Case ID: ad2d_236/html/0808-02.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 Kevin Cullen, Appellant.
    [653 NYS2d 747]
   —Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: County Court did not abuse its discretion in limiting the scope of defendant’s cross-examination of a prosecution witness regarding the relationship between the witness’s brother and defendant’s wife. While proof of bias or hostility of a witness is not collateral (see, People v Gilland, 110 AD2d 1078), a court may, in the exercise of discretion, properly exclude such proof when it is too remote or speculative (see, People v Thomas, 46 NY2d 100, 105-106, appeal dismissed 444 US 891; People v Stewart, 188 AD2d 626, 627). Upon our review of the record, we conclude that the verdict is not contrary to the weight of the evidence (see, People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 490, 495). The record also establishes that defendant received meaningful representation (see, People v Baldi, 54 NY2d 137, 147). The sentence imposed is not unduly harsh or severe. Defendant’s remaining contentions are not preserved for our review (see, CPL 470.05 [2]), and we decline to exercise our power to address them as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice (see, CPL 470.15 [6] [a]). (Appeal from Judgment of Onondaga County Court, Cunningham, J.—Arson, 3rd Degree.) Present—Green, J. P., Lawton, Fallon, Callahan and Boehm, JJ.