Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. James Kelly, Appellant
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1969-10-30
Citations: 25 N.Y.2d 610
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. James Kelly, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Reports
Volume: 25
Pages: 610–612

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. James Kelly, Appellant.
Argued October 7, 1969;
decided October 30, 1969.
Sidney Schmukler for appellant.
Eugene Gold, District Attorney (Raymond J. Scanlan and Harry Brodbar of counsel), for respondent.

Opinion:
Concur: Judges Scileppi, Bergan, Breitel, Jasen and Gibson. Chief Judge Fuld and Judge Burke dissent and vote to reverse in the following memorandum: Defendant's guilt was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Although the narcotic drug was found in defendant's apartment in the pocket of a coat belonging to him, the evidence establishes that he did not have exclusive dominion or control of it, that it was hanging on a door in an open room and that any one of a number of persons who were present had ample opportunity to place the drug in the coat pocket.