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Tag Archive for: Court of Appeals

Criminal Law, Evidence

CRITERIA FOR ALLOWING EXPERT EVIDENCE ON THE RELIABILITY OF EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION CLARIFIED; EXCLUDING THE PROFFERED EVIDENCE HERE WAS NOT AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION.

The Court of Appeals, over a three-judge dissent, reversing the Appellate Division, determined the trial court did not abuse its discretion (as a matter of law) when it denied defendant’s motion to present expert evidence about eyewitness identification. The Court of Appeals clarified how its precedent on the topic should be applied:

The decision to admit or exclude expert testimony concerning factors that affect the reliability of eyewitness identifications rests within the sound discretion of the trial court … . When the motion is considered during the People’s case-in-chief, the trial court performs this function by weighing the request to introduce such testimony “against other relevant factors, such as the centrality of the identification issue and the existence of corroborating evidence” (… see … People v LeGrand, 8 NY3d 449, 459 [2007]). To the extent LeGrand has been understood to require courts to apply a strict two-part test that initially evaluates the strength of the corroborating evidence, it should instead be read as enumerating factors for trial courts to consider in determining whether expert testimony on eyewitness identification “‘would aid a lay jury in reaching a verdict'” … . Courts reviewing such a determination simply examine whether the trial court abused its discretion in applying the “standard balancing test or prejudice versus probative value” … .

Here, Supreme Court did not abuse its discretion as a matter of law when it precluded the introduction of the expert testimony. The trial court was entitled to reject the expert testimony after balancing the probative value of the evidence against its prejudicial or otherwise harmful effects. In light of the fact that “trial courts generally have the power to limit the amount and scope of evidence presented,” … on this record, the Appellate Division erred in holding that Supreme Court abused its discretion as a matter of law in precluding the testimony. People v McCullough, 2016 NY Slip Op 05060, CtApp 6-28-16

CRIMINAL LAW (CRITERIA FOR ALLOWING EXPERT EVIDENCE ON THE RELIABILITY OF EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION CLARIFIED; EXCLUDING THE PROFFERED EVIDENCE HERE WAS NOT AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION)/EVIDENCE (CRIMINAL LAW, CRITERIA FOR ALLOWING EXPERT EVIDENCE ON THE RELIABILITY OF EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION CLARIFIED; EXCLUDING THE PROFFERED EVIDENCE HERE WAS NOT AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION)/IDENTIFICATION (CRIMINAL LAW, CRITERIA FOR ALLOWING EXPERT EVIDENCE ON THE RELIABILITY OF EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION CLARIFIED; EXCLUDING THE PROFFERED EVIDENCE HERE WAS NOT AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION)/EXPERT EVIDENCE (CRIMINAL LAW, CRITERIA FOR ALLOWING EXPERT EVIDENCE ON THE RELIABILITY OF EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION CLARIFIED; EXCLUDING THE PROFFERED EVIDENCE HERE WAS NOT AN ABUSE OF DISCRETION)

June 28, 2016
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Insurance Law

HEALTH INSURANCE CARRIER WHICH ERRONEOUSLY PAID INJURED PARTY’S NO-FAULT BENEFITS CAN NOT RECOVER FROM THE NO-FAULT CARRIER.

The Court of Appeals, in a full-fledged opinion by Judge Pigott, over a two-judge dissenting opinion, determined Aetna, the health insurance carrier which erroneously paid the injured party's (Herrera's) no-fault benefits, could not recover from Hanover, the no-fault carrier:

The applicable regulation, 11 NYCRR 65.3.11 (a) provides, in relevant part, that “an insurer shall pay benefits for any loss, other than death benefits, directly to the applicant or, . . . upon assignment by the applicant . . .shall pay benefits directly to providers of health care services. . .” … . Aetna concedes that as a health insurer it is not a “provider of health care services” as contemplated by the language of this regulation … . Aetna argues, however, that it stands in Herrera's shoes because Herrera assigned her no-fault rights to it.

