Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Zoran Gerasimovic, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1986-11-03
Citations: 124 A.D.2d 593
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Zoran Gerasimovic, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 124
Pages: 593–593

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Zoran Gerasimovic, Appellant.

Opinion:
The evidence adduced at trial was sufficient to establish that the defendant intentionally started a fire by filling a bottle with gasoline, placing a rag in the bottle's neck for a wick, and later lighting that wick. The trial court's acquittal of the . defendant on the greater charges of arson in the first, second and third degrees was not inconsistent with his conviction of arson in the fourth degree. Rather the verdict was logically explained as a limited acceptance of the defendant's intoxication defense to the extent of finding that he intentionally set a fire but recklessly, not intentionally, damaged the building (see, Penal Law § 150.20, 150.15, 150.10). Thompson, J. P., Weinstein, Rubin and Spatt, JJ., concur.