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People v. Tugwell

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Nov 4, 1985
114 A.D.2d 869 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985)

Opinion

November 4, 1985

Appeal from the Supreme Court, Kings County (Delury, J.).


Judgment affirmed.

Contrary to defendant's contention, the evidence adduced at trial established his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It is settled that on appeal, we must view the facts most favorably to the People who prevailed (People v Malizia, 62 N.Y.2d 755, 757, cert denied ___ US ___, 105 S Ct 327), and assume that the jury credited the prosecution witnesses and gave the prosecution's evidence the full weight that might reasonably be accorded it (People v Bigelow, 106 A.D.2d 448). Further, on review of a criminal conviction where there is any evidence of guilt, the question of reasonable doubt should generally be left to the jury and the verdict left undisturbed unless clearly against the weight of the evidence (People v Bigelow, supra, at p 449).

Viewed in this light, the evidence is clearly sufficient to support the verdict. The victim observed the defendant a number of times prior to his arrest and unequivocally identified him at trial. The accuracy of an eyewitness identification presents an issue of fact for jury resolution (People v Dukes, 97 A.D.2d 445). The alleged inconsistencies in the eyewitness testimony were fully explored and we find no basis to disturb the jury's resolution of the issues (see, People v Gruttola, 43 N.Y.2d 116, 122; People v Joyiens, 39 N.Y.2d 197, 203).

Although there was testimony by the police that bolstered the complainant's identification, it was not objected to and is not preserved for appellate review as a matter of law. Moreover, it appears that its use by defendant on cross-examination may have been part of a trial strategy to attack complainant's credibility as to identification.

Finally, under the circumstances of this case, the sentence imposed was not excessive. Mangano, J.P., Gibbons, Thompson and Kunzeman, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Tugwell

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Nov 4, 1985
114 A.D.2d 869 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985)
Case details for

People v. Tugwell

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. LUIS TUGWELL, Appellant

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

Date published: Nov 4, 1985

Citations

114 A.D.2d 869 (N.Y. App. Div. 1985)

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