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DEFENDANT IN THIS CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE DEMONSTRATED MITIGATING FACTORS WARRANTING A DOWNWARD DEPARTURE TO SORA RISK LEVEL ONE (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department determined defendant in this child pornography case established mitigating circumstances that warranted a downward departure of the risk level to level one:

We agree with defendant … that he established by a preponderance of the evidence that there are other mitigating factors that were “not otherwise adequately taken into account by the guidelines” … . Defendant established that he suffered from a rare, congenital disease that resulted in significant disfigurement and medical issues, requiring numerous surgeries throughout his life. Defendant was bullied as a child, primarily due to his disfigurement and, as a result, was socially isolated, having no significant peer relationships. Defendant has only one prior crime on his record, a misdemeanor for which he was referred to Mental Health Court, and, in the case at hand, the court sentenced him to probation pursuant to the People’s recommendation, thus indicating that defendant does not pose a significant threat to the community. We also note that defendant will be under supervision by the Probation Department for 10 years.

As a result of the depression and related mental health issues that flowed from such a difficult childhood, defendant turned to alcohol and drugs, some of which had been properly prescribed to him following many of his surgeries. Defendant’s use of child pornography generally occurred while he was under the influence of drugs. Inasmuch as defendant was sentenced to a 10-year term of probation, which would ensure that he continued to participate in all of his treatment programs, we conclude that, in light of the totality of the circumstances, a downward departure to risk level one is warranted in the exercise of our discretion … . People v Morana, 2021 NY Slip Op 05188, Fourth Dept 10-1-21

 

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THE CONTRACT WAS AMBIGUOUS CONCERNING WHETHER PLAINTIFF OR DEFENDANT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING PROPERTY TAXES; THEREFORE THE DEFENDANT’S COUNTERCLAIM, WHICH WAS BASED UPON AN INTERPRETATION OF THE CONTRACT, SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED (FOURTH DEPT). ​

The Fourth Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the defendant’s third counterclaim seeking reimbursement for property taxes should not have been dismissed because the terms of the related contract were ambiguous. As part of a purchase agreement which never closed, the defendant was allowed to remain in the property in return for paying the property tax for six months. If the defendant remained in the property after six months defendant was to pay $800/month rent. Defendant remained in the property after six months but no one paid the taxes. Eventually defendant paid the accumulated property tax to avoid a tax auction:

Inasmuch as “a contract generally incorporates the state of the law in existence at the time of its formation” ,,, , defendant, as the titled owner, would have been responsible for the property taxes, absent a contractual provision to the contrary. Here, however, the contract was not truly silent on the issue of property taxes. It specifically provided that defendant would pay property taxes in one situation but then failed to address who would pay the property taxes in another situation … . Based on the maxim expressio unius est exclusio alterius, which applies to contracts as well as statutes … , “[w]here a [document] describes the particular situations in which it is to apply, an irrefutable inference must be drawn that what is omitted or not included was intended to be omitted and excluded” … . Inasmuch as the determination of the intent of the parties depends on a choice among reasonable inferences, we conclude that resolution of the third counterclaim should be left to a trier of fact. Dunn Auto Parts, Inc. v Wells, 2021 NY Slip Op 05185, Fourth Dept 10-1-21

 

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PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM FOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN THIS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ACTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISMISSED (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the claim for punitive damages in this medical malpractice action should have been dismissed because there was no evidence defendant doctor acted with malice or evil intent. Apparently, plaintiff alleged defendant’s fallure to adequately treat a skin condition warranted punitive damages:

Defendant explained that he initiated conservative treatment because, given plaintiff’s other conditions, it was appropriate to address plaintiff’s abdominal skin condition by attempting to alleviate her inflammatory process before considering surgical intervention. Defendant’s submissions established that, contrary to plaintiffs’ allegations, he had indeed treated plaintiff’s abdominal skin condition, albeit conservatively as he deemed appropriate under the circumstances, and that he had not abandoned plaintiff’s treatment in that regard … . We conclude that, even viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to plaintiffs, defendant established that his conduct “did not manifest spite or malice, or a fraudulent or evil motive . . . , or such a conscious and deliberate disregard of the interests of others that the conduct may be called wilful or wanton” … . Gaines v Brydges, 2021 NY Slip Op 05193, Fourth Dept 10-1-21

