From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

People v. Willard

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Mar 27, 2007
38 A.D.3d 924 (N.Y. App. Div. 2007)

Opinion

Nos. 2005-05016, 2005-05633.

March 27, 2007.

Appeal by the defendant from (1) an amended judgment of the County Court, Nassau County (Sullivan J.), rendered February 28, 2005, revoking a sentence of probation previously imposed by the same court (Cotter, J), upon a finding that he had violated a condition thereof, after a hearing, and imposing a sentence of imprisonment upon his previous conviction of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree under indictment No. 1135/01, and (2) a judgment of the same court (Sullivan, J.), rendered April 8, 2005, convicting him of rape in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, robbery in the third degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, assault in the second degree (two counts), reckless endangerment in the first degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree (two counts), and resisting arrest under indictment No. 1269/04, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. The appeal from the judgment brings up for review the denial of that branch of the defendant's omnibus motion under indictment No. 1269/04 which was to suppress his statements to law enforcement officials.

Law Offices of Joseph A. Hanshe PLLC, Sayville, N.Y. (Gerard E. Hanshe of counsel), for appellant, and appellant pro se.

Kathleen M. Rice, District Attorney, Mineola, N.Y. (Tammy J. Smiley and Laurie K. Spinella of counsel), for respondent.

Before: Mastro, J.P., Florio, Carni and McCarthy, JJ., concur.


Ordered that the amended judgment and the judgment are affirmed.

The defendant contends that there was legally insufficient evidence to convict him of rape in the first degree because the People failed to establish that the complainant was physically helpless, an element of that crime ( see Penal Law § 130.35). Contrary to the defendant's contention, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution ( see People v Contes, 60 NY2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish that the complainant was unconscious or otherwise physically unable to communicate her unwillingness to engage in sexual intercourse with the defendant ( see Penal Law 130.00; People v Perkins, 27 AD3d 890). Upon the exercise of our factual review power ( see CPL 470.15), we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt of rape in the first degree was not against the weight of the evidence ( see People v Romero, 7 NY3d 633).

The sentences imposed were not excessive ( see People v Suitte, 90 AD2d 80).

The defendant's remaining contentions, including those raised in his supplemental pro se brief, are without merit.


Summaries of

People v. Willard

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Mar 27, 2007
38 A.D.3d 924 (N.Y. App. Div. 2007)
Case details for

People v. Willard

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. CHRISTOPHER WILLARD…

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

Date published: Mar 27, 2007

Citations

38 A.D.3d 924 (N.Y. App. Div. 2007)
2007 N.Y. Slip Op. 2784
832 N.Y.S.2d 294

Citing Cases

People v. Willard

Christopher Willard, Coxsackie, N.Y., appellant pro se. Kathleen M. Rice, District Attorney, Mineola, N.Y.…

People v. Willard

October 5, 2007. Appeal from the 2d Dept: 38 AD3d 924 (Nassau). Graffeo,…