Opinion
4 KA 18-00450
01-28-2022
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Jared KOEBERLE, Defendant-Appellant.
LEANNE LAPP, PUBLIC DEFENDER, CANANDAIGUA, KEEM APPEALS, PLLC, SYRACUSE (BRADLEY E. KEEM OF COUNSEL), FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. JAMES B. RITTS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, CANANDAIGUA (V. CHRISTOPHER EAGGLESTON OF COUNSEL), FOR RESPONDENT.
LEANNE LAPP, PUBLIC DEFENDER, CANANDAIGUA, KEEM APPEALS, PLLC, SYRACUSE (BRADLEY E. KEEM OF COUNSEL), FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
JAMES B. RITTS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, CANANDAIGUA (V. CHRISTOPHER EAGGLESTON OF COUNSEL), FOR RESPONDENT.
PRESENT: WHALEN, P.J., NEMOYER, CURRAN, WINSLOW, AND BANNISTER, JJ.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
It is hereby ORDERED that the case is held, the decision is reserved and the matter is remitted to Ontario County Court for further proceedings in accordance with the following memorandum: Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of two counts of rape in the first degree ( Penal Law § 130.35 [4] ), two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree (§ 130.65 [4]), two counts of incest in the first degree (§ 255.27), and one count of endangering the welfare of a child (§ 260.10 [1]).
Defendant contends that the evidence is legally insufficient to support the conviction. At the close of the People's proof, defendant moved for a trial order of dismissal, and the court reserved decision. Although defendant renewed the motion at the close of his proof and again after the jury rendered its verdict, County Court never ruled on the motion. Thus, we may not address defendant's contention because, "in accordance with People v. Concepcion, 17 N.Y.3d 192, 197-198, 929 N.Y.S.2d 541, 953 N.E.2d 779 (2011) and People v. LaFontaine, 92 N.Y.2d 470, 474, 682 N.Y.S.2d 671, 705 N.E.2d 663 (1998), rearg denied 93 N.Y.2d 849, 688 N.Y.S.2d 495, 710 N.E.2d 1094 [1999]), we cannot deem the court's failure to rule on the ... motion as a denial thereof" ( People v. Capitano , 198 A.D.3d 1324, 1325, 152 N.Y.S.3d 391 [4th Dept. 2021] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see People v. Bennett , 180 A.D.3d 1357, 1358, 115 N.Y.S.3d 737 [4th Dept. 2020] ). We therefore hold the case, reserve decision, and remit the matter to County Court for a ruling on defendant's motion (see Capitano , 198 A.D.3d at 1325, 152 N.Y.S.3d 391 ; Bennett , 180 A.D.3d at 1358, 115 N.Y.S.3d 737 ). In light of our determination, we do not address defendant's remaining contentions.