Case Name: In the Matter of Joan Brown, Petitioner, v. Miodrag Ristich, as Director of Willowbrook State School, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1974-02-04
Citations: 43 A.D.2d 941
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Joan Brown, Petitioner, v. Miodrag Ristich, as Director of Willowbrook State School, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 43
Pages: 941–941

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Joan Brown, Petitioner, v. Miodrag Ristich, as Director of Willowbrook State School, Respondent.

Opinion:
Proceeding pursuant to article 78 of the CPLR to review respondent's determination dated December 27, 1972, which, after a hearing, dismissed petitioner from her position at Willowbrook State School. Petition granted and determination annulled, on the law, with costs. The evidence to establish that petitioner assaulted a patient was by the alleged victim and another patient. Neither understood the nature of an oath and testified without being sworn. In finding petitioner guilty of the charge, respondent's hearing officer based his decision on the testimony of these two patients and thus petitioner was denied a fair hearing, as such testimony was inadmissible (Matter of Sowa v. Looney, 23 N Y 2d 329, 333-334). Gulotta, P. J., Hopkins, Martuscello, Latham and Brennan, JJ., concur.