People v Edo, 2015 NY Slip Op 07856 [132 AD3d 1011]

October 28, 2015

Appellate Division, Second Department

[*1]

The People of the State of New York, Respondent,

v

Enekan Edo, Appellant.

Lynn W.L. Fahey, New York, N.Y. (Tammy Linn of counsel), for appellant.

Richard A. Brown, District Attorney, Kew Gardens, N.Y. (John M. Castellano, Johnnette Traill, and Jonathan V. Brewer of counsel), for respondent.

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Latella, J.), rendered October 31, 2013, convicting him of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third 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 fact-finder’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 with respect to two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree was not against the weight of the evidence ( see People v Romero , 7 NY3d 633 [2006]). Rivera, J.P., Leventhal, Austin and Hinds-Radix, JJ., concur..