SCHALLER, J.
The defendant, Michael Carlton Reddick, appeals from the judgment of conviction, rendered following a jury trial, of robbery in the first degree in violation of General Statutes § 53a-134 (a)(4) and larceny in the third degree in violation of General Statutes § 53a-124 (a)(2). On appeal, the defendant claims that (1) there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that he committed the crimes charged; (2) the court failed to instruct the jury properly regarding a key witness' drug use and the effect it may have had on her perception; (3) the trial court failed to instruct the jury properly on the fallibility of eyewitness identifications; (4) the court improperly denied his motion for a new trial; and (5) he was deprived of his right to counsel pursuant to the federal and state constitutions when the state received privileged materials in error from the Department of Correction. We affirm the judgment of conviction.
The jury reasonably could have found the following facts. On March 15, 2011, the defendant's girlfriend, Jacqueline Crenshaw, invited her friend, Deyja Jackson,
At approximately 12 p.m., Anita Palmieri, a teller at the Bank of America branch, was setting aside money from her drawer following a large deposit when a black male wearing a hat, glasses, and a dark blue or black pea coat approached her counter. The man told Palmieri that he had a gun and demanded all of the money from her drawer, which she gave to him. The man then demanded more money, prompting Palmieri to inform him that she only had mutilated money
At approximately 12:03 p.m., Jackson observed the defendant jog back to her car from the Bank of America branch across the street. Jackson noted that less than fifteen minutes had passed between the defendant's departure from her vehicle and his return. Once the defendant was back in Jackson's vehicle, he and Crenshaw requested that Jackson give them a ride back to their apartment. After dropping the defendant and Crenshaw off at their apartment, Jackson travelled to a nearby parking lot and smoked PCP until she blacked out.
Thereafter, when Jackson "came back to reality," she drove to a friend's New Haven residence. Later that night, Jackson watched a news story regarding a robbery at the Bank of America branch on Dixwell Avenue in Hamden. Hearing the story's description of the perpetrator, Jackson deduced that it was the defendant who had robbed the bank. Jackson subsequently contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and reported her potential involvement in the Hamden bank robbery. The next day, March 17, 2011, the Hamden Police Department followed up on Jackson's tip to the FBI and requested that she return to Hamden. Jackson acquiesced and travelled to the Hamden Police Department, where she voluntarily gave a statement under oath concerning the robbery and identified the defendant as the perpetrator from a photographic array. In addition, the police showed Jackson photographs of the perpetrator
Following the interview with Jackson, Detective Sean Dolan of the Hamden Police Department determined that there was probable cause to arrest the defendant. The Hamden Police Department subsequently alerted area police departments of its intention to arrest the defendant, and he was apprehended later that day. During his arrest, the police searched the defendant and seized a large quantity of money, which included bills marked consistently with the mutilated bills that Palmieri had described to the police.
The state, in a long form information, charged the defendant with robbery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree, larceny in the third degree, and conspiracy to commit larceny in the third degree. Following a trial, the jury found the defendant guilty of robbery in the first degree and larceny in the third degree.
The defendant first claims that there was insufficient evidence to establish his identity as the perpetrator beyond a reasonable doubt. In support of his claim, the defendant argues that Palmieri, the state's key witness, was unable to positively identify him as the perpetrator. The defendant further argues that the testimony of Jackson and Channing Reynolds, a second bank teller who witnessed the robbery, was insufficient to prove that the defendant was the perpetrator. As a result, he contends that the jury could not reasonably have concluded that the cumulative force of the evidence established his identity as that of the perpetrator beyond a reasonable doubt. We disagree.
The standard of review that we apply to a claim of insufficient evidence is well established. "In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a criminal conviction we apply a two-part test. First, we construe the evidence in the light most favorable to sustaining the verdict. Second, we determine whether upon the facts so construed and the inferences reasonably drawn therefrom the [finder of fact] reasonably could have [found] that the cumulative force of the evidence established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Grant, 127 Conn.App. 654, 660, 14 A.3d 1070, cert. denied, 301 Conn. 910, 19 A.3d 179 (2011). "[I]t does not diminish the probative force of the evidence that it consists, in whole or in part, of evidence that is circumstantial rather than direct.... It is not one fact, but the cumulative impact of a multitude of facts which establishes guilt in a case involving substantial circumstantial evidence." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Lopez, 280 Conn. 779, 808, 911 A.2d 1099 (2007). "On appeal, we do not ask whether there is a reasonable view of the evidence that would support a reasonable hypothesis of innocence. We ask, instead, whether there is a reasonable view of the evidence that supports the ... verdict of guilty." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Id., at 809, 911 A.2d 1099.
