Insufficient Evidence of Recklessness In Shooting Case

The Fourth Department reversed an Assault 2nd conviction and dismissed the indictment after a “weight of the evidence” review.  The prosecution’s theory was that the defendant acted recklessly by pointing a sawed-off shotgun at the victim, disregarding the risk that it would fire. But the proof at trial was that the shotgun discharged just as the defendant picked it up. The Fourth Department wrote:

The People … failed to present any evidence establishing that defendant brought the gun to the park; that the gun belonged to defendant; and that defendant had any knowledge that the gun was loaded with live ammunition or was aware of—and consciously disregarded—the risk that it might misfire (see generally Penal Law § 15.05 [3]).  People v Evans, 255, KA 10-01056, 4th Dept. 3-22-13