Opinion
October 16, 1995
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Kings County (Marrus, J.).
Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.
The defendant's contention that the People failed to disprove his justification defense beyond a reasonable doubt is unpreserved for appellate review ( see, CPL 470.05; People v. Candelaria, 206 A.D.2d 385) and, in any event, without merit. It is well established that justification is not a defense to the use of deadly physical force unless the actor reasonably believes that another person is about to use deadly physical force against him and he is unable to retreat safely ( see, Penal Law § 35.15 [a]; People v. Goetz, 68 N.Y.2d 96; People v. Fousse, 167 A.D.2d 416; People v. Richardson, 155 A.D.2d 488). There was ample evidence adduced in this case to enable the jury to find that the defendant was not acting in self-defense when he drew his gun ( see, People v. Fousse, supra). Moreover, the defendant had every opportunity to retreat safely without the use of deadly physical force ( see, People v. Jones, 175 A.D.2d 294). Accordingly, the jury's finding that the defendant's conduct was not justified is supported by legally sufficient evidence ( see, People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620) and is not against the weight of the evidence ( see, CPL 470.15).
The totality of the circumstances surrounding the interrogation of the defendant by law enforcement officials demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant's statements to them were voluntary ( see, People v. Fischl, 182 A.D.2d 699; People v. Jenkins, 167 A.D.2d 421). Sullivan, J.P., O'Brien, Copertino and Krausman, JJ., concur.