Opinion
108253
07-19-2018
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Ronald A. TAYLOR Jr., Appellant.
Rural Law Center of New York, Castleton (Keith F. Schockmel of counsel), for appellant. Patrick A. Perfetti, District Attorney, Cortland (Elizabeth McGrath of counsel), for respondent.
Rural Law Center of New York, Castleton (Keith F. Schockmel of counsel), for appellant.
Patrick A. Perfetti, District Attorney, Cortland (Elizabeth McGrath of counsel), for respondent.
Before: Garry, P.J., McCarthy, Lynch, Devine and Mulvey, JJ.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Mulvey, J.
Appeal from a judgment of the County Court of Cortland County (Ames, J.), rendered August 11, 2015, upon a verdict convicting defendant of the crime of burglary in the second degree.
During the early morning hours of September 16, 2014, the victims awoke to discover a man looking around their apartment while using his cell phone as a flashlight. When one of the victims left the bed to pursue defendant, he fled the apartment. The victims reported the incident to police later that same day, identifying defendant as the intruder and claiming that a roll of quarters was missing from their living room. Defendant was subsequently arrested and charged by indictment with burglary in the second degree and petit larceny. Following a jury trial, he was convicted of the burglary charge but acquitted of the larceny charge. County Court sentenced defendant, as a second violent felony offender, to nine years in prison followed by five years of postrelease supervision. He now appeals.
Defendant contends that his conviction was not supported by legally sufficient evidence and was against the weight of the evidence, specifically contesting the element of intent. Defendant's challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence is unpreserved for our review, as his motion for a trial order of dismissal was not premised on the specific ground now being raised on appeal (see People v. Luciano, 152 A.D.3d 989, 993, 59 N.Y.S.3d 547 [2017], lv denied 30 N.Y.3d 1020, 70 N.Y.S.3d 453, 93 N.E.3d 1217 [2017] ; People v. Gray, 151 A.D.3d 1470, 1472, 57 N.Y.S.3d 561 [2017], lv denied 30 N.Y.3d 949, 67 N.Y.S.3d 133, 89 N.E.3d 523 [2017], cert denied ––– U.S. ––––, 138 S.Ct. 1295, 200 L.Ed.2d 483 [2018] ). Because defendant also attacks the verdict as against the weight of the evidence, we will consider the evidence adduced as to each element of the crime in the context of that review (see People v. Chaneyfield, 157 A.D.3d 996, 996, 69 N.Y.S.3d 144 [2018], lv denied 31 N.Y.3d 1012, 78 N.Y.S.3d 282, 102 N.E.3d 1063 [2018] ; People v. Ford, 156 A.D.3d 1242, 1242, 68 N.Y.S.3d 566 [2017], lv denied 31 N.Y.3d 1013, 78 N.Y.S.3d 283, 102 N.E.3d 1064 [2018] ). "Where, as here, a different verdict would not have been unreasonable, we weigh the relative probative force of conflicting testimony and the relative strength of conflicting inferences that may be drawn from the testimony" ( People v. Devictor-Lopez, 155 A.D.3d 1434, 1435, 66 N.Y.S.3d 346 [2017] [internal quotation marks and citation omitted]; see People v. Kancharla, 23 N.Y.3d 294, 302–303, 991 N.Y.S.2d 1, 14 N.E.3d 354 [2014] ).
Insofar as is relevant here, a person is guilty of burglary in the second degree if he or she knowingly enters a dwelling with intent to commit a crime therein (see Penal Law § 140.25[2] ). Generally, there is no requirement that the People allege or establish the particular crime that the defendant intended to commit upon entering the dwelling (see People v. Cajigas, 19 N.Y.3d 697, 701, 955 N.Y.S.2d 296, 979 N.E.2d 240 [2012] ; People v. Jones, 155 A.D.3d 1111, 1112, 63 N.Y.S.3d 749 [2017], lv denied 31 N.Y.3d 984, 77 N.Y.S.3d 662, 102 N.E.3d 439 [2018] ). However, where the People expressly limit their theory of liability to the intent to commit a specific crime, they are bound to prove the defendant's intent to commit that crime (see People v. Lewis, 5 N.Y.3d 546, 552 n. 7, 807 N.Y.S.2d 1, 840 N.E.2d 1014 [2005] ; People v. Barnes, 50 N.Y.2d 375, 379 n. 3, 429 N.Y.S.2d 178, 406 N.E.2d 1071 [1980] ; People v. Sanford, 148 A.D.3d 1580, 1582, 51 N.Y.S.3d 728 [2017], lv denied 29 N.Y.3d 1133, 64 N.Y.S.3d 683, 86 N.E.3d 575 [2017] ). Because the indictment, as amplified by the bill of particulars, expressly limited the theory of the burglary to the intent to commit a petit larceny, the People had the burden of proving that, at the time he entered the victims' home, defendant intended to steal property while inside (see Penal Law § 155.25 ).
