Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
IN RE: Shawn CORNWALL, Petitioner, v. Glenn S. GOORD, as Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Respondent.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to review a determination of respondent which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
Petitioner was found guilty of violent conduct, interference with an employee and damage of State property in violation of various prison disciplinary rules.1 According to the misbehavior report, while a correction officer was removing petitioner's handcuffs, petitioner violently jerked his arms forward from the feed-up slot causing the correction officer's hands to slam into the cell and breaking the handcuff key. Contrary to petitioner's contention, the detailed misbehavior report, the videotape of the incident and the corroborating testimony received at the hearing provide substantial evidence to support the determination of petitioner's guilt (see, Matter of Jiminez v. Selsky, 274 A.D.2d 704, 711 N.Y.S.2d 59; Matter of Pristell v. Goord, 238 A.D.2d 657, 656 N.Y.S.2d 968).
We reject petitioner's assertion that the hearing was not timely commenced. Although the hearing was not completed within 14 days (see, 7 NYCRR 251-5.1[b] ), the record establishes that a valid extension was granted for the purpose of allowing petitioner further assistance in obtaining requested material (see, Matter of Dawes v. Selsky, 251 A.D.2d 912, 674 N.Y.S.2d 863, lv. denied 92 N.Y.2d 812, 680 N.Y.S.2d 905, 703 N.E.2d 763). To the extent that petitioner alleges that the misbehavior report was defective because it was not endorsed by all correction officers who witnessed the incident, petitioner fails to establish any prejudice resulting therefrom (see, Matter of McCoy v. Goord, 277 A.D.2d 525, 526, 715 N.Y.S.2d 503). Moreover, petitioner was given a list of the correction officers on duty at the time of the incident. Petitioner's remaining contentions, including his claim of inadequate employee assistance, have been reviewed and found to be without merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.
FOOTNOTES
1. Petitioner was also charged with, but found not guilty of, making threats and a movement regulation violation.
CARDONA, P.J., CREW III, PETERS, MUGGLIN and LAHTINEN, JJ., concur.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Decided: June 21, 2001
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)