The Second Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined defendant’s application for a downward modification of his SORA risk level should have been granted:
… [T]he defendant established, by a preponderance of the evidence … , facts warranting a downward modification of his existing risk level classification to risk level two … . The medical evidence adduced at the hearing demonstrated that the defendant, who uses a wheelchair, suffered from a stroke in 2009, resulting in permanent paralysis on the right side of his body. A treating physician testified, inter alia, that there is no possibility of improvement of the paralysis condition. He also testified that although the defendant is able to transfer himself from a bed to a wheelchair, he requires assistance in propelling the wheelchair and in transferring himself to a shower stall. In addition, he is unable to stand for any length of time. Furthermore, the record indicates that the defendant had no disciplinary infractions in prison, spanning a lengthy period of time preceding the hearing. People v Sanchez, 2020 NY Slip Op 04796, Second Dept 8-26-20