The trial testimony established that defendant entered the darkened home of the victims, without their permission, and used his cell phone as a flashlight as he surreptitiously examined the contents within. When the victims awoke and confronted defendant, he offered no explanation for his presence and instead ran from the home. One of the victims pursued defendant as he ran out of the apartment and down the street, but was unable to catch him. Defendant's flight can be considered as evidence of consciousness of guilt (see People v. Sabines, 121 A.D.3d 1409, 1410, 995 N.Y.S.2d 377 [2014], lv denied 25 N.Y.3d 1171, 15 N.Y.S.3d 302, 36 N.E.3d 105 [2015] ; People v. Bell, 108 A.D.3d 795, 797, 968 N.Y.S.2d 247 [2013], lv denied 22 N.Y.3d 995, 981 N.Y.S.2d 1, 3 N.E.3d 1169 [2013] ), and his intent to steal property while inside the apartment may be readily inferred from his unexplained presence on the premises, his actions while inside and his conduct when confronted by the victims (see People v. Womack, 143 A.D.3d 1171, 1171, 41 N.Y.S.3d 302 [2016], lv denied 28 N.Y.3d 1151, 52 N.Y.S.3d 303, 74 N.E.3d 688 [2017] ; People v. Briggs, 129 A.D.3d 1201, 1203, 13 N.Y.S.3d 255 [2015], lv denied 26 N.Y.3d 1038, 22 N.Y.S.3d 167, 43 N.E.3d 377 [2015] ; People v. Morrison, 127 A.D.3d 1341, 1342–1343, 6 N.Y.S.3d 781 [2015], lv denied 26 N.Y.3d 932, 17 N.Y.S.3d 95, 38 N.E.3d 841 [2015] ). Upon evaluating the evidence in a neutral light and giving due deference to the jury's credibility assessments, we find the verdict to be in accord with the weight of the evidence (see People v. Sabines, 121 A.D.3d at 1410–1411, 995 N.Y.S.2d 377 ; People v. Ostrander, 46 A.D.3d 1217, 1218, 847 N.Y.S.2d 791 [2007] ; People v. Thomas, 38 A.D.3d 1134, 1136, 832 N.Y.S.2d 688 [2007], lv denied 9 N.Y.3d 852, 840 N.Y.S.2d 778, 872 N.E.2d 891 [2007] ).
We are similarly unpersuaded by defendant's contention that County Court erred in denying his request to charge trespass as a lesser included offense of the burglary charge. "A defendant is entitled to a lesser included offense charge upon request when (1) it is impossible to commit the greater crime without concomitantly committing the lesser offense by the same conduct and (2) there is a reasonable view of the evidence to support a finding that the defendant committed the lesser offense but not the greater" ( People v. Morrison, 127 A.D.3d at 1344, 6 N.Y.S.3d 781 [internal quotation marks, brackets and citations omitted]; see People v. Defilippo, 152 A.D.3d 860, 861, 60 N.Y.S.3d 500 [2017] ). While there is no dispute that the first prong of the test has been met (see People v. Rickett, 94 N.Y.2d 929, 930, 708 N.Y.S.2d 349, 729 N.E.2d 1148 [2000] ; People v. Alsaifullah, 96 A.D.3d 1103, 1104, 946 N.Y.S.2d 273 [2012], lv denied 19 N.Y.3d 994, 951 N.Y.S.2d 470, 975 N.E.2d 916 [2012] ), there is no reasonable view of the evidence that defendant did not intend to steal property when he entered the victims' apartment. Considering the victims' description of the encounter, as well as the corresponding "absence of any evidence suggesting a noncriminal purpose for entry" ( People v. Martinez, 9 A.D.3d 679, 681, 779 N.Y.S.2d 821 [2004], lvs denied 3 N.Y.3d 705, 709, 785 N.Y.S.2d 32, 37, 818 N.E.2d 674, 679 [2004]; accord People v. Morrison, 127 A.D.3d at 1344, 6 N.Y.S.3d 781 ; People v. Alsaifullah, 96 A.D.3d at 1104, 946 N.Y.S.2d 273 ), we find no error in County Court's refusal to charge the lesser included offense.
