Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
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.
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Peter NESBIT, Defendant-Appellant.
Judgment, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Robert Straus, J.), rendered April 16, 1996, 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 seventh degree, and sentencing him, as a second felony offender, to concurrent terms of 6 to 12 years and 1 year, respectively, 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 credibility determinations. The People presented overwhelming evidence of defendant's guilt, including defendant's possession of prerecorded buy money, and the jury had ample basis on which to reject, as incredible, defendant's explanation of how he acquired the money.
We conclude that any error in the court's preclusion of the undercover officer's buy report and of cross-examination showing an omission therefrom was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of defendant's guilt and the minimal probative value of the omission (see, People v. Medina, 249 A.D.2d 166, 672 N.Y.S.2d 53, lv. denied 92 N.Y.2d 901, 680 N.Y.S.2d 65, 702 N.E.2d 850). The court's remaining restrictions on defendant's cross-examination were proper exercises of discretion (see, People v. Bornholdt, 33 N.Y.2d 75, 88, 350 N.Y.S.2d 369, 305 N.E.2d 461, cert. denied 416 U.S. 905, 94 S.Ct. 1609, 40 L.Ed.2d 109; People v. Schwartzman, 24 N.Y.2d 241, 244, 299 N.Y.S.2d 817, 247 N.E.2d 642, cert. denied 396 U.S. 846, 90 S.Ct. 103, 24 L.Ed.2d 96).
By failing to object, by making only generalized objections, and by failing to request further relief after objections were sustained, defendant has failed to preserve his present challenges to the People's cross-examination and summation, and we decline to review them in the interest of justice. Were we to review these claims, we would find that they would not warrant reversal (see, People v. Overlee, 236 A.D.2d 133, 666 N.Y.S.2d 572, lv. denied 91 N.Y.2d 976, 672 N.Y.S.2d 855, 695 N.E.2d 724; People v. D'Alessandro, 184 A.D.2d 114, 118-119, 591 N.Y.S.2d 1001, lv. denied 81 N.Y.2d 884, 597 N.Y.S.2d 945, 613 N.E.2d 977).
We have considered and rejected defendant's remaining claims.
MEMORANDUM DECISION.
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Decided: June 29, 1999
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
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.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)