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People v. Pittman

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Department
Feb 27, 1987
127 A.D.2d 964 (N.Y. App. Div. 1987)

Opinion

February 27, 1987

Appeal from the Erie County Court, Wolfgang, J.

Present — Denman, J.P., Boomer, Pine, Balio and Lawton, JJ.


Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: On appeal from his conviction of murder in the second degree, following a jury trial, defendant objects to the court's refusal to give a missing witness charge. This identical issue was raised by his codefendant on appeal and we found no error in the court's ruling (People v. Johnson, 101 A.D.2d 684). Defendant's contention that the court, following a Huntley hearing, erred in holding that the March 12, 1980 and October 3, 1980 statements were admissible is likewise without merit. The credibility to be afforded witnesses presenting conflicting testimony is generally a matter for the trier of facts and no extraordinary circumstances have been presented requiring reversal of the hearing court's determination (see, People v. Hopkins, 86 A.D.2d 937, 938, affd 58 N.Y.2d 1079; People v. Wright, 71 A.D.2d 585, 586). Defendant also claims that nonjudicial personnel determined the response to jury request No. 2; however, there is no indication in this record that the court delegated its duty to supervise the jury deliberations (cf., People v. Ahmed, 66 N.Y.2d 307, rearg denied 67 N.Y.2d 647). Further, since the document requested had not been admitted into evidence and defendant does not claim that it was shown to the jury, there was no need to assemble the parties to rule on this request.

We have reviewed the additional issues raised in defendant's pro se brief and find them to be without merit.


Summaries of

People v. Pittman

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Department
Feb 27, 1987
127 A.D.2d 964 (N.Y. App. Div. 1987)
Case details for

People v. Pittman

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. JAMES PITTMAN…

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

Date published: Feb 27, 1987

Citations

127 A.D.2d 964 (N.Y. App. Div. 1987)

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