Defendant's challenge to County Court's jury instruction on the burglary charge is unpreserved for our review, as he failed to raise an objection thereto (see CPL 470.05[2] ; People v. Valcarcel, 160 A.D.3d 1034, 1038, 75 N.Y.S.3d 598 [2018], lvs denied 31 N.Y.3d 1088, 79 N.Y.S.3d 110, 103 N.E.3d 1257 [May 31, 2018]; People v. Gray, 151 A.D.3d at 1475, 57 N.Y.S.3d 561 ). In any event, despite an apparent misstatement at one point during the instruction, County Court immediately went on to provide a correct statement of the relevant law. Thus, were we to consider the issue, we would find that the "court's charge, taken as a whole, conveyed to the jury the correct standard" ( People v. Medina, 18 N.Y.3d 98, 104, 936 N.Y.S.2d 608, 960 N.E.2d 377 [2011] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see People v. Smith, 16 N.Y.3d 786, 788, 920 N.Y.S.2d 284, 945 N.E.2d 477 [2011] ; People v. Fields, 87 N.Y.2d 821, 823, 637 N.Y.S.2d 355, 660 N.E.2d 1134 [1995] ; People v. Gibson, 121 A.D.3d 1416, 1419, 995 N.Y.S.2d 383 [2014], lv denied 24 N.Y.3d 1119, 3 N.Y.S.3d 761, 27 N.E.3d 475 [2015] ; People v. Encarnacion, 190 A.D.2d 607, 608, 593 N.Y.S.2d 813 [1993], lv denied 81 N.Y.2d 1072, 601 N.Y.S.2d 592, 619 N.E.2d 670 [1993] ). Finally, we reject defendant's assertion that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel. Defendant's claim of ineffective assistance is largely premised on counsel's failure to utilize the information set forth in the bill of particulars to argue to the jury that there was no evidence that defendant entered the residence in question with the intent to commit the specific crime of petit larceny. Yet, defendant has failed to demonstrate "the absence of strategic or other legitimate explanations" for defense counsel's failure to pursue this course of action ( People v. Benevento, 91 N.Y.2d 708, 712, 674 N.Y.S.2d 629, 697 N.E.2d 584 [1998] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see People v. Garcia, 75 N.Y.2d 973, 974, 556 N.Y.S.2d 505, 555 N.E.2d 902 [1990] ; People v. Rivera, 71 N.Y.2d 705, 709, 530 N.Y.S.2d 52, 525 N.E.2d 698 [1988] ). Throughout the trial, defense counsel vigorously pursued a misidentification defense, attempting to undermine the victims' credibility due to their delayed report of the incident to police and to cast doubt on the reliability of the identification based upon the victims' limited opportunity to observe him, as well as the inadequacy of the lighting conditions. Counsel could have reasonably determined that focusing on defendant's criminal intent, or lack thereof, when he entered the home "would have undermined the claim that he was simply not there at all" ( People v. Howard, 22 N.Y.3d 388, 401, 981 N.Y.S.2d 310, 4 N.E.3d 320 [2013] ; see People v. DeGina, 72 N.Y.2d 768, 777, 537 N.Y.S.2d 8, 533 N.E.2d 1037 [1988] ; People v. Diaz, 149 A.D.3d 974, 975, 53 N.Y.S.3d 94 [2017] ; People v. Clark, 129 A.D.3d 1, 11, 9 N.Y.S.3d 277 [2015], affd 28 N.Y.3d 556, 46 N.Y.S.3d 817, 69 N.E.3d 604 [2016] ; People v. Duffy, 119 A.D.3d 1231, 1234, 990 N.Y.S.2d 346 [2014], lv denied 24 N.Y.3d 1043, 998 N.Y.S.2d 313, 23 N.E.3d 156 [2014] ; People v. Gordon, 92 A.D.3d 580, 581, 938 N.Y.S.2d 554 [2012], lv denied 19 N.Y.3d 864, 947 N.Y.S.2d 412, 970 N.E.2d 435 [2012] ; People v. Thaddies, 50 A.D.3d 1249, 1250, 855 N.Y.S.2d 740 [2008], lv denied 10 N.Y.3d 965, 863 N.Y.S.2d 149, 893 N.E.2d 455 [2008] ). Under these circumstances, we will not second-guess defense counsel's plausible decision to avoid this "hazardous tactic" ( People v. DeGina, 72 N.Y.2d at 777, 537 N.Y.S.2d 8, 533 N.E.2d 1037 ) and to instead focus exclusively on the issue of misidentification (see People v. Howard, 22 N.Y.3d at 401, 981 N.Y.S.2d 310, 4 N.E.3d 320 ; People v. Diaz, 149 A.D.3d at 975, 53 N.Y.S.3d 94 ; People v. Duffy, 119 A.D.3d at 1234, 990 N.Y.S.2d 346 ; People v. Gordon, 92 A.D.3d at 581, 938 N.Y.S.2d 554 ; People v. Stokes, 25 A.D.3d 332, 333, 808 N.Y.S.2d 635 [2006], lv denied 6 N.Y.3d 839, 814 N.Y.S.2d 87, 847 N.E.2d 384 [2006] ).
