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IN RE: DEMETRIUS B. (Anonymous), appellant.
In a juvenile delinquency proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 3, the appeal is from an order of disposition of the Family Court, Kings County (Weinstein, J.), dated August 8, 2007, which, upon a fact-finding order of the same court dated June 27, 2007, made after a hearing, finding that the appellant committed acts which, if committed by an adult, would have constituted the crimes of gang assault in the second degree and menacing in the third 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 June 27, 2007.
ORDERED that the order of disposition is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
A 12-year-old complaining witness is presumed competent to testify (see Family Ct. Act 343.1[1], [2]; cf. People v. Martina, 48 A.D.3d 1271, 1272, 852 N.Y.S.2d 527; People v. Mann, 41 A.D.3d 977, 980, 839 N.Y.S.2d 247; People v. Peppard, 27 A.D.3d 1143, 811 N.Y.S.2d 253; see also CPL 60.20[1], [2] ). The appellant failed to overcome that presumption, as the complainant possessed sufficient intelligence and capacity to justify the reception of his testimony, and understood and appreciated the nature of an oath (see Family Ct. Act 343.1[2]; Matter of David PP., 211 A.D.2d 995, 996, 621 N.Y.S.2d 742; cf. People v. Morales, 80 N.Y.2d 450, 453, 591 N.Y.S.2d 825, 606 N.E.2d 953; People v. Nisoff, 36 N.Y.2d 560, 566, 369 N.Y.S.2d 686, 330 N.E.2d 638; People v. McIver, 15 A.D.3d 677, 678, 791 N.Y.S.2d 587; People v. McCall, 277 A.D.2d 467, 468, 715 N.Y.S.2d 760; see also CPL 60.20[2] ).
The appellant's contention regarding an alleged Brady violation (see Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215) is unpreserved for appellate review (cf. People v. Higgins, 298 A.D.2d 529, 530, 748 N.Y.S.2d 663; People v. Rodriguez, 281 A.D.2d 644, 645, 722 N.Y.S.2d 257) and, in any event, is without merit (see Strickler v. Greene, 527 U.S. 263, 119 S.Ct. 1936, 144 L.Ed.2d 286; Matter of Jose A., 44 A.D.3d 756, 758, 845 N.Y.S.2d 349; cf. People v. Campos, 281 A.D.2d 638, 639, 722 N.Y.S.2d 73).
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Decided: August 05, 2008
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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