Opinion
2013-07-25
In the Matter of James WALKER, Petitioner, v. Brian FISCHER, as Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.
James Walker, New York City, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
James Walker, New York City, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Before: PETERS, P.J., LAHTINEN, SPAIN and EGAN JR., JJ.
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.
A male correction officer observed petitioner staring at a female correction counselor's behind in a sexual manner. The officer called out to petitioner and, when petitioner did not respond, the officer approached and pointed his hand at petitioner's face to get his attention. Petitioner slapped the officer's hand away. As a result, petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with creating a disturbance, assaulting staff, interfering with staff and engaging in violent conduct. He was found guilty of the charges following a tier III disciplinary hearing and the determination was affirmed on administrative appeal. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
Because petitioner's conditional release date was earlier than his maximum expiration date and a loss of good time was imposed as part of the penalty, the determination was automatically reviewed administratively prior to petitioner filing his administrative appeal ( see7 NYCRR 263.2 [a][3] ), which the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision considered as a request for reconsideration and adhered to its original determination.
Initially, upon reviewing the record, we agree with petitioner, and respondent concedes, that substantial evidence does not support that part of the determination finding petitioner guilty of creating a disturbance ( see Matter of Hood v. Fischer, 100 A.D.3d 1122, 1123, 953 N.Y.S.2d 390 [2012];Matter of Pabon v. Goord, 6 A.D.3d 833, 833–834, 773 N.Y.S.2d 916 [2004] ). We reach a different conclusion, however, with respect to the remaining charges. The misbehavior report, related documentation and testimony of the correction officer involved in the incident provide substantial evidence supporting that part of the determination finding petitioner guilty of assaulting staff, interfering with staff and engaging in violent conduct ( see Matter of Somerville v. Fischer, 94 A.D.3d 1311, 1312, 942 N.Y.S.2d 386 [2012],lv. denied19 N.Y.3d 810, 2012 WL 3743869 [2012];Matter of White v. Fischer, 87 A.D.3d 1249, 1250, 930 N.Y.S.2d 306 [2011] ). Petitioner's testimony that it was he who was assaulted and that the misbehavior report was written in retaliation for a prior incident involving the officer presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve ( see Matter of Moreno v. Fischer, 100 A.D.3d 1167, 1167, 954 N.Y.S.2d 239 [2012];Matter of Jackson v. Dubray, 56 A.D.3d 919, 867 N.Y.S.2d 750 [2008] ). Although a loss of good time was imposed as part of the penalty, petitioner has been released from custody to parole supervision thereby rendering this part of the penalty moot ( see Matter of Whaley v. Goord, 47 A.D.3d 1132, 1133, 850 N.Y.S.2d 281 [2008];see also Matter of Walker v. Senkowski, 260 A.D.2d 830, 831, 688 N.Y.S.2d 770 [1999] ).
ADJUDGED that the determination is modified, without costs, by reversing so much thereof as found petitioner guilty of creating a disturbance; petition granted to that extent and respondent is directed to expunge all references thereto from petitioner's institutional record; and, as so modified, confirmed.