Opinion
August 17, 1998
Appeal from the County Court, Nassau County (Kowtna, J.).
The defendant contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss the count of the indictment which charge I criminal possession of a weapon, "to wit: a knife", because evidence adduced at trial showed that the defendant only possessed a razor. The indictment stated that the defendant possessed a dangerous instrument with intent to use that instrument unlawfully against another. However, the variance between the allegation noted in the indictment and the proof at trial did not change' the People's theory of the case. Thus, the defendant had sufficient notice of the crime with which he was charged and was able to prepare an adequate defense (see, CPL 200.50; People v. Grega, 72 N.Y.2d 489; People v. Iannone, 45 N.Y.2d 589).
Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the People (see, People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, resolution of issues of credibility, as well as the weight to be accorded to the evidence presented, are primarily questions to be determined by the jury, which saw and heard the witnesses (see, People v. Gaimari, 176 N.Y. 84, 94). The jury's determination should be accorded great weight on appeal and should not be disturbed unless clearly unsupported by the record (see, People v. Garafolo, 44 A.D.2d 86, 88). Upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence (see, CPL 470.15).
The defendant's sentence was neither harsh nor excessive (see, People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80).
Bracken, J. P., Rosenblatt, Ritter and Florio, JJ., concur.