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The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. Gilbert LOO, appellant.
Appeals by the defendant from two judgments of the County Court, Nassau County (La Pera, J.), both rendered March 27, 2003, convicting him of burglary in the second degree and possession of burglary tools under Indictment No. 906/00, and burglary in the second degree under Indictment No. 1963/00, upon jury verdicts, and imposing sentences. The appeals bring up for review the denial, after a hearing (Honorof, J.), of that branch of the defendant's omnibus motion which was to suppress identification testimony.
ORDERED that the judgments are affirmed.
The defendant was convicted, inter alia, of two burglaries which occurred in the pre-dawn hours in two houses located near each other. 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, resolution of issues of credibility, as well as the weight to be accorded to the evidence presented, are primarily questions to be determined by the jury, which saw and heard the witnesses (see People v. Gaimari, 176 N.Y. 84, 94, 68 N.E. 112). Its determination should be accorded great weight on appeal and should not be disturbed unless clearly unsupported by the record (see People v. Garafolo, 44 A.D.2d 86, 88, 353 N.Y.S.2d 500). Upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdicts of guilt are not against the weight of the evidence (see CPL 470.15[5] ).
Contrary to the defendant's contention, the showup identification, which occurred within four blocks of a burglary of one of the complainant's homes, within an hour of that burglary, and within minutes of the defendant's arrest, was not unduly suggestive even though the defendant was handcuffed and in the presence of uniformed officers (see People v. Duuvon, 77 N.Y.2d 541, 545, 569 N.Y.S.2d 346, 571 N.E.2d 654; People v. Russo, 271 A.D.2d 554, 706 N.Y.S.2d 905; cf. People v. Ortiz, 90 N.Y.2d 533, 537, 664 N.Y.S.2d 243, 686 N.E.2d 1337; People v. Riley, 70 N.Y.2d 523, 530, 522 N.Y.S.2d 842, 517 N.E.2d 520).
The sentences imposed were not excessive (see People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80, 455 N.Y.S.2d 675).
The defendant's remaining contentions either are unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05[2] ) or without merit.
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Decided: January 31, 2005
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.
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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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