Opinion
2013-11-26
In re The STATE of New York, Petitioner–Respondent, v. RODNEY J., Respondent–Appellant.
Marvin Bernstein, Mental Hygiene Legal Service, New York (Naomi M. Weinstein of counsel), for appellant. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, New York (Judith Vale of counsel), for respondent.
Marvin Bernstein, Mental Hygiene Legal Service, New York (Naomi M. Weinstein of counsel), for appellant. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, New York (Judith Vale of counsel), for respondent.
Order, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Colleen D. Duffy, J.), entered on or about August 30, 2012, which, upon a fact-finding that respondent is a dangerous sex offender requiring confinement, committed him to a secure treatment facility, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Clear and convincing evidence supports the finding that respondent is a dangerous sex offender requiring confinement ( seeMental Hygiene Law §§ 10.03 [e], 10.07[f] ). The evidence, including the testimony of two experts and respondent himself,established that he had committed numerous sex offenses against five victims, at least two of whom were young girls, had committed sex offenses against male inmates and patients while confined and undergoing sex offender treatment, had failed to complete any sex offender treatment program, and has a cognitive disorder causing him to believe that his victims have consented to sexual activity ( see People v. Derrick S., 93 A.D.3d 423, 939 N.Y.S.2d 423 [1st Dept.2012] ). Respondent presents no basis to disturb the court's credibility determinations. MAZZARELLI, J.P., ACOSTA, MOSKOWITZ, MANZANET–DANIELS, GISCHE, JJ., concur.