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People v. Thompson

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Feb 13, 1990
158 A.D.2d 563 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)

Opinion

February 13, 1990

Appeal from the County Court, Nassau County (Wexner, J.).


Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The complainant testified that on two occasions, the defendant cornered her, threw her down and, after a struggle, had sexual intercourse with her against her will. That testimony was sufficient to establish the element of forcible compulsion (see, Penal Law § 130.00). Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (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. Moreover, upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence (CPL 470.15).

Evidence of previous incidents in which the defendant sexually molested the complainant was offered to show the complainant's ongoing fear of the defendant. That evidence was properly received in support of the element of forcible compulsion (see, People v Hudy, 73 N.Y.2d 40, 54; People v Lewis, 69 N.Y.2d 321, 325). It is well established that evidence otherwise relevant to prove some material fact is not necessarily rendered inadmissible even though it reveals that a defendant has committed another crime (see, People v Molineux, 168 N.Y. 264; People v Sims, 110 A.D.2d 214, 220). In balancing the probative value of this evidence against its potential prejudice to the defendant, we agree with the County Court that the circumstances tipped the scales in favor of its admission.

The defendant's contention that his sentence was excessive is without merit (see, People v Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80).

We have examined the defendant's remaining contentions and find them to be unpreserved for appellate review or without merit. Mollen, P.J., Lawrence, Rosenblatt and Miller, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Thompson

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Feb 13, 1990
158 A.D.2d 563 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)
Case details for

People v. Thompson

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. RONALD THOMPSON…

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

Date published: Feb 13, 1990

Citations

158 A.D.2d 563 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)

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