Opinion
2012-12-13
In the Matter of Larry GROSS, Petitioner, v. Bruce S. YELICH, as Superintendent of Bare Hill Correctional Facility, Respondent.
Larry Gross, Attica, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Larry Gross, Attica, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Before: ROSE, J.P., LAHTINEN, KAVANAGH, STEIN and EGAN JR., JJ.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of Supreme Court, entered in Franklin County) to review a determination of respondent which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
Petitioner was issued a misbehavior report charging him with smuggling and stealing property from the mess hall after a correction officer discovered a packet of Kool–Aid during a frisk of petitioner that was conducted as he left the mess hall. Following a tier II disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty of the charges, and this determination was upheld on administrative appeal. Petitioner thereafter commenced this proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78.
During a disciplinary hearing, an inmate “may call witnesses on his [or her] behalf provided their testimony is material, is not redundant, and doing so does not jeopardize institutional safety or correction goals” (7 NYCRR 254.5[a] ). Petitioner requested the testimony of the cook to whom the correction officer turned over the packet of Kool–Aid that he allegedly found during the frisk of petitioner. The Hearing Officer denied this witness, indicating that her testimony was irrelevant because she was not present during the frisk of petitioner and would merely testify that she had been given a packet of Kool–Aid and disposed of it. However, it is possible that the witness would testify that she did not receive a packet of Kool–Aid from the officer at the date and time alleged, thereby supporting petitioner's claim of innocence. As such, we find that the witness could have provided relevant testimony and the denial of the witness based upon speculation as to what her testimony would be was error ( see Matter of Tafari v. Selsky, 76 A.D.3d 1123, 1124, 907 N.Y.S.2d 704 [2010],lv. dismissed16 N.Y.3d 783, 919 N.Y.S.2d 507, 944 N.E.2d 1147 [2011];Matter of Taylor v. Coughlin, 158 A.D.2d 881, 883, 551 N.Y.S.2d 676 [1990];Matter of Wong v. Coughlin, 137 A.D.2d 272, 273–274, 529 N.Y.S.2d 45 [1988] ). Because the Hearing Officer put forth a good faith reason for the denial, the proper remedy is remittal for a new hearing ( see Matter of Tafari v. Selsky, 76 A.D.3d at 1124, 907 N.Y.S.2d 704;Matter of Roberson v. Bezio, 70 A.D.3d 1226, 1227, 897 N.Y.S.2d 529 [2010],lv. denied14 N.Y.3d 714, 2010 WL 2400475 [2010];compare Matter of Caldwell v. Goord, 34 A.D.3d 1173, 1175, 827 N.Y.S.2d 709 [2006] ). In light of this conclusion, it is not necessary to review petitioner's remaining contentions.
ADJUDGED that the determination is annulled, without costs, and matter remitted to respondent for further proceedings not inconsistent with this Court's decision.