Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Lee Anderson Edwards, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2014-09-24
Citations: 120 A.D.3d 1435
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Lee Anderson Edwards, Appellant.
Judges: Skelos, J.P, Dickerson, Austin and Duffy, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 120
Pages: 1435–1436

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Lee Anderson Edwards, Appellant.
[992 NYS2d 368]

Opinion:
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Latella, J.), rendered April 1, 2011, convicting him of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (three counts), 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 v Contes, 60 NY2d 620 [1983]), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intended to cause the death of the victim. Here, intent can be inferred from the defendant's conduct and the surrounding circumstances (see People v Bracey, 41 NY2d 296, 301 [1977]; People v Bryant, 39 AD3d 768, 769 [2007]).
Moreover, in fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight of the evidence (see People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342, 348 [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 [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]).
The defendant's contention that the People's summation remarks constituted reversible error is largely unpreserved for appellate review (see People v Tonge, 93 NY2d 838 [1999]; People v Gray, 86 NY2d 10, 19-20 [1995]; People v Heide, 84 NY2d 943, 944 [1994]; People v Williams, 46 NY2d 1070, 1071 [1979]). In any event, the summation comments alleged to be inflammatory and prejudicial were either fair comment on the evidence (see People v Ashwal, 39 NY2d 105, 109-111 [1976]), responsive to arguments and theories presented in the defense summation (see People v Galloway, 54 NY2d 396 [1981]; People v Crawford, 54 AD3d 961 [2008]), stricken, thereby dissipating any prejudice resulting from the improper comment (see People v Berg, 59 NY2d 294 [1983]; People v Arce, 42 NY2d 179, 187 [1977]; People v Gouveia, 88 AD3d 814, 815-816 [2011]), or constituted harmless error (see People v Crimmins, 36 NY2d 230, 241-242 [1975]; People v Persaud, 98 AD3d 527, 529 [2012]).
The defendant's contention that the Supreme Court erred in denying his motion for a mistrial after the prosecutor called a witness who, when asked if she recognized anyone in the courtroom, responded that she could not remember, is without merit (see People v Berg, 59 NY2d at 298; People v Berry, 110 AD3d 1002, 1002 [2013]; People v Alston, 71 AD3d 684, 685 [2010]; People v Torres, 141 AD2d 682 [1988]).
The sentence imposed was not excessive (see People v Suitte, 90 AD2d 80 [1982]).
The defendant's remaining contentions are without merit (see People v Crimmins, 36 NY2d at 242).
Skelos, J.P, Dickerson, Austin and Duffy, JJ., concur.