 

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CLAIMS AGAINST DEFENDANT NURSING HOME SOUNDED IN MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AND IN NEGLIGENCE, REQUIRING ANALYSES USING DIFFERENT CRITERIA; SOME CAUSES OF ACTIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISMISSED (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined some of plaintiff’s causes of action alleging medical malpractice and negligence against defendant nursing home should have been dismissed. The complaint alleged plaintiff’s decedent, a double amputee, was left unsupervised and fell from his bed. The Fourth Department noted the complaint alleged claims sounding in medical malpractice and in negligence:

… [T]he complaint … alleges several claims sounding in medical malpractice … [and] ]he summary judgment standard for medical malpractice claims should apply to those claims. … [P]laintiff alleges that defendants failed to “provide proper services to the decedent[,] . . . provide . . . adequate . . . staff[ing,] . . . change and/or adjust the decedent’s care plan . . . [, and] adequately formulate and/or promulgate a care plan in accordance with a comprehensive assessment[],” all of which sound in medical malpractice because they challenge defendants’ assessment of the decedent’s need for supervision … . * * * … [P]laintiff raised a triable issue of fact … by submitting the affidavit of her own expert, who opined that defendants deviated from the standard of care insofar as they did not amend the decedent’s care plan to require greater supervision after he was noted to be experiencing confusion and delirium … .  Plaintiff’s expert did not, however, address the claims regarding inadequate staffing procedures and training, and those claims are accordingly deemed abandoned … .

… [P]laintiff’s claims that defendants were negligent in failing to follow the care plan and to equip the decedent’s wheelchair with a seatbelt sound in ordinary negligence inasmuch as they relate to defendants’ general duty to safeguard the nursing home’s residents, measured by “the capacity of [a resident] to provide for his or her own safety” … and “the [resident’s] physical and mental ailments known to the [agency’s] officials . . . and employees” … . … Defendants met [their] burden with respect to the claim alleging negligence in failing to equip the decedent’s wheelchair with a seatbelt by submitting evidence that they formulated a plan of care that addressed the decedent’s risk of falling, and that a restrictive lap belt was not used in their facility. Plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact in opposition with respect to that claim inasmuch as plaintiff’s expert failed to opine how a nonrestrictive lap belt would have prevented the subject accident … . Noga v Brothers of Mercy Nursing & Rehabilitation Ctr., 2021 NY Slip Op 05189, Fourth Dept 10-1-21

 

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THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN’S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ERRONEOUSLY IGNORED THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT THE HEARING BEFORE AN ADMINSTRATIVE LAW JUDGE WHICH DEMONSTRATED PETITIONER MET THE CRITERIA FOR A WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (WBE) (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, annulling the determination of the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development of the Department of Economic Development (the Division), found the petitioner had demonstrated it met the criteria for certification as a woman-owned business enterprise (WBE). In its contrary ruling, the Division erroneously ignored the evidence presented at the hearing before the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) which had ruled in favor of the petitioner:

Petitioner contends that the determination should be annulled because the Director refused to consider the testimonial evidence introduced at the administrative hearing in assessing the regulatory factors, and we agree. … [F]ollowing a determination denying an application for certification as a WBE, the applicant is, upon written request, entitled to an administrative hearing before an independent hearing officer … . The hearing officer must thereafter conduct the hearing based upon the information included in the request for a hearing as it relates to the information that was provided by the applicant with its certification application, and each party must be accorded a full opportunity to present evidence, including calling witnesses and cross-examining other parties and their witnesses … . The hearing officer may also “request additional information and take other actions necessary to make an informed decision” … , which ultimately must be based upon his or her “consideration of the record as a whole or such portion thereof as may be cited by any party to the proceeding and as supported by and in accordance with substantial evidence” … .

