People v Abraham
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People v Abraham 2017 NY Slip Op 33108(U) December 4, 2017 County Court, Westchester County Docket Number: 17-0806 Judge: Anne E. Minihan Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. [* 1] FILED AND ENTERED COUNTY COURT: STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER -----------------------------------~------------------------------)( THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK ON IJ.· ftl 2017 \~WESTCHESTER -againstDECISION & ORDER Indictment No. 17-0806 JOSEPH ABRAHAM, ---------------------------------------------~~=~~~'.:_______)( MINIHAN, J. . · · . . ~ lJ. . .. · Co ~~~~ '£'C . .~ ~1101'; . ~'fl Defendant, JOSEPH ABRAHAM, having been indicted on or about August 2~~..:.rQk" Q !. Murder in the Second Degree (Penal Law§ 125.25 [1]) and Criminal Possession of a Weapoif~m~~'< .':2 '/. Fourth Degree (Penal Law§ 265.01 [2]) has filed an omnibus motion which consists ofa Notice of'w.,:J:; .......... Motion and an Affirmation in Support. In response, the People have filed an Affirmation in Opposition '<.ty together with a Memorandum of Law. Upon consideration of these papers, the stenographi_c transcript of the grand jury minutes and the Consent Discovery Order entered in this case, this court disposes of this motion as follows: A.&B. MOTION for DISCOVERY, DISCLOSURE and INSPECTION CPL ARTICLE 240 The parties have entered into a stipulation by way of a Consent Discovery Order consenting to the enumerated discovery in this case. Defendant's motion for piscovery is granted to the extent provided for in Criminal Procedure Law Article 240. If there any further items discoverable pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law Article 240 which have not been provided to defendant pursuant to the Consent Discovery Order, they are to be provided forthwith. As to the defendant's demand for exculpatory material, the People have acknowledged their continuing duty to disclose exculpatory material at the earliest possible date upon its discovery (see · Brady v Maryland, 373 US 83 [1963]; Giglio v United States, 405 US 150 [1972]). The People have also acknowledged their duty to comply with People v Rosario, (9 NY2d 286 [ 1961 ]). In the event that_ the People are or become aware of any material which is arguably exculpatory and they are not willing to consent to its disclosure to.the defendant, they are directed to immediately disclose such material to the Court to permit an in camera inspection and determination as to whether such must be disclosed to the defendant. As to the defendant's demand for scientific related discovery, the People have acknowledged their continuing duty to disclose any written report or document concerning a physical or mental examination or test that the People intend to introduce, or the person who created them, at trial pursuant to CPL 240.20 (l)(c). [* 2] I • Defendant's motion for a further Bill of Particulars is denied. The Bill of Particulars set forth in the Consent Discovery Order provided to the defendant has adequately informed the defendant of the substance of his alleged conduct and in all respects complies with CPL 200.95. Except to the extent that the defendant's application has been specifically granted herein, it is otherwise· denied as seeking mat~rial or information beyond the scope of discovery (see People v Colavito, 87 NY2d 423 [1996]; Matter of Brown v Grosso, 285 AD2d 642 [2d Dept 2001]; Matter of Brown v Appelman, 241AD2d279 [2d Dept 1998]; Matter of Catterson v Jones, 229 AD2d 435 [2d Dept 1996]; Matter of Catterson v Rohl, 202"AD2d 420 [2d Dept 1994]). c. · MOTION to SUPPRESS PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. This branch of the defendant's motion is granted solely to the extent of conducting a Mapp hearing prior to trial to determine the propriety of any search resulting in the seizure of property (see Mapp v Ohio, 367 US 643[1961]. The hearing will also address whether any evidence was obtained in violation of the defendant's Fourth Amendment rights (see Dunaway v New York, 442 US 200 [1979]). Defendant does notmove to controvert the search warrant related to the search and seizure of evidence at 59 Van Cortlandt Park Avenue, Apt IL, in the City of Yonkers and rather states that "no warrants are noted" and the "apartment was searched without probable cause". Upon review of the four corners of the search warrant affidavit and order, both attached to the consent discovery which has been provided to the defendant, the court finds that the