Opinion ID: 780494
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Grotto's Defense Case

Text: 11 Grotto testified in his own behalf and called as his principal witnesses his mother Jean Grotto (Jean), his brother Ralph Grotto (Ralph), his sister Linda, and Kenneth. All of these witnesses testified that on August 22, neither Grotto nor A.G. had been at Linda's townhouse before the wedding. 12 Linda and Kenneth testified that the only family members at the Highland townhouse on the morning of August 22 before the wedding were themselves, Linda's parents who lived in Florida, and Ralph with his wife Rochelle Grotto (Rochelle) and young son Philip, all of whom lived in Rochester, New York. Shortly before 10 a.m., Linda, Ralph, their father, and Kenneth drove to New Paltz for the wedding ceremony, leaving Jean, Rochelle, and Philip at the townhouse; Jean and Rochelle were to prepare the house for a celebratory brunch that would precede the reception that was to be held that afternoon at the Officers' Club at Stewart International Airport. Linda, Ralph, and Kenneth testified that neither Grotto nor A.G. had been at the townhouse that morning but arrived at the courthouse in New Paltz 5-10 minutes after Linda, Ralph, and Kenneth. 13 On cross-examination, Ralph was asked about what photographs had been taken during the wedding day. He did not recall that any pictures had been taken at the townhouse before the ceremony. When shown PX 11, however, he testified that ## 9-11 appeared to have been taken at the townhouse and that # 12 appeared to have been taken at the ceremony. Ralph did not know who took those pictures. 14 Jean Grotto, mother of Grotto, Ralph, and Linda, testified that she had spent the night of August 21 at Linda's townhouse. On the morning of August 22, Jean was at the townhouse until her husband, Linda, Kenneth, and Ralph left for the ceremony in New Paltz. Then Jean and Rochelle (taking young Philip with them) went shopping for food, drink, and flowers for the brunch. At no time did Jean see Grotto at the townhouse on August 22. 15 Grotto testified that he was not at the townhouse at all on August 22. He stated that he and A.G. left their Wallkill home at about 9:30 a.m. that day and went directly to New Paltz, arriving at the courthouse at about 10 a.m. to attend the wedding ceremony. After the ceremony, A.G. went to the townhouse; Grotto, who was dressed informally, went home to Wallkill to change his clothes. Both Grotto and A.G. attended the wedding reception that afternoon. 16 Kenneth testified that he and Linda had previously arranged for Grotto to be their wedding photographer. Grotto was the one who was supposed to take the photographs for [the] wedding (Tr. 397); [w]e had asked him to do this ( id.; see also Linda's testimony at Tr. 323 (We asked Louis to take pictures, he said yes.)). Grotto testified that he had considered himself the official photographer for the wedding and had taken many pictures of the festivities. He was unable, however, to identify any particular picture as having been taken by him. He and his witnesses also testified that he was not the only person taking pictures on August 22. Ralph, and possibly others, had taken photographs at the townhouse, the courthouse, and other sites. 17