The Second Department determined evidence seized after officers climbed a fence to gain access to defendant’s property was properly suppressed. The officers had enough information to approach the defendant, who was in his yard, to request information, but did not have sufficient information to justify entering defendant’s property after defendant dropped a bag and went into his house, ignoring the officers’ request to stop:
The curtilage of the home, defined as the area immediately surrounding and associated with the home or the area that is related to the intimate activities of the home—is part of the home itself … . The Supreme Court properly determined that the defendant’s driveway and front yard, which were completely fenced-in and located in close proximity to his home, were within the curtilage of his home. The defendant manifested his expectation of privacy and that expectation is one that society recognizes as reasonable … . Further, while the officers had an objective, credible reason to approach the defendant to request information … , the defendant’s conduct of dropping the bag, which produced “a heavy thud or a clank,” and ignoring the officer’s request to stop did not escalate the encounter to justify pursuit … . People v Morris, 2015 NY Slip Op 01967, 2nd Dept 3-11-15