On the basis of the evidence presented at trial and the inferences drawn
Additionally, the jury heard Jackson's testimony that the defendant left her vehicle, which was located across the street from the Bank of America branch, just after 11:45 a.m. Palmieri testified that a man approached her counter at approximately 12 p.m., stating that he had a gun and demanding money. Jackson testified that, at approximately 12:03 p.m., the defendant then jogged back to her vehicle from the Bank of America branch and requested that she drive him and Crenshaw to his apartment on back roads. Moreover, Jackson testified that the defendant exited her vehicle wearing a hat, glasses, and a dark jacket which, according to Palmieri's testimony, was consistent with the clothing worn by the perpetrator. Also during trial, Palmieri testified that video surveillance footage from the time of the robbery, that depicted the perpetrator as a black male wearing a dark pea coat, hat, and glasses, was an accurate representation of her memory from that day. Thus, notwithstanding Palmieri's inability to conclusively identify the defendant as the perpetrator, the jury reasonably could have inferred from the totality of the evidence that the defendant exited Jackson's vehicle, proceeded across the street to the Bank of America branch, approached Palmieri's counter, told her that he had a gun, demanded and later took money from her, and then left the bank for Jackson's vehicle in order to depart the scene.
The defendant also attempts to cast doubt on the eyewitness testimony given in this case by directing our attention to the alleged uncertainty and unreliability of the eyewitness identifications. It is well settled, however, that "[t]he question of [the] identity of a perpetrator of a crime is a question of fact that is within the sole province of the jury to resolve"; (internal quotation marks omitted) State v. Felder, 99 Conn.App. 18, 24, 912 A.2d 1054, cert. denied, 281 Conn. 921, 918 A.2d 273 (2007); and we do not revisit the jury's credibility determinations. State v. Russell, 101 Conn.App. 298, 316, 922 A.2d 191, cert, denied, 284 Conn. 910, 931 A.2d 934 (2007). Furthermore, "[t]he rule is that the jury's function is to draw whatever inferences from the evidence or facts established by the evidence it deems to be reasonable and logical." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Ortiz, 71 Conn.App. 865, 881, 804 A.2d 937, cert. denied, 261 Conn. 942, 808 A.2d 1136 (2002).
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to sustaining the verdict, we conclude that the cumulative effect of the evidence, namely, the testimony of Jackson
The defendant next claims that the court failed to instruct the jury properly on the drug use of Jackson, a state's witness, and the effect it may have had on her ability to perceive. Specifically, the defendant argues that the absence of a special instruction on Jackson's PCP use both before and after the robbery constitutes reversible error because it was harmful beyond a reasonable doubt. We disagree.
The record reveals the following additional facts and procedural history. Prior to the empanelment of the jury, both the state and defense counsel were provided with the proposed jury instructions and had a meaningful opportunity to review the contents thereof.
"Our standard of review on this [nonconstitutional] claim is whether it is reasonably probable that the jury was misled.... The test of a court's charge is not whether it is as accurate upon legal principles as the opinions of a court of last resort but whether it fairly presents the case to the jury in such a way that injustice is not done to either party under the established rules of law.... Therefore, jury instructions need not be exhaustive, perfect, or technically accurate. Nonetheless, the trial court must correctly adapt the law to the case in question and must provide the jury with sufficient guidance in reaching a correct verdict." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Taft, 57 Conn.App. 19, 29, 746 A.2d 813 (2000), aff'd, 258 Conn. 412, 781 A.2d 302 (2001).
