Opinion
February 20, 2001
Carl Becker for defendant.
Charles J. Hynes, District Attorney of Kings County (Kieran P. Holohan of counsel), for plaintiff.
The defendant stands convicted after a jury trial of Assault in the Second Degree (Penal Law § 120.05) and Menacing in the Third Degree (Penal Law § 120.15). Prior to summations, the People made a request for a missing witness charge based upon testimony given by the defendant. After the verdict, but before sentencing, defendant moved by notice of motion dated February 7, 2001, pursuant to CPL 330.30, for an order setting aside the verdict. The People have submitted opposition to the motion. For purposes of judicial economy, this Court will consider both the People's request to charge and defendant's motion together.
At the trial, the People's eyewitnesses to the incident essentially testified that on February 13, 2000, at approximately 8:00 p.m., in the Greenpoint Hotel, they heard Richard Todd's screams for help, and upon investigation observed Mr. Todd beaten beyond recognition. The eyewitnesses also testified that they observed defendant leaving the victim's room as they entered. Although not immediately reported by Mr. Todd, after a three week hospital stay for his injuries, he informed the police on or about March 3, 2000, that Danton Duncan had committed the attack. Defendant turned himself into the police soon thereafter and has been incarcerated since.
Testimony at the trial revealed that the Greenpoint Hotel is a single-room occupancy mens' residence. Both the victim and defendant, as well as the People's eyewitnesses, Donna Dixon and Melvin Dixon, were residents of the hotel.
The defendant took the stand, and for the first time during the course of this criminal proceeding, testified that he and another individual known only as "Don," went to a local fast food restaurant to eat dinner and that defendant returned to the residence to find the victim beaten in his room. According to defendant, Don lived "downstairs" in the hotel, that they only knew each other for a short period of time, and socialized on a few occasions. The defendant's testimony, although apparently disregarded as incredible by the jury, prompted the People to request a missing witness charge concerning Don. For the reasons which follow, this Court denied the People's request for the charge. During closing arguments, however, the prosecutor made reference to the defendant's failure to call the possible alibi witness. The Court sustained defense counsel's objection and informed the jury that they were to disregard the comment. Outside the presence of the jury, defense counsel sought a mistrial based upon the prosecutor's references to Don.
The People declined the three day adjournment to attempt to locate the missing witness pursuant to CPL 250.20 (3).
THE PEOPLE'S REQUEST DEFENDANT'S ALIBI TESTIMONY
In this matter, defendant did not provide the People with notice pursuant to section 250.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law concerning alibi testimony. To the contrary, as stated above, the People and the Court were not aware of any alibi and were surprised at trial by defendant's version of the alleged facts. In response to defendant's alibi testimony, and the failure to offer any notice of same, the People requested that his testimony be stricken. This Court denied the request as "the preclusive provisions contained [in CPL 250.20] . . . apply only to witnesses who a defendant seeks to call to establish an alibi and nowhere makes reference, explicitly or by implication, to a defendant personally" (People v. Peace, 256 A.D.2d 1014, 1015; see also, People v. Rosado, 153 Misc.2d 477). Given the clear statutory and fundamental constitutional rights of a criminal defendant to testify, the striking of such testimony for failure to comply with the notice requirements of CPL 250.20 would be improper (See, People v. Mason, 263 A.D.2d 73; People v. Peace, supra CPL 60.15; US Const, 14th Amend; N Y Const, art I, § 6;People v. Burke, 176 A.D.2d 1000, 1001, appeal denied 79 N.Y.2d 825;People v. Harami, 93 A.D.2d 867). As such, the testimony was received into evidence, and the People immediately sought the missing witness charge.
