| People v Bedessie |
| 2010 NY Slip Op 08587 [78 AD3d 960] |
| November 16, 2010 |
| Appellate Division, Second Department |
| The People of the State of New York,Respondent, v Khemwattie Bedessie, Appellant. |
—[*1] Richard A. Brown, District Attorney, Kew Gardens, N.Y. (John M. Castellano, Nicoletta J.Caferri, and Laura T. Ross of counsel), for respondent.
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Aloise, J.),rendered July 31, 2007, convicting her of rape in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree(six counts), and endangering the welfare of a child, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.
Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People vContes, 60 NY2d 620 [1983]), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish thedefendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conductan independent review of the weight of the evidence (see CPL 470.15 [5]; People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342[2007]), 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 [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 not against theweight of the evidence (see People vRomero, 7 NY3d 633 [2006]).
Contrary to the defendant's contention, in the context of this case, the Supreme Courtprovidently exercised its discretion in precluding expert testimony on false confessions generally,and as to the defendant's particular susceptibility to make a false confession under policeinterrogation (see People v Crews,74 AD3d 983 [2010]; People vRagsdale, 68 AD3d 897 [2009]).
In reviewing the defendant's contention that her trial counsel was ineffective, we must "avoidboth confusing true ineffectiveness with mere losing tactics and according undue significance toretrospective analysis" (People v Baldi, 54 NY2d 137, 146 [1981]). Upon our review ofthe totality of the record, we are satisfied that the defendant's counsel provided meaningfulrepresentation (see People v Benevento, 91 NY2d 708, 712 [1998]; People vBaldi, 54 NY2d at 147).
Any error committed by the Supreme Court in admitting into evidence certain medicalrecords containing double hearsay (seePeople v Ballerstein, 52 AD3d 1192 [2008]; Rivera v City of New York, 293AD2d 383 [2002]) was harmless, as the evidence of the defendant's guilt was overwhelming, andthere [*2]is no significant probability that the jury would haveacquitted the defendant but for the alleged error (see People v Crimmins, 36 NY2d 230,241-242 [1975]).
The defendant's contention that she was deprived of a fair trial by certain remarks made bythe prosecutor during summation is unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05[2]; People v Romero, 7 NY3d911, 912 [2006]; People v Tonge, 93 NY2d 838, 838-839 [1999]). In any event,most of the challenged remarks were fair comment on the evidence, permissible rhetoricalcomment, or fair response to defense counsel's summation (see People v Halm, 81 NY2d819, 821 [1993]; People v Galloway, 54 NY2d 396, 399 [1981]; People v Polin, 63 AD3d 1180[2009]). To the extent that the prosecutor may have exceeded the bounds of permissiblerhetorical comment, any error was harmless (see People v Crimmins, 36 NY2d at241-242; People v Torres, 72 AD3d709 [2010]).
The defendant's remaining contentions are without merit. Skelos, J.P., Dickerson, Eng andLott, JJ., concur.