"It is not error for a trial court to refuse to charge a jury in the exact words of a requested instruction, as long as the requested charge is given in substance." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Collins, 38 Conn.App. 247, 254, 661 A.2d 612 (1995). Although the court's instruction
Following his review of the proposed jury instructions, the defendant continued to take exception to the court's denial of his proposed specific instruction regarding Jackson's PCP use. The court stated that the proposed specific instruction was argumentative and that it was adequately covered by the credibility of witness instruction. The proposed instruction read: "In this case, you heard testimony from Deyja Jackson that she had used PCP around the time of the events that the State alleged happened on March 16 and March 17 of 2011. It was entirely proper for Deyja Jackson to be questioned about drug use and you may use such evidence in any way you see fit, including to determine how credible her testimony was. You may credit none, some, or all of her testimony given the fact that she admitted to using PCP. You may consider if her drug use affects her ability to recall events accurately." The state contends that the court's jury instruction as given substantively encompassed the defendant's proposed instruction. We agree.
Our review of the charge in its totality reveals that the court's instructions furnished adequate guidance as to the credibility considerations afforded to eyewitness testimony. Accordingly, we conclude that it was not reasonably probable that the jury was misled and, therefore, the defendant's claim is without merit.
The defendant next claims that the court failed to instruct the jury properly on the fallibility of eyewitness identifications. The defendant concedes that this issue is unpreserved, but seeks review under State v. Golding, 213 Conn. 233, 567 A.2d 823 (1989), claiming that the record is adequate for review and the error is of constitutional magnitude. Alternatively, the defendant requests that we review his claim pursuant to the plain error doctrine. See Practice Book § 60-5. The state, in response, contends that defendant waived this claim during trial. We agree with the state.
The law pertaining to waivers in the context of instructional error is well settled. A waiver may be implied under some circumstances when the court actively circulates and seeks review of a proposed charge. See State v. Kitchens, 299 Conn. 447, 482-83, 10 A.3d 942 (2011). "[W]hen the trial court provides counsel with a copy of the proposed jury instructions, allows a meaningful opportunity for their review, solicits comments from counsel regarding changes or modifications and counsel affirmatively accepts the instructions proposed or given, the defendant may be deemed to have knowledge of any potential flaws therein and to have waived implicitly the constitutional right to challenge the instructions on direct appeal." Id. "The threshold question for our implied waiver analysis is whether the trial court provided the proposed charges to the defendant prior to delivery of its instructions to the jury." State v. Davis, 311 Conn. 468, 480, 88 A.3d 445 (2014).
Our review of the record reveals that defense counsel did not raise or suggest a general instruction pertaining to the fallibility of eyewitness testimony at any stage of the proceedings. The court provided defense counsel with a copy of the proposed jury instructions, permitted a meaningful opportunity to review such instructions, and solicited comments pertaining to such instructions. When defense counsel offered his comments, he did not request a general instruction on the fallibility of eyewitness testimony to the court, but stated that he had no further objection to the draft instructions presented to him. In doing so, the defendant waived his claim that the omission of such an instruction was improper and, therefore, cannot satisfy the third prong necessary to prevail under Golding. State v. Coleman, 304 Conn. 161, 174, 37 A.3d 713 (2012).
The defendant next claims that the court abused its discretion in denying his motion for a new trial. The state argues that, due to the substantive inadequacy of the defendant's motion for a new trial, he failed to preserve his challenge to the denial of that motion. We agree with the state.
The record reveals the following additional procedural history. On May 25, 2012, the defendant moved for a new trial on the following basis: "Pursuant to Practice Book § 42-51, the defendant ... moves for a new trial given any errors that may be apparent on the record that entitle him to a new trial." The defendant claims that this properly preserved his claim on appeal challenging the propriety of the court's denial of his motion for a new trial. We are not persuaded.
This court consistently has held that "the requirement of Practice Book § 60-5 that the claim be raised distinctly means that it must be so stated as to bring to the attention of the court the precise matter on which its decision is being asked." (Emphasis omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Faison, 112 Conn.App. 373, 380, 962 A.2d 860, cert. denied, 291 Conn. 903, 967 A.2d 507 (2009). "It is well established that an appellate court is under no obligation to consider a claim that is not distinctly raised at the trial level.... [B]ecause our review is limited to matters in the record, we [also] will not address issues not decided by the trial court." (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Burnham v. Karl & Gelb, P.C., 252 Conn. 153, 170-71, 745 A.2d 178 (2000); see also Practice Book § 60-5 ("[t]he court shall not be bound to consider a claim unless it was distinctly raised at the trial or arose subsequent to the trial"). "The reason for the rule is obvious: to permit a party to raise a claim on appeal that has not been raised at trial — after it is too late for the trial court ... to address the claim — would encourage trial by ambuscade, which is unfair to both the trial court and the opposing party." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Remillard v. Remillard, 297 Conn. 345, 351-52, 999 A.2d 713 (2010).
