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People v. Ortiz

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Feb 3, 1992
180 A.D.2d 653 (N.Y. App. Div. 1992)

Opinion

February 3, 1992

Appeal from the County Court, Westchester County (Silverman, J.).


Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

In this case arising out of an altercation between the defendant, an inmate at a State prison, and a corrections officer, we find that contrary to the defendant's contentions, the prosecution proved the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see, People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt of assault in the second degree beyond a reasonable doubt and to disprove the defense of justification beyond a reasonable doubt (see, Penal Law § 120.05).

Resolution of issues of credibility, as well as the weight to be accorded the evidence presented, are primarily questions to be determined by the trier of facts, which saw and heard the witnesses (see, People v. Gaimari, 176 N.Y. 84, 94). Its determination should be accorded great weight on appeal and should not be disturbed unless clearly unsupported by the record (see, People v. Garafolo, 44 A.D.2d 86, 88). Upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence (see, CPL 470.15). Balletta, J.P., Miller, Ritter and Copertino, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Ortiz

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Feb 3, 1992
180 A.D.2d 653 (N.Y. App. Div. 1992)
Case details for

People v. Ortiz

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. DAVID ORTIZ, Also…

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

Date published: Feb 3, 1992

Citations

180 A.D.2d 653 (N.Y. App. Div. 1992)

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