Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. James Gaines, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1980-05-05
Citations: 75 A.D.2d 826
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v James Gaines, Appellant
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 75
Pages: 826–826

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v James Gaines, Appellant

Opinion:
Appeal by defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County, rendered January 8, 1979, convicting him of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. Judgment reversed, on the law, and new trial ordered. Although intent is not a statutory element of the crime charged, where there is evidence in the record that defendant's possession of the weapon might have been innocent, the jury should be instructed that it might find such possession to be innocent (see People v Trucchio, 47 AD2d 934). We have considered defendant's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit. Cohalan, J. P., Hargett, O'Connor and Weinstein, JJ., concur.