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The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. Russell SMITH, appellant.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Carroll, J.), rendered February 14, 2005, convicting him of burglary in the third degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
The defendant's contentions that prosecutorial misconduct during summation constituted reversible error are without merit (see People v. Caban, 5 N.Y.3d 143, 800 N.Y.S.2d 70, 833 N.E.2d 213). Most of the prosecutor's statements were fair comment on the evidence, or fair response to the defense counsel's arguments upon summation (see People v. Ashwal, 39 N.Y.2d 105, 383 N.Y.S.2d 204, 347 N.E.2d 564; People v. Valdes, 291 A.D.2d 513, 738 N.Y.S.2d 223). Further, although some of the prosecutor's comments were improper, any error was harmless, because the evidence of the defendant's guilt was overwhelming, and there was no significant possibility that the defendant would have been acquitted absent the prosecutor's statements (see People v. Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 367 N.Y.S.2d 213, 326 N.E.2d 787; People v. Halm, 81 N.Y.2d 819, 595 N.Y.S.2d 380, 611 N.E.2d 281; People v. Adamo, 309 A.D.2d 808, 765 N.Y.S.2d 651).
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Decided: January 23, 2007
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.
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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.
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