Guido v. Berkman

116 A.D.2d 439, 501 N.Y.S.2d 827, 1986 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 51036
CourtAppellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
DecidedMay 6, 1986
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 116 A.D.2d 439 (Guido v. Berkman) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Guido v. Berkman, 116 A.D.2d 439, 501 N.Y.S.2d 827, 1986 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 51036 (N.Y. Ct. App. 1986).

Opinions

OPINION OF THE COURT

Per Curiam.

Petitioners Nicholas Guido and Dominick LaTorre commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding, in the nature of prohibition, seeking to bar their retrial upon New York County Supreme Court indictment number 2376A/84, and to dismiss the indictment. They primarily contend that retrial would violate their right under the 5th Amendment not to be placed twice in jeopardy for the same offense. On this sparse record we are unable to discern justification for the Trial Justice’s sua sponte declaration of a mistrial. We are persuaded that no inference of acquiescence in the mistrial may fairly be drawn under these circumstances, and therefore grant the petition.

Petitioners Nicholas Guido and Dominick LaTorre were indicted, charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree and related offenses (narcotics indictment). Additionally, Guido and LaTorre were separately indicted, charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree, and criminal impersonation in the second degree (gun indictments). These charges stemmed from the petitioners’ arrest while registered guests at the Vista International Hotel in lower Manhattan. The offenses set forth in the narcotics indictment were based upon an alleged discovery of cocaine and narcotics-related paraphernalia in petitioners’ hotel room by police officers. Those set forth in the gun indictments were based upon the allegation that when they were arrested, Guido and LaTorre had handguns, and dis[441]*441played copies of peace officer registration forms which had been filed with the Division of Criminal Justice, reflecting their membership in an allegedly fraudulent organization, the Sullivan County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty. to Children. The three indictments were consolidated for trial, which began before Justice James J. Leff on June 26, 1985.

The jury heard the presentation of evidence for five days. On July 2, 1985, a Tuesday, the jury heard summations and the court gave instructions on the law. At approximately 4:00 p.m. that afternoon, the jury retired to deliberate. After a total of approximately 5V2 hours of deliberation, excluding one hour of reread testimony and a dinner break at 11:23 p.m., the jury sent a note to the court which read as follows: "We have reached a verdict on 8 counts and are hung up on 4. It’s unlikely that we will be able to reach a verdict on these.”

In his affirmation in support of the petition, Guido’s trial counsel states: "Upon information and belief, the trial prosecutor * * * remained in the courtroom, as had Justice Leff * * * Your affirmant, co-counsel, the petitioners and their respective families returned to the courtroom at approximately 11:25 p.m., after having been informed that some form of verdict had been reached * * * The trial court did not say anything * * * other than, in words or substance, that the trial court intended to bring out the jury and see what it had —prior to the time when the jury entered the courtroom.” The District Attorney disputes this. He affirms that "Justice Leff indicated to counsel that he intended to take the entire verdict on all twelve counts, and not just the verdict on the eight counts whereon the jury had agreed. The People and counsel for both defendants agreed to this procedure”. He also indicates that the Trial Justice had advised the People that he intended to accept the verdict and discharge the jury.

The Trial Justice neither made an inquiry of the foreperson to determine whether further deliberations would be availing nor read the note aloud for the record. The transcript of the proceedings reflects only that the jury announced its partial verdict of acquittal on each count contained in the narcotics indictment and on the count of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree contained in the gun indictments. Following receipt of the partial verdict, the Trial Justice directed the court officers to "clear the courtroom”. The District Attorney, counsel for the defendants, the defendants, and relatives of the latter stepped outside of the courtroom and waited. The court addressed the jurors, thanking them [442]*442for, and discharging them from, their service. When the parties and their attorneys reentered the courtroom the jurors were no longer present and the following transpired:

"the court: Go back to Judge Berkman.
"[prosecutor]: Any date that is convenient for counsel, what I suggest a September date.
"the court: What date would you like?
"[defense attorney]: I didn’t hear what you said.
"the court: What date would you like? You still have a couple of counts. Any date you want.
"[defense attorney]: Your Honor, could we make motions?
"the court: What kind of motions?
"[defense attorney]: I would like to make a motion—
"the court: Off the record.
"(Whereupon the discussion was held off the record)
"(Whereupon, the following was taken in open court)
"the court: September 10th.”

In their respective affirmations, the District Attorney denies, and both trial counsel affirm, that Guido’s trial counsel, Mr. Benfante, contended off the record, inter alia, that retrial was prohibited, based upon double jeopardy. The case was reassigned to the respondent Justice in Part 60 and adjourned. The petitioners’ respective motions to dismiss the indictments, made before the respondent Justice, were reportedly denied, although no written decision, order, or other writing by her is presented on this record.

The respondent Justice granted several adjournments, then advised Guido, on numerous calendar dates, that the case could not further await the conclusion of Mr. Benfante’s engagement in a lengthy trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York involving alleged organized crime defendants. On December 5, 1985, Guido answered the calendar call in Part 60 and requested yet another adjournment. Respondent ordered a final trial date and doubled his bail. Guido posted the bail later that afternoon. This petition for a writ of prohibition ensued.

A hopelessly deadlocked jury presents the "classic case for a proper mistrial”, and such a determination by a Trial Judge is accorded "great deference”. (Arizona v Washington, 434 US 497, 510 [1978].) Yet, a reviewing court must ascertain whether the Trial Judge has declared a mistrial in the "sound exercise” of discretion. A cardinal feature of the scrupulous [443]*443exercise of judicial discretion is temperance based upon the exercise of care for the defendant’s " Valued right’ ” to have his trial completed by a particular tribunal. (Arizona v Washington, supra, at p 516; Wade v Hunter, 336 US 684, 689 [1949].) As the court explained in United States v Jorn

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Bluebook (online)
116 A.D.2d 439, 501 N.Y.S.2d 827, 1986 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 51036, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/guido-v-berkman-nyappdiv-1986.