See, CPL 250.20 (1), which states:
At any time, not more than twenty days after arraignment, the people may serve upon the defendant or his counsel, and file a copy thereof with the court, a demand that if the defendant intends to offer a trial defense that at the time of the commission of the crime charged he was at some place or places other than the scene of the crime, and to call witnesses in support of such defense, he must, within eight days of service of such demand, serve upon the people, and file a copy thereof with the court, a "notice of alibi," reciting (a) the place or places where the defendant claims to have been at the time in question, and (b) the names, the residential addresses, the places of employment and the addresses thereof of every such alibi witness upon whom he intends to rely. For good cause shown, the court may extend the period for service of the notice.
This Court notes that the People's request was timely as it was made as soon as practicable after defendant's testimony (see, People v. Rosado, supra).
MISSING WITNESS CHARGE
A missing witness charge is properly presented to the jury when the party against whom the charge is given is able to locate and produce the witness and "there was such a relationship, in legal status or on the facts, as to make it natural to expect the party to have called the witness to testify in his favor" (People v. Gonzalez, 68 N.Y.2d 424, 429; see also, People v. Keen, 94 N.Y.2d 533). The initial burden is on the party seeking the charge, here, the People, to establish that "there is an uncalled witness believed to be knowledgeable about a material issue pending in the case, that such witness can be expected to testify favorably to the opposing party and that such party has failed to call him to testify" (People v. Gonzalez, supra, at 427). It is then incumbent upon the challenging party to demonstrate that the witness has no knowledge of the issue, that the issue is immaterial or irrelevant, that the testimony would be cumulative, that the witness is unavailable, or "that the witness is not under the party's control such that he would not be expected to testify in his . . . favor" (People v. Gonzalez, supra, at 428). It is the control factor which concerns this Court.
Although the "relative concept" of control is "not susceptible of precise definition," it is clear that the relationship between the witness and the party charged with calling such witness is the dispositive factor (see, People v. Gonzalez, supra, at 428-429). While a witness may be potentially available to both parties, a witness is said to be in the control of a party when the witness "is favorable to or under the influence of one party and hostile to the other" (People v. Gonzalez, supra, at 429).
In light of the foregoing, the defendant's relationship with Don must be examined. Defendant testified that he did not know Don's last name, and that the two apparently grew up in the same neighborhood although they met only recently at the hotel where they resided. Further, defendant stated that Don was only an acquaintance.
It is settled law that spouses and relatives, with the proper foundation established, are "perforce deemed to be under the defendant's control" (see, People v. Rodriguez, 38 N.Y.2d 95, 98, n. 1; see also, People v. Macana, 84 N.Y.2d 173 [father]; People v. Fregosi, 258 A.D.2d 259, lv denied 93 N.Y.2d 970 [brother]; People v. Garcia, 250 A.D.2d 421, lv denied 92 N.Y.2d 897 [stepbrothers]; People v. Glascoe, 220 A.D.2d 447, appeal denied 87 N.Y.2d 901 [wife]), and would thus be expected to testify in defendant's favor (People v. Rodriguez, supra). Similarly, friendship between the defendant and the witness could establish the requisite element of control (see, People v. Trent, 273 A.D.2d 50, lv denied 93 N.Y.2d 893 ["closeness of friendship reflected in the record was sufficient under the circumstances to establish control"]; People v. Lopez, 165 A.D.2d 773, appeal denied 77 N.Y.2d 879 [close friend]; see also, People v. Morales, 126 A.D.2d 575 [defendant's girlfriend]; People v. Paylor, 121 A.D.2d 891, affd 70 N.Y.2d 146 [close friend]). However, where there exists only a casual friendship or where the witness and the defendant (or in the case of a defense request for the prosecution's missing witness, the complainant), are only mere acquaintances, it cannot be said that the witness is under the control of the calling party (see, People v. Banks, 276 A.D.2d 294 ["casual friendship"]; People v. Brunson, 270 A.D.2d 133, lv denied 95 N.Y.2d 833 ["casual friendship"]; People v. Justice, 202 A.D.2d 362,appeal denied 83 N.Y.2d 1004 ["Defendant was not entitled to a missing witness charge as to a witness whose relationship to the complainant was no more than that of a friend"]; see also, People v. Duval, 172 A.D.2d 248,appeal denied 77 N.Y.2d 994; People v. Josan, 92 A.D.2d 902).
