PEOPLE v. DiMASSI (2014)

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Guzman, J.), rendered July 16, 2010, convicting him of rape in the first degree, criminal sexual act in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, and burglary in the first 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 support his conviction of burglary in the first degree is unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05[2]; People v. Hawkins, 11 NY3d 484). 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 burglary in the first degree beyond a reasonable doubt. 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. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495). Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt of burglary in the first degree was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v. Romero, 7 NY3d 633).

The defendant's challenge to the trial court's interested witness charge is unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05[2]; People v. Rivera, 307 A.D.2d 369, 369–370; People v. Brown, 209 A.D.2d 532). In any event, the court's charge in this regard was proper (see People v. Dees, 45 AD3d 602, 603; People v. Varughese, 21 AD3d 1126, 1128; People v. Lopez, 1 AD3d 458, 459).

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