The People, etc., respondent, v. Rahiem Griffin, appellant. (2011)

Submitted-January 21, 2011

DECISION & ORDER

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Nassau County (Carter, J.), rendered July 22, 2009, convicting him of assault in the second degree, vehicular assault in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (two counts), operating a motor vehicle without a license, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.   The appeal brings up for review the denial, after a hearing (Robbins, J.), of that branch of the defendant's omnibus motion which was to suppress his written statement to law enforcement officials.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant's contention that the evidence was legally insufficient to establish his guilt of assault in the second degree (see Penal Law § 120.05 [4] ) is unpreserved for appellate review, except to the extent the defendant contends that the People failed to present any evidence of reckless conduct (see CPL 470.05[2];  People v. Hawkins, 11 NY3d 484, 492).   In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt (see People v. Carrington, 30 AD3d 175;  People v. Bell, 112 A.D.2d 27, 27;  see also People v. Lampon, 38 AD3d 682, 682-683).   Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight of the evidence (see CPL 470.15[5];  People v. Danielson, 9 NY3d 342), we nevertheless accord great deference to the jury's opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (see People v. Mateo, 2 NY3d 383, 410, cert denied 542 U.S. 946;  People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495).   Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt as to assault in the second degree was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v. Romero, 7 NY3d 633).

The defendant's contention that the hearing court erred in denying that branch of his omnibus motion which was to suppress his written statement to law enforcement officials because, at the time he gave the statement, he could not voluntarily waive his right to counsel due to his physical condition is unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05[2] ).   In any event, the People met their burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant's written statement made to law enforcement officials was voluntary (see People v. Anderson, 42 N.Y.2d 35, 38;  People v. Balram, 47 AD3d 1014, 1015;  People v. Williams, 40 AD3d 1364, 1365;  People v. Pearce, 283 A.D.2d 1007).

The defendant's claim that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel insofar as it is based on defense counsel's failure to retain and present the testimony of an accident reconstruction expert is premised upon matters dehors the record and is not reviewable on direct appeal (see People v. Park, 60 AD3d 972, 973;  People v. Holland, 44 AD3d 874).   To the extent that this claim is reviewable, defense counsel provided meaningful representation (see People v. Benevento, 91 N.Y.2d 708, 712;  People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 147;  People v. Dashosh, 59 AD3d 731).

The sentence imposed was not excessive (see People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80).   The defendant's application for a waiver of restitution pursuant to CPL 420.10[5] on the basis of his indigency is premature as he is still incarcerated (see CPL 420.10[5][d];  People v. Fields, 193 A.D.2d 814;  People v. Pagan, 176 A.D.2d 472;  People v. Velez, 150 A.D.2d 514).

ANGIOLILLO, J.P., BELEN, CHAMBERS and ROMAN, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Matthew G. Kiernan

Clerk of the Court