Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Serafin Gonzalez, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2002-10-03
Citations: 298 A.D.2d 133
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Serafin Gonzalez, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 298
Pages: 133–134

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Serafin Gonzalez, Appellant.
[747 NYS2d 761]

Opinion:
Judgment, Supreme Court, New York County (Arlene Silverman, J.), rendered October 30, 2000, convicting defendant, after a jury trial, of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, and sentencing him, as a second felony offender, to a term of 5 to 10 years, unanimously affirmed.
The challenged portions of the prosecutor's summation were generally fair comment on the evidence as well as the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, and were proper responses to the defense summation (see People v Overlee, 236 AD2d 133, lv denied 91 NY2d 976; People v D'Alessandro, 184 AD2d 114, 118-119, lv denied 81 NY2d 884). Since, in addition to claiming misidentification, defendant repeatedly attacked the officers' credibility, it was entirely proper for the People to make record-based arguments, addressed to the jury's common sense, concerning motives or lack of motives to falsify (see People v Bryant, 294 AD2d 221). Contrary to defendant's assertions, the prosecutor made appropriate arguments concerning the credibility of defendant's testimony, and did not shift the burden of proof, denigrate defense counsel, or make an impermissible "safe streets" argument. In any event, were we to find any error, we would find it to be harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of defendant's guilt.
The various testimony about radio communications challenged by defendant on appeal was properly admitted. This testimony completed the narrative and provided relevant background information explaining the events leading to defendant's arrest (People v Sarmiento, 168 AD2d 328, affd 77 NY2d 976). Moreover, the People were entitled to establish that the undercover officer accurately described defendant's appearance (see People v Huertas, 75 NY2d 487), and the court's identification charge gave the jury suitable guidance on the evaluation of this evidence.
We perceive no basis for a reduction of sentence. Concur— Williams, P.J., Tom, Mazzarelli, Sullivan and Gonzalez, JJ.