People v Viana, 2016 NY Slip Op 04435 [140 AD3d 903]

June 8, 2016

Appellate Division, Second Department

[*1]

The People of the State of New York, Respondent,

v

Rafael Viana, Appellant.

Yasmin Daley Duncan, Brooklyn, NY, for appellant.

William V. Grady, District Attorney, Poughkeepsie, NY (Kirsten A. Rappleyea of counsel), for respondent.

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Dutchess County (Greller, J.), rendered December 18, 2014, convicting him of predatory sexual assault against a child and endangering the welfare of a child, 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 , 348-349 [2007]), we nevertheless accord great deference to the jury’s opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe their demeanor ( see People v Mateo , 2 NY3d 383, 410 [2004]). 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 , 643-644 [2006]).

The sentence imposed was not excessive ( see People v Suitte , 90 AD2d 80 [1982]). Eng, P.J., Mastro, Maltese and LaSalle, JJ., concur..