X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

  In consolidated criminal appeals, defendant appeals from (1) a judgment of the Criminal Court of the City of New York, New York County (Diana M. Boyar, J.), rendered April 7, 2014, after a jury trial, convicting him of forcible touching, sexual abuse in the third degree, and resisting arrest, and imposing sentence and (2) a judgment (same court and Judge), rendered April 7, 2014, convicting him, upon his plea of guilty, of forcible touching, and imposing sentence. PER CURIAM Judgments of conviction (Diana M. Boyar, J.), each rendered April 7, 2014, affirmed. The verdict was supported by legally sufficient evidence and was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v. Danielson, 9 NY3d 342 [2007]). There is no basis for disturbing the court’s determination concerning credibility. The credited testimony of two plain-clothes police officers established that defendant, who was initially observed standing on a subway platform while several trains passed by, followed a female onto a crowded train, positioned himself directly behind her, and then bent his knees and repeatedly thrust his groin against the woman’s buttocks. Indeed, we note that defendant does not challenge either the weight or the sufficiency of the evidence against him. Defendant’s claims of error in evidentiary rulings do not require reversal. The court properly admitted the nontestifying victim’s statement to a police officer as an excited utterance (see generally People v. Johnson, 1 NY3d 302 [2003]). The statement, made within a minute after the victim exited the subway car and was approached by police, clearly was precipitated by a startling event, the unwanted sexual contact, while the victim, described by police as “look[ing] nervous and scared” with a “flushed red” face, was still visibly upset (see People v. Brown, 177 AD3d 409 [2019]; People v. Johnson, 129 AD3d 486 [2015], lv denied 26 NY3d 1089 [2015]). Nor was the statement testimonial, since the circumstances objectively indicated that its primary purpose was to enable the authorities, who had observed the incident, to inquire of the victim’s well-being and her possible need for further assistance. Nor was the statement elicited through structured police questioning (see Crawford v. Washington, 541 US 36, 53 n 4 [2004]; see also New York v. Quarles, 467 US 649, 658-659 [1984]; People v. Diaz, 21 AD3d 58, 66-67 [2005], appeal dismissed 7 NY3d 831 [2006]). In any event, any error in the admission of the statement was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of defendant’s guilt (see People v. Crimmins, 36 NY2d 230 [1975]). Defendant did not preserve his claim that the People improperly introduced evidence of his pre-arrest “selective silence” (People v. Williams, 25 NY3d 185, 193 [2015]), and we decline to review it in the interest of justice. As an alternative holding, we reject that contention inasmuch as the police testimony at issue did not convey to the jury that defendant had refused to answer questions or that he remained silent in response to police questioning (see People v. Jones, 138 AD3d 541 [2016], lv denied 27 NY3d 1152 [2016]). Instead, after the officer testified on cross-examination that defendant had stated “no, no, no I didn’t do anything,” and the defense argued that defendant and the victim may have known each other or that any contact was accidental, the People simply clarified that this unelaborated remark was the totality of defendant’s statement after his arrest (see People v. Chery, 28 NY3d 139, 144 [2016]; People v. Jones, 138 AD3d at 541). In any event, even assuming the trial court erred in admitting the challenged evidence, any error was harmless given the overwhelming evidence of defendant’s guilt. In view of our determination, we need not reach any other issue. THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT. Dated: February 28, 2020

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
July 11, 2024
New York, NY

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers recognizes U.S.-based law firms performing exemplary work on behalf of plaintiffs.


Learn More
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More

Skolnick Legal Group, P.C., a construction and commercial litigation firm with offices in New Jersey and New York is seeking a Litigation As...


Apply Now ›

Cullen and Dykman is seeking an associate attorney with a minimum of 5+ years in insurance coverage experience as well as risk transfer and ...


Apply Now ›

McCarter & English, LLP is actively seeking a midlevel insurance coverage associate for its Newark, NJ and/or Philadelphia, PA offices. ...


Apply Now ›
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›