's guilt was overwhelming.

We have reviewed the other issues raised by defendant on appeal and find them to be without merit.


Summaries of

People v. Cobenais

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Department
Jun 4, 1985
112 A.D.2d 31 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985)
Case details for

People v. Cobenais

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, RESPONDENT, v. ALBERT COBENAIS…

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Department

Date published: Jun 4, 1985

Citations

112 A.D.2d 31 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985)

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The incorrect charge did not shift the burden of proof (cf., People v. Cobenais, 112 A.D.2d 31, 32) and…

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