The proof adduced at the administrative hearing was highly relevant to the issue of whether petitioner met the criteria for WBE certification. Matter of Scherzi Sys., LLC v White, 2021 NY Slip Op 05143, Third Dept 9-30-21

 

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ALTHOUGH THE COMPLAINANT WAS USING ONLY HIS FISTS FIGHTING THE MUCH SMALLER DEFENDANT, THE DEFENDANT WAS ENTITLED TO THE DEADLY-FORCE-JUSTIFICATION-DEFENSE JURY INSTRUCTION (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, over a strong dissent, reversing defendant’s conviction, determined defendant’s request for a deadly-force-justification-defense jury instruction should have been granted. The person with whom defendant was fighting, Gibson, was five inches taller and 66 pounds heavier than defendant. Gibson testified the defendant struck him with a hammer and a meat cleaver. Although Gibson was using only his fists during the fight, he eventually rendered defendant unconscious with a single punch. The medical evidence did not support Gibson’s claim he had been struck with a hammer and a meat cleaver:

The jury acquitted the defendant of attempted murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, and convicted him of assault in the second degree.  …

… [B]ased on the differences in size and strength between Gibson and the defendant … , the complainant’s own testimony that he held the defendant down and punched him in the face, the significant injuries suffered by the defendant, including a fractured ankle, Hall’s [a roommate’s] statement during the 911 call that “they’re killing each other,” and the significant factual questions presented regarding what weapons were used and by whom, a rational jury could have found that the defendant reasonably believed that deadly physical force was necessary to defend himself … against the use or imminent use of deadly physical force by Gibson … . … [B]ased on the evidence viewed in the light most favorable to the defendant, a rational jury could have determined that Gibson, not the defendant, was the first person to use or threaten the imminent use of deadly physical force … . Under these circumstances, the failure to charge the defense constituted reversible error … . * * *

… Supreme Court failed to view the evidence in the light most favorable to the defendant. The court credited Gibson’s testimony despite evidence which … significantly called into question the credibility of Gibson’s story. … A criminal defendant has no burden to present evidence at trial to prove his innocence, including by showing that his conduct was justified and therefore lawful … . Instead, the burden to disprove justification falls on the People. People v Singh, 2021 NY Slip Op 05134, Second Dept 9-29-21

 

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THE MOTION FOR A JUDGMENT AS A MATTER OF LAW (CPLR 4401) FINDING THE NYC HOUSING AUTHORITY LIABLE FOR A BEDBUG INFESTATION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the motion for a judgment as a matter law (CPLR 4401), finding the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) liable for a bedbug infestation of plaintiffs’ apartments, should not have been granted:

A motion pursuant to CPLR 4401 should not be granted unless, affording the party opposing the motion every inference which may properly be drawn from the facts presented, and viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmovant, there is no rational process by which the jury could find for the nonmovant against the moving party … . A court considering a motion for a directed verdict “must not ‘engage in a weighing of the evidence,’ nor may it direct a verdict where ‘the facts are in dispute, or where different inferences may be drawn or the credibility of witnesses is in question'” … .

… [T]he evidence adduced at trial, viewed in the light most favorable to NYCHA, did not establish that there is no rational process by which the jury could find in favor of NYCHA … . The evidence included the plaintiffs’ testimony, as well as the parties’ competing expert testimony regarding the appropriate protocols for the treatment of a bedbug infestation and competing conclusions by the expert witnesses as to whether NYCHA’s bedbug eradication efforts were appropriate. Although a landlord’s violation of a municipal ordinance, including, as relevant here, Administrative Code of the City of New York §§ 27-2017 and 27-2018, may constitute some evidence of negligence for the jury to take into account, it does not constitute negligence per se … . Aponte v New York City Hous. Auth., 2021 NY Slip Op 05114, Second Dept 9-29-21

 

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THE PEOPLE PROPERLY RELIED ON HEARSAY TO DEMONSTRATE PROBABLE CAUSE AT THE SUPPRESSION HEARING; THE DEFENDANT DID NOT PRESENT ANY EVIDENCE TO CALL THE RELIABILITY OF THE HEARSAY INTO QUESTION (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department explained the People’s burden of proof when relying on hearsay evidence at a suppression hearing. Here the transit officers who witnessed defendant commit “farebeating” (providing probable cause) were not called to testify. The hearsay was deemed admissible under Aguilar-Spinelli and the defendant did not call the accuracy or reliability of the hearsay into question by cross-examination or the presentation of evidence:

Defendant’s main argument on appeal is that the People failed to meet their burden of coming forward with evidence demonstrating probable cause with respect to the underlying theft of services arrest — which created the circumstances for the testifying officer’s discovery of defendant — because they did not present any testimony from the Transit Bureau officers who had firsthand knowledge of the farebeating offense.  …

Probable cause may properly be established based on hearsay testimony … , such as the officer’s testimony about what he was told by the transit officers, so long as, under the Aguilar-Spinelli test, the People establish that there was “some basis” of knowledge for the underlying statement and that it was “reliable”… . The “some basis” requirement is satisfied where, as here, the information is based on personal knowledge … .

