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The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Marcial SANTIAGO, Defendant-Appellant.
Judgment, Supreme Court, Bronx County (John Moore, J.), rendered October 2, 1998, convicting defendant, after a jury trial, of criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, and sentencing him, as a second felony offender, to concurrent terms of 7 to 14 years, unanimously affirmed.
The verdict was based on legally sufficient evidence and was not against the weight of the evidence. We see no reason to disturb the jury's determinations concerning credibility. Defendant's accessorial liability was clearly established by evidence that shortly after the undercover officer addressed a request for drugs to defendant and his codefendant, defendant told the officer to wait, left with the codefendant, returned, and transferred a flashlight to the codefendant, from which the codefendant removed drugs subsequently sold to the officer. Defendant's knowledge that the flashlight contained drugs could be readily inferred, and provides the only logical explanation for his conduct (see, People v. Reisman, 29 N.Y.2d 278, 285-287, 327 N.Y.S.2d 342, 277 N.E.2d 396, cert. denied 405 U.S. 1041, 92 S.Ct. 1315, 31 L.Ed.2d 582).
We perceive no abuse of sentencing discretion or other basis for a sentence reduction.
MEMORANDUM DECISION.
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Decided: June 08, 2000
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, New York.
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FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
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