People v. Clemons

• Decision Date: 22 June 1990
• Citation: 162 A.D.2d 948,557 N.Y.S.2d 179
• Parties: , 17 Media L. Rep. 2103 PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Isaiah CLEMONS, Appellant.
• Court: New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

Page 179

557 N.Y.S.2d 179

162 A.D.2d 948, 17 Media L. Rep. 2103

PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Isaiah CLEMONS, Appellant.

Supreme Court, Appellate Division,

Fourth Department.

June 22, 1990.

Gerald T. Barth by Joseph LaFay, Syracuse, for appellant.

Robert E. Wildridge by James Maxwell, Syracuse, for respondent.

Before DILLON, P.J., and CALLAHAN, DENMAN, BALIO and LOWERY, JJ.

MEMORANDUM:

Closure of the courtroom during the complainant's testimony deprived defendant of his constitutional and statutory right to a public trial (U.S. Const., 6th Amend.; Civil Rights Law § 12; Judiciary Law § 4). Although the Legislature has provided for the discretionary exclusion of the public in rape cases (Judiciary Law § 4), the court's bare reliance on that section is an insufficient predicate for closure (see, People v. Jelke, 308 N.Y. 56, 123 N.E.2d 769). In People v. Jones, 47 N.Y.2d 409, 414-415, 418 N.Y.S.2d 359, 391 N.E.2d 1335, cert. denied sub nom. New York v. Jones, 444 U.S. 946, 100 S.Ct. 307, 62 L.Ed.2d 315), the court stated that closure must be preceded by careful inquiry to insure that defendant's right to a public trial is not sacrificed for less than compelling reasons.

Here, the trial judge closed the courtroom over defendant's objection solely upon the prosecutor's statement that closure was necessary "due to the nature of (complainant's) testimony". That statement merely indicated that this was a rape case, and was insufficient to inform the court of factors that might support a closure determination. For example, in our recent case of People v. Roberts, 151 A.D.2d 1028, 542 N.Y.S.2d 90, lv. denied 74 N.Y.2d 817, 546 N.Y.S.2d 575, 545 N.E.2d 889, although not articulated in our memorandum decision, it was determined that the trial court properly closed the courtroom after inquiry revealed that the victim had been threatened and that she was unwilling to testify unless the courtroom was closed.

Where, as here, the court failed to conduct an inquiry into relevant factors and failed to articulate a reason for its decision to close the courtroom to the public, there must be a reversal even though no prejudice is demonstrated (see, People v. Jones, 47 N.Y.2d 409, 415-417, 418 N.Y.S.2d 359, 391 N.E.2d 1335, supra; People v. Baldwin, 130 A.D.2d 666, 515 N.Y.S.2d 597). To the extent that our decision in People v. Dawson, 84 A.D.2d 957, 444 N.Y.S.2d 333, lv. denied 57 N.Y.2d 958, cert. denied sub nom. Dawson v. New York, 458 U.S. 1112, 102 S.Ct. 3496, 73 L.Ed.2d 1375 can be read as excusing the need for an explanation of the reasons for closure and as authorizing closure merely because the case is a type listed in Judiciary Law § 4, that decision will no longer be followed.

There is no merit to defendant's contention that the proof was legally insufficient to support his conviction for kidnapping in the second degree (see, People v. Dodt, 92 A.D.2d 1063, 462 N.Y.S.2d 275, revd. on other grounds 61 N.Y.2d 408, 474 N.Y.S.2d 441, 462 N.E.2d 1159; Donnino, Practice Commentaries, McKinney's Cons.Laws of N.Y., Book 39, Penal Law § 135.00). Because a new trial is granted, we do not address the remaining issues raised on appeal.

All concur, except Callahan, J., who dissents and votes to affirm, in the following Memorandum: I cannot agree with the majority view that the trial court failed to conduct a proper inquiry and failed to articulate a reason for its decision to close the courtroom to the public in this rape trial. The record reveals that prior to the complainant testifying the following colloquy took place:

THE COURT: Ms. Dougherty, it's my understanding you're going to make application to close the Court Room to the public during the testimony of the victim in this case, is that correct, ma'am?

MS. DOUGHERTY: Yes, Your Honor.

THE COURT: And that's as a result of her request to have that done?

MS. DOUGHERTY: Yes, Your Honor, she has made that request, that she would ask the Court to keep the Court Room closed because of the nature of her testimony.

THE COURT: Mr. Cognetti?

MR. COGNETTI: I would oppose that, Judge. I'm certainly in favor of that procedure when there is a young child who is a victim, or when the rape is something that allegedly occurred between two total strangers. I don't think that's the case here. Both the individuals certainly are adults, and I think that the public has a right to hear and see the workings of this trial.

THE COURT: I'm going to close the Court Room down. (emphasis added)

Judiciary Law § 4 allows a court, in its discretion, to close the courtroom in a rape or sodomy case. The Court of Appeals has recognized that the trial court's limited closure of the courtroom...