This argument fails for two reasons. First, since Herrera's health care providers were able to bill and recoup payment from Aetna, an assignment by Herrera of her no-fault rights had already been made, leaving her with no rights to assign to Aetna. Second, by its very language, the no-fault regulation permits only the insured — or providers of health care services by an assignment from the insured — to receive direct no-fault benefits. Because Aetna does not fall under the term “health care provider,” Herrera could not assign her rights to it.  Aetna Health Plans v Hanover Ins. Co., 2016 NY Slip Op 04658, CtApp 6-14-16

INSURANCE LAW (HEALTH INSURANCE CARRIER WHICH ERRONEOUSLY PAID INJURED PARTY'S NO-FAULT BENEFITS CAN NOT RECOVER FROM THE NO-FAULT CARRIER)/NO-FAULT INSURANCE (HEALTH INSURANCE CARRIER WHICH ERRONEOUSLY PAID INJURED PARTY'S NO-FAULT BENEFITS CAN NOT RECOVER FROM THE NO-FAULT CARRIER)

June 14, 2016
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Criminal Law, Evidence

EVIDENCE INSUFFICIENT TO DEMONSTRATE DEFENDANT COULD CONTROL WHETHER CHILDREN ENTERED OR REMAINED IN AN APARTMENT WHERE DRUGS WERE FOUND.

The Court of Appeals, in a full-fledged opinion by Judge Fahey, reversing the Appellate Division, over a three-judge dissenting opinion, determined the evidence was not sufficient to support defendant's conviction for permitting children to enter or remain in a place of drug activity (unlawfully dealing with a child). Defendant was an occasional guest in the apartment where mother and her children resided. The Court of Appeals held that the People did not demonstrate a relationship between defendant and the children or the apartment such that defendant could control whether children were allowed to enter or remain:

… [W]e hold that to establish that a defendant permitted a child to enter or remain in a particular place, premises, or establishment, under Penal Law § 260.20 (1), the People must show that defendant's relation to the child or to the place, premises or establishment was of such a kind that defendant had some ability to control the child, so as to permit the child to enter or remain in the place in question. Moreover, a mere ability to notify authorities does not constitute such ability to control, or the statute might apply to anyone who comes into contact with a child entering or remaining in one of the proscribed places. People v Berry, 2016 NY Slip Op 04656, CtApp 6-14-16

CRIMINAL LAW (EVIDENCE INSUFFICIENT TO DEMONSTRATE DEFENDANT COULD CONTROL WHETHER CHILDREN ENTERED OR REMAINED IN AN APARTMENT WHERE DRUGS WERE FOUND)/EVIDENCE (CRIMINAL LAW, EVIDENCE INSUFFICIENT TO DEMONSTRATE DEFENDANT COULD CONTROL WHETHER CHILDREN ENTERED OR REMAINED IN AN APARTMENT WHERE DRUGS WERE FOUND)/UNLAWFULLY DEALING WITH A CHILD (EVIDENCE INSUFFICIENT TO DEMONSTRATE DEFENDANT COULD CONTROL WHETHER CHILDREN ENTERED OR REMAINED IN AN APARTMENT WHERE DRUGS WERE FOUND)/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (UNLAWFULLY DEALING WITH A CHILD, EVIDENCE INSUFFICIENT TO DEMONSTRATE DEFENDANT COULD CONTROL WHETHER CHILDREN ENTERED OR REMAINED IN AN APARTMENT WHERE DRUGS WERE FOUND)

June 14, 2016
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Appeals, Criminal Law

SHACKLES, QUESTIONS ABOUT A PENDING INDICTMENT, AND FAILURE TO INFORM THE GRAND JURY OF A WITNESS REQUESTED BY THE DEFENDANT WERE NOT MODE OF PROCEEDINGS ERRORS AND WERE NOT PRESERVED FOR APPEAL.

