PEOPLE v. BROWN (2008)

Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of promoting prison contraband in the first degree (Penal Law § 205.25[2] ), arising from his possession of a dangerous weapon while he was an inmate at a correctional facility.   Contrary to defendant's contention, the verdict is not against the weight of the evidence (see generally People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495, 515 N.Y.S.2d 761, 508 N.E.2d 672).

 We agree with defendant, however, that reversal is required based on County Court's refusal to suppress a statement allegedly made by defendant to a correction sergeant shortly after the discovery of the weapon in the pocket of defendant's pants.   At the Huntley hearing, the correction sergeant testified that, while a correction officer was conducting a pat-down search of defendant, defendant ignored directions to stand still and an altercation ensued.   Defendant was eventually subdued and handcuffed, and a second correction officer completed the pat-down search and retrieved a weapon from the pocket of defendant's pants.   Defendant was then taken to a lobby area outside the presence of other inmates, where he waited with the correction sergeant for someone to escort defendant to the Special Housing Unit. While they were waiting in the lobby, the correction sergeant “questioned [defendant] on his behavior, what happened, [and] why he did what he did,” to which defendant replied, “Yeah, that's right.   I did it.”   We conclude that, under those circumstances, “defendant could have reasonably believed that his freedom was restricted over and above that of ordinary confinement” (People v. Hope, 284 A.D.2d 560, 562, 726 N.Y.S.2d 166;  see People v. Alls, 83 N.Y.2d 94, 100, 608 N.Y.S.2d 139, 629 N.E.2d 1018, cert. denied 511 U.S. 1090, 114 S.Ct. 1850, 128 L.Ed.2d 474).   Miranda warnings were thus required (see Alls, 83 N.Y.2d at 100, 608 N.Y.S.2d 139, 629 N.E.2d 1018), but the correction sergeant failed to administer them.   Furthermore, his inquiry of defendant was not merely a threshold crime scene inquiry designed to clarify the situation, nor was it “purely investigatory in nature” (People v. Mayerhofer, 283 A.D.2d 672, 674, 725 N.Y.S.2d 696;  cf. People v. Morales, 216 A.D.2d 154, 154-155, 628 N.Y.S.2d 284).   Rather, it was likely that the inquiry would elicit evidence of a crime and, indeed, it did elicit an incriminating response.   We further agree with defendant that the error in the admission of his statement is not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, inasmuch as there is a reasonable possibility that “defendant's statement influenced the verdict” (Alls, 83 N.Y.2d at 104, 608 N.Y.S.2d 139, 629 N.E.2d 1018;  see generally People v. Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 237, 367 N.Y.S.2d 213, 326 N.E.2d 787).   We therefore reverse the judgment, grant that part of the omnibus motion of defendant seeking to suppress his statement and grant a new trial on count one of the indictment.

 In view of our determination to grant a new trial, we review the contention of defendant that he is entitled to a change of venue upon the retrial.   Insofar as defendant may be deemed to have made a pre-voir dire motion to change venue pursuant to CPL 230.20, we conclude that defendant failed to meet his burden of demonstrating that there is “reasonable cause to believe that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had” in Wyoming County (CPL 230.20[2] ).   If, however, it becomes apparent during the voir dire at defendant's retrial that a fair and impartial jury cannot be drawn, defendant may then make an appropriate application (see People v. Mateo, 239 A.D.2d 965, 662 N.Y.S.2d 279;  People v. Scott, 197 A.D.2d 936, 604 N.Y.S.2d 843).   In view of our determination, we do not address defendant's remaining contentions.

It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously reversed on the law, that part of the motion seeking to suppress defendant's statement is granted and a new trial is granted on count one of the indictment.

MEMORANDUM: