People v. McLaren

36 Misc. 3d 448
CourtNew York Supreme Court
DecidedApril 27, 2012
StatusPublished

This text of 36 Misc. 3d 448 (People v. McLaren) 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. McLaren, 36 Misc. 3d 448 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 2012).

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Robert Charles Kohm, J.

On March 14, 2012, the defendant was found guilty of the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (Penal Law § 265.03 [a class C violent felony]), after a jury trial held before this court.1 Since the rendition of the verdict, the defendant retained new counsel who has filed a motion, pursuant to CPL 330.30 (1), seeking an order setting aside the verdict.

The People have submitted an affirmation in opposition.

CPL 330.30 (1) provides for the setting aside of a verdict upon “(a)ny ground appearing in the record which, if raised upon an appeal from a prospective judgement of conviction, would require a reversal or modification of the judgement as a matter of law by an appellate court.”

The defendant has raised two grounds in support of his motion. First, he argues that a prior set of pretrial rulings by another justice improperly denied the defendant his right to a constitutionally mandated Mapp hearing with respect to the weapon recovered by the police at the time of his arrest. Next, he contends that he was denied his due process right to a fair [450]*450trial by this court’s in limine ruling precluding the defendant from introducing into evidence the fact that he was the possessor of a valid license or permit to carry a concealed and loaded weapon in the State of Connecticut.

In the alternative, the defendant has filed a Clayton motion (People v Clayton, 41 AD2d 204 [1973]) which seeks, pursuant to CPL 210.40, to dismiss the indictment in furtherance of justice.

Conclusions of Law

The CPL 330.30 Motion

By decision and order, dated November 30, 2010, the Honorable James R Griffin denied the defendant’s application for a Mapp hearing. Justice Griffin held that the defendant’s moving papers were “devoid of any sworn factual allegations asserting a legitimate expectation of privacy in the premises or object searched, from a person with actual knowledge ... an essential requirement for defendant to achieve standing to challenge the search that resulted in the discovery of property.” By notice of motion and supporting affirmation, defendant’s original counsel moved for reargument of that portion of the court’s decision which denied the defendant’s request for a Mapp/Dunaway hearing. Although finding the defendant’s reargument motion to be untimely, Justice Griffin granted reargument, and upon reargument he adhered to his original decision, holding that the defendant “failed to establish this Court misapprehended material facts on the law; instead, the defendant simply changed the facts upon which he is now relying and changing his strategy.”2

The validity of Justice Griffin’s prior rulings is not properly the subject of a motion brought pursuant to CPL 330.30. By its express statutory language, CPL 330.30 pertains to grounds appearing in the record which, if raised upon an appeal would require a “reversal or modification” of the judgment of conviction by an appellate court.

Where, on appeal, the appellant claims that his motion to suppress evidence was improperly denied by the trial court without a hearing, the appellate court — if in agreement — remits the matter to the trial court for a posttrial hearing, and the appeal is held in abeyance in the interim (.People v Coleman, 60 [451]*451AD3d 1079 [2009]; People v Vega, 188 AD2d 499 [1992]). Therefore, the issue regarding the alleged failure to order a pretrial Mapp hearing would not, if raised upon appeal, require a reversal or modification, but would at best result in the matter being remitted to the trial court to conduct a suppression hearing.

Addressing the second ground raised by the defendant, that is, that this court erroneously precluded the defendant from providing evidence to the jury that he possessed a valid license for the weapon, albeit in a different state, the court will make reference, in pertinent part, to its pretrial ruling (see official court minutes, proceedings, at 2-6, Oct. 25, 2011) and the relevant colloquy between the parties and the court.

“the court: Prior to selection, the People made an application to preclude the defendant from introducing any evidence at trial with respect to the defendant having a Connecticut license for the weapon in question, either through cross-examination of the People’s witnesses or through defendant’s testimony, should the defendant elect to testify.
“The defendant opposed [the] People’s application.
“In addition to Count I of Criminal Possession of Marihuana in the Third Degree, defendant is charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Under Count II he is charged with violating Penal Law § 265.03-(3), in that it is alleged that he possessed a loaded pistol and that such possession was not in his home or place of business. Under Count III he is charged with violating Penal Law § 265.03 (1) (b), in that it is alleged that he possessed a loaded pistol with intent to use it unlawfully against another person.
“While the fact that the defendant has an out of state license to carry the subject handgun, Penal Law § 400, entitled: ‘License to Carry, Possess, Repair or Dispose of Firearms’ indicates no general provision recognizing the giving of effect to permits or licenses issued by other states to their residents. Although there are certain limited exceptions allowing out of state residents with firearm permits to carry firearms in New York State, the defendant does not fall into one of those types of circumscribed categories: therefore, the fact the defendant had a [452]*452permit or license for the gun is not a defense to either of the charges.
“However, the Court concludes that since Count III alleges that the defendant intended to use the pistol against another person, and the only support for that allegation is derived from the statutory presumption set forth in Penal Law § 265.15 (4), it is only fair that the jury be allowed to hear of the defendant being a valid holder of a Connecticut license for the weapon, as proof of the fact would bear materially upon the required mental state of intent. “The fact that the defendant held such a license is not material or relevant to the charge contained in Count II, since the only mental state to be proved is that the defendant knowingly possessed a loaded firearm; therefore the jury will be instructed that they may consider the Connecticut license only insofar as Count III and only with respect to the element of intent.
“Were the People in their discretion to dismiss Count III, then the prior application to preclude mention of the Connecticut license at trial would be granted.
“ms. finnerty: People have an application at this point.
“the court: Yes, your application?
“ms. finnerty: Your Honor, at this time, with the understanding based on your ruling that you just mentioned, People at this time move to dismiss Count III, Penal Law § 265.03 (1) (b), the count pertaining to the intent charge.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

People v. Coleman
60 A.D.3d 1079 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 2009)
People v. Clayton
41 A.D.2d 204 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1973)
People v. Vega
188 A.D.2d 499 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1992)
People v. Pittman
228 A.D.2d 225 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1996)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
36 Misc. 3d 448, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-mclaren-nysupct-2012.