HORR, CHRISTOPHER M., PEOPLE v ( 2017 )

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department
636
KA 13-02116
PRESENT: CARNI, J.P., LINDLEY, DEJOSEPH, CURRAN, AND TROUTMAN, JJ.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, RESPONDENT,
V MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
CHRISTOPHER M. HORR, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
DAVISON LAW OFFICE PLLC, CANANDAIGUA (MARY P. DAVISON OF COUNSEL), FOR
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
SANDRA DOORLEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, ROCHESTER, FOR RESPONDENT.
Appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Monroe County (Alex
R. Renzi, J.), rendered October 2, 2013. The judgment convicted
defendant, upon a jury verdict, of assault in the second degree, false
personation and resisting arrest.
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is
unanimously affirmed.
Memorandum: Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him
following a jury trial of, inter alia, assault in the second degree
(Penal Law § 120.05 [3]). Defendant failed to preserve for our review
his contention that Supreme Court failed to articulate a sufficient
jury instruction with respect to the causation element of Penal Law
§ 120.05 (3) (see generally People v Townsley, 50 AD3d 1610, 1611, lv
denied 11 NY3d 742), and we decline to review that contention as a
matter of discretion in the interest of justice (see CPL 470.15 [6]
[a]). Viewing the evidence in light of the elements of the crimes as
charged to the jury (see People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342, 349), we
conclude that the verdict is not against the weight of the evidence
(see generally People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 490, 495).
We reject defendant’s contention that the court abused its
discretion in denying his request for new counsel. The general
assertions of defendant that counsel was “not complying with [his]
wishes” and that he was not “being represented properly” were not
sufficient to raise a “ ‘serious complaint’ ” warranting substitution
of counsel (People v Adger, 83 AD3d 1590, 1591, lv denied 17 NY3d
857). Finally, the court properly granted defendant’s request to
proceed pro se after inquiring into defendant’s education and
knowledge of legal matters, making defendant aware of the
disadvantages of proceeding without counsel, and appointing standby
counsel to assist defendant at trial, if necessary (see generally
-2- 636
KA 13-02116
People v Providence, 2 NY3d 579, 582).
Entered: April 28, 2017 Frances E. Cafarell
Clerk of the Court