Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Clifford Thompson, Jr., Appellant
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1979-06-28
Citations: 47 N.Y.2d 940
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Clifford Thompson, Jr., Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Reports
Volume: 47
Pages: 940–941

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Clifford Thompson, Jr., Appellant.
Argued June 6, 1979;
decided June 28, 1979
APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
Elliott A. Taikeff for appellant.
Patrick D. Monserrate, District Attorney (Patrick H. Mathews of counsel), for respondent.

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
Memorandum.
The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.
Defendant claims only that there was "some evidence" of inducement or encouragement and of police methods which created a substantial risk that the offense would be committed by a person not otherwise disposed to commit the crime. At the very most this would constitute a form of "but for" causation, insufficient to entitle defendant to a charge with respect to the affirmative defense of entrapment. Our examination of the record, however, discloses no proof of inducement or encouragement, either "active" or otherwise, or that the activities of the police constituted more than "[cjonduct merely affording [defendant] an opportunity to commit an offense". (Penal Law, § 40.05.)
Chief Judge Cóoke and Judges Jasen, Gabrielli, Jones, Wachtler and Meyer concur; Judge Fuchsberg taking no part.
Order affirmed in a memorandum.