Summary
finding undue delay when after five months police knew defendant was hospitalized as a paraplegic, yet did not indict for another twelve
Summary of this case from Erdheim v. GreinerOpinion
June 23, 1994
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Bronx County (Dominic R. Massaro, J.).
Although the court did not explicitly apply the factors set forth in People v. Taranovich ( 37 N.Y.2d 442) in evaluating the circumstances of this case, it did not err in granting defendant's motion. In our view, the length of the delay and the reason for the delay weigh heavily in his favor, and under the circumstances, are sufficient to warrant dismissal despite the apparent absence of prejudice (see, supra, at 446; People v Staley, 41 N.Y.2d 789, 792). The police alleged that the arrest of defendant was deliberately delayed for the investigatory purpose of obtaining leads to his suppliers and cohorts in the drug trade; however, five months into the 21-month period of delay, they were advised that defendant had been hospitalized as a paraplegic, but nevertheless neglected to proceed against him for an additional 16 months.
Concur — Carro, J.P., Kupferman, Asch, Nardelli and Williams, JJ.