People v. Wemette, 97 N.Y.2d 689 (N.Y. App. Div. 2001). · Go Syfert
People v. Wemette, 97 N.Y.2d 689 (N.Y. App. Div. 2001). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
26 citation events (26 in the last 25 years) across 2 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: People v. Cokely (nyappdiv, 2026-05-14)
Treatment trajectory · 2005 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2005 2015 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 17 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (rule) People v. Cokely (3×)
N.Y. App. Div. · 2026 · confidence medium
He argues that the admission of the video timelines and the compilation footage was prejudicial insofar as they "lead the jury to the prosecution's desired conclusion by viewing the evidence the way the People wanted the jury to view it." FN6 However, the analyst and the detective who generated the video timelines and compilation footage explained the process by which they did so, confirmed that such footage accurately reflected what was on the raw footage, and revealed that the visual effects generated "merely highlighted portions of the video[s] rather than change[ ] [their] substance" ( Peo…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Minutolo
N.Y. App. Div. · 2023 · confidence medium
Defendant's conduct was captured on the surveillance video of a nearby gas station and, contrary to defendant's contention, the People properly authenticated that part of the video showing the incident involving the dog in question inasmuch as two witnesses who observed that incident testified at trial that the video was a true and accurate representation of what they witnessed ( see People v Smith , 187 AD3d 1652 , 1654 [4th Dept 2020], lv denied 36 NY3d 1054 [2021]; People v Wemette , 285 AD2d 729, 730 [3d Dept 2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]; see generally People v Patterson , 93 NY2d 8…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Smith
N.Y. App. Div. · 2020 · confidence medium
Exhibit 25 was properly authenticated by the testimony of a witness to the recorded events ( see People v Wemette , 285 AD2d 729, 730 [3d Dept 2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]; see generally People v Patterson , 93 NY2d 80, 84 [1999]), and exhibit 26 was properly authenticated by one of the operators or maintainers of the equipment ( see People v Oquendo , 152 AD3d 1220, 1220-1221 [4th Dept 2017], lv denied 30 NY3d 982 [2017]; People v Lee , 80 AD3d 1072, 1073-1074 [3d Dept 2011], lv denied 16 NY3d 832 [2011]; see generally Patterson , 93 NY2d at 84 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. King
N.Y. App. Div. · 2020 · confidence medium
The evidence of defendant's prior uncharged crimes and prior bad acts was properly admitted in evidence to establish his motive, intent, and identity ( see People v Wemette , 285 AD2d 729, 731 [3d Dept 2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]; see generally People v Molineux , 168 NY 264, 293-294 [1901]), and the evidence established that defendant previously committed "crimes so unique that the mere proof that the defendant had committed [them was] highly probative of the fact that he committed the one charged" ( People v Condon , 26 NY2d 139, 144 [1970]; see People v Allweiss , 48 NY2d 40, 45-49 …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. West
N.Y. App. Div. · 2018 · confidence medium
Similarly, the photographs of defendant's parked truck were not improperly admitted, as they were relevant to the issue of defendant's alleged intoxication on the day in question ( see generally People v Nelson , 27 NY3d [*6]361, 370 [2016], cert denied ___ US ___, 137 S Ct 175 [2016]; People v Wemette , 285 AD2d 729, 730 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Frederick
N.Y. App. Div. · 2017 · confidence medium
The probative value of the evidence also outweighed its prejudicial effect (see People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 731 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]), and “the court’s limiting instruction minimized any prejudice to defendant” (People v Washington, 122 AD3d 1406 , 1408 [2014], lv denied 25 NY3d 1173 [2015]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Belton v. Lal Chicken, Inc.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2016 · confidence medium
Contrary to defendants’ contentions, there is no requirement that a video recording have audio to be admissible (see generally People v Patterson, 93 NY2d 80, 84 [1999]; People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 730-731 [3d Dept 2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Goodrell
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
Here, the evidence of uncharged crimes and prior bad acts was properly admitted in evidence to demonstrate defendant’s motive, intent and identity (see generally People v Molineux, 168 NY 264, 293-294 [1901]; People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 731 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]), and its probative value was not outweighed by its prejudicial effect (see Wemette, 285 AD2d at 731 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Goodrell
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
Here, the evidence of uncharged crimes and prior bad acts was properly admitted in evidence to demonstrate defendant’s motive, intent and identity (see generally People v Molineux, 168 NY 264, 293-294 [1901]; People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 731 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]), and its probative value was not outweighed by its prejudicial effect (see Wemette, 285 AD2d at 731 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Lovejoy
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · confidence medium
Also, County Court properly concluded that defendant did not have standing to challenge the search and seizure on the porch because it was a common area accessible to other tenants and their guests (see People v Rodriguez, 69 NY2d 159, 163-164 [1987]; People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 729-730 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]; People v Muldrow, 273 AD2d 814, 815 [2000], lv denied 95 NY2d 891 [2000]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Rabideau
N.Y. App. Div. · 2011 · confidence medium
Defendant’s remaining contention that she was denied a formal Ventimiglia hearing has been reviewed and is found to be without merit (see People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 731 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]; People v Holmes, 260 AD2d 942 , 943 [1999], lv denied 93 NY2d 1020 [1999]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Crump
N.Y. App. Div. · 2010 · confidence medium
In any event, that evidence was properly admitted because it was relevant to the issues whether the victim had reason to be in fear of defendant, and whether defendant intended to harass or annoy her, and its probative value exceeded its potential for prejudice (see People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 731 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]; see generally People v Molineux, 168 NY 264, 293-294 [1901]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Fernandez
N.Y. App. Div. · 2010 · confidence medium
The determination as to whether particular evidence is admissible, including whether a proper foundation has been laid, rests within the trial court’s sound discretion (see People v Welch, 71 AD3d 1329 , 1331 [2010]; People v Morehouse, 5 AD3d 925, 928-929 [2004], lv denied 3 NY3d 644 [2004]; People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 730 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]; see also United States v Augello, 452 F2d 1135, 1140 [2d Cir 1971], cert denied 406 US 922 [1972], 409 US 859 [1972]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Weaver
N.Y. App. Div. · 2008 · confidence medium
Inasmuch as constant visual surveillance by police officers of defendant’s vehicle in plain view would have revealed the same information and been just as intrusive, and no warrant would have been necessary to do so, the use of the GPS device did not infringe on any reasonable expectation of privacy and did not violate defendant’s Fourth Amendment protections (see People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 729-730 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]; People v Edney, 201 AD2d at 499 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Wallis
N.Y. App. Div. · 2005 · confidence medium
As the tape was clearly relevant on the charge of endangering the welfare of a child and was not offered simply to arouse the emotions of the jury, its admission was not an abuse of discretion (see People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 730 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]; People v Garraway, 187 AD2d 761, 762 [1992], lv denied 81 NY2d 886 [1993]).
discussed Cited "see" People v. Rhodes
N.Y. App. Div. · 2012 · signal: see · confidence high
Rather, “[a]ll that [was] required [was] that the People alert the court and defendant of the ‘prior crime’ evidence intended to be introduced on their case-in-chief and identify some issue, other than mere criminal propensity, to which the evidence is relevant” (People v Holmes, 260 AD2d 942 , 943 [1999], lv denied 93 NY2d 1020 [1999]; see People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 731 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]), which is precisely what the People did here.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." People v. Hastings
N.Y. App. Div. · 2005 · signal: compare · confidence medium
We note that, although defendant has been released from prison, she is nonetheless on parole and her appeal is therefore not moot (see People v Stewart, 185 AD2d 381, 382 [1992], lv denied 80 NY2d 977 [1992]; see also People v Rowell, 5 AD3d 1073 [2004], lv denied 2 NY3d 806 [2004]; compare People v Wemette, 285 AD2d 729, 731-732 [2001], lv denied 97 NY2d 689 [2001]).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
The People of the State of New York
v.
Howard J. Wemette
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Jul 12, 2001.
97 N.Y.2d 689
Cardona.
Cited by 19 opinions  |  Published
—Cardona, P. J.

Appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court (Teresi, J.), rendered June 4, 1998 in Essex County, upon a verdict convicting defendant of the crimes of criminal contempt in the second degree, public lewdness (two counts) and harassment in the second degree.

Defendant was indicted on charges of criminal contempt in the first degree, criminal contempt in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child, harassment in the first degree, harassment in the second degree and two counts of public lewdness stemming from several incidents which involved, inter alia, his May 28, 1997 appearances on the front porch of his home clad only in his socks. A neighbor, living directly across the street from defendant’s house, videotaped defendant’s behavior and contacted the police. Defendant was arrested on May 30, 1997. After his court appearance, a temporary order of protection was issued mandating that he have no contact with the complainant or her family. It was alleged in the indictment that defendant violated that temporary order and engaged in other behaviors constituting harassment. Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of criminal contempt in the second degree, harassment in the second degree and both counts of public lewdness. He was sentenced to three concurrent 90-day jail terms on the convictions for public lewdness and harassment in the second degree, and three years’ probation on the conviction for criminal contempt in the second degree.

Initially, defendant argues that it was improper for County Court (Halloran, J.) to deny his suppression motion without a hearing. Defendant alleged that the complainant was acting as an agent of the police and, therefore, was required to obtain a video surveillance warrant (see, CPL 700.05 [10]) before videotaping defendant. Even assuming defendant to be correct, his actions, captured on the videotape, occurred on his open front porch that was exposed to the plain view of the public and, therefore, there was no infringement of any reasonable expectation of privacy. Thus, his Fourth Amendment protections were not implicated (see, e.g., Katz v United States, 389[*730] US 347, 351) and no warrant was required (see, CPL 700.05 [9]). Since defendant’s sworn allegations did not, as a matter of law, support this ground for suppression, County Court did not abuse its discretion when it denied the motion without a hearing (see, CPL 710.60 [3] [b]; People v Jones, 95 NY2d 721, 725).

