PEOPLE v. CAMPBELL (2005)

 Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him, upon a jury verdict, of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (Penal Law § 220.21[1] ), three counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree (§ 220.50[1]-[3] ), and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree (§ 265.01[1] ).   We reject defendant's contention that the conviction is not supported by legally sufficient evidence (see generally People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672).   The People's theory at trial was that defendant had constructive possession of the cocaine, and the People presented legally sufficient evidence establishing that defendant “exercised ‘dominion or control’ over the property by a sufficient level of control over the area in which the contraband [was] found” (People v. Manini, 79 N.Y.2d 561, 573, 584 N.Y.S.2d 282, 594 N.E.2d 563;  see also People v. Francis, 79 N.Y.2d 925, 582 N.Y.S.2d 982, 591 N.E.2d 1168).   We further conclude that the jury did not fail to give the evidence the weight it should be accorded and thus that the verdict is not against the weight of the evidence (see generally Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d at 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672;  People v. Jackson, 11 A.D.3d 928, 929, 784 N.Y.S.2d 758).

 Also contrary to the contention of defendant, he was not denied effective assistance of counsel.   The “evidence, the law, and the circumstances of [this] case, viewed in totality and as of the time of the representation, reveal that the attorney provided meaningful representation” (People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 147, 444 N.Y.S.2d 893, 429 N.E.2d 400).   Furthermore, the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe.   We have reviewed defendant's remaining contentions and conclude that they are without merit.

It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from be and the same hereby is unanimously affirmed.

MEMORANDUM: