Court Opinion

ID: 3200770
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-05 15:10:18.223864+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:00:28.019392
License: Public Domain

State of New York
                   Supreme Court, Appellate Division
                      Third Judicial Department
Decided and Entered: May 5, 2016                       104917
________________________________

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
   NEW YORK,
                    Respondent,
      v                                     MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

MICHAEL A. VICTOR JR.,
                    Appellant.
________________________________

Calendar Date:   January 13, 2016

Before:   Peters, P.J., Garry, Egan Jr., Rose and Clark, JJ.

                             __________

      Ostrer & Associates, PC, Chester (Benjamin Ostrer of
counsel), for appellant.

      Joseph A. McBride, District Attorney, Norwich (Michael J.
Genute of counsel), for respondent.

                             __________

Clark, J.

      Appeal from a judgment of the County Court of Chenango
County (Sullivan, J.), rendered December 16, 2011, upon a verdict
convicting defendant of the crimes of criminal possession of a
controlled substance in the second degree, criminal possession of
a controlled substance in the third degree (two counts),
conspiracy in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon
in the second degree (three counts) and criminal possession of a
weapon in the third degree (three counts).

      In January 2009, the Town of Norwich Police Department
commenced an investigation into the sale of narcotics and
centered its investigation around Tonya Jenkins and her daughter,
Currisa Jenkins (hereinafter Jenkins), defendant's paramour.
                              -2-                104917

During the investigation, several controlled buys of cocaine and
heroin were made from Cassie Brooks, Tonya Jenkins and Jenkins.
In March 2009, police obtained a search warrant for the residence
of Jenkins (hereinafter the residence), which, upon execution,
resulted in the arrest of Jenkins and defendant. Police searched
the residence and seized marihuana, cocaine, several thousand
dollars, multiple cell phones, a shotgun, ammunition, two cars,
keys to a storage unit and keys to a vehicle not found at the
residence. As a result, defendant was charged by indictment with
one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the
third degree.

      In April 2009, based upon the storage unit and car keys
seized during the search of the residence and upon recorded phone
calls made by Jenkins while she was in jail, police obtained and
executed a search warrant for a storage unit in the Town of
Norwich, Chenango County that was rented by Jenkins and seized a
Mercedes automobile, as well as a backpack containing narcotics,
drug paraphernalia, weapons and ammunition. Defendant was
subsequently charged in a second indictment with criminal
possession of a controlled substance in the second degree,
criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third
degree, conspiracy in the second degree, criminal possession of a
weapon in the second degree (three counts) and criminal
possession of a weapon in the third degree (three counts). The
indictments were thereafter consolidated. In 2010, Jenkins
pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance
in the fifth degree and was released from jail on the condition
that she testify against defendant. Following a jury trial, at
which Jenkins testified, defendant was convicted as charged and
sentenced to an aggregate prison term of 34 to 39 years.
Defendant now appeals.

      Defendant argues that his cell phone was illegally seized
at the residence because the search warrant did not specifically
refer to cell phones as an item to be seized. We disagree. The
search warrant for the residence authorized, among other things,
the seizure of "any records . . . pertaining to any illicit
controlled substance activities or transactions" and "[a]ny
computers, central processing units, external and internal drives
and external and internal storage equipment or media, terminals
                              -3-                104917

or video display units . . . and any and all computing or data
processing software, or data including, but not limited to: hard
disks, floppy disks, cassette tapes, video cassette tapes,
magnetic tapes, integral ram or rom units, and any other
permanent or portable storage devices(s)." This language was
sufficiently particular to allow the police to identify a cell
phone as an item to be seized pursuant to the warrant, inasmuch
as a cell phone qualifies as a computer and/or storage device
capable of maintaining records "pertaining to . . . illicit
controlled substance activities or transactions" (People v
Church, 31 AD3d 892, 893-894 [2006], lv denied 7 NY3d 866 [2006];
see generally People v Nieves, 36 NY2d 396, 401 [1975]).

      Defendant also contends that the police did not listen to
or obtain Jenkins' recorded jail telephone conversations, which
formed the basis for the search warrant for the storage unit,
until after the warrant was executed and that County Court
improperly denied him a Alfinito/Franks hearing to challenge the
veracity of the affidavits submitted in support of the
application for that search warrant. The factual information
contained in Officer Michael Purdy's supporting deposition, which
was attached to the search warrant application, was based in part
upon a recorded jail telephone conversation between Jenkins and
another individual and set forth sufficient information to
support a reasonable belief that evidence of criminality would be
found in the storage unit (see People v Pinkney, 90 AD3d 1313,
1315-1316 [2011]; People v Church, 31 AD3d at 894). Defendant
relies on Purdy's testimony at a pretrial suppression hearing to
establish that he was entitled to an Alfinito/Franks hearing.
Although Purdy acknowledged at that hearing that at least one of
Jenkins' recorded conversations was obtained and listened to
after the warrant was executed, Purdy testified that the
conversation referenced in his supporting deposition was listened
to prior to issuance of the warrant. As defendant failed to
satisfy his burden of proving that either the search warrant
application for the storage unit or Purdy's supporting deposition
contained false statements that were made knowingly,
intentionally or recklessly to establish probable cause, County
Court properly denied his request for an Alfinito/Franks hearing
(see People v Estrella, 48 AD3d 1283, 1285-1286 [2008], affd 10
NY3d 945 [2008], cert denied 555 US 1032 [2008]; People v Folk,
                              -4-                104917

44 AD3d 1095, 1097 [2007], lv denied 9 NY3d 1006 [2007]; People v
Richardson, 28 AD3d 1002, 1005 [2006], lv denied 7 NY3d 817
[2006]; People v Griffin, 234 AD2d 718, 720 [1996], lv denied 89
NY2d 1036 [1997]).

      Additionally, with the exception of defendant's conviction
on count 10 of the consolidated indictment, criminal possession
of a defaced weapon (see Penal Law § 265.02 [3]), we are
unpersuaded by defendant's contention that the verdict is against
the weight of the evidence. In conducting a weight of the
evidence review, this Court must first determine whether a
different conclusion would have been unreasonable and, if such
conclusion would not have been unreasonable, we then "weigh[] the
relative probative force of conflicting testimony and the
relative strength of conflicting inferences that may be drawn
from the testimony while viewing the evidence in a neutral light
and giving deference to the jury's credibility assessments"
(People v Gibson, 121 AD3d 1416, 1418 [2014] [internal quotation
marks omitted], lv denied 24 NY3d 1119 [2015]; see People v
Romero, 7 NY3d 633, 643 [2006]).

      Defendant specifically raises the issue of constructive
possession as to the drugs found in the shared residence and the
items found in the storage unit, including 299 grams of cocaine,
digital scales with white powder residue, a 9 millimeter Luger
pistol, TEC-9 model, a Colt Trooper .357 Magnum revolver and a
Jennings .22lr pistol. "Constructive possession can be
established by evidence that the defendant had dominion and
control over the weapon [or drugs] or the area in which it was
found" (People v Bellamy, 118 AD3d 1113, 1114 [2014], lv denied
25 NY3d 1159 [2014] [citation omitted]; see People v Dawson, 110
AD3d 1350, 1352 [2013], lv denied 23 NY3d 1035 [2014]).
"Exclusive access, however, is not required to sustain a finding
of constructive possession" (People v Bellamy, 118 AD3d at 1114
[citation omitted]; see Penal Law § 10.00 [8]; People v Stewart,
95 AD3d 1363, 1364 [2012], lv denied 19 NY3d 1001 [2012]).
"Constructive possession of the drugs [or weapons] at issue may
be established through circumstantial proof and 'any conflict in
the evidence regarding [a] defendant's dominion and control over
the [drugs and weapons] in question . . . create[s] issues of
witness credibility, and the jury's determination in that regard
                              -5-                104917

must be accorded great deference'" (People v Crooks, 129 AD3d
1207, 1208-1209 [2015] [citation omitted], lv granted 26 NY3d 966
[2015], quoting People v McCoy, 302 AD2d 797, 797-798 [2003], lv
denied 100 NY2d 540 [2003]; see People v McLeod, 281 AD2d 746,
747 [2001], lv denied 96 NY2d 921 [2001]).

      Here, the trial testimony given by Purdy, Jenkins, Brooks
and three other witnesses who observed defendant's drug activity,
along with the physical evidence recovered from the residence and
the storage unit established defendant's role in the drug
enterprise, as well as his possession of narcotics, illegal
weapons and ammunition. More particularly, with respect to
counts 1 through 4, Purdy testified that, upon execution of the
search warrant for the residence, police discovered roughly 2.88
grams of cocaine in a pair of pants belonging to defendant. In
addition, the testimony of Purdy and Jenkins established that
defendant acted in concert with Jenkins to possess over four
ounces of cocaine, a class A-II felony (see Penal Law § 220.18
[1]), and to store that cocaine in the storage unit, which
Jenkins rented at defendant's request so that both the drugs and
weapons would be removed from the residence (see People v Harris,
288 AD2d 610, 617-618 [2001], affd 99 NY2d 202 [2002]; People v
Rodriguez, 274 AD2d 826, 827-828 [2000], lv denied 95 NY2d 938
[2000]). Jenkins testified at length about how she and defendant
purchased the cocaine on a weekly basis in order to sell it for a
profit.

      As to defendant's constructive possession of the loaded
firearms found in the storage unit (counts 5 through 7), Jenkins
testified that she had previously observed defendant in
possession of several of the seized weapons and saw him place the
weapons in the backpack found inside of the trunk of the
Mercedes. Jenkins' testimony in this regard was corroborated by
the testimony of Brooks, who stated that she had observed
defendant possess weapons, including some of the weapons found in
the storage unit, and of Paul Law, who testified that he had
observed defendant in possession of the 9 millimeter Luger
pistol, TEC-9 model. Furthermore, DNA evidence linked defendant
to one of the weapons and defendant stated, during his telephone
conversations in jail, that he wanted his brother to retrieve his
Mercedes from storage. Together, this evidence established that
                              -6-                104917

defendant exercised dominion and control over the items found in
the storage unit (see People v Bellamy, 118 AD3d at 1114; People
v Robinson, 72 AD3d 1277, 1277-1278 [2010], lv denied 15 NY3d 809
[2010]). Thus, defendant's convictions on counts 1 through 7 are
not against the weight of the evidence.

      Defendant's convictions on counts 8 and 9 of the
consolidated indictment are similarly not against the weight of
the evidence. In addition to the foregoing evidence supporting
the convictions for criminal possession of a weapon in the second
degree, Purdy's testimony established that the operable 9
millimeter Luger pistol, TEC-9 model, was found in the storage
unit along with a large capacity ammunition feeding device
capable of holding 30 rounds and that, therefore, the firearm
constituted an assault weapon (count 8) (see Penal Law §§ 265.02
[7]; 265.00 [22] [c]). Purdy's testimony also established that
the serial number on the 9 millimeter Luger Pistol, TEC-9 model,
found in the storage unit had been "scratched, etched . . . or
ground off" (count 9).

      In contrast, however, no evidence was presented to
establish that the serial number on the Colt Trooper .357 Magnum
revolver had been defaced (count 10) (see Penal Law § 265.02
[3]). The photographs of the Colt Trooper .357 Magnum revolver
that were admitted into evidence do not reflect that the serial
number was defaced, and Purdy's testimony at trial did not
address the condition of the serial number on that revolver.
Thus, defendant's conviction on count 10 of the consolidated
indictment must be reversed as against the weight of the
evidence.

      Defendant raises issues as to County Court's handling of
three jury notes – specifically, Court exhibit Nos. 1, 3 and 5 –
and argues that the court's alleged mishandling of those notes
constituted mode of proceedings errors. We disagree with
defendant with respect to exhibits Nos. 1 and 3, but agree as to
exhibit No. 5.

