Summary
finding privilege where the building owner stated that the alleged perpetrator had keys and ready access to the building, frequently remained in the building, and had permission to be there on the night of the burglary
Summary of this case from Harford v. County of BroomeOpinion
February 2, 1996
Appeal from the Livingston County Court, Cicoria, J.
Present — Denman, P.J., Lawton, Balio and Davis, JJ. (Filed Dec. 29, 1995.)
Judgment unanimously modified on the law and as modified affirmed in accordance with the following Memorandum: Defendant contends that the evidence that he entered the building unlawfully is insufficient to support his conviction of burglary in the third degree. We agree. The People failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant knowingly entered or remained unlawfully on the premises (see, Penal Law § 140.20; People v Isidore, 185 A.D.2d 622; People v. Insogna, 86 A.D.2d 979). One unlawfully enters or remains in a building when he is "not licensed or privileged to do so" (Penal Law § 140.00). Where a person has permission of the owner, he has the "license or privilege" to enter or remain on the premises (People v. Graves, 76 N.Y.2d 16, 20; People v. Isidore, supra).
Here, defendant's mother, the owner of the building, testified that defendant had keys to every lock in the building, that he had ready access to the building, and that he had stayed in the building past closing on previous occasions. She also indicated that he had permission to be there on the night of the alleged burglary. Consequently, we modify the judgment by reversing defendant's conviction of burglary in the third degree under count one of the indictment, vacating the sentence imposed thereon and dismissing that count of the indictment. In light of our determination, we do not consider defendant's contention that the court erred in permitting the People to introduce inadmissible hearsay into evidence. We conclude that defendant's remaining contentions are without merit.