112 N.Y.S. 555 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1908
It seems to be the well-settled rule in this state that inspection of the minutes of the grand jury can never be had as a matter of right and does not depend upon whether or not a preliminary examination has been had. People v. Steinhardt, 47 Misc. Rep. 252, 93 N. Y. Supp. 1026; Matter of Montgomery, 126 App. Div. 72, 110 N. Y. Supp. 793. The sole purpose for which an inspection of the
This motion is made on the ground that an inspection of the minutes may disclose that defendant’s constitutional rights have been invaded, in that he had been illegally compelled to be a witness against himself before the magistrate, and that it is thought that such evidence was used before the grand jury. It is not indicated on this application that the legal evidence received by the grand jury was insufficient to support the indictment, or that illegal evidence is the sole basis for the indictment. This must appear, in order to give the person indicted a constitutional right to make a motion to dismiss. People v. Sexton, 187 N. Y. 495, 80 N. E. 396, 116 Am. St. Rep. 621.
The presumption is that the indictment was properly found and upon legal and sufficient evidence. People v. Glaser (Sup.) 112 N. Y. Supp. 321. No proof is presented here to overturn such presumption. Defendant was not compelled to testify before the grand jury. The affidavit of the district attorney avers that none of the evidence of defendant, taken on the John Doe proceedings before the magistrate, was used before the grand jury. As Justice Kenefick says, in the Steinhardt Case, supra, the privilege is extraordinary, should be confined within narrow bounds, and should only be accorded in exceptional cases. In his reasoning I fully concur, although I am aware that opinions and rulings not in harmony therewith may be found.
Motion denied.
