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People v. Ortiz

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Apr 15, 1991
172 A.D.2d 696 (N.Y. App. Div. 1991)

Summary

In People v. Ortiz, 172 AD2d 696 (2nd Dep't 1991), the defendant had opportunities to turn in the gun while officers approached him and while he stood in front of a police precinct, but failed to do so.

Summary of this case from In re Darin O.

Opinion

April 15, 1991

Appeal from the Supreme Court, Kings County (Heller, J.).


Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant was charged with possession of a loaded .25 caliber semiautomatic handgun. He was seen by an off-duty police officer standing in front of a police precinct holding the gun and then placing it in his pocket. The off-duty police officer, who was in civilian attire, identified himself to the defendant as a police officer. The defendant then raised one arm to look at his watch, while placing his other hand into the pocket which contained the gun. He said that he was late and that he had to call his wife. The defendant was then arrested by the officers who recovered the gun.

The evidence adduced at trial demonstrates that the defendant possessed a loaded gun and that he was not in his home or place of business (see, Penal Law § 265.02). While it is settled that mere possession of a weapon is not criminal in every instance, retaining a gun beyond opportunities to report it to authorities is "`"utterly at odds with any claim of innocent possession"'" (People v. Banks, 76 N.Y.2d 799, 801, quoting People v. Snyder, 73 N.Y.2d 900, 902). Contrary to the defendant's contention, his conduct is not consistent with innocent possession. The evidence indicates that the defendant had opportunities to turn in the gun, both while he stood in front of the police precinct and when the officers approached him, but failed to do so.

While the prosecutor's questioning of the defendant about a previous driving while impaired conviction, and the prosecutor's remarks on summation regarding this conviction were improper (see, Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 155, 1193), these questions and comments were harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of the defendant's guilt (see, People v. Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 241; People v. Reynolds, 169 A.D.2d 740).

The defendant's remaining contention is unpreserved for appellate review (see, People v. Williams, 168 A.D.2d 694; People v. Anderson, 161 A.D.2d 719; People v. Lugo, 150 A.D.2d 502). Thompson, J.P., Brown, Miller and O'Brien, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

People v. Ortiz

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department
Apr 15, 1991
172 A.D.2d 696 (N.Y. App. Div. 1991)

In People v. Ortiz, 172 AD2d 696 (2nd Dep't 1991), the defendant had opportunities to turn in the gun while officers approached him and while he stood in front of a police precinct, but failed to do so.

Summary of this case from In re Darin O.
Case details for

People v. Ortiz

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. ELDIN ORTIZ, Appellant

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Second Department

Date published: Apr 15, 1991

Citations

172 A.D.2d 696 (N.Y. App. Div. 1991)
568 N.Y.S.2d 829

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