Opinion
09-15-2016
In the Matter of Norman McBRIDE, Petitioner, v. Anthony J. ANNUCCI, as Acting Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.
Norman McBride, Dannemora, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Norman McBride, Dannemora, petitioner pro se.
Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Before: GARRY, J.P., LYNCH, ROSE, CLARK and MULVEY, JJ.
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 certain prison disciplinary rules.
Petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with engaging in violent conduct, creating a disturbance, failing to comply with frisk procedures and refusing a direct order. According to the report, after having observed petitioner slip a small, white paper object into his left boot, a correction officer directed petitioner to the wall for a pat frisk. Although initially compliant, petitioner refused to remove his left boot and stepped away from the wall. After petitioner refused further orders to comply, correction officers ultimately took him to the ground and restraints were applied. Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty as charged. The determination was affirmed on administrative appeal and this CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
Initially, respondent concedes, and we agree, that substantial evidence does not support the finding that petitioner was guilty of the charge of engaging in violent conduct. Accordingly, we annul that part of the determination. Given that no loss of good time was imposed and petitioner has already served the penalty, the matter need not be remitted for a reassessment of the penalty (see Matter of Young v. Keyser, 136 A.D.3d 1084, 1084–1085, 25 N.Y.S.3d 389 [2016] ; Matter of Chisholm v. Annucci, 135 A.D.3d 1279, 1279, 23 N.Y.S.3d 597 [2016] ).
As to the remaining charges, the misbehavior report and hearing testimony provide substantial evidence to support the determination of guilt (see Matter of Rizzuto v. Eastman, 134 A.D.3d 1308, 1308, 20 N.Y.S.3d 916 [2015] ; Matter of Nieves v. Annucci, 123 A.D.3d 1368, 1368, 997 N.Y.S.2d 847 [2014] ). Although petitioner testified that a medical condition prevented him from complying with the frisk procedures and the order to remove his boot, and that medical condition was confirmed by the facility nurse, the nurse also testified that there were no documented functional limitations attributed to the condition in petitioner's medical file. This conflicting evidence presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve (see Matter of Rogers v. Fischer, 96 A.D.3d 1318, 1318, 947 N.Y.S.2d 222 [2012] ; Matter of Capocetta v. Fischer, 72 A.D.3d 1377, 1378, 901 N.Y.S.2d 728 [2010], lv. denied 15 N.Y.3d 706, 2010 WL 3547635 [2010] ). Finally, there is nothing in the record to indicate that petitioner was denied a fair hearing or that the determination of guilt was the result of any alleged bias on the part of the Hearing Officer or a predetermination of guilt prior to the hearing (see Matter of Fowler v. Fischer, 106 A.D.3d 1344, 1345, 965 N.Y.S.2d 254 [2013], lv. denied 21 N.Y.3d 865, 2013 WL 4838763 [2013] ; Matter of Barnes v. Bezio, 86 A.D.3d 884, 885, 927 N.Y.S.2d 472 [2011] ).
ADJUDGED that the determination is modified, without costs, by aning so much thereof as found petitioner guilty of engaging in violent conduct; petition granted to that extent and respondent is directed to expunge all references to this charge from petitioner's institutional record; and, as so modified, confirmed.