Matter of Isaiah Mc.
2009 NY Slip Op 07847 [66 AD3d 1025]
October 27, 2009
Appellate Division, Second Department
As corrected through Wednesday, December 9, 2009


In the Matter of Isaiah Mc., Appellant.

[*1]Steven Banks, New York, N.Y. (Tamara A. Steckler, Judith Harris, and EileenMalunowicz of counsel), for appellant.

Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York, N.Y. (Kristin M. Helmers andNorman Corenthal of counsel; Hanna Baek on the brief), for respondent.

In a juvenile delinquency proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 3, the appeal isfrom an order of disposition of the Family Court, Richmond County (DiDomenico, J.), datedAugust 8, 2008, which, upon a fact-finding order of the same court dated April 28, 2008, madeafter a hearing, inter alia, finding that the appellant had committed acts, which, if committed byan adult, would have constituted the crimes of robbery in the first degree, grand larceny in thefourth degree, menacing in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourthdegree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, and attempted assault in thethird degree, adjudged him to be a juvenile delinquent and placed him in the custody of the NewYork State Office of Children and Family Services for a period of 18 months, with credit fortime served. The appeal brings up for review the fact-finding order dated April 28, 2008.

Ordered that the order of disposition is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

Viewing the evidence adduced at the fact-finding hearing in the light most favorable to thepresentment agency (see Matter of David H., 69 NY2d 792, 793 [1987]; Matter ofDaniel R., 51 AD3d 933, 934 [2008]; Matter of Shariff A., 28 AD3d 546, 547[2006]; Matter of Tiffany M., 24 AD3d 556 [2005]; cf. People v Contes, 60NY2d 620, 621 [1983]), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the appellant's identityas the perpetrator beyond a reasonable doubt (see Family Ct Act § 342.2 [2];Matter of Jonathan H., 39 AD3d 856, 857 [2007]; see also Matter of Jamal V.,159 AD2d 507 [1990]; Matter of Angel R., 134 AD2d 265, 266 [1987]; cf.People v Newton, 46 NY2d 877, 879 [1979]).

Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight ofthe evidence (cf. CPL 470.15 [5]; People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342, 348 [2007]),we nevertheless accord great deference to the trier of fact's opportunity to view the witnesses,hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (see Matter of Daniel R., 51 AD3d 933, 934[2008]; Matter of Shariff A., 28 AD3d at 547; Matter of Tiffany M., 24 AD3d at556; cf. People v Mateo, 2 NY3d 383, 410 [2004]; People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d490, 495 [1987]). Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the Family Court'sfact-finding determination was not against the weight of the evidence (see Family Ct Act§ 342.2 [2]; cf. People v Romero, 7 NY3d 633, 644-645 [2006]). Skelos, J.P.,Covello, Leventhal and Roman, JJ., concur.


NYPTI Decisions © 2026 is a project of New York Prosecutors Training Institute (NYPTI) made possible by leveraging the work we've done providing online research and tools to prosecutors.

NYPTI would like to thank New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, New York State Senate's Open Legislation Project, New York State Unified Court System, New York State Law Reporting Bureau and Free Law Project for their invaluable assistance making this project possible.

Install the free RECAP extensions to help contribute to this archive. See https://free.law/recap/ for more information.