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, etc., respondent, v. Claude HOLLAND, appellant.
Appeals by the defendant from (1) a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Rosenzweig, J.), rendered October 21, 2003, convicting him of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence, and (2) a resentence of the same court (Spires, J.), imposed October 31, 2005.
ORDERED that the judgment and resentence are affirmed.
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620, 467 N.Y.S.2d 349, 454 N.E.2d 932), we find that the evidence was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, upon the exercise of our factual review power (see CPL 470.15[5] ), we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v. Romero, 7 N.Y.3d 633, 826 N.Y.S.2d 163, 859 N.E.2d 902).
Contrary to the defendant's contention, the Supreme Court properly declined to provide the jury with a circumstantial evidence charge since the evidence was both direct and circumstantial (see People v. Daddona, 81 N.Y.2d 990, 599 N.Y.S.2d 530, 615 N.E.2d 1014; People v. Martinez, 185 A.D.2d 365, 586 N.Y.S.2d 300).
The challenged portion of the prosecutor's summation constituted fair comment on the evidence and the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom (see People v. Bianchini, 309 A.D.2d 652, 765 N.Y.S.2d 633; People v. Washington, 227 A.D.2d 126, 641 N.Y.S.2d 636).
The defendant's contention that his resentence should be reduced because the court resentenced him based upon an erroneous view of the evidence is unpreserved for appellate review. In any event, the defendant's contention is without merit. The resentence imposed was not excessive (see People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80, 455 N.Y.S.2d 675).
The defendant's remaining contention, raised in Point Two of his supplemental pro se brief, is unpreserved for appellate review and, in any event, is without merit.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Decided: November 27, 2007
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second 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)