PEOPLE v. JACKSON (2025)

DECISION & ORDER

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (John T. Hecht, J.), rendered July 15, 2021, convicting him of course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant was convicted of course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree.  The defendant appeals from the judgment of conviction.  We affirm.

Contrary to the defendant's contention, defense counsel's decision to call an expert witness did not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.  “Under the federal ineffective assistance of counsel standard, the defendant must satisfy a two-pronged test in order to establish that counsel was ineffective:  (1) ‘that counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness,’ and (2) ‘that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different’ ” (People v. Mohan, 215 A.D.3d 766, 766–767, 187 N.Y.S.3d 289, quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688, 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674).  “Under the New York standard, the first prong is identical to its federal counterpart, but the second prong is based on the fairness of the process as a whole rather than on the impact of counsel's errors on the outcome of the case” (id. at 767, 187 N.Y.S.3d 289).

“Generally, whether to call an expert is a tactical decision” (People v. Caldavado, 166 A.D.3d 792, 794, 88 N.Y.S.3d 236).  “As long as the defense reflects a reasonable and legitimate strategy under the circumstances and evidence presented, even if unsuccessful, it will not fall to the level of ineffective assistance” (People v. Benevento, 91 N.Y.2d 708, 712–713, 674 N.Y.S.2d 629, 697 N.E.2d 584).

Under the circumstances presented here, the record shows that trial counsel's decision to call an expert witness was a reasonable legal strategy to bolster the defense strategy to undermine the credibility of the People's witnesses (see People v. Caldavado, 166 A.D.3d at 794, 88 N.Y.S.3d 236).  As the defendant failed to demonstrate the absence of strategic or other legitimate explanations for counsel's alleged shortcomings (see People v. Mora, 195 A.D.3d 866, 867–868, 145 N.Y.S.3d 839), we find no basis to disturb the judgment of conviction on this ground.

The defendant's challenge to the comments made by the prosecutor during summation is unpreserved for appellate review (see People v. Milburn, 226 A.D.3d 927, 928–929, 209 N.Y.S.3d 513).  In any event, the challenged remarks constituted a fair comment on the evidence and the inferences to be drawn therefrom or were responsive to defense counsel's comments during summation (see People v. O'Doherty, 236 A.D.3d 929, 930, 229 N.Y.S.3d 608).

The sentence imposed was not excessive (see People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80, 455 N.Y.S.2d 675).

DILLON, J.P., FORD, LOVE and MCCORMACK, JJ., concur.