The Court of Appeals, in a full-fledged opinion by Judge Garcia, determined the shackling of defendant during the grand jury proceedings, the prosecutor's questions during the grand jury proceedings about a pending indictment, and the prosecutor's failure to inform the grand jury of a witness requested by the defendant, were not mode of proceedings errors. Therefore, preservation of the errors by objection was required:

Defendant argues that the preservation rule should be disregarded with respect to the shackling challenge because the prosecution inaccurately stated on the record that the Court had previously denied such a challenge when he sought to move to dismiss the indictment on that basis. No circumstances excuse the preservation requirement: defense counsel was present during the Grand Jury proceeding while defendant was shackled. In any event, the failure to make an adequate showing on the record of the need for restraints does not constitute an unwaivable mode of proceedings error … . …

Defendant made no attempt to preserve his challenge to the prosecution's questions before the Grand Jury of his awareness of the potential for increased penalties in an unrelated pending indictment as a result of his conviction in this matter. Such a challenge requires preservation … .

Finally, defendant's challenge to the indictment based on the prosecution's failure to inform the Grand Jury about the requested witness is unpreserved. Here the record demonstrates that before defense counsel was relieved, he likely knew of the fact that the requested witness had not actually testified and was discussing the matter with the prosecution. Defendant relieved counsel before he could fully address the issue with the court, and defendant and his legal advisor, who were aware of and had every incentive to follow up and seek to preserve an objection on this basis, did not do so. Moreover, any error does not rise to the level of a mode of proceedings error. People v Griggs, 2016 NY Slip Op 04655, CtApp 6-14-16

CRIMINAL LAW (SHACKLES, QUESTIONS ABOUT A PENDING INDICTMENT, AND FAILURE TO INFORM THE GRAND JURY OF A WITNESS REQUESTED BY THE DEFENDANT WERE NOT MODE OF PROCEEDINGS ERRORS AND WERE NOT PRESERVED FOR APPEAL)/APPEALS (CRIMINAL LAW, SHACKLES, QUESTIONS ABOUT A PENDING INDICTMENT, AND FAILURE TO INFORM THE GRAND JURY OF A WITNESS REQUESTED BY THE DEFENDANT WERE NOT MODE OF PROCEEDINGS ERRORS AND WERE NOT PRESERVED FOR APPEAL)/MODE OF PROCEEDINGS ERRORS (SHACKLES, QUESTIONS ABOUT A PENDING INDICTMENT, AND FAILURE TO INFORM THE GRAND JURY OF A WITNESS REQUESTED BY THE DEFENDANT WERE NOT MODE OF PROCEEDINGS ERRORS AND WERE NOT PRESERVED FOR APPEAL)

June 14, 2016
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Criminal Law

DEFENSE COUNSEL’S REMARK (THAT SHOULD BE FINE) IN RESPONSE TO THE COURT’S INDICATION THAT COURT CONGESTION REQUIRED A LONGER ADJOURNMENT THAN DEFENSE COUNSEL REQUESTED WAS NOT EXPRESS CONSENT TO THE LONGER ADJOURNMENT, INDICTMENT DISMISSED ON SPEEDY TRIAL GROUNDS.

The Court of Appeals, in a full-fledged opinion by Judge Stein, reversing the Appellate Division, determined defense counsel did not expressly consent to an adjournment which the court imposed because of court congestion. When the court stated the adjourned date, defense counsel said “that should be fine:”

This Court has held that “[a]djournments consented to by the defense must be clearly expressed to relieve the People of the responsibility for that portion of the delay” … . Such consent does not arise by counsel merely indicating that a date suggested by the court is convenient. Thus, a defense counsel's ambiguous comment such as “[t]hat should be fine” when the court proposes a date is not sufficient to constitute clear consent to defendant being charged with the entire adjournment, including time necessitated by the court's calendar. Rather, such a generic statement likely signals nothing more than counsel's availability on a proposed date after the court has indicated that it could not accommodate the date requested by defense counsel when, in the first instance, the adjournment was “precipitated by the People's failure to be ready for trial” … .

