Opinion
2013-06-7
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Eric J. MOTZER, Defendant–Appellant.
Norman P. Effman, Public Defender, Warsaw (Gregory A. Kilburn of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. Donald G. O'Geen, District Attorney, Warsaw (Vincent A. Hemming of Counsel), for Respondent.
Norman P. Effman, Public Defender, Warsaw (Gregory A. Kilburn of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. Donald G. O'Geen, District Attorney, Warsaw (Vincent A. Hemming of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: CENTRA, J.P., FAHEY, LINDLEY, SCONIERS, AND VALENTINO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
On appeal from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of rape in the second degree (Penal Law § 130.30[1] ), criminal sexual act in the second degree (§ 130.45[1] ), criminal sale of marihuana in the second degree (§ 221.50), and endangering the welfare of a child (§ 260.10[1] ), defendant contends that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. We reject that contention. Viewing the evidence in light of the elements of the crimes as charged to the jury ( see People v. Danielson, 9 N.Y.3d 342, 349, 849 N.Y.S.2d 480, 880 N.E.2d 1), we conclude that the verdict is not against the weight of the evidence ( see generally People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672). “[R]esolution 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” ( People v. Witherspoon, 66 A.D.3d 1456, 1457, 885 N.Y.S.2d 829,lv. denied13 N.Y.3d 942, 895 N.Y.S.2d 333, 922 N.E.2d 922 [internal quotation marks omitted] ).
Defendant's further contention that he was punished for exercising his right to a jury trial is not preserved for our review “inasmuch as defendant failed to raise [it] at sentencing” ( People v. Stubinger, 87 A.D.3d 1316, 1317, 929 N.Y.S.2d 813,lv. denied18 N.Y.3d 862, 938 N.Y.S.2d 869, 962 N.E.2d 294), and in any event it lacks merit. “ ‘[T]he mere fact that a sentence imposed after trial is greater than that offered in connection with plea negotiations is not proof that defendant was punished for asserting his right to trial ..., and there is no indication in the record before us that the sentencing court acted in a vindictive manner based on defendant's exercise of the right to a trial’ ” ( id.). We agree with defendant, however, that the sentence is unduly harsh and severe. We therefore modify the sentence as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice by directing that all of the sentences shall run concurrently with respect to each other ( seeCPL 470.15 [6][b] ). In view of our modification of the judgment with respect to the sentence, we further modify the judgment by amending the order of protection, and we remit the matter to County Court for a recalculation of its expiration date ( see generally People v. Wallace, 53 A.D.3d 795, 798, 861 N.Y.S.2d 833,lv. denied11 N.Y.3d 795, 866 N.Y.S.2d 622, 896 N.E.2d 108).
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously modified as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice and on the law by directing that the sentences shall run concurrently with respect to each other and by amending the order of protection and as modified the judgment is affirmed and the matter is remitted to Wyoming County Court for further proceedings.