IN RE: ROBERT A. (Anonymous) (2008)

In a juvenile delinquency proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 3, the appeal is from an order of disposition of the Family Court, Richmond County (DiDomenico, J.), dated September 20, 2007, which, upon a fact-finding order of the same court dated July 23, 2007, finding that the appellant had committed an act which, if committed by an adult, would have constituted the crime of reckless endangerment in the second degree, adjudged him to be a juvenile delinquent and placed him on probation for a period of 12 months.   The appeal brings up for review the fact-finding order dated July 23, 2007.

ORDERED that the appeal from so much of the order of disposition as placed the appellant on probation for a period of 12 months is dismissed, without costs or disbursements, as the period of probation has expired (see Matter of Daniel R., 51 A.D.3d 933, 856 N.Y.S.2d 876);  and it is further,

ORDERED that the order of disposition is affirmed insofar as reviewed, without costs or disbursements.

Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Presentment Agency (see Matter of David H., 69 N.Y.2d 792, 793, 513 N.Y.S.2d 111, 505 N.E.2d 621;  Matter of Charles S., 41 A.D.3d 484, 485, 838 N.Y.S.2d 136), we find that it was legally sufficient to support the finding that the appellant recklessly engaged in conduct that created a substantial risk of serious injury and which, if committed by an adult, would have constituted the crime of reckless endangerment in the second degree (see Penal Law § 120.20;  Matter of Kadeem W., 5 N.Y.3d 864, 865, 808 N.Y.S.2d 130, 842 N.E.2d 15;  Matter of George V., 231 A.D.2d 641, 642, 647 N.Y.S.2d 968;  Matter of James D., 231 A.D.2d 631, 647 N.Y.S.2d 964;  see also Matter of Jehadh S., 24 A.D.3d 128, 128-129, 808 N.Y.S.2d 24;  Matter of Rydell D., 285 A.D.2d 592, 728 N.Y.S.2d 382).   The complainant observed the appellant during the incident under good lighting conditions, and subsequently identified the appellant at a showup that took place 15 minutes after the incident.   Under these circumstances, the identification testimony was legally sufficient (see Matter of Jonathan A., 36 A.D.3d 697, 698, 831 N.Y.S.2d 179;  People v. Rodgers, 6 A.D.3d 464, 465, 774 N.Y.S.2d 349;  People v. Terrill, 265 A.D.2d 587, 697 N.Y.S.2d 650;  People v. Baptiste, 201 A.D.2d 659, 660-661, 608 N.Y.S.2d 266).

Moreover, in conducting an independent review of the weight of the evidence (cf. CPL 470.15[5];  People v. Danielson, 9 N.Y.3d 342, 849 N.Y.S.2d 480, 880 N.E.2d 1), we nevertheless accord great deference to the factfinder's opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (cf. People v. Mateo, 2 N.Y.3d 383, 410, 779 N.Y.S.2d 399, 811 N.E.2d 1053, cert. denied 542 U.S. 946, 124 S.Ct. 2929, 159 L.Ed.2d 828;  People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672).   Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the findings of fact were not against the weight of the evidence (cf. People v. Romero, 7 N.Y.3d 633, 826 N.Y.S.2d 163, 859 N.E.2d 902).