      Court exhibit No. 1 stated, "replay phone calls." Upon
receiving the note, County Court stated, "We have a question.
The jury wants to hear the tapes. My understanding is they want
                              -7-                104917

to hear all the tapes. And in the courtroom is defendant,
attorneys, District Attorney, everybody is in agreement that
Deputy Chief Marsh will replay the tapes?" No objection was
lodged and, after the jury returned to the courtroom and the
jurors nodded yes in response to the court's query as to whether
they wanted to hear all of the recordings, the recorded telephone
calls were replayed.

      Thereafter, the jury sent out another note, marked as Court
exhibit No. 3, which stated, "Luger #5 # 9 assault." In the
presence of defendant, counsel and the jury, County Court
addressed the jury, stating, "The note from the jury says Luger,
No. 5 and No. 4 or No. 9, I can't tell for sure, assaults. Do
you want to see the exhibits? Do you want to have me read
definitions? Tell me what it is you'd like to have." Following
a brief response from juror No. 1, a request by the District
Attorney to approach the bench with defense counsel and an
ensuing "[o]ff-the-record discussion at the bench with defendant
present," the court informed the jury that counts 5, 8 and 9 all
related to the same Luger weapon and reread the jury charges for
those counts. Thereafter, an exchange took place between the
court and juror No. 1. The court eventually stated, "These are
conversations more appropriate for . . . the jury[ ] to discuss
in the privacy of . . . deliberations." Neither the People nor
defense counsel objected or discussed the foregoing exchange with
the court.

      Later, the jury sent out another note, marked as Court
exhibit No. 5, which stated that "we have reach[ed] agreement on
9 of the 10 charges # 8G 4NG." Shortly thereafter — apparently
while County Court was "discussing what to do with" Court exhibit
No. 5 off the record — another note, marked as Court exhibit No.
6, came from the jury stating, "Ready." Addressing the attorneys
and defendant outside the presence of the jury, County Court
"indicate[d] for the record" that it had received a note from the
jury stating, "We've reached agreement on nine out of the ten
charged."1 Defense counsel and the People agreed that if the

    1
        When County Court read this note aloud to the attorneys
outside the presence of the jury, it indicated, "Court Exhibit 5
                              -8-                104917

jury had a complete verdict, they were "ready to go," but that
the court should send the jury back for further deliberations if
there was only a partial verdict. There was no further
discussion with respect to exhibit No. 5.

      CPL 310.30 provides that a deliberating jury may request
additional "instruction or information with respect to . . . any
. . . matter pertinent to [its] consideration of the case" and
that, "[u]pon such a request, the court must direct that the jury
be returned to the courtroom and, after notice to both the
[P]eople and counsel for the defendant, . . . must give such
requested information or instruction as the court deems proper"
(see People v O'Rama, 78 NY2d 270, 276 [1991]). "CPL 310.30 thus
imposes two separate duties on the [trial] court following a
substantive juror inquiry: the duty to notify counsel and the
duty to respond" (id.; see People v Kadarko, 14 NY3d 426, 429
[2010]). "[W]hen a trial court paraphrases a jury note or omits
a key term, thereby failing to provide counsel with meaningful
notice of the precise content of a substantive juror inquiry, a
mode of proceedings error occurs, and reversal is therefore
required even in the absence of an objection" (People v Nealon,
26 NY3d 152, 157 [2015]; see People v Walston, 23 NY3d 986, 989
[2014]; People v Tabb, 13 NY3d 852, 853 [2009]; People v Kisoon,
8 NY3d 129, 135 [2007]). "'Although not every violation of CPL
310.30 is immune from normal preservation principles, a failure
to apprise counsel about the specific contents of a substantive
note from a deliberating jury violates the fundamental tenants of
CPL 310.30 and qualifies as a mode of proceedings error,' which
does not require preservation" (People v Cotton, 127 AD3d 778,
779 [2015], lv denied 25 NY3d 1200 [2015], quoting People v
Silva, 24 NY3d 294, 299-300 [2014]).