warrant was adequately supported by probable cause· (see People v Keves, 291 AD2d 571 [2d Dept 2002]; see generally People v Badilla, 130 .AD3d 744 [2d Dept 2015]; People v Elysee, 49 AD3d 33 [2d Dept 2007]). The warrant affidavit in support provides information that demonstrated probable cause to believe that evidence at the location could tend to.show · that the offense was committed. The defendant has failed to demonstrate that the warrant was based upon an affidavit containing false statements made knowingly or intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth (People v McGeachy, 74 AD3d 989 [2d Dept 2010]). D. MOTION to INSPECT, DISMISS and/or REDUCE CPL ARTICLE 190 The court grants the defendant's motion to the limited extent that the court has conducted, with the consent of the People, an in camera inspection of the stenographic transcription of the grand jury proceedings. Upon such review, the court finds no basis upon which to grant defendant's application to dismiss or reduce the indictment. The indictment contains a plain and concise factual statement in each count which, without allegations of an evidentiary nature, asserts facts supporting every element of the offense charged and the. defendant-' s commission thereof with sufficient precision as to clearly apprise the defendant of the conduct which is the subject of the indictment (CPL 200.50). The indictment charges each and every element of the crimes, and alleges that the defendant committed the acts which constitute the crimes at a specified place during a specified time period and, therefore, is sufficient on its face (People v Cohen, 5.2 NY2d 584 [1981]; People-v Iannone, 45 NY2d 589 [1978]). 2 [* 3] The defendant, who bears the burden of refuting with substantial evidence the presumption of regularity which attaches to official court proceedings (People v Pichardo, 1(?8 AD2d 577 2d Dept 1990]), has offered no sworn factual allegations, in support of his argument that the grand jury proceedings were defective. The minutes reveal a quorum of the grand jurors was present during the presentation of evidence, that the Assistant District Attorney properly instructed the grand jury on the law, and only permitted those grand jurors who heard all the evidence to vote. the matter (see People v Ca/bud, 49 NY2d 389 [1980]; People v Valles, 62 NY2d 36 [1984]; People v Burch, 108 AD3d 679 [2d Dept 2013]). The evidence presented, if accepted as true, is legally sufficient to establish every element of each . offense charged (CPL 210.30[2]) .. "Courts assessing the sufficiency of the evidence before a grand jury must evaluate whether the evidence, viewed most favorably to the People, if unexplained and uncontradicted--and deferring all questions as to the weight or quality of the evidence--would warrant conviction" (People v Mills, 1 NY3d 269, 274-275 [2002]). Legally sufficient evidence means competent evidence which, if accepted as true, would establish every element of an offense charged and the defendant's commission thereof (CPL 70.10[1]; see People v Flowers, 138 AD3d 1138, 1139 [2d Dept 2016]). "In the context of a Grand Jury proceeding, legal sufficiency means prima facie proof of the crimes charged, not proof beyond a reasonable doubt" (People v Jessup, 90 AD3d 782, 783 [2d Dept 2011]). "The reviewing court's inquiry is limited to whether the facts, if proven, and the inferences that logically flow from those facts supply proof of every element of the charged crimes, and whether the Grand Jury could rationally have drawn the guilty inference. That other, innocent inferences could possibly be drawn from those facts is irrelevant to the sufficiency inquiry as long as the Grand Jury could rationally have drawn the guilty inference" (People v Bello, 92 NY2d 523, 526 [1998]). Defendant's request to dismiss the indictment pursuant to CPL 210.20 and pursuant to 210.40 in furtherance of justice is denied. The defendant has cited no persuasive or compelling factor, consideration or circumstances under CPL 210.40 warranting dismissal of this indictment. In reaching a decision on the motion, the court has examined the factors listed in CPL 210.40, which include, in relevant part, the seriousness and circumstances of the offense; the extent of harm caused by the offense; the evidence of guilt; the history, character and condition of the defendant; any exceptionally serious misconduct of law enforcement personnel; the purpose and effect of imposing upon the defendant a sentence authorized for the charged offenses; the potential impact of a dismissal on