Moreover, defendant has been incarcerated since March 4, 2000, and coupled with the transient nature of the Greenpoint Hotel, there is little likelihood that Don could be considered under the control of defendant or would be available to testify (see, e.g., People v. Taranovich, 37 N.Y.2d 442 ["a defendant confined to jail prior to trial is at an obvious and distinct disadvantage in the sense that he can only assist in the preparation of his defense to a limited degree because he is unable to gather evidence or to contact prospective witnesses"]). Thus, based upon the testimony provided by defendant, Don was not under defendant's control and this Court is constrained to follow the law despite possible prejudice to the People.
DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO SET ASIDE THE VERDICT
According to defense counsel, the verdict should be set aside based upon an allegedly improper reasonable doubt instruction. Further, it is argued that setting aside the verdict is warranted in light of certain comments made by the prosecution during closing arguments, and that the verdict was rendered against the weight of the evidence.
REASONABLE DOUBT CHARGE
Defendant maintains that this Court erred in its charge to the jury concerning reasonable doubt. Specifically, it is argued that the Court improperly denied defendant's request to charge that a reasonable doubt can be found from the "lack of evidence as well as from evidence." Further, that the Court should have instructed the jury that a juror need "not have to be able to articulate his or her doubt, as long as it is reasonable," and that the jury could acquit defendant based upon "the slightest doubt, as long as it is reasonable." In fact, regarding the latter contention, defense counsel suggests in the motion that such "slightest doubt" charge is mandatory.
It is a fundamental concept in our society that the People have the burden of establishing beyond a reasonable doubt each and every element of the crimes charged and defendant's commission thereof (see, People v. David, 266 A.D.2d 228, lv denied 94 N.Y.2d 861; People v. Cahill, 220 A.D.2d 608, appeal denied 87 N.Y.2d 920; CPL 300.10). The "standard is an ancient and honored aspect or our criminal justice system, [and] it defies easy explication" (Victor v. Nebraska, 511 U.S. 1, 5). However, so long as the charge, taken as a whole, properly conveys the concept of reasonable doubt, there is no statutory or constitutional requirement mandating the specific language to be used by the trial court (see, Holland v. United States, 348 U.S. 121; Victor v. Nebraska, supra; see also, People v. Canty, 60 N.Y.2d 830; People v. Padilla, 219 A.D.2d 688, appeal denied 87 N.Y.2d 905). In fact, "[o]f necessity, it must be described in general terms that will convey simply to the jury 'the difference between a reasonable doubt and one which is based on a whim, sympathy or some other vague reason'" (People v. Malloy, 55 N.Y.2d 296, 303, cert denied 459 U.S. 847 [quoting People v. Jones, 27 N.Y.2d 222]). With the above in mind, defendant's contention that the reasonable doubt charge in this matter was improper is without merit.
The State Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions (CJI Committee) has recently approved a revised charge for the presumption of innocence, the burden of proof, and reasonable doubt which this Court utilized in the instant matter (see. e.g., People v. Redd, 266 A.D.2d 12, 14, Saxe, J., concurring, lv denied 94 N.Y.2d 866 ["perhaps we, as a profession, should consider simplifying the instruction to ensure comprehension by jurors of a single, clear-cut standard"]; Riccardi, Changes Drafted for Criminal Jury Instructions, NYLJ, August 2, 2000, at 1, col 3). The reasonable doubt portion of the charge that was presented to the jury reads as follows:
Although not published as of the date of this decision, the new charge was approved by the CJI Committee in December 2000. Thus, any citation to the reasonable doubt charge in this decision refers to the unrevised version which currently appears in the CJI Charges of General Applicability (see, 1 CJI [NY] 6.05 p 244; 1 CJI [NY] 6.10 p 246; 1 CJI [NY] 6.20 p 248).