We next address defendant’s argument that the videotape was improperly introduced into evidence. He contends that the tape was not a fair and accurate representation of what occurred because of the complainant’s alleged use of the video camera’s focus and zoom features and her starting and stopping the tape. Notably, “[t]he admissibility of photographic evidence which is relevant to prove or disprove a material issue is within the discretion of the trial court and such evidence ‘should be excluded only if its sole purpose is to arouse the emotions of the jury’ ” (People v Garraway, 187 AD2d 761, 762, lv denied 81 NY2d 886, quoting People v Pobliner, 32 NY2d 356, 370, cert denied 416 US 905). Here, the complainant testified that the events depicted on the videotape were a fair and accurate representation of the things she saw with her unenhanced vision on May 28, 1997. That testimony provided an adequate foundation for the videotape’s admission (see, People v Garraway, supra, at 762; People v Fondal, 154 AD2d 476, 476-477, lv denied 75 NY2d 770).

We turn to defendant’s contention that Supreme Court abused its discretion when it prohibited defendant’s proffered expert, Bruce Carlin, from giving his opinion as to whether the camera had been focused or the videotape edited. To be qualified as an expert, the witness must possess “ ‘the requisite skill, training, education, knowledge or experience from which it can be assumed that the information imparted or the opinion rendered is reliable’ ” (People v Burt, 270 AD2d 516, 518, quoting Matott v Ward, 48 NY2d 455, 459). Although defendant established Carlin’s undergraduate degree in mass media communications and his general experience in video production, he failed to demonstrate Carlin’s training or prior experience in determining whether videotapes have been manipulated through focusing or editing. Therefore, we cannot say that Supreme Court abused its discretion in refusing to qualify Carlin as an expert in this specific area.

We also find no error in Supreme Court’s direction that the videotape be presented to the jury without audio. The court determined that portions of the videotape were inaudible and would give rise to speculation as to what was being said. We note that Supreme Court offered defendant’s counsel a “full opportunity” to cross-examine the complainant as to what she[*731] said on the tape and thereby, presumably, permit introduction of specific portions of the audio to impeach her, but he chose not to question her in that regard.

Additionally, Supreme Court’s Molineux ruling was proper. The People were permitted to introduce evidence of a bad act, allegedly occurring on April 20, 1998, when defendant was observed standing in his lighted living room window, masturbating, while facing the complainant’s kitchen window at a time when she was in the kitchen. We find that this evidence was relevant on the charges of public lewdness with respect to the element of his intent to be observed (see, Penal Law § 245.00), on the harassment charges with regard to the element of intent to harass, annoy or alarm (see, Penal Law § 240.26) and to negate the possibility of accident or mistake concerning these charges. Furthermore, we find that its probative value outweighed its prejudicial effect (see, People v Cook, 93 NY2d 840, 841; People v Alvino, 71 NY2d 233, 242) and Supreme Court gave appropriate limiting instructions to the jury governing its admissibility during its final charge to the jury (see, People v Shannon, 273 AD2d 505, 507, lv denied 95 NY2d 892; People v Murphy, 235 AD2d 933, lv denied 90 NY2d 896). We also determine that Supreme Court was not required to hold a formal Ventimiglia hearing prior to its ruling. Rather, “[a] 11 that is required is that the People alert the court and defendant of the ‘prior crime’ evidence intended to be introduced on their case-in-chief and identify some issue, other than mere criminal propensity, to which the evidence is relevant” (People v Holmes, 260 AD2d 942, 943, lv denied 93 NY2d 1020). Here, the procedure utilized complied with those requirements.

Turning to defendant’s sentencing, we agree with his contention that the 90-day jail sentence imposed on the charge of harassment in the second degree was improper since it is a violation (see, Penal Law § 240.26) which carries a maximum sentence of 15 days in jail (see, Penal Law § 70.15 [4]). We also find that the three-year probationary term imposed on the conviction for criminal contempt in the second degree was illegal under Penal Law § 65.00 (1) and § 60.01 (2) (d). Probation is not an authorized disposition “where [the court] sentences a defendant for more than one crime and imposes a sentence of imprisonment for any one of the crimes” (Penal Law § 65.00 [1]; see, People v Cerilli, 80 NY2d 1016, 1018). In addition, if a jail term in excess of 60 days is imposed on a misdemeanor conviction, the court has no discretion to impose a period of probation (see, Penal Law § 60.01 [2] [d]). However, since defendant has completed the sentence imposed, this por[*732] tion of his appeal is moot and we find “no ‘recurring issue of public interest which would otherwise escape appellate review’ ” (People v Contrano, 274 AD2d 760, 760-761, quoting People v Anderson, 197 AD2d 749, lv denied 82 NY2d 921; see, People v Hamilton, 214 AD2d 783).

We have considered defendant’s remaining contentions and have found them to be either lacking in merit or unpreserved for review by appropriate objection.

Mercure, Crew III, Spain and Carpinello, JJ., concur. Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.