Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Mark Wellman, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2016-09-27
Citations: 142 A.D.3d 879
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Mark Wellman, Appellant.
Judges: Concur — Sweeny, J.P., Manzanet-Daniels, Feinman, Kapnick and Webber, JJ.
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 142
Pages: 879–879

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Mark Wellman, Appellant.
[37 NYS3d 879]—

Opinion:
Order, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Seth L. Marvin, J.), entered on or about February 26, 2014, which adjudicated defendant a level three sexually violent offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (Correction Law art 6-C), unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The court correctly assessed points under the risk factor for failure to accept responsibility (see e.g. People v Fortin, 29 AD3d 765, 766 [2d Dept 2006], lv denied 7 NY3d 712 [2006]). Given defendant's prison disciplinary record, the court also correctly assessed points under the risk factor for unsatisfactory conduct while confined. However, since the People failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that defendant engaged in sexual misconduct while in prison, the assessment under the risk factor for conduct while confined should only have been 10 points rather than 20. Even with a reduction of 10 points, defendant remains a level three offender, and, given the heinousness of the underlying crime against a young child, we find no basis for a downward departure (see People v Gillotti, 23 NY3d 841 [2014]).
Concur — Sweeny, J.P., Manzanet-Daniels, Feinman, Kapnick and Webber, JJ.