People v. Majors

Feb 24, 2009
Versions:59 A.D.3d 738
875 N.Y.S.2d 111

Ordered that the order is affirmed.

The defendant originally was convicted of the charges at issue after a jury trial. The defendant successfully moved, on the ground of juror misconduct, to vacate the judgment. The defendant was retried and convicted after a nonjury trial. The defendant again moved to vacate the judgment of conviction against him, claiming that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel at his second trial by virtue of his attorney‘s failure to call an alibi witness. Contrary to the People‘s contention, the defendant‘s claim is not procedurally barred on the ground that sufficient facts appeared on the record to permit adequate review of the claim on direct appeal (see CPL 440.10 [2] [b]). Nonetheless, on the merits, it appears from the parties’ submissions in support of and in opposition to the defendant‘s motion that the defendant received meaningful representation at his second trial (see People v Baldi, 54 NY2d 137, 147 [1981]). Accordingly, we affirm the denial of his motion to vacate the judgment of conviction. Skelos, J.P., Dillon, Angiolillo and Eng, JJ., concur.