Failure to Explain Why Inmate’s Roommates Allegedly Refused to Testify Required Annulment
Because no explanation was provided to explain the requested witnesses’ (the inmate’s roommates’) alleged refusal to testify, the Third Department annulled the determination:
Petitioner requested the testimony of three witnesses who shared a room with him. The Hearing Officer stated that inmate refusal forms for all three had been signed by the employee assistant, but not by the inmates, and that no explanations were given for their refusal to testify. Because the record does not contain any reason for the witnesses’ refusal or indicate that the Hearing Officer attempted to verify their refusal, petitioner’s regulatory right to call witnesses has been violated (see 7 NYCRR 254.5 [a]; ….). Matter of Sorrentino v Fischer, 515214, 3rd Dept, 5-16-13
