People v. Hector Santiago
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AD1 order dated January 17, 2012, affirming judgment of conviction. Decision below: 91 AD3d 506, 937 NYS2d 19. Smith, J., granted leave August 21, 2011.
ISSUE PRESENTED: Whether the trial court erroneously denied defendant’s request for a circumstantial evidence charge in this drug possession prosecution. The appellate court held that defendant’s presence in the car in close proximity to a large quantity of cocaine constituted direct evidence of guilt, even though the People were relying on the automobile presumption. (Assigned counsel: Steven Banks, Legal Aid Society, Criminal Appeal Bureau, 199 Water Street, NYC 10038.)
Issue before the Court: Was the defendant, a passenger in a car in which a brick of cocaine was found in a "trap" under the front passenger floor mat, entitled to a circumstantial evidence charge in a prosecution for CPCS 1 on a theories of constructive possession and the automobile presumption?
Held: Yes. As there was no direct evidence that the defendant was aware of the hidden compartment or exercised dominion and control over the cocaine, he was entitled to the charge.