PEOPLE v. ABELLARD (2023)

DECISION & ORDER

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Jane C. Tully, J.), rendered April 10, 2018, convicting him of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant was convicted, upon a jury verdict, of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, arising from the shooting of an individual at an illegal gambling parlor in Brooklyn on November 20, 2015.

The defendant's contention that the evidence was legally insufficient to prove his identity as the perpetrator is unpreserved for appellate review (see People v. Hawkins, 11 N.Y.3d 484, 492, 872 N.Y.S.2d 395, 900 N.E.2d 946;  People v. Pearsall, 171 A.D.3d 1096, 1096, 98 N.Y.S.3d 307).  In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620, 621, 467 N.Y.S.2d 349, 454 N.E.2d 932), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's identity as the perpetrator beyond a reasonable doubt (see People v. Keating, 183 A.D.3d 595, 596–597, 123 N.Y.S.3d 160;  People v. Alman, 181 A.D.3d 694, 694, 117 N.Y.S.3d 603).  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 N.Y.3d 342, 348, 849 N.Y.S.2d 480, 880 N.E.2d 1), 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 N.Y.3d 383, 410, 779 N.Y.S.2d 399, 811 N.E.2d 1053;  People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672).  Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v. Romero, 7 N.Y.3d 633, 826 N.Y.S.2d 163, 859 N.E.2d 902).

The defendant's contention that he was deprived of a fair trial when the Supreme Court admitted into evidence certain autopsy photographs is without merit.  “Photographic evidence should be excluded only if its sole purpose is to arouse the emotions of the jury and to prejudice the defendant” (People v. Pobliner, 32 N.Y.2d 356, 370, 345 N.Y.S.2d 482, 298 N.E.2d 637;  see People v. Oliver, 193 A.D.3d 1081, 1083, 146 N.Y.S.3d 666).  Such evidence is properly admissible “if [it] tend[s] to prove or disprove a disputed or material issue, to illustrate or elucidate other relevant evidence, or to corroborate or disprove some other evidence offered or to be offered” (People v. Pobliner, 32 N.Y.2d at 369, 345 N.Y.S.2d 482, 298 N.E.2d 637).  When an inflammatory photograph is relevant to a material issue at trial, the court has broad discretion to determine whether the probative value of the photograph outweighs any prejudice to the defendant (see People v. Oliver, 193 A.D.3d at 1083, 146 N.Y.S.3d 666, citing People v. Stevens, 76 N.Y.2d 833, 835–836, 560 N.Y.S.2d 119, 559 N.E.2d 1278).  Here, the challenged photographs were introduced during the medical examiner's testimony and were relevant to illustrate and corroborate the conclusions of the medical examiner who performed the autopsy as to the location and manner of the shooting, and to prove the defendant's intent (see People v. Pobliner, 32 N.Y.2d at 369, 345 N.Y.S.2d 482, 298 N.E.2d 637;  People v. Upson, 186 A.D.3d 1270, 1271, 127 N.Y.S.3d 884;  People v. Wells, 161 A.D.3d 1200, 77 N.Y.S.3d 668).  Moreover, notwithstanding that the defendant did “not contest the cause of death, the People were ․ still required to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt and present relevant material evidence as to [each] element of the charged crime” (People v. McClinton, 180 A.D.3d 712, 715, 119 N.Y.S.3d 132 [internal quotation marks omitted]).  Contrary to the defendant's contentions, the photographs were “not so inflammatory as to deprive him of a fair trial” (People v. Oliver, 193 A.D.3d at 1083, 146 N.Y.S.3d 666;  see People v. McClinton, 180 A.D.3d at 714, 119 N.Y.S.3d 132).

The sentence imposed was not excessive (People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80, 455 N.Y.S.2d 675).

The defendant's remaining contentions are without merit.

DUFFY, J.P., GENOVESI, DOWLING and TAYLOR, JJ., concur.