What does our law mean when it requires proof of guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt"?
The law uses the term, "proof beyond a reasonable doubt," to tell you how convincing the evidence of guilt must be to permit a verdict of guilty. The law recognizes that, in dealing with human affairs, there are very few things in this world that we know with absolute certainty. Therefore, the law does not require the People to prove a defendant guilty beyond all possible doubt. On the other hand, it is not sufficient to prove that the defendant is probably guilty. In a criminal case, the proof of guilt must be stronger than that. It must be beyond a reasonable doubt.
A reasonable doubt is an honest doubt of the defendant's guilt for which a reason exists based upon the nature and quality of the evidence. It is an actual doubt, not an imaginary doubt. It is a doubt that a reasonable person, acting in a matter of this importance, would be likely to entertain because of the evidence that was presented or because of the lack of convincing evidence.
Proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you so firmly convinced of the defendant's guilt that you have no reasonable doubt of the existence of any element of the crime or of the defendant's identity as the person who committed the crime.
In determining whether or not the People have proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, you should be guided solely by a full and fair evaluation of the evidence. After carefully evaluating the evidence, each of you must decide whether or not that evidence convinces you beyond a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt.
Whatever your verdict may be, it must not rest upon baseless speculations. Nor may it be influenced in any way by bias, prejudice, sympathy, or by a desire to bring an end to your deliberations or to avoid an unpleasant duty.
If you are not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of a charged crime, you must find the defendant not guilty of that crime. If you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of a charged crime, you must find the defendant guilty of that crime.
First, defense counsel's position that the Court erred in failing to charge that the jury may consider the lack of evidence is patently without merit as the above charge clearly indicates that the jury may consider the "lack of convincing evidence" in determining whether the People established defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt (see e.g., People v. Johnson, 245 A.D.2d 570, appeal denied 92 N.Y.2d 854;see also, 1 CJI [NY] 6.20 p. 249).
Second, the new charge, contrary to defendant's contention, does not impose an affirmative obligation on any juror to articulate to the other jurors the basis for reasonable doubt, nor does it shift the burden of proof (see, People v. Antommarchi, 80 N.Y.2d 247, rearg denied 81 N.Y.2d 759; see also, People v. Lugo, 232 A.D.2d 236, appeal denied 89 N.Y.2d 943 ["The trial court's charge to the jury that for a doubt to be reasonable it 'must be one for which some reason can be given' did not impose any obligation upon the jurors to articulate reasons for such doubt, but merely 'define[d] the degree of clarity and coherence of thought necessary for the jurors to conclude they harbor a reasonable doubt'" (citation omitted)]). In fact, the new charge omits the phrase that a reasonable doubt is one "for which some reason can be given" (1 CJI [NY] 6.20 p 249), and states, rather, inter alia, that a reasonable doubt is an "actual doubt" that a reasonable person "would be likely to entertain." Thus, the CJI Committee has clearly removed from the charge any suggestion that a reasonable doubt need be articulated by a juror, thereby further clarifying the concept to the jury (see, People v. Antommarchi, supra; People v. Lugo, supra; see also, People v. Redd, supra).
In short, the new charge, as read to the jury in the present action, viewed as a whole, clearly relayed the proper standard of proof to the jury (see. e.g., People v. Persaud, 237 A.D.2d 538, appeal denied 89 N.Y.2d 1098; People v. Cantwell, 234 A.D.2d 606; People v. Rodriguez, 225 A.D.2d 564, appeal denied 88 N.Y.2d 969). Moreover, the charge has been streamlined and phrased in such a manner so as to succinctly convey the meaning of reasonable doubt to the jury, and this Court did not err by following its language as approved by the CJI Committee (see, People v. Cubino, 88 N.Y.2d 998 ["The preferred phrasing to convey the concept and degree of reasonable doubt is illustrated in the Pattern Criminal Jury Instructions"]; see also, People v. Mollica, 267 A.D.2d 333;People v. Redd, supra; People v. Johnson, supra; People v. Nazario, 236 A.D.2d 232, appeal denied 89 N.Y.2d 1098).
