Opinion
2013-10-4
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. James MHINA, Defendant–Appellant.
Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society, Syracuse (Christine Cook of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. James Mhina, Defendant–Appellant pro se.
Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society, Syracuse (Christine Cook of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. James Mhina, Defendant–Appellant pro se.
William J. Fitzpatrick, District Attorney, Syracuse (James P. Maxwell of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: CENTRA, J.P., FAHEY, LINDLEY, SCONIERS AND WHALEN, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him, upon a jury verdict, of three counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree (Penal Law § 170.25), two counts of falsifying business records in the first degree (§ 175.10), and scheme to defraud in the second degree (§ 190.60[1] ). We reject defendant's contention that the evidence is legally insufficient to establish his knowledge that the checks at issue herein were forged ( see generally People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672). In a prosecution for criminal possession of a forged instrument, the element of knowledge “may be established circumstantially by conduct and events” ( People v. Moore, 41 A.D.3d 1202, 1203, 837 N.Y.S.2d 484,lv. denied9 N.Y.3d 879, 842 N.Y.S.2d 791, 874 N.E.2d 758). Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People, we conclude that the jury “ ‘had a sufficient evidentiary basis upon which to find defendant's knowledge of the forged character of the possessed instrument [s] beyond a reasonable doubt’ ” ( id., quoting People v. Johnson, 65 N.Y.2d 556, 561, 493 N.Y.S.2d 445, 483 N.E.2d 120,rearg. denied66 N.Y.2d 759, 497 N.Y.S.2d 1029, 488 N.E.2d 118). Furthermore, viewing the evidence in light of the elements of the crimes as charged to the jury ( see People v. Danielson, 9 N.Y.3d 342, 349, 849 N.Y.S.2d 480, 880 N.E.2d 1), we reject defendant's contention that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence ( see generally Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d at 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672).
We agree with defendant, however, that County Court's Molineux ruling constitutes reversible error. Before the trial, the court granted the People's motion to present Molineux evidence for the limited purpose of proving the absence of mistake in defendant's possession of the forged checks ( see People v. Molineux, 168 N.Y. 264, 293–294, 61 N.E. 286). Pursuant to the court's ruling, the People presented evidence on their direct case concerning three of defendant's prior convictions as well as one investigation that did not result in criminal charges, arising from defendant's conduct in writing checks on his accounts with knowledge that those accounts either were closed or had insufficient funds. The court erred in ruling that such evidence was relevant to establish the absence of mistake. The disputed issues at trial were whether defendant knew that the checks were forged and whether defendant was a knowing participant in, or an innocent victim of, a fraudulent check scheme. Defendant's prior bad acts were not “directly relevant” to the absence of mistake in defendant's possession of the forged checks because those prior bad acts are not probative of defendant's ability to recognize that the checks were forgeries or that he had become knowingly involved in a fraudulent check scheme ( People v. Cass, 18 N.Y.3d 553, 560, 942 N.Y.S.2d 416, 965 N.E.2d 918). Contrary to the People's contention, the Molineux evidence was not admissible to prove defendant's “familiarity with check frauds and his ability to deceive individuals through banking schemes” inasmuch as such evidence “tends only to demonstrate the defendant's propensity to commit the crime charged” ( id. at 559, 942 N.Y.S.2d 416, 965 N.E.2d 918). Furthermore, the Court of Appeals has expressly declined to create a “ ‘specialized crime’ exception to Molineux ” when the charged crime is one “that require[s] unusual skills, knowledge and access to the means of committing it” ( People v. Arafet, 13 N.Y.3d 460, 466, 892 N.Y.S.2d 812, 920 N.E.2d 919). We thereforeconclude that evidence of defendant's prior bad acts was inadmissible as a matter of law ( see People v. Alvino, 71 N.Y.2d 233, 242, 525 N.Y.S.2d 7, 519 N.E.2d 808).
We further conclude in any event with respect to the court's Molineux ruling that the probative value of the evidence did not outweigh its prejudicial effect ( see Cass, 18 N.Y.3d at 560, 942 N.Y.S.2d 416, 965 N.E.2d 918;People v. Gamble, 18 N.Y.3d 386, 398, 941 N.Y.S.2d 1, 964 N.E.2d 372,rearg. denied19 N.Y.3d 833, 945 N.Y.S.2d 643, 968 N.E.2d 999;People v. Drake, 94 A.D.3d 1506, 1508, 943 N.Y.S.2d 328,lv. denied20 N.Y.3d 1010, 960 N.Y.S.2d 354, 984 N.E.2d 329). The evidence was “of slight value when compared to the possible prejudice to [defendant]” and therefore should not have been admitted ( People v. Allweiss, 48 N.Y.2d 40, 47, 421 N.Y.S.2d 341, 396 N.E.2d 735;see Alvino, 71 N.Y.2d at 242, 525 N.Y.S.2d 7, 519 N.E.2d 808). We further conclude that the error in admitting the evidence is not harmless ( see People v. Bradley, 20 N.Y.3d 128, 135–136, 958 N.Y.S.2d 650, 982 N.E.2d 570;cf. People v. Bounds, 100 A.D.3d 1523, 1524, 954 N.Y.S.2d 321,lv. denied20 N.Y.3d 1096, 965 N.Y.S.2d 792, 988 N.E.2d 530;see generally People v. Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 241–242, 367 N.Y.S.2d 213, 326 N.E.2d 787), even in view of the court's limiting instruction. We therefore reverse the judgment and grant a new trial on counts one through six of the indictment.
In light of our determination to grant a new trial, we do not address defendant's remaining contentions in his main and pro se supplemental briefs.
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously reversed on the law and a new trial is granted on counts one through six of the indictment.