Steven A. Feldman, Uniondale, NY (Arza Feldman of counsel), for appellant.

Timothy D. Sini, District Attorney, Riverhead, NY (Lauren Tan of counsel), for respondent.

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Suffolk County (John B. Collins, J.), rendered November 30, 2016, convicting him of robbery in the first degree, after a nonjury trial, and sentencing him to a determinate term of imprisonment of 17 years.

Ordered that the judgment is modified, as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice, by reducing the sentence imposed to a determinate term of imprisonment of 12 years; as so modified, the judgment is affirmed.

Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People v Contes, 60 NY2d 620 [1983]), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, 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 [2007]), we nevertheless accord great deference to the factfinder's opportunity to view the witnesses, hear the testimony, and observe demeanor (see People v Mateo, 2 NY3d 383 [2004]; People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 490 [1987]). 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 [2006]).

The sentence imposed was excessive to the extent indicated herein (see People v Suitte, 90 AD2d 80 [1982]). Austin, J.P., Roman, Cohen and Barros, JJ., concur.