Opinion
06-23-2016
In the Matter of Edward BAYSDEN, Petitioner, v. Anthony J. ANNUCCI, as Acting Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.
Edward Baysden, Gowanda, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Kathleen M. Arnold of counsel), for respondent.
Edward Baysden, Gowanda, petitioner pro se.
Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Kathleen M. Arnold of counsel), for respondent.
Before: PETERS, P.J., LAHTINEN, ROSE, LYNCH and DEVINE, JJ.
Opinion
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to review a determination of respondent finding petitioner guilty of violating a prison disciplinary rule.
During a search of petitioner's prison cell, a correction officer found a folded can lid with a cloth handle located inside of petitioner's instrument case. As a result, petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with possessing a weapon. Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty as charged. The penalty imposed was modified by correction officials and the determination was later affirmed upon administrative appeal. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
We confirm. The misbehavior report, unusual incident report, photograph of the weapon and testimony of the correction officer who conducted the search provide substantial evidence to support the determination of guilt (see Matter of Burgos v. Prack, 129 A.D.3d 1434, 1434, 10 N.Y.S.3d 763 [2015] ; Matter of Diaz v. Prack, 127 A.D.3d 1489, 1490, 6 N.Y.S.3d 327 [2015] ). Contrary to petitioner's contention, the hearing testimony does not establish that he was set up and, in any event, such claim presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve (see Matter of Gonzalez v. Annucci, 122 A.D.3d 1203, 1204, 995 N.Y.S.2d 859 [2014] ). Petitioner's assertion that the search of his cell was not carried out in compliance with Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Directive No. 4910 is unpreserved.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.