Opinion
2012-04-24
The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. Stephon Rumell JOHNSON, appellant.
Michele Marte–Indzonka, Newburgh, N.Y., for appellant, and appellant pro se. Francis D. Phillips II, District Attorney, Goshen, N.Y. (Lauren E. Grasso and Andrew R. Kass of counsel), for respondent.
Michele Marte–Indzonka, Newburgh, N.Y., for appellant, and appellant pro se. Francis D. Phillips II, District Attorney, Goshen, N.Y. (Lauren E. Grasso and Andrew R. Kass of counsel), for respondent.
WILLIAM F. MASTRO, A.P.J., RUTH C. BALKIN, SANDRA L. SGROI, and JEFFREY A. COHEN, JJ.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Orange County (Berry, J.), rendered October 7, 2009, convicting him of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (two counts) and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
ORDERED that the judgment is modified, on the law, by vacating the sentence imposed on the defendant's conviction of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree; as so modified, the judgment is affirmed and the matter is remitted to the County Court, Orange County, for resentencing on the conviction of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree in accordance herewith.
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution ( 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 prove the defendant's guilt of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (two counts) and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree 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, 849 N.Y.S.2d 480, 880 N.E.2d 1), we nevertheless accord great deference to the factfinder's opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor ( see People v. Mateo, 2 N.Y.3d 383, 410, 779 N.Y.S.2d 399, 811 N.E.2d 1053, cert. denied 542 U.S. 946, 124 S.Ct. 2929, 159 L.Ed.2d 828; People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672). Upon reviewing the record here, 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, 826 N.Y.S.2d 163, 859 N.E.2d 902).
The County Court did not improvidently exercise its discretion in permitting the People to present evidence that the defendant was on parole at the time of the incident from which the charges arose, and that he thereafter violated the conditions of his parole by relocating and by failing to report to his parole officer on the day after the incident. That evidence was relevant in that it demonstrated the defendant's consciousness of his guilt of the charged offenses ( see People v. Pryor, 48 A.D.3d 1217, 1217–1218, 851 N.Y.S.2d 801; People v. Jones, 276 A.D.2d 292, 714 N.Y.S.2d 24). Moreover, the court properly instructed the jury on the evaluation of this evidence ( see People v. Crichlow, 79 A.D.3d 1144, 914 N.Y.S.2d 903; People v. Jenkins, 49 A.D.3d 780, 780–781, 853 N.Y.S.2d 629). The defendant's contention relating to the court's instructions on this issue is unpreserved for appellate review and, in any event, without merit ( see CPL 470.05[2]; People v. Rodriguez, 91 A.D.3d 797, 797–798, 936 N.Y.S.2d 896; People v. Jones, 276 A.D.2d at 292–293, 714 N.Y.S.2d 24; People v. McClain, 250 A.D.2d 871, 873, 672 N.Y.S.2d 503).
The defendant has not established that he was deprived of his right to effective assistance of counsel under either the Federal or State Constitution ( see Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674; People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 147, 444 N.Y.S.2d 893, 429 N.E.2d 400).
As the People correctly concede, however, the sentence on the defendant's conviction for criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree is improper. The subsection under which the defendant was convicted, Penal Law § 265.02(1), is not a violent felony offense ( see Penal Law § 70.02[1] [c]; People v. Rickett, 259 A.D.2d 636, 637, 687 N.Y.S.2d 648, affd. 94 N.Y.2d 929, 708 N.Y.S.2d 349, 729 N.E.2d 1148; cf. People v. Fermin, 36 A.D.3d 934, 937, 828 N.Y.S.2d 546). Therefore, the defendant was required to be sentenced on that count to an indeterminate prison term ( see Penal Law § 70.06[2] ). Accordingly, the judgment must be modified by vacating the sentence imposed on that conviction and remitting the matter to the County Court, Orange County, so that the defendant may be resentenced on that count. The defendant's remaining contentions with respect to the sentencing proceeding are without merit ( see People v. Morgan, 27 A.D.3d 579, 580, 810 N.Y.S.2d 369; People v. Rivers, 262 A.D.2d 108, 108–109, 691 N.Y.S.2d 488).
The defendant's contention in his pro se supplemental brief is unpreserved for appellate review ( see CPL 470.05[2] ) and, in any event, is without merit ( see People v. Crosby, 33 A.D.3d 719, 720, 821 N.Y.S.2d 908).