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The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. James MORALES, Defendant-Appellant.
Judgment, Supreme Court, New York County (Mary McGowan Davis, J.), rendered April 25, 1995, convicting defendant, after a jury trial, of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, and sentencing him, as a second felony offender, to concurrent terms of 4 1/212 to 9 years, unanimously affirmed.
Defendant's suppression motion was properly denied. Probable cause was supplied by the radio transmission from the purchasing undercover officer, which included a detailed description of the two suspects and their exact location. The descriptions of the two suspects, the only two persons at that location matching the descriptions, were sufficiently specific to ensure that the pair of individuals arrested was the same pair of individuals involved in the drug transaction (see, People v. Ward, 182 A.D.2d 573, 582 N.Y.S.2d 432, lv. denied 81 N.Y.2d 849, 595 N.Y.S.2d 748, 611 N.E.2d 787; People v. Acevedo, 179 A.D.2d 465, 466, 577 N.Y.S.2d 864, lv. denied 79 N.Y.2d 996, 584 N.Y.S.2d 451, 594 N.E.2d 945). The evidence was legally sufficient to establish defendant's guilt and the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence. There was ample evidence of defendant's intentional participation in the drug transaction (see, People v. Tinsley, 242 A.D.2d 439, 662 N.Y.S.2d 252). Issues of credibility were properly presented to the jury and we find no reason to disturb its determination.
Defendant's claims that certain testimony he elicited on cross-examination of a police witness constituted hearsay and uncharged crimes evidence, and that the elicitation of such testimony resulted from misleading pretrial disclosure by the People, are unpreserved. Defendant failed to object, extensively pursued cross-examination on the same subject, failed to accept the court's offer to strike the testimony, and abandoned a tentative request for a limiting instruction. Interest of justice review is not warranted, particularly because defendant exploited the challenged testimony to his advantage (see, People v. Flores, 210 A.D.2d 1, 618 N.Y.S.2d 815, lv. denied 84 N.Y.2d 1031, 623 N.Y.S.2d 187, 647 N.E.2d 459; People v. Littlejohn, 72 A.D.2d 515, 420 N.Y.S.2d 890). We have considered defendant's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit.
MEMORANDUM DECISION.
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Decided: January 15, 1998
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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