People v. Ranieri

• Decision Date: 15 November 1988
• Parties: PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Albert RANIERI, Appellant.
• Court: New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

Page 287

534 N.Y.S.2d 287

144 A.D.2d 1006

PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Albert RANIERI, Appellant.

Supreme Court, Appellate Division,

Fourth Department.

Nov. 15, 1988.

Solomon Shinder, Rochester, for appellants.

James R. Harvey by R. Michael Tantillo, Canandaigua, for respondents.

Before DENMAN, J.P., and BOOMER, BALIO, LAWTON and DAVIS, JJ.

MEMORANDUM:

On September 1, 1986, defendants went to the residence of their daughter and son-in-law, Rose and Juan Quintela, to pick up their granddaughter Beth Anne Ranieri for purposes of exercising their court-ordered visitation. Beth Anne, then nine years of age, is Rose Quintela's daughter by a prior marriage. Rose Quintela refused her parents entry into the home; she telephoned the nearby State Police barracks and asked that a car be sent to her home. Within minutes, Rose's husband Juan Quintela, a state police officer, arrived. Defendants were refused visitation and were ordered to leave the premises. A scuffle involving Juan Quintela and defendants then ensued, resulting in defendants' arrest. Defendants were subsequently indicted for the crimes of second degree assault, resisting arrest, trespass and harassment.

At the joint trial, the court permitted Rose Quintela to testify, over objection, about an incident that occurred on June 22, 1985 when defendants allegedly kidnapped her in order to prevent her marriage to Juan Quintela. We hold that it was error to permit this testimony of uncharged crimes (see, People v. Ventimiglia, 52 N.Y.2d 350, 438 N.Y.S.2d 261, 420 N.E.2d 59; People v. Molineux, 168 N.Y. 264, 61 N.E. 286). It did not come within any of the exceptions to the Molineux rule, was not relevant, and had no probative value (see People v. Ventimiglia, supra, 52 N.Y.2d at pp. 359-360, 438 N.Y.S.2d 261, 420 N.E.2d 59). The only purpose it served was to prejudice defendants.

Similarly, the trial court erred in permitting Rose Quintela to testify about statements purportedly made to her by her daughter Beth Anne Ranieri. The statements allegedly provided the predicate for Rose Quintela's refusal to permit defendants to exercise court ordered visitation with Beth Anne. The statements were clearly hearsay and do not come within a recognized exception to the hearsay rule (see, Richardson, Evidence §§ 200, 206 [Prince 10th ed] ).

Defendants were denied a fair trial because of the admission of the hearsay statements and the evidence of uncharged crimes. Rose Ranieri is entitled to a new trial on the harassment and resisting arrest counts contained in the indictment. Albert Ranieri is entitled to a new trial with respect to the counts charging him with assault in the second degree, resisting arrest and harassment. Moreover, we conclude that resisting arrest (Penal Law § 205.30) is not a lesser included offense of second degree assault (Penal Law § 120.05[3] ) (causing physical injury to a peace officer with intent to prevent him from performing a lawful duty) (People v. Glover, 57 N.Y.2d 61, 453 N.Y.S.2d 660, 439 N.E.2d 376; People v. Chesebro, 94 A.D.2d 897, 898, 463 N.Y.S.2d 711). To the extent that this court's prior decisions in People v. Walker, 83 A.D.2d 990, 443 N.Y.S.2d 527 and People v. Lett, 67 A.D.2d 1077, 415 N.Y.S.2d 136 are to...