People v. Simmons

86 Misc. 737
CourtNew York Supreme Court
DecidedMay 24, 1976
StatusPublished

This text of 86 Misc. 737 (People v. Simmons) 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. Simmons, 86 Misc. 737 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 1976).

Opinion

Walter T. Gorman, J.

The People move to resettle an order of this court suppressing wiretap evidence.

A lengthy hearing on defendants’ application to controvert five eavesdropping warrants culminated on December 15, 1975 with the granting of the motion and the suppressing of "all communications and evidence derived therefrom.” The decision resulted from the failure to timely seal the recordings as required by statute (84 Mise 2d 749, 755).

On December 31, 1975, acting upon the assumption that all evidence relating to the defendants had been suppressed, the People filed a notice of appeal and a statement that they could not proceed without the suppressed evidence (see CPL 450.50, subd 1). The indictment charged the defendants with conspir[739]*739acy in the first degree, criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first degree (three counts) and the third degree and related crimes.

Four months after the original order had been handed down, the instant application was filed. It seeks a clarification of . the language "evidence derived therefrom.” Specifically, it addresses itself to testimony concerning the four alleged narcotics sales and certain telephone conversations. The undercover police officer had given defendant Grace Simmons a telephone number where he could be reached. Both she and Morris called the officer at this number from their telephones during the time they were tapped. Thus, the conversations were recorded as part of the wiretap.

In their moving papers, the People state that an interpretation excluding this evidence from the ambit of this court’s order would make it possible for them to proceed against Grace Simmons and Albert Morris. Should this court so rule, the People indicate they would apply to the Appellate Division to withdraw those appeals (see CPL 450.50, subd 2). To date no appeal has been perfected and, conceivably, the case could not be heard before the September Term.

"Resettlement of an order is an inherent power of the court” (2 Carmody-Wait 2d, NY Prac, § 8:125, p 142). It constitutes a means of correction or clarification and cannot be used "to change or to amplify the direction of the court.” (Ruland v Tuthill, 187 App Div 314, 315; People ex rel. Novick v Novick, 27 AD2d 653; Long Is. Light. Co. v Lambert, 77 Misc 2d 511, 515.) Here, the People request an explanation of certain language in the order. Accordingly, this court views their application as a motion for resettlement and finds it to be an appropriate remedy.

The prayer for relief should have been made earlier, but, in its discretion, the court will allow it at this time. It should be noted that the law would not be circumvented thereby, since the People’s appellate rights have been preserved (see Matter of Huie [Furman], 20 NY2d 568, 572; Matter of Van Vleek, Inc. v Klein, 50 Misc 2d 622, 623).

In oral argument, defense counsel contended that the filing of a notice of appeal divested this court of jurisdiction. However, no judicial or statutory authority for that proposition was cited. The taking of the appeal "constitutes a bar to the prosecution of the accusatory instrument involving the evidence ordered suppressed” (CPL 450.50, subd 2). Had the [740]*740Legislature intended to completely strip the trial court of jurisdiction on all other matters, presumably, it would have adopted language to that effect (cf. CPL 170.20). In fact, at least one tribunal has held that the filing of such notice does not bar reargument in the lower court more than three months later (Matter of Van Vleck, Inc. v Klein, supra). It is. unnecessary to consider the powers of the trial court once the Appellate Division hears an appeal and renders a decision. The advantages of resettlement prior thereto include the prevention of a mistaken interpretation of the ruling, a better understanding of the decision by the reviewing courts and the parties, the avoidance of a remand later for clarification, and the possible saving of the time, work and expenses incurred in perfecting an appeal (cf. Siegel, Practice Commentaries, McKinney’s Cons Laws of NY, Book 7B, CPLR 2221, p 159).

The New York City Police Department and the Office of Prosecution of the Special Narcotics Parts conducted a two-pronged, seven-month, narcotics investigation, commencing in November, 1973.

The first, self-contained part of the investigation consisted of direct contacts by the undercover police officer with various parties. In November, 1973 he made three separate heroin purchases from Joseph Duffy and Earlene Jordan for $300, $2,600 and $5,000, respectively. He made an additional buy from them the following month for $20,000.

On January 15, 1974 the undercover met Duffy, Jordan and Kathy. They took him to a female they called "Grace” (Grace Simmons). The undercover spoke with her about being Shortchanged on the last Duffy-Jordan buy. Then she and the others present sold him another $20,000 package of heroin. (This sale is the subject of another indictment.)

Joseph Duffy remained the undercover’s contact. On February 8, 1974 they met and concluded arrangements for a $45,000 heroin sale to take place three days later. Duffy took the undercover to a street corner on February 11, 1974 tti consummate the sale. They met Grace Simmons there. The officer told her he had been unable to raise the money. She stated that she was prepared to make the sale immediately. They agreed to a smaller $20,000 purchase to take place two days later. On February 13, 1974, pursuant to the February 11 meeting, the undercover purchased narcotics for $20,000 from Duffy, Jordan, Kathy and Morris. (This sale is charged in the instant indictment.)

[741]*741On February 27, 1974, the undercover met Duffy and received a packet of heroin on the pretense that he would have to check its purity before buying a larger amount. The indictment accuses the defendants of this sale and two others on April 10 and April 25.

On March 22, 1974 the undercover officer met Grace Simmons and gave her a telephone number where he could be reached. Subsequently, she and Albert Morris called him many times.

Meanwhile, the police operation was simultaneously being conducted on a second level. On December 12, 1973, a Justice signed an eavesdropping warrant for Duffy’s telephone. The three prior narcotics sales contributed to the probable cause therefor.

From the overheard conversations, the police learned the first name (Salena), address, and telephone number of Duffy’s supplier. An eavesdropping warrant for her telephone was issued on January 11, 1974.

The police heard a female, later verified to be Grace Simmons, on the Salena wire on January 13, 1974. During the existence of this tap, numerous additional conversations between her and Salena were recorded.

As a result of the Salena tap, the law enforcement officials ascertained the full name, address, and telephone number of Grace Simmons.

The foregoing provided the probable cause needed for an eavesdropping warrant, effective January 30, 1974, of Grace Simmons’ telephone. During February, 1974, the police overheard many conversations involving all three defendants and other parties.

This tap enabled the police to learn Morris’s name, address, and telephone number and that "Hank” was James Simmons.

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Bluebook (online)
86 Misc. 737, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-simmons-nysupct-1976.