In the present case, the defendant did not apprise the court of any particular error that warranted a new trial. Indeed, the court, in response to the defendant's motion for a new trial, stated: "Let me just say ... in terms [of] ... the defendant's motion for a new trial, it's predicated on any errors that may be apparent on direct or that entitle him to a new trial, and without criticizing counsel in any way, no such errors have been pointed out to me. In fact, I think that the rulings the court made were correct as far as I know, and it seems to me that the motion must be denied." In failing to bring to the court's attention the precise matter upon
Accordingly, we decline to review the defendant's unpreserved claim that the court abused its discretion in denying the defendant's motion for a new trial.
The defendant finally claims that the court failed to provide appropriate relief for the inadvertent disclosure to the prosecutor of attorney-client privileged communications, thereby depriving him of his constitutional right to counsel. The defendant requests review of this unpreserved claim pursuant to State v. Golding, supra, 213 Conn. at 233, 567 A.2d 823, or, alternatively, for plain error. The state, in response, contends that the defendant waived this claim when defense counsel expressly asserted that he trusted the prosecutor's articulation of events and agreed that sealing the document was an adequate protective mechanism for the privileged material moving forward. We agree with the state.
"Both our Supreme Court and this court have stated the principle that, when a party abandons a claim or argument before the trial court, that party waives the right to appellate review of such claim because a contrary conclusion would result in an ambush of the trial court.... [W]aiver is [t]he voluntary relinquishment or abandonment — express or implied — of a legal right or notice.... In determining waiver, the conduct of the parties is of great importance.... [W]aiver may be effected by action of counsel.... When a party consents to or expresses satisfaction with an issue at trial, claims arising from that issue are deemed waived and may not be reviewed on appeal.... Thus, [w]aiver ... involves the idea of assent, and assent is an act of understanding." (Citation omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. McLaughlin, 135 Conn.App. 193, 198, 41 A.3d 694, cert. denied, 307 Conn. 904, 53 A.3d 219 (2012).
The record reveals the following additional facts and procedural history. On May 8, 2012, during a preliminary proceeding, the prosecutor alerted the court to an inadvertent disclosure of attorney-client privileged materials, specifically, a letter that was sent to the state's attorney's office by the Department of Correction. The prosecutor asserted that once he identified the letter in question as privileged, he immediately stopped reading it. Following that incident, the prosecutor put the letter into an envelope, sealed, dated, and signed it, and put it in a safe in the state's attorney's office. The prosecutor represented, as an officer of the court and as a state's attorney, that neither he nor anyone else in his office reviewed the letter. The court offered an opportunity for defense counsel to speak on the matter, at which time he stated: "I don't think that the oath as an attorney was necessary. I don't have any trouble at all accepting his representation that he sealed the letter and didn't read it or stopped reading it as soon as he realized what it was." Defense counsel requested that the letter remained sealed in the possession of the court. The court granted defense counsel's request.
Relying on State v. Lenarz, 301 Conn. 417, 22 A.3d 536 (2011), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 132 S.Ct. 1095, 181 L.Ed.2d 977 (2012), the defendant argues that this claim was not waived and, in fact, was preserved for appellate review because "the trial court, sua sponte, is required to provide appropriate relief to prevent prejudice to the defendant...." The state, however, argues that Lenarz is factually inapposite to the present case. In Lenarz,
For the same reasons set forth in part III of this opinion, the waiver of this claim forecloses both relief under Golding and plain error analysis. See State v. McLaughlin, supra, 135 Conn.App. at 198, 41 A.3d 694 ("claim that has been waived does not satisfy the third prong of ... Golding" [internal quotation marks omitted]); State v. Corona, 69 Conn.App. 267, 274, 794 A.2d 565 ("a valid waiver ... thwarts plain error review of a claim"), cert. denied, 260 Conn. 935, 802 A.2d 88 (2002).
The judgment is affirmed.
In this opinion the other judges concurred.
The defendant therefore was provided with a meaningful opportunity to review the proposed charge. See, e.g., State v. Webster, 308 Conn. 43, 63, 60 A.3d 259 (2013).