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People v. Hernandez

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Feb 1, 1993
190 A.D.2d 688 (N.Y. App. Div. 1993)

Opinion

February 1, 1993

Appeal from the Supreme Court, Queens County (Friedmann, J.).


Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant claims that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel when the hearing court permitted the defendant's attorney to represent both the defendant and one of his codefendants, whose own attorney was scheduled to appear elsewhere, at the Wade hearing. Although the hearing court failed to conduct an inquiry to determine whether the defendant's decision to pursue joint representation at the Wade hearing was an informed one (see, People v Allah, 80 N.Y.2d 396; People v Gomberg, 38 N.Y.2d 307, 313-314), the defendant has not demonstrated that "a conflict of interest, or at least the significant possibility thereof" existed between the codefendant and himself regarding the issues involved at the Wade hearing (People v Macerola, 47 N.Y.2d 257, 264). Therefore under these circumstances, reversal of the defendant's conviction on this ground is not warranted (see, People v Macerola, supra; People v Reape, 162 A.D.2d 634, 635).

Moreover, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People (see, People v Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The inconsistencies cited by the defendant are insufficient to render the testimony of the People's main witness incredible as a matter of law (see, People v Green, 185 A.D.2d 992; People v Di Girolamo, 108 A.D.2d 755). Furthermore, resolution of issues of credibility, as well as the weight to be accorded the evidence presented, are primarily questions to be determined by the jury, which saw and heard the witnesses (see, People v Gaimari, 176 N.Y. 84). Its determination should be accorded great weight on appeal and should not be disturbed unless clearly unsupported by the record (see, People v Garafolo, 44 A.D.2d 86). Upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence (see, CPL 470.15).

The defendant's remaining contentions are either unpreserved for appellate review or do not require reversal under the circumstances of this case. Thompson, J.P., Balletta, Ritter and Santucci, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Hernandez

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Feb 1, 1993
190 A.D.2d 688 (N.Y. App. Div. 1993)
Case details for

People v. Hernandez

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. FREDDY HERNANDEZ…

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department

Date published: Feb 1, 1993

Citations

190 A.D.2d 688 (N.Y. App. Div. 1993)

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