People v. Baxley

140 Misc. 2d 516, 531 N.Y.S.2d 491, 1988 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 463
CourtNew York Supreme Court
DecidedJuly 20, 1988
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 140 Misc. 2d 516 (People v. Baxley) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New York Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Baxley, 140 Misc. 2d 516, 531 N.Y.S.2d 491, 1988 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 463 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 1988).

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Philip J. Chetta, J.

Defendant Luther Baxley has been indicted, inter alia, for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree. He now moves for dismissal of the indictment for violation of his right to testify before the Grand Jury pursuant to CPL 190.50 (5).

For the reasons set forth, the court finds that defendant’s [517]*517rights under CPL 190.50 (5) were not violated and therefore dismissal of the indictment under this section is not warranted.

The facts of the instant case present a unique question on the interrelationship between the defendant’s right to testify and when that right must give way to the defendant’s need for psychiatric observation under CPL article 730. On March 30, 1988, defendant and two others were arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree. Following arraignment on March 31st, the matter was adjourned to Part N for possible disposition. On April 5th, defendant alleges that he spoke with Assistant District Attorneys Schrader and Communiello with regard to the defendant testifying before the Grand Jury. However, due to the questionable state of defendant’s mental health, and the questionable validity of any waiver effectuated by the defendant, the prosecutors refused to allow the defendant to waive immunity and testify before the Grand Jury. However, no indictment was voted on that day by the Grand Jury.

Returning to Part N, the defendant informed the court of the Grand Jury situation indicating that the People had agreed to adjourn any Grand Jury action until Thursday, April 7th. While again indicating the defendant’s desire to testify, defense counsel went on to state, "I feel it is in his best interest to have a 730 Examination. Mr. Communiello would not put Mr. Baxley in front of a Grand Jury, rightfully, because any waiver without such 730 Examination might be deemed invalid and I understand his position. We are asking twofold, for an adjournment until Thursday and for the court to order a 730 Examination.”

The court then adjourned the case to the following day, April 6th, for purposes of determining defendant’s need for psychological evaluation. On April 6th following inquiry by the court, an examination was ordered pursuant to CPL article 730. The court then went on to state,

"I’ll amend the docket not to vote an indictment against this defendant pending the result of the examination.

"I can’t direct them to do so, but if the defendant is desirous of testifying it should be kept open for that purpose.”

On April 7th, the People filed a notice of voted indictment. On May 3rd the CPL article 730 report found the defendant fit to proceed, on May 19th the findings were accepted by the defendant.

[518]*518CPL 190.50 provides that upon proper notice to the prosecution of his intention to testify, and execution of a waiver of immunity (see, CPL 190.45), the defendant must be permitted to testify before the Grand Jury. This absolute right to testify in one’s own behalf before the Grand Jury is only modified by the provisions of CPL 730.40 which allows a Grand Jury to proceed without benefit of a defendant’s testimony when subsequent to an order of examination pursuant to article 730, the charges contained within the accusatory instrument are presented to the grand jurors for their consideration.

The affidavit submitted by defense counsel, uncontroverted by the People, establishes that the prosecution refused to allow the defendant to testify before the Grand Jury prior to an order of examination being issued by the court.

However, defendant’s right to testify was not violated at this juncture. Initially, as noted by the transcript from Part N, the defendant consented to the Grand Jury presentation being adjourned for two days. Indeed, defense counsel indicated his understanding of the quandary the People found themselves in if they allowed a person whose mental state was brought into question by his own attorney to execute a waiver and proceed to testify before a Grand Jury. Moreover by consenting to the adjournment of the Grand Jury on April 5th for two days, defendant cannot now seek relief long after an indictment has been voted upon and filed with the court. Moreover, and notwithstanding the defendant’s assertions, the fact remains that on April 5th, the indictment was not voted upon and indeed was adjourned by the prosecution for two days.

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Related

People v. Guzman
168 A.D.2d 154 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1991)
People v. Bizzell
144 Misc. 2d 1000 (New York Supreme Court, 1989)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
140 Misc. 2d 516, 531 N.Y.S.2d 491, 1988 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 463, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-baxley-nysupct-1988.