The People, etc., respondent, v. Devon Lewis, also known as Gunna, appellant. (2026)

Submitted—February 24, 2026

DECISION & ORDER

C/

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Suffolk County (Timothy P. Mazzei, J.), rendered June 9, 2021, convicting him of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (six counts) and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (six counts), upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

Contrary to the defendant's contention, the County Court providently exercised its discretion in denying his motion pursuant to CPL 330.30(2) to set aside the verdict based upon juror misconduct.  “ ‘Under CPL 330.30(2), a motion to set aside a verdict may be granted when it is shown that improper conduct by a juror may have affected a substantial right of the defendant’ ” (People v. Maraj, 228 AD3d 958, 959 [internal quotation marks omitted], quoting People v. Clark, 81 N.Y.2d 913, 914).  Here, the court conducted a “probing and tactful inquiry” (People v. Buford, 69 N.Y.2d 290, 299) of the juror, whose credibility the court was in the best position to evaluate, and there was no indication of misconduct that prejudiced any of the defendant's substantial rights (see People v. Veliz, 222 AD3d 785, 786;  People v. Santos, 199 AD3d 717;  People v. Lowe, 166 AD3d 901, 902).  Moreover, the alleged misconduct was known to the defendant prior to the jury's deliberations and rendition of a verdict, yet he did not raise the issue until after the verdict was rendered (see CPL 330.30[2];  People v. Lowe, 166 AD3d at 902;  People v. Owens, 191 A.D.2d 715, 716).

The defendant's contention that the County Court, by the sentence it imposed, improperly penalized him for exercising his right to a trial is unpreserved for appellate review (see People v. Hurley, 75 N.Y.2d 887, 888;  People v. Saravia, 239 AD3d 1002, 1003).  In any event, the record reveals no evidence of retaliation or vindictiveness against the defendant for electing to proceed to trial (see People v. Cowan, 243 AD3d 674, 676;  People v. Bradshaw, 229 AD3d 563, 564).

The sentence imposed was not excessive (see People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80).  The defendant's contention that his sentence violated the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment is unpreserved for appellate review (see People v. Trigueros–Hernandez, 243 AD3d 817, 818) and, in any event, without merit (see People v. Zitrenbaum, 231 AD3d 1064, 1064).

The defendant's remaining contentions are without merit.

IANNACCI, J.P., DOWLING, VENTURA and GOLIA, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Darrell M. Joseph

Clerk of the Court