People v Colon, 2015 NY Slip Op 04659 [129 AD3d 740]

June 3, 2015

Appellate Division, Second Department

[*1]

The People of the State of New York, Respondent,

v

Hommy Colon, Appellant.

Jane M. Bloom, Monticello, N.Y., for appellant.

David M. Hoovler, District Attorney, Middletown, N.Y. (Seth B. Altman and Andrew Kass of counsel), for respondent.

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Orange County (Berry, J.), rendered July 29, 2010, convicting him of criminal contempt in the second degree (two counts), upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.

Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

In fulfilling our responsibility to conduct an independent review of the weight of the evidence ( see CPL 470.15 [5]; People v Danielson , 9 NY3d 342 [2007]), we nevertheless accord great deference to the jury’s opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor ( see People v Mateo , 2 NY3d 383, 410 [2004]; People v Bleakley , 69 NY2d 490, 495 [1987]). Upon reviewing the record here, we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence ( see People v Romero , 7 NY3d 633 [2006]).

The defendant’s contention that the sentence imposed was excessive has been rendered academic, as the defendant has already served the challenged sentence. Rivera, J.P., Austin, Cohen and Duffy, JJ., concur..