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. Marshall CHAPMAN, Appellant.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Greenberg, J.), rendered June 15, 1998, convicting him of murder in the second degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. The appeal brings up for review the denial, after a hearing, of that branch of the defendant's omnibus motion which was to suppress his statements to law enforcement officials.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
Contrary to the defendant's contention, the hearing court properly denied that branch of his motion which was to suppress his statements. The defendant's claim that his statements were physically coerced is belied by his appearance in his arrest photograph and his appearance and demeanor during his videotaped statement (see, People v. Williams, 226 A.D.2d 750, 641 N.Y.S.2d 856; People v. Turner, 200 A.D.2d 603, 606 N.Y.S.2d 276). The credibility determinations of the hearing court are entitled to great deference, as it saw and heard the witnesses (see, People v. Prochilo, 41 N.Y.2d 759, 395 N.Y.S.2d 635, 363 N.E.2d 1380; People v. Grieco, 262 A.D.2d 656, 691 N.Y.S.2d 888).
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 it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence (see, CPL 470.15[5] ).
The defendant's remaining contentions are unpreserved for appellate review (see, CPL 470.05[2]; People v. Gonzalez, 55 N.Y.2d 887, 449 N.Y.S.2d 18, 433 N.E.2d 1266; People v. Bellow, 255 A.D.2d 450, 680 N.Y.S.2d 856) and, in any event, are without merit.
MEMORANDUM BY THE COURT.
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: November 20, 2000
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)