… [T]he People bear the burden of establishing which time periods should be excluded from the statutory six months, with no burden being placed on the defendant … . The general rule — that the People should be charged with pre-readiness delays caused by court congestion … — is premised on the idea that such delays do not inhibit the People from declaring readiness in writing, through an off-calendar statement … . That reasoning applies equally well to any portion of a pre-readiness adjournment that is associated with court congestion, regardless of which party is chargeable with the remaining portion or portions of that adjournment. Here, the People could have filed an off-calendar statement of readiness at any time to stop the speedy trial clock, but they never did so. If the People were unsure of whether defense counsel's statement was an indication of consent to the entire period of the adjournment, they could have asked for clarification on the record; again, the People did not do so. Because the People did not meet their burden, Supreme Court erred to the extent it failed to charge the People with the 16 extra days …, which the court, itself, requested. Because those 16 days put the People over the statutory limit, defendant's CPL 30.30 motion should have been granted and the indictment should have been dismissed. People v Barden, 2016 NY Slip Op 04659, CtApp 6-14-16

CRIMINAL LAW (DEFENSE COUNSEL'S REMARK (THAT WOULD BE FINE) IN RESPONSE TO THE COURT'S INDICATION THAT COURT CONGESTION REQUIRED A LONGER ADJOURNMENT THAN DEFENSE COUNSEL REQUESTED WAS NOT EXPRESS CONSENT TO THE LONGER ADJOURNMENT, INDICTMENT DISMISSED ON SPEEDY TRIAL GROUNDS)/SPEEDY TRIAL (DEFENSE COUNSEL'S REMARK (THAT WOULD BE FINE) IN RESPONSE TO THE COURT'S INDICATION THAT COURT CONGESTION REQUIRED A LONGER ADJOURNMENT THAN DEFENSE COUNSEL REQUESTED WAS NOT EXPRESS CONSENT TO THE LONGER ADJOURNMENT, INDICTMENT DISMISSED ON SPEEDY TRIAL GROUNDS)

June 14, 2016
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Civil Procedure, Education-School Law, Real Property Tax Law

TAX CERTIORARI PROCEEDING DISMISSED FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY NOTIFY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CANNOT BE RECOMMENCED PURSUANT TO CPLR 205 (a).

The Court of Appeals, in a full-fledged opinion by Judge Fahey, determined that a Real Property Tax Law (RPTL) proceeding (challenging a tax assessment) which is dismissed for failure to provide timely notice to the school district cannot be restarted pursuant to CPLR 205 (a). Standard statutory-construction analysis led to the result:

By amending RPTL 708 (3), the legislature allowed school districts to reserve funds to satisfy judgments in tax certiorari proceedings. That right of reservation, however, extended only to the extent funds reserved “might reasonably be deemed necessary to [pay] anticipated judgments and claims” (Education Law § 3651 [1-a]). A school district of necessity must know of a proceeding in order to be able to estimate the amount it is permitted to set aside. The notice requirements the legislature included in RPTL 708 (3) act to balance the strictures of the Education Law. A petitioner who ignores the mailing requirements of RPTL 708 (3) and simultaneously denies a school district the opportunity to economically address a tax certiorari proceeding is not permitted to recommence a proceeding dismissed based upon such noncompliance. To do so would be to undermine the aims of fairness and efficiency that prompted the amendments to RPTL 708 (3) … . Matter of Westchester Joint Water Works v Assessor of City of Rye, 2016 NY Slip Op 04438, CtApp 6-9-16

REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW (TAX CERTIORARI PROCEEDING DISMISSED FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY NOTIFY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CANNOT BE RECOMMENCED PURSUANT TO CPLR 305 (a))/EDUCATION-SCHOOL LAW (TAX CERTIORARI PROCEEDING DISMISSED FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY NOTIFY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CANNOT BE RECOMMENCED PURSUANT TO CPLR 305 (a))/CIVIL PROCEDURE (TAX CERTIORARI PROCEEDING DISMISSED FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY NOTIFY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CANNOT BE RECOMMENCED PURSUANT TO CPLR 305 (a))

June 9, 2016
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Medical Malpractice, Municipal Law

MEDICAL RECORDS DOCUMENTING THE MEDICAL CARE DID NOT DEMONSTRATE THE HOSPITAL HAD TIMELY NOTICE OF THE NATURE OF THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIM; MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE A LATE NOTICE OF CLAIM PROPERLY DENIED.