Further, while we agree that counsel should have requested that the jury instruction on the burglary charge reflect the theory to which the prosecution had limited itself, this is not one of the "rare cases" in which a single error on the part of counsel " 'is so clear-cut, egregious and decisive that it [served to] overshadow and taint the whole of the representation' " and, thus, deprive defendant of a fair trial ( People v. Keschner, 25 N.Y.3d 704, 724, 16 N.Y.S.3d 187, 37 N.E.3d 690 [2015], quoting People v. Blake, 24 N.Y.3d 78, 81, 996 N.Y.S.2d 585, 21 N.E.3d 214 [2014] ; see People v. Caban, 5 N.Y.3d 143, 152, 800 N.Y.S.2d 70, 833 N.E.2d 213 [2005] ; People v. Fauntleroy, 108 A.D.3d 885, 887, 969 N.Y.S.2d 225 [2013], lv denied 21 N.Y.3d 1073, 974 N.Y.S.2d 322, 997 N.E.2d 147 [2013] ; People v. Albanese, 38 A.D.3d 1015, 1018, 831 N.Y.S.2d 280 [2007], lv denied 8 N.Y.3d 981, 838 N.Y.S.2d 484, 869 N.E.2d 660 [2007] ). Based upon the evidence adduced at trial, and considering that petit larceny was the only other crime charged, "there was not a reasonable likelihood that the error alone changed the outcome of the case" ( People v. Gunney, 13 A.D.3d 980, 983, 787 N.Y.S.2d 483 [2004], lv denied 5 N.Y.3d 789, 801 N.Y.S.2d 810, 835 N.E.2d 670 [2005] ; see People v. Blake, 24 N.Y.3d 78, 81, 996 N.Y.S.2d 585, 21 N.E.3d 214 [2014] ; People v. Albanese, 38 A.D.3d at 1018, 831 N.Y.S.2d 280 ; People v. Neal, 262 A.D.2d 1002, 1003, 693 N.Y.S.2d 794 [1999], lv denied 93 N.Y.2d 1023, 697 N.Y.S.2d 582, 719 N.E.2d 943 [1999] ). Defense counsel made cogent opening and closing statements, lodged appropriate objections, effectively cross-examined the People's witnesses, pursued a viable, albeit unsuccessful, misidentification defense and otherwise zealously represented defendant. Based upon our review of the record as a whole, we are satisfied that defendant received meaningful representation (see People v. Blake, 24 N.Y.3d at 81, 996 N.Y.S.2d 585, 21 N.E.3d 214 ; People v. Benevento, 91 N.Y.2d at 712–713, 674 N.Y.S.2d 629, 697 N.E.2d 584 ; People v. Thompkins, 133 A.D.3d 899, 901, 20 N.Y.S.3d 188 [2015] ; People v. Wilson, 112 A.D.3d 1317, 1318, 977 N.Y.S.2d 515 [2013], lv denied 23 N.Y.3d 1069, 994 N.Y.S.2d 328, 18 N.E.3d 1149 [2014] ; People v. Thomas, 33 A.D.3d 1053, 1055, 822 N.Y.S.2d 805 [2006], lv denied 8 N.Y.3d 885, 832 N.Y.S.2d 497, 864 N.E.2d 627 [2007] ).
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
Garry, P.J., McCarthy, Lynch and Devine, JJ., concur.