      With respect to Court exhibit Nos. 1 and 3, we find that,
although County Court did not follow the precise procedure

says 'We've reached agreement on nine out of the ten charged.'"
Although the handwriting is difficult to discern, it appears,
based upon our review of exhibit No. 5, that the note actually
stated "nine out of the ten charges," rather than "nine out of
the ten charged."
                                -9-                104917

outlined in People v O'Rama (supra) and its progeny, the court's
particular deviations in handling these notes did not constitute
mode of proceedings errors, and, thus, in the absence of any
objection, the issues are unpreserved for our review (see People
v Nealon, 26 NY3d at 158-162). However, with respect to Court
exhibit No. 5, we conclude that County Court committed a mode of
proceedings error for which no objection was necessary (see
People v Lane, 134 AD3d 401, 402 [2015]). The court had an
affirmative obligation to read exhibit No. 5 verbatim so that the
parties had the opportunity to accurately analyze the jury's
question and frame intelligent suggestions for the court's
response (see People v Silva, 24 NY3d at 299; People v Kisoon, 8
NY3d at 134). The record is devoid of any information as to
whether defendant knew about the portion of exhibit No. 5 stating
"# 8G 4NG."2 Although the parties requested that the court
inquire as to whether the jury had reached a verdict and whether
it was "complete," we cannot speculate as to what defendant knew
about exhibit No. 5 (see People v Walston, 23 NY3d at 990).
Furthermore, "we cannot assume that the omission was remedied at
an off-the-record conference" (People v Smith, 133 AD3d 548, 549
[2015]). Accordingly, as County Court committed a mode of
proceedings error as to exhibit No. 5, we must remit for a new
trial on counts 1 through 9 of the consolidated indictment.

      Lastly, we address defendant's challenges to County Court's
Molineux and Sandoval rulings, as such issues may arise in the
context of a new trial. As for defendant's Molineux challenge,
County Court did not abuse its discretion in permitting evidence
of defendant's uncharged drug crimes. Such evidence was relevant
to establishing defendant's motive and intent, his overall scheme
or plan and to provide necessary background information and was
more probative than prejudicial (see People v Johnson, 106 AD3d
1272, 1274 [2013], lv denied 21 NY3d 1043 [2013]; People v
Buchanan, 95 AD3d 1433, 1436 [2012], lv denied 22 NY3d 1039
[2013]; People v Lynch, 63 AD3d 959, 961 [2009]). As for
defendant's challenge to County Court's Sandoval ruling, we note

    2
         The ambiguity of the notation is also of concern to this
Court.
                              -10-               104917

that the court allowed the People to fully inquire into
defendant's prior convictions for criminal impersonation and
unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and limited the People's
inquiry into defendant's prior convictions for resisting arrest
and attempted reckless endangerment in the first degree by
precluding any inquiry into the facts underlying those
convictions. Inasmuch as the prior crimes for which County Court
permitted a full inquiry were not too remote in time, were
dissimilar from the charged crimes and were probative of
defendant's credibility and willingness to put his interests
above that of the community, and given that County Court properly
balanced the probative value of defendant's prior convictions
against the risk of prejudice to defendant, we cannot say that
County Court's Sandoval ruling constituted an abuse of discretion
(see People v Sandoval, 34 NY2d 371, 376-378 [1974]; People v
Buckley, 299 AD2d 417, 418 [2002], lv denied 99 NY2d 580 [2003];
People v Williams, 243 AD2d 833, 837 [1997], lv denied 91 NY2d
931 [1998]).

      The balance of defendant's arguments do not require an
extended discussion. Defendant failed to preserve his argument
that the People violated the Communications Act of 1934 and we
decline to exercise our interest of justice jurisdiction with
respect thereto. Were we to review this claim, we would find it
unavailing. Defendant's remaining contentions are rendered
academic by our decision.

     Peters, P.J., Garry, Egan Jr. and Rose, JJ., concur.
                              -11-                 104917

      ORDERED that the judgment is reversed, on the law, count 10
of the consolidated indictment dismissed, and the matter remitted
to the County Court of Chenango County for a new trial on the
remaining nine counts of the consolidated indictment.

                             ENTER:

                             Robert D. Mayberger
                             Clerk of the Court