| People v Way |
| 2010 NY Slip Op 00715 [69 AD3d 964] |
| January 26, 2010 |
| Appellate Division, Second Department |
| The People of the State of New York,Respondent, v Godreality Way, Appellant. |
—[*1] Richard A. Brown, District Attorney, Kew Gardens, N.Y. (John M. Castellano, JeanetteLifschitz, and Howard McCallum of counsel), for respondent.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Gavrin,J.), rendered March 4, 2008, convicting him of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the thirddegree (three counts) and criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (threecounts), upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.
The defendant's contention that the prosecution failed to present legally sufficient evidenceof his guilt of criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds is without merit.Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People vContes, 60 NY2d 620, 621 [1983]), we find that it was legally sufficient to prove, beyond areasonable doubt, that on three separate occasions the defendant knowingly and unlawfully soldnarcotic drugs upon the grounds of a child day care center under circumstances which evincedhis knowledge that the sales were taking place upon such grounds (see Penal Law§ 220.44 [4]-[6]). Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independentreview of the weight of the evidence (see CPL 470.15 [5]; People v Danielson, 9NY3d 342 [2007]), we nevertheless accord great deference to the jury's opportunity to view thewitnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (see People v Mateo, 2 NY3d 383,410 [2004], cert denied 542 US 946 [2004]; People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 490,495 [1987]). Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was notagainst the weight of the evidence (see People v Romero, 7 NY3d 633 [2006]).
Contrary to the defendant's contention, the trial court did not improvidently exercise itsdiscretion in denying his motions for a mistrial, which were based upon a detective's testimonyreferring to an undercover officer's identification of the defendant on the date of his arrest. Thedecision to declare a mistrial rests within the sound discretion of the trial court, which is in thebest position to determine if this drastic remedy is truly necessary to protect the defendant's rightto a fair trial (see People v Knorr, 284 AD2d 411, 412 [2001]; People vWilliams, 264 AD2d 745, 746 [1999]; People v Wakefield, 212 AD2d 649 [1995]).Here, as the People correctly concede, the detective's remarks concerning the undercoverofficer's identification of the defendant constituted improper bolstering (see People vTrowbridge, 305 NY 471, 477 [1953]; People v Martinez, 209 AD2d 641, 642[1994]). However, the trial court's decision to strike the challenged testimony [*2]and give an immediate curative instruction was sufficient to dispelwhatever prejudicial effect this testimony may have had (see People v Strouder, 124AD2d 841, 842 [1986]; People v Jenkins, 122 AD2d 74 [1986]; People v Fisher,112 AD2d 378 [1985]).
The trial court did not err in denying the defendant's request to incorporate certain languageinto the jury charge on reasonable doubt. The charge, as given, adequately apprised the jury thatreasonable doubt could arise from a lack of evidence as well as from the evidence presented(see People v Moore, 298 AD2d 603 [2002]; cf. People v Broderick, 255 AD2d389, 390 [1998]; People v Roldos, 161 AD2d 610 [1990]).
The defendant's remaining contention is without merit. Rivera, J.P., Dillon, Belen andRoman, JJ., concur.