Opinion
2011-03-29
The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. Stephen NOLL, appellant.
Robert C. Mitchell, Riverhead, N.Y. (Kirk R. Brandt of counsel), for appellant. Thomas J. Spota, District Attorney, Riverhead, N.Y. (Guy Arcidiacono of counsel), for respondent.
Robert C. Mitchell, Riverhead, N.Y. (Kirk R. Brandt of counsel), for appellant. Thomas J. Spota, District Attorney, Riverhead, N.Y. (Guy Arcidiacono of counsel), for respondent.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Suffolk County (Hudson, J.), rendered April 13, 2007, convicting him of robbery in the first degree, attempted robbery in the first degree, burglary in the third degree, and resisting arrest, after a nonjury trial, and imposing sentence.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
The defendant contends that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt by legally sufficient evidence because he was not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect ( see Penal Law § 40.15). This contention is unpreserved for appellate review ( see CPL 470.05[2]; People v. Ginsberg, 36 A.D.3d 627, 628, 831 N.Y.S.2d 81). In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution ( see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620, 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 ( see People v. Trojan, 73 A.D.3d 818, 900 N.Y.S.2d 405;People v. Ginsberg, 36 A.D.3d at 628, 831 N.Y.S.2d 81).
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 fact-finder'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. denied542 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 People offered expert testimony to rebut the testimony of the defense expert that, due to a mental disease or defect, the defendant lacked substantial capacity to know or appreciate the nature and consequences of his conduct, or that his conduct was wrong when he committed the crimes ( see People v. Trojan, 73 A.D.3d at 819, 900 N.Y.S.2d 405;People v. Hill, 276 A.D.2d 716, 715 N.Y.S.2d 638;People v. Rahman, 202 A.D.2d 696, 609 N.Y.S.2d 290).