The combined charge introduces the definition of reasonable doubt with the newly revised presumption of innocence and burden of proof charges as follows:
We now turn to the fundamental principles of our law that apply in all criminal trials: the presumption of innocence, the burden of proof, and the requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Throughout these proceedings, the defendant is presumed to be innocent. As a result, you must find the defendant not guilty, unless, on the evidence presented at this trial, you conclude that the people have proven the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
In determining whether the People have satisfied their burden of proving the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, you may consider all the evidence presented, whether by the People or by the defendant. In doing so, however, remember that, even though the defendant introduced evidence, the burden of proof remains on the People.
The defendant is not required to prove that he is not guilty. In fact, the defendant is not required to prove or disprove anything. To the contrary the People have the burden of proving the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. That means, before you can find the defendant guilty of a crime, the People must prove beyond a reasonable doubt every element of the crime including that the defendant is the person who committed that crime. The burden of proof never shifts from the People to the defendant. If the People fail to satisfy their burden of proof, you must find the defendant not guilty. If the People satisfy their burden of proof, you must find the defendant guilty.
Further, this Court is not required to charge that the slightest doubt, so long as it is reasonable, is mandated language in the reasonable doubt charge (see, People v. Cubino, supra; see also People v. Mollica, supra; People v. Redd, supra; People v. Johnson, supra; People v. Nazario, supra; Holland v. United States, supra).
PROSECUTOR'S COMMENTS DURING CLOSING ARGUMENTS
During the People's closing argument, the prosecutor stated, "Ask yourselves, where's Don? The guy lives in the hotel with [defendant]." In response, the following colloquy took place:
MR. BECKER: Objection.
THE COURT: Sustained.
MR. HOLOHAN: Lived downstairs. Knew him from the old neighborhood. Where's Don?
MR. BECKER: Objection, your Honor.
THE COURT: Sustained.
MR. HOLOHAN: Who is Don?
MR. BECKER: Objection, your Honor.
THE COURT: Sustained. Move on. Disregard that, ladies and gentlemen.
After the jury retired to deliberate, defendant's attorney sought a mistrial based upon the reference to the missing witness. This Court denied the request.
In his motion to set aside the verdict, defense counsel contends that a mistrial was warranted where the prosecutor, "at least three times" referred to Don in the summation. Because, however, this Court sustained defendant's objections and told the jury they were to disregard the prosecutor's comments, there is no basis to set aside the verdict on such grounds, as the jury is presumed to have followed this Court's instructions (see, People v. Singleton, 270 A.D.2d 190, lv denied 95 N.Y.2d 858; see also, People v. Davis, 58 N.Y.2d 1102).
Notwithstanding the above, because defendant testified and presented evidence that he was not at the scene of the attack, the door was open to comment by the prosecutor without an impermissible shifting of the burden of proof (see, People v. Tankleff, 84 N.Y.2d 992; People v. Negroni, NYLJ, Feb. 20, 2001, at 31, col 3).
SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
Finally, defendant contends that certain alleged contradictory statements made by the People's eyewitnesses and the victim rendered the jury's verdict as against the weight of the evidence.
A trial court may set aside a verdict of guilty based upon "[a]ny ground appearing in the record which, if raised upon an appeal from a prospective judgment of conviction, would require a reversal or modification of the judgment as a matter of law by an appellate court" (CPL 330.30). Since the determination of whether a verdict is against the weight of the evidence is deemed to be on the facts, and is therefore in the exclusive province of an intermediate appellate court, it is improperly raised in the instant motion (see, People v. Rayam, 94 N.Y.2d 557; see also, People v. Carter, 63 N.Y.2d 530;People v. Garcia, 272 A.D.2d 189, lv denied 95 N.Y.2d 889).
In view of the foregoing, defendant's motion to set aside the verdict is denied on all grounds.