Title: The People v. Andrew C. Small

State: new-york

Issuer: New York Appellate Court

Document:

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This memorandum is uncorrected and subject to revision before
publication in the New York Reports.
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No. 18  
The People &c., 
            Respondent, 
        v. 
Andrew C. Small, 
            Appellant.
William Clauss, for appellant.
Wendy Evans Lehmann, for respondent.
MEMORANDUM:
The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.
While a defendant is not entitled as a matter of law to
pretrial notice of the People's intention to offer evidence
pursuant to People v Molineux (168 NY 264 [1901]) or to a
pretrial hearing on the admissibility of such evidence (see
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No. 18
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generally People v Ventimiglia, 52 NY2d 350, 362 [1981]; People v
Torres, 300 AD2d 46, 46-47 [1st Dept 2002]; cf. CPL 240.43), we
outlined in People v Ventimiglia a procedure to be followed in
order to avoid unfairness to the defendant.  We noted that a
prosecutor seeking to introduce Molineux evidence "should ask for
a ruling out of the presence of the jury" (Ventimiglia, 52 NY2d
at 362), and that any hearing with respect to the admissibility
of such evidence should occur either before trial or, at the
latest, "just before the witness testifies" (id.).  Contrary to
defendant's contention, there is no requirement that such inquiry
or ruling occur before trial commences.
Here, County Court granted the People's application to
allow the Molineux evidence mid-trial in response to defendant's
attempt to establish an agency defense.  Moreover, the court
provided a proper limiting instruction, telling the jury that the
evidence was "no proof whatsoever that [defendant] possessed a
propensity or disposition to commit the crime charged in the
indictment" but was offered "solely for rebutting the defense of
agency on the issue of intent."  In these circumstances, County
Court did not abuse its discretion in permitting the People to
present Molineux evidence. 
*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   * 
Order affirmed, in a memorandum.  Judges Ciparick, Graffeo, Read,
Smith, Pigott and Jones concur.  Chief Judge Lippman took no part.
Decided February 12, 2009