PEOPLE v. ANTHINEZ (2021)

Judgment of conviction (Tamiko A. Amaker, J.), rendered March 16, 2017, affirmed.

The verdict convicting the defendant of attempted forcible touching (see Penal Law §§ 110, 130.52[1]), sexual abuse in the third degree (see Penal Law § 130.55), attempted assault in the third degree (see Penal Law § 110, 120.00[1]) and harassment in the second degree (see Penal Law § 240.26[1]) was supported by legally sufficient evidence and was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342 [2007]). There is no basis for disturbing the court's credibility determinations, in which it credited the testimony of the victim and an eyewitness, and found defendant not to be credible. The evidence, including photographs of the victim's injuries, established that defendant grabbed the victim's buttocks, without consent, on a crowded subway train, and that when the victim attempted to photograph him with her cell phone, defendant struck her in the face, causing bleeding and a laceration to her lip, and a bruised cheek.

Contrary to defendant's contention, we find nothing incredible about the victim's testimony and find no basis to disturb the credibility assessment of the trial court, who was able to hear the victim's testimony and observe her demeanor (see People v Nowinski, 36 AD3d 1082, 1084 [2007], lv denied 8 NY3d 989 [2007]). The inconsistency between the victim's description of defendant's conduct as a “touch” in her pretrial statement and her use of the word “grab” at trial, was explored on cross-examination, and was for the factfinder to resolve (see e.g. People v Matthews, 159 AD2d 410 [1990], lv denied 76 NY2d 861 [1990]).

Per Curiam.

All concur.