The Court of Appeals, in a full-fledged opinion by Judge Pigott, over a three-judge dissenting opinion, determined plaintiff's motion for leave to serve a late notice of claim was properly denied. Plaintiff alleged medical malpractice on the part of defendant New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC). The majority concluded that the mere existence of medical records documenting the hospital care did not demonstrate timely knowledge of the nature of the claim:

… [T]he medical records must do more than “suggest” that an injury occurred as a result of malpractice. [The plaintiff's] argument implies that so long as medical experts reasonably disagree as to whether, based on their respective interpretations of the medical records, the medical staff deviated from the standard of care, a factual question is present and an application for service of late notice must be granted as a matter of law. … [T]he medical records must “evince that the medical staff, by its acts or omissions, inflicted an[] injury on plaintiff . . .” in order for the medical provider to have actual knowledge of the essential facts … . Wally G. v New York City Health & Hosps. Corp. (Metropolitan Hosp.), 2016 NY Slip Op 04443, CtApp 6-9-16

MUNICIPAL LAW (NOTICE OF CLAIM, MEDICAL RECORDS DOCUMENTING THE MEDICAL CARE DID NOT DEMOSTRATE THE HOSPITAL HAD TIMELY NOTICE OF THE NATURE OF THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIM; MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE A LATE NOTICE OF CLAIM PROPERLY DENIED)/NOTICE OF CLAIM (MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIM AGAINST CITY HOSPITAL, MEDICAL RECORDS DOCUMENTING THE MEDICAL CARE DID NOT DEMOSTRATE THE HOSPITAL HAD TIMELY NOTICE OF THE NATURE OF THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIM; MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE A LATE NOTICE OF CLAIM PROPERLY DENIED)/MEDICAL MALPRACTICE (CLAIM AGAINST CITY HOSPITAL, MEDICAL RECORDS DOCUMENTING THE MEDICAL CARE DID NOT DEMOSTRATE THE HOSPITAL HAD TIMELY NOTICE OF THE NATURE OF THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIM; MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE A LATE NOTICE OF CLAIM PROPERLY DENIED)

June 9, 2016
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Evidence, Family Law

STANDARD FOR THE NEED FOR A HEARING TO DETERMINE CUSTODY CLARIFIED; HERE SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RULED ON CUSTODY WITHOUT A HEARING.

The Court of Appeals, in a full-fledged opinion by Judge Garcia, reversing the Appellate Division, determined Supreme Court should not have awarded sole custody to father without a hearing. The “adequate relevant information” standard used by the Appellate Division was not the correct one:

… [W]e hold only that, on this record, the Appellate Division erred in holding that a hearing was not required based on an application of the “adequate relevant information” standard. In doing so, we reaffirm the long-established principle that, as a general matter, custody determinations should be rendered only after a full and plenary hearing. We decline, however, to fashion a “one size fits all” rule mandating a hearing in every custody case statewide. However, where, as here, facts material to the best interest analysis, and the circumstances surrounding such facts, remain in dispute, a custody hearing is required. Accordingly, a court opting to forego a plenary hearing must take care to clearly articulate which factors were — or were not — material to its determination, and the evidence supporting its decision. Under the circumstances of this case, a plenary hearing was necessary. S.L. v J.R., 2016 NY Slip Op 04442, CtApp 6-9-16

FAMILY LAW (STANDARD FOR THE NEED FOR A HEARING TO DETERMINE CUSTODY CLARIFIED; HERE SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RULED ON CUSTODY WITHOUT A HEARING)/CUSTODY (STANDARD FOR THE NEED FOR A HEARING TO DETERMINE CUSTODY CLARIFIED; HERE SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RULED ON CUSTODY WITHOUT A HEARING)/EVIDENCE (FAMILY LAW, STANDARD FOR THE NEED FOR A HEARING TO DETERMINE CUSTODY CLARIFIED; HERE SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE RULED ON CUSTODY WITHOUT A HEARING)

June 9, 2016
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Criminal Law, Evidence

EVIDENCE OF A SIMILAR UNCHARGED CRIME AGAINST THE SAME VICTIM PROPERLY ADMITTED.

