The People, etc., respondent, v. Aaron Cancel, appellant. (2010)

Argued-January 25, 2010

DECISION & ORDER

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Tomei, J.), rendered June 12, 2007, convicting him of murder in the second degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant's contention that the evidence was legally insufficient to establish that he and another person formed and shared a common intent to murder the victim is unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05[2];  People v. Hawkins, 11 NY3d 484;  People v. Mathis, 60 AD3d 697, 698;  People v. Perez, 265 A.D.2d 347, 348).   In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620, 621), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt of murder in the second degree beyond a reasonable doubt.   The defendant, with the requisite mental state, acted in concert with, and intentionally aided, a second shooter (see Penal Law § 20.00;  People v. Cheng, 232 A.D.2d 651;  People v. Johnson, 162 A.D.2d 620).

Contrary to the defendant's contentions, the Supreme Court properly declined to dismiss a juror and declare a mistrial on the ground that the juror was grossly unqualified.   To find a juror grossly unqualified, the court must be convinced that the juror would be prevented from rendering an impartial verdict (see People v. Buford, 69 N.Y.2d 290, 298).   Such determination is to be afforded great deference (see People v. Punwa, 24 AD3d 471, 472;  People v. Franklin, 7 AD3d 966, 967), and we perceive no basis to disturb the determination on appeal.

The defendant was not deprived of the effective assistance of counsel (see People v. Benevento, 91 N.Y.2d 708;  People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137).

RIVERA, J.P., LEVENTHAL, LOTT and AUSTIN, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

James Edward Pelzer

Clerk of the Court