Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Gary Goldthwait, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1994-03-11
Citations: 202 A.D.2d 975
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Gary Goldthwait, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 202
Pages: 975–976

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Gary Goldthwait, Appellant.
[610 NYS2d 118]

Opinion:
—Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: On appeal from his conviction of second degree burglary and petit larceny, defendant contends that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Contrary to defendant's argument, the footprint evidence was not critical to the People's case, but merely buttressed an otherwise strong identification. The victim's neighbor had ample opportunity to identify defendant because he observed him for an estimated five minutes before the crime and on at least three occasions within one hour after the crime. Contrary to defendant's contention, the failure of police to recover the fruits of the crime and clothing worn by defendant is of minimal significance because defendant was not arrested until two days after the crime. In contrast to the People's strong case, the alibi defense was weak. Thus, the jury did not fail to give the evidence the weight it should have been accorded (see, People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 490, 495). (Appeal from Judgment of Onondaga County Court, Cunningham, J. — Burglary, 2nd Degree.) Present — Denman, P. J., Pine, Fallon, Callahan and Davis, JJ.