AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Judges
Are you a practicing lawyer?
Enhance your digital presence and reach by creating a Casemine profile.
Upload pleading to use the new AI search
Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Judges

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. RONALD LOPEZ, Appellant.

Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant's contention that the People did not present sufficient evidence to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is not preserved for review (see, CPL 470.05; People v Udzinski, 146 A.D.2d 245). In any event, the defendant's contention is without merit. Viewing the evidence adduced at the trial in a light most favorable to the People (see, People v Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to support the conviction. The People proved that the defendant possessed a gun, which he discharged, killing the victim who was threatening the defendant with a knife. The defendant was acquitted of murder in the second degree and manslaughter in the first degree. However, the fact that the defendant may have been acting in self-defense does not warrant a reversal of his conviction for possession of a weapon in the second degree. The presumption that the defendant possessed the gun with the intention to use it unlawfully (see, Penal Law § 265.15), was not necessarily rebutted. The jury could have found that the defendant intended to use the weapon unlawfully even though in this particular instance the use of the gun may have been justified (see, People v. Pons, 68 N.Y.2d 264). Upon the exercise of our factual review power (see, CPL 470.15), we are satisfied that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence.

The defendant's contention that his sentence is excessive is without merit (see, People v. Delgado, 80 N.Y.2d 780; People v Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80). Miller, J.P., Altman, Goldstein and Florio, JJ., concur.

Use AI to get other relevant cases.

Comments

PEOPLE v. LOPEZ
(May 9, 1994)