People v. Davis

• Decision Date: 10 June 1998
• Citation: 673 N.Y.S.2d 964,251 A.D.2d 1072
• Parties: 1998 N.Y. Slip Op. 5562 PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Darren DAVIS, Appellant.
• Court: New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

Page 964

673 N.Y.S.2d 964

1998 N.Y. Slip Op. 5562

PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Darren DAVIS, Appellant.

Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division,

Fourth Department.

June 10, 1998.

Edward J. Nowak by Kathleen McDonough, Rochester, NY, for appellant.

Howard R. Relin by Robert Mastrocola, Rochester, NY, for respondent.

MEMORANDUM:

In the absence of a request by defendant for an adverse inference charge, County Court erred in charging the jury that no adverse inference should be drawn from defendant's failure to testify (see, CPL 300.10[2]; People v. Rozanski, 209 A.D.2d 1018, 619 N.Y.S.2d 441, lv. denied 84 N.Y.2d 1038, 623 N.Y.S.2d 194, 647 N.E.2d 466; People v. Monk, 192 A.D.2d 1081, 596 N.Y.S.2d 236, lv. denied 81 N.Y.2d 1077, 601 N.Y.S.2d 596, 619 N.E.2d 674). The error, however, is harmless. Proof of defendant's guilt is overwhelming, and there is no reasonable possibility that the error might have contributed to defendant's conviction (see, People v. Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 237, 367 N.Y.S.2d 213, 326 N.E.2d 787; People v. Monk, supra; People v. Goncalves, 143 A.D.2d 530, 533 N.Y.S.2d 29, lv. denied 73 N.Y.2d 855, 537 N.Y.S.2d 501, 534 N.E.2d 340).

Judgment unanimously affirmed. (Appeal from Judgment of Monroe County Court, Smith, J.--Murder, 2nd Degree.)

GREEN, J.P., and LAWTON, PIGOTT, CALLAHAN and BALIO, JJ., concur.