PEOPLE v. ADAMS (2007)

 On appeal from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of arson in the third degree (Penal Law § 150.10[1] ), defendant contends that the expert testimony of the arson investigator at trial improperly invaded the jury's province.   Although we agree with defendant that County Court erred in allowing the arson investigator to testify that the fire was intentionally set, we conclude that the error is harmless (see People v. Champion, 247 A.D.2d 901, 668 N.Y.S.2d 857, lv. denied 91 N.Y.2d 971, 672 N.Y.S.2d 850, 695 N.E.2d 719;  see generally People v. Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 241-242, 367 N.Y.S.2d 213, 326 N.E.2d 787).   Defendant failed to preserve for our review his contention that the grand jury proceeding was defective based on similar opinion testimony (see generally People v. Beyor, 272 A.D.2d 929, 708 N.Y.S.2d 535, lv. denied 95 N.Y.2d 832, 713 N.Y.S.2d 139, 735 N.E.2d 419), and we decline to exercise our power to review that contention as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice (see id.).

 Contrary to the further contention of defendant, the evidence is legally sufficient to support the conviction, i.e., “there is [a] valid line of reasoning and permissible inferences which could lead a rational person to the conclusion reached by the jury on the basis of the evidence at trial” (People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672).   The People presented evidence establishing that defendant had stated that he “was going to get” the arson victim, he wanted the building to burn down once it caught fire, he admitted setting the fire, and his hands smelled of gasoline.   Defendant failed to preserve for our review his further contention that the court erred in refusing to suppress a lighter found in his pocket (see People v. Coleman, 56 N.Y.2d 269, 274, 451 N.Y.S.2d 705, 436 N.E.2d 1307), and we decline to exercise our power to review that contention as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice (see CPL 470.15[6][a] ).

The sentence is not unduly harsh or severe.   We have examined 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: