People v. Vasquez

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
Date filed: 2016-06-22
Citations: 140 A.D.3d 1088, 33 N.Y.S.3d 750
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Combined Opinion

— Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Dutchess County (Forman, J.), rendered December 9, 2014, convicting her of criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person, or an incompetent or physically disabled person in the first degree, after a nonjury trial, and imposing sentence.

Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant’s challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting her convictions is unpreserved for appellant review (see CPL 470.05 [2]; People v Hawkins, 11 NY3d 484 [2008]). In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People v Contes, 60 NY2d 620 [1983]), we find that the evidence was legally sufficient to establish the defendant’s guilt 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 [2007]), we nevertheless accord great deference to the factfinder’s opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (see People v Mateo, 2 NY3d 383, 410 [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 the weight of the evidence (see People v Romero, 7 NY3d 633 [2006]).

Leventhal, J.P., Chambers, Hinds-Radix and Connolly, JJ., concur.