Matter of Baysden v. Annucci

140 A.D.3d 1519, 35 N.Y.S.3d 517

• Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
• Decided: June 23, 2016
• Docket: 522114
• Status: Published

Opinion

Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to review a determination of respondent finding petitioner guilty of violating a prison disciplinary rule.

During a search of petitioner’s prison cell, a correction officer found a folded can lid with a cloth handle located inside of petitioner’s instrument case. As a result, petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with possessing a weapon. Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty as charged. The penalty imposed was modified by correction officials and the determination was later affirmed upon administrative appeal. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.

We confirm. The misbehavior report, unusual incident report, photograph of the weapon and testimony of the correction officer who conducted the search provide substantial evidence to support the determination of guilt (see Matter of Burgos v Prack, 129 AD3d 1434, 1434 [2015]; Matter of Diaz v Prack, 127 AD3d 1489, 1490 [2015]). Contrary to petitioner’s contention, the hearing testimony does not establish that he was set up and, in any event, such claim presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve (see Matter of Gonzalez v Annucci, 122 AD3d 1203, 1204 [2014]). Petitioner’s assertion that the search of his cell was not carried out in compliance with Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Directive No. 4910 is unpreserved.

Peters, P.J., Lahtinen, Rose, Lynch and Devine, JJ., concur.

Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.