public confidence in the judicial system; the potential impact of dismissal upon the safety and welfare of the community; and other relevant facts suggesting that a conviction would not serve a useful purpose. Having done so, the court has d·iscemed no compelling factor, consideration or circumstance which clearly demonstrates that further prosecution or conviction of the defendant would constitute or result in injustice. Based upon the in camera review, since this court does not find release of the grand jury minutes or any portion thereof necessary to assist it in making any determinations and as the defendant has not set forth a compelling or particularized need for the production of the grand jury minutes, defendant's application for a copy of the grand jury minutes is denied (People v Jang, 17 AD3d 693 [2d Dept 2005]; CPL 190.25[4][a]). 3 [* 4] E. MOTION for SANDOVAL and VENTIMIGLIA HEARINGS Defendant has moved for a pre-trial h~aring to permit the trial court to determine the extent, if at all, to which the People may inquire into the defendant's prior criminal convictions, prior uncharged criminal, vicious or immoral conduct. The People have consented to a Sandoval hearing. Accordingly, it is ordered that immediately-prior to trial a hearing shall be conducted pursuant to People v Sandoval (34 NY2d 371 [1974]). At said hearing, the People shall be required to notify the defendant of all specific instances o.f his criminal, prior uncharged criminal, vicious or immoral conduct of which they have knowledge and which they intend to use in an attempt to impeach the defendant's credibility ifhe elects to testify at trial (CPL 240.43). At the hearing, the qefendant shall bear the burden. of identifying any instances of his prior misconduct that he submits the People should not be permitted to use to impeach his credibility. The defendant shall be required to identify the basis of his belief that each event or incident may be unduly prejudicial.to his ability to testify as a witness on his own behalf (see People v Matthews, 68 NY2d 118 [1986]; People v Malphurs, 111AD2d266 [2d Dept 1985]). Defendant's application for a hearing, pursuant to People v Ventimiglia (52 NY2d 350 [1981]) is. denied since the People have not indicated an intention to use evidence of any prior bad act or uncharged crimes of the defendant during its case in chief (see People v Molineaux, 168 NY2d 264 [1901]). If the People move to introduce such evidence, the defendant may renew this aspect of his motion. F. . MOTION to STRIKE PREJUDICIAL LANGUAGE The Defendant moves to strike certain language from the indictment on the grounds that it is surplusage, irrelevant or prejudicial. The language concluding the indictment merely identifies the Defendant's acts as public, rather than private wrongs and such language should not be stricken as prejudicial. This motion is denied (see People v Gill, 164 AD2d 867 [2d Dept 1990]; People v Winters, 194 AD2d 703 [2d Dept 1993]; People v Garcia, 170 Misc. 2d 543 [Westchester Co. Ct. 1996]). G. MOTION to STRIKE STATEMENT NOTICE This motion to strike is denied. Said notice is in conformity with the statutory requirements of CPL 710.30. 4 [* 5] .. H. MOTION to SUPPRESS NOTICED STATEMENTS This branch of the defendant's motion seeking to suppress statements on the grounds that they were unconstitutionally obt~ined is granted to the extent that a Huntley hearing shall be held prior to trial to determine whether any statements allegedly made by the defendant, which have been noticed by the People pursuant to CPL 710.. 30 (l)(a), were involuntarily made by the defendant within the meaning of CPL 60.45 (see CPL 710,20(3); CPL 710.60[3][b]; People v Weaver, 49 NY2d 1012 [1980]), obtained in violation of defendant's Sixth Amendment right to counsel, and/or obtained in violation of the defendant's Fourth Amendment rights (see Dunaway v New York, 442 US 200.(1979]). The foregoing constitutes the opinion, decision and order of this court. ambr Dated: White Plains, New York ,2017 Honorable Anne E. inihan Westchester County Court Judge To: BY: BY: HON. ANTHONY A. SCARPINO, JR. District Attorney, Westchester County 1 i" l Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard White Plains, New York 10601 Spencer Littman, Esq. Assistant District Attorney CLARE J. DEGNAN, ESQ. The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County Attorney for Defendant Abraham 150 Grand Street, Suite 100 . White Plains, New York 10601 Nicholas Speranza, Esq. Associate Counsel 5
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