People v. Barnett

197 A.D.2d 697, 604 N.Y.S.2d 777

Opinion

Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant has failed to preserve for appellate review the issue of whether the People disproved his justification defense beyond a reasonable doubt (see, CPL 470.05 [2]; People v Bynum, 70 NY2d 858; People v Lemaire, 187 AD2d 532; People v Udzinski, 146 AD2d 245, 248-252). In any event, the evidence adduced at trial amply supported a finding that the defendant was the initial aggressor in the incident, thus negating his justification defense (see, Penal Law § 35.15; People v Gopaul, 171 AD2d 754).

Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the People (see, People v Contes, 60 NY2d 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 (see, CPL 470.15 [5]). Mangano, P. J., Balletta, Rosenblatt and Ritter, JJ., concur.