Case ID: ad2d_72/html/0571-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Carlos Rodriguez, Appellant.
   Appeal by defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County, rendered April 22, 1977, convicting him of manslaughter in the first degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. Judgment affirmed. The resolution of questions relating to the credibility of witnesses is properly a function of the jury and said determination may not be overturned lightly on appeal (see People v Gruttola, 43 NY2d 116). The fact that the principal prosecution witness, who was himself facing unrelated charges, may have expected leniency in recognition of his testimony was certainly relevant to the issue of credibility, but, without more, this single factor is insufficient to impeach the jury’s verdict. Similarly, the fact that a different eyewitness tended to exculpate the defendant is likewise insufficient to overturn the verdict. The jury had before it the testimony of both eyewitnesses as well as other evidence in the case, and was properly instructed on the means of evaluating that evidence. Under such circumstances we see no reason to disturb its findings. We have considered defendant’s remaining contentions and find them to be without merit (see People v Spagna, (71 AD2d 994). Gulotta, J. P., Cohalan, Martuscello and Gibbons, JJ., concur.