Although the People will fail to meet their burden at a suppression hearing where they rely exclusively on hearsay evidence and “the defense challenges the sufficiency of the evidence, whether by cross-examining the People’s witness or putting on a defense case” … , that is not the situation here, because defendant did not present any evidence, identify anything in the People’s case, or elicit any statements on cross-examination that undercut the veracity of the transit officers’ account of a farebeating, as relayed by the testifying officer … . The unsupported assertion in defendant’s moving papers that he was seized without reason was not sufficient to necessitate calling the transit officers as witnesses. People v Gerard, 2021 NY Slip Op 05089, First Dept 9-28-21

 

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THE REFEREE’S REPORT WAS BASED UPON INFORMATION IN BUSINESS RECORDS WHICH WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE AFFIDAVIT IN WHICH THE RECORDS WERE DESCRIBED; THE INFORMATION IN THE AFFIDAVIT WAS THEREFORE INADMISSIBLE HEARSAY (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the referee in this foreclosure action relied on information in business records which were not provided along with the affidavit describing them:

The defendant argues … that the Supreme Court erred in confirming the referee’s report because the referee’s computation was premised upon unproduced business records. “The report of a referee should be confirmed whenever the findings are substantially supported by the record, and the referee has clearly defined the issues and resolved matters of credibility” … . Here, the affidavit executed by an employee of the plaintiff submitted for the purpose of establishing the amount due and owing under the subject mortgage loan constituted inadmissible hearsay and lacked probative value because the affiant did not produce any of the business records she purportedly relied upon in making her calculations … . Consequently, the referee’s findings with respect to the total amount due under the mortgage were not substantially supported by the record … . Wells Fargo Bank, NA v Clerge, 2021 NY Slip Op 05038, Second Dept 9-22-21

 

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PROOF OF MAILING OF THE RPAPL 1304 NOTICE TO THE CORRECT ADDRESS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE INITIAL MOTION PAPERS AND THEREFORE WAS NOT PART OF PLAINTIFF’S ATTEMPT TO MAKE OUT A PRIMA FACIE CASE; IN ADDTIION, THE PROOF OF MAILING OF THE RPAPL 1304 NOTICE WAS DEFICIENT (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the defendant failed to demonstrate compliance with the RPAPL 1304 notice requirements in this foreclosure action. The proof of mailing to the correct address was first provided in reply papers for the motion to confirm the referee’s report and was not part of plaintiff’s initial summary judgment motion. And the proof of mailing was not supported by proof of the affiant’s knowledge of the mailing practices and procedures of the party which actually mailed the documents:

Although Cantu [plaintiff’s default servicing officer] stated in his affidavit that the RPAPL 1304 notices were mailed by certified and first-class mail to the defendants at the property, and he attached copies of 90-day notices with corresponding certified and first-class envelopes, Cantu did not attach the 90-day notices and envelopes addressed to the property where the defendants resided or any United States Post Office documentation showing that the purported mailings to the property actually occurred … . To the extent the plaintiff relies on copies of the 90-day notices with corresponding certified and first-class envelopes addressed to the property which were submitted for the first time in its reply papers on its subsequent motion … to confirm the referee’s report, those documents were insufficient to satisfy the plaintiff’s prima facie burden on its initial motion … for summary judgment … . “A party seeking summary judgment should anticipate having to lay bare its proof and should not expect that it will readily be granted a second or third chance” … . Further, while Cantu asserted that he had personal knowledge of the plaintiff’s procedures for creating and maintaining its business records, he did not attest that he was familiar with the mailing practices and procedures of Walz, the third-party entity that he acknowledged sent the notices … . Thus, the plaintiff failed to establish proof of standard office practices and procedures designed to ensure the notices were properly addressed and mailed … . Caliber Home Loans, Inc. v Weinstein, 2021 NY Slip Op 05021, Second Dept 9-22-21

 

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