Opinion
02-01-2017
The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. Edward GIBSON, appellant.
Judah Maltz, Kew Gardens, NY, for appellant. Madeline Singas, District Attorney, Mineola, NY (Judith R. Sternberg and Pamela Kelly–Pincus of counsel), for respondent.
Judah Maltz, Kew Gardens, NY, for appellant.
Madeline Singas, District Attorney, Mineola, NY (Judith R. Sternberg and Pamela Kelly–Pincus of counsel), for respondent.
CHERYL E. CHAMBERS, J.P., L. PRISCILLA HALL, JOSEPH J. MALTESE, and BETSY BARROS, JJ.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (Grella, J.), rendered May 15, 2015, convicting him of robbery in the second degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People (see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620, 621, 467 N.Y.S.2d 349, 454 N.E.2d 932 ), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight of the evidence (see CPL 470.15[5] ; People v. Danielson, 9 N.Y.3d 342, 349, 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 their demeanor (see People v. Mateo, 2 N.Y.3d 383, 410, 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, 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, 644–645, 826 N.Y.S.2d 163, 859 N.E.2d 902 ).
The defendant's contention that the Supreme Court failed to comply with the procedure for handling jury notes set forth by the Court of Appeals in People v. O'Rama, 78 N.Y.2d 270, 277–278, 574 N.Y.S.2d 159, 579 N.E.2d 189 with respect to one of several jury notes is unpreserved for appellate review (see People v. Ramirez, 15 N.Y.3d 824, 825–826, 909 N.Y.S.2d 1, 935 N.E.2d 791 ; People v. Fabers, 133 A.D.3d 616, 617, 20 N.Y.S.3d 89 ; People v. Santiago, 117 A.D.3d 759, 760, 985 N.Y.S.2d 153 ). Contrary to the defendant's contention, the alleged failure to comply with the O'Rama procedure did not constitute a mode of proceedings error which would obviate the preservation requirement because it is evident from the record that the court fulfilled its core responsibilities under CPL 310.30 by providing defense counsel with meaningful notice of the content of the jury note at issue (see People v. Nealon, 26 N.Y.3d 152, 20 N.Y.S.3d 315, 41 N.E.3d 1130 ; People v. Deokoro, 137 A.D.3d 1297, 1298, 27 N.Y.S.3d 390 ; People v. Fabers, 133 A.D.3d at 618, 20 N.Y.S.3d 89 ). Moreover, we decline to reach the contention in the exercise of our interest of justice jurisdiction.