The Court of Appeals determined the admission of evidence of an assault on the same victim (A.H.) a week before the charged assault was not error. The defendant acknowledged the evidence was relevant but argued the evidence should have been summarized because it was unduly prejudicial to allow the jury to hear the details:

We cannot say that both defects necessary for reversible error are present in defendant's case, namely, that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to limit A.H.'s testimony and that such error substantially prejudiced the defendant so as to foreclose a determination of harmlessness. … A.H.'s testimony concerned the same parties, and served the nonpropensity purpose of directly explaining her relationship with the defendant and his motive. This is far from a case where “the jury did not require a recital of such a prologue to understand fully what had taken place in the defendant's encounters with [the victim]” … . In the same vein, testimony that the defendant previously attacked A.H. would not have led the jury to marginalize, relegate to the background, or ignore the grievous nature of the New York City assault, which was characterized by physical violence and several failed attempts at immolation.

Under these circumstances, we perceive no error that requires a reversal of defendant's conviction. People v Frankline, 2016 NY Slip Op 04441, CtApp 6-9-16

CRIMINAL LAW (EVIDENCE OF A SIMILAR UNCHARGED CRIME AGAINST THE SAME VICTIM PROPERLY ADMITTED)/EVIDENCE (EVIDENCE OF A SIMILAR UNCHARGED CRIME AGAINST THE SAME VICTIM PROPERLY ADMITTED/MOLINEUX EVIDENCE (EVIDENCE OF A SIMILAR UNCHARGED CRIME AGAINST THE SAME VICTIM PROPERLY ADMITTED)/UNCHARGED CRIMES (EVIDENCE OF A SIMILAR UNCHARGED CRIME AGAINST THE SAME VICTIM PROPERLY ADMITTED)

June 9, 2016
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Attorneys, Criminal Law, Evidence

MOTION TO VACATE CONVICTION PROPERLY DENIED WITHOUT A HEARING; DEFENDANT DID NOT PRESENT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON THE PART OF DEFENSE COUNSEL.

The Court of Appeals, in a full-fledged opinion by Judge DiFiore, determined defendant's motion to set aside his conviction was properly denied without a hearing. Defendant's allegations of defense counsel's conflict of interest were deemed insufficient. Defendant alleged his lawyer represented both him and the District Attorney simultaneously:

CPL 440.30 requires that, where the motion to vacate a judgment of conviction “is based upon the existence or occurrence of facts,” sworn allegations thereof must be included in the motion papers (see CPL 440.30 [1] [a]). The sworn allegations can be based on personal knowledge or on information and belief, but in support of the latter, “the affiant must state the sources of such information and the grounds of such belief” (CPL 440.30 [1] [a]). The People “may” file an answer “denying or admitting any or all of the allegations” (see CPL 440.30 [1] [a]). The statute permits a court to deny the motion without a hearing in certain circumstances, including if it “is based upon the existence or occurrence of facts and the moving papers do not contain sworn allegations substantiating or tending to substantiate all the essential facts” (CPL 440.30 [4] [b]). * * *

Here, defendant's actual conflict claim consists of unsubstantiated and conclusory allegations of simultaneous representation. * * *

… [T]he statute is plain that the initial failure by a defendant to carry his or her burden of coming forward with sworn allegations substantiating the essential facts in the 440 motion does not shift the burden to the People in their responsive pleadings. * * *

To the extent defendant's allegations are sufficient to establish a potential conflict — based on the successive representation — his papers do not attempt to demonstrate that such a conflict operated on the defense. People v Wright, 2016 NY Slip Op 04440, CtApp 6-9-16

CRIMINAL LAW (MOTION TO VACATE CONVICTION PROPERLY DENIED WITHOUT A HEARING; DEFENDANT DID NOT PRESENT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON THE PART OF DEFENSE COUNSEL)/ATTORNEYS (CRIMINAL LAW, MOTION TO VACATE CONVICTION PROPERLY DENIED WITHOUT A HEARING; DEFENDANT DID NOT PRESENT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON THE PART OF DEFENSE COUNSEL)/EVIDENCE (CRIMINAL LAW, MOTION TO VACATE CONVICTION PROPERLY DENIED WITHOUT A HEARING; DEFENDANT DID NOT PRESENT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON THE PART OF DEFENSE COUNSEL)

June 9, 2016
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