The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Ronald Austin, Appellant

The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Ronald Austin, Appellant. [627 NYS2d 982] [MAJORITY] Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Kreindler, J.), rendered April 28, 1992, convicting him of robbery in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. Ordered that the judgment is affirmed. We reject the defendant’s contention that his conviction must be reversed because the testimony of his accomplice was not sufficiently corroborated (see, CPL 60.22). The testimony of the witness placing the defendant with the accomplice immediately prior to the robbery, the defendant’s furtive behavior, and the defendant’s flight with the accomplice immediately after a shot was fired was sufficient independent evidence tending to connect the defendant to the crimes charged (see, People v Flores, 143 AD2d 840). Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People (see, People v Contes, 60 NY2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, upon the exercise of our factual review power we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence (see, CPL 470.15 [5]). Balletta, J. P., Miller, Santucci and Altman, JJ., concur.