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People v. Graham

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Oct 30, 1995
220 A.D.2d 768 (N.Y. App. Div. 1995)

Opinion

October 30, 1995

Appeal from the Supreme Court, Queens County (Flug, J.).


Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant's argument that his statements to the police should have been suppressed turns on issues of credibility. It is well settled that issues of credibility are primarily to be determined by the hearing court, whose determination is entitled to great weight on appeal (see, People v. Hamilton, 138 A.D.2d 625; People v. Gagne, 129 A.D.2d 808). The hearing court, in denying suppression of the defendant's inculpatory statements, resolved the issues of credibility in favor of the People and the finding that the defendant made a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of his rights is supported by the evidence (see, Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436; Bram v. United States, 168 U.S. 532; CPL 60.45). As the record supports the determinations by the hearing court, there is no basis to disturb them on appeal (see, People v. Gagne, supra).

Similarly, the defendant's contention that the lineup procedure was defective because he was the only one with his distinctive type of haircut does not require reversal. The law does not require that lineup fillers have the identical physical characteristics as the defendant, and the potentially suggestive nature of the lineup was appropriately removed by requiring all of the lineup participants to wear hats (see, People v. Meatley, 162 A.D.2d 721; cf., People v. Berry, 201 A.D.2d 489).

Finally, the trial court did not err when it refused to instruct the jury on renunciation. To warrant a charge of renunciation, it must be established by the defendant that he withdrew from participation in the offense prior to the commission thereof and made a substantial effort to prevent its commission (see, Penal Law § 40.10; People v. Ozarowski, 38 N.Y.2d 481). There is no evidence in the record which would support a theory of renunciation. Bracken, J.P., Santucci, Joy and Friedmann, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Graham

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Oct 30, 1995
220 A.D.2d 768 (N.Y. App. Div. 1995)
Case details for

People v. Graham

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. CLIFFORD GRAHAM…

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

Date published: Oct 30, 1995

Citations

220 A.D.2d 768 (N.Y. App. Div. 1995)
633 N.Y.S.2d 498

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