THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK RESPONDENT v. CLIFFORD ANDERSON DEFENDANT APPELLANT (2014)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.

Memorandum:  Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of criminal contempt in the first degree (Penal Law § 215.51[c] ).  Contrary to defendant's contention, County Court properly admitted uncharged crimes as Molineux evidence on the People's direct case because that evidence was relevant to defendant's intent to violate the order of protection and was admissible “ ‘to develop the necessary background and [to] complete the victim's narrative’ “ (People v. Erle, 83 AD3d 1442, 1444, lv denied 17 NY3d 794;  see People v. Alvino, 71 N.Y.2d 233, 242;  People v. Ray, 63 AD3d 1705, 1706, lv denied 13 NY3d 838).   We further conclude that the probative value of such evidence outweighed any prejudice (see People v. Carson, 4 AD3d 805, 806, lv denied 2 NY3d 797;  see also Ray, 63 AD3d at 1706).

Even assuming, arguendo, that the court erred in admitting such evidence, we conclude that the error is harmless.   The evidence of defendant's guilt is overwhelming, and there is no significant probability that defendant would have been acquitted but for the error (see People v. Laws, 27 AD3d 1116, 1117, lv. denied 7 NY3d 758;  see generally People v. Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 241–242).

Finally, the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe.

Frances E. Cafarell

Clerk of the Court