Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

104 A.D.2d 572

People v. Terry

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York · decided 1984-09-04

Cited by 10 later decisions — most recently August 2005

6 federal appellate ·

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

“recklessly engag[ing] in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person,”

quoted by 1 later decision, including Gill v. Immigration & Naturalization Services

“involves no intent, only a culpable mental state of recklessness,”

quoted by 1 later decision, including Gill v. Immigration & Naturalization Services

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1984-09-04

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

¶1— Appeal by defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Browne, J.), rendered January 30, 1981, convicting him of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, upon a jury verdict, and sentencing him to consecutive terms of imprisonment for 25 years to life, SVs to 25 years, and 5 to 15 years, respectively.

¶2Judgment modified, on the law (1) by reversing the conviction of attempted murder in the second degree, vacating the sentence imposed thereon, and dismissing the fourth count of the indictment, without prejudice to the People to re-present any appropriate charges to another Grand Jury; and (2) by providing that the sentences imposed upon the convictions of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree shall run concurrently. As so modified, judgment affirmed.

¶3Defendant was convicted of having attempted to commit murder in the second degree as that crime is defined in subdivision 2 of section 125.25 of the Penal Law, which provides: “A person is guilty of murder in the second degree when … [ujnder circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person, and thereby causes the death of another person”.

¶4*573There can be no such crime as attempted “depraved and reckless” murder. An attempt requires an intent to commit a specific crime (see Penal Law, § 110.00). One cannot attempt to commit an act which one does not intend to commit (see People v Hassin, 48 AD2d 705). Murder in the second degree as defined in subdivision 2 of section 125.25 of the Penal Law involves no intent, only a culpable mental state of recklessness. Accordingly, one cannot legally be found guilty of attempted murder in the second degree by reckless conduct (cf. People v Zimmerman, 46 AD2d 725; People v Williams, 40 AD2d 1023).

¶5The sentences imposed upon the convictions of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree should be modified to run concurrently. Those counts arose out of a single act and, therefore, consecutive sentences are prohibited (see Penal Law, § 70.25, subd 2; People v Torres, 91 AD2d 1005, 1007, mod on other grounds 60 NY2d 119).

¶6We note that any prejudice which may have accrued to defendant from cross-examination concerning weapons he owned was harmless in view of the overwhelming proof of guilt (see People v Crimmins, 36 NY2d 230).

¶7Defendant’s other contentions have been considered and found to be lacking in merit. Mollen, P. J., Titone, Lazer and Mangano, JJ., concur.

/104/ad2d/572 · .json · Public domain