Al-Matin v. Artus — 43 A.D.3d 497

Majority

p. 497

In the Matter of Mahmud Khabir Al-Matin, Petitioner, v Dale Artus, as Superintendent of Clinton Correctional Facility, et al., Respondents.

[840 NYS2d 235]

Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Clinton County) to review a determination of the Commissioner of Correctional Services which found petitioner guilty of violating a prison disciplinary rule.

Petitioner challenges a determination finding him guilty of possession of a weapon, a violation of prison disciplinary rules. We confirm. The misbehavior report with a specific account of the incident and testimony by the correction officer who searched petitioner’s cell and discovered the weapon, a shank, provide substantial evidence supporting the determination of guilt (see Matter of Foster v Coughlin, 76 NY2d 964 , 966 [1990]; Matter of Binns v Goord, 12 AD3d 1006 , 1007 [2004]). Petitioner’s exculpatory statements presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve (see Matter of Miller v New York

p. 498

State Dept, of Correctional Servs., 295 AD2d 714 , 714-715 [2002]). Contrary to petitioner’s suggestion, the record demonstrates that the hearing was conducted in a fair and impartial manner and the determination did not flow from any bias on the part of the Hearing Officer (see Matter of Cayenne v Goord, 16 AD3d 782 , 783-784 [2005]).

Crew III, J.E, Peters, Carpinello, Mugglin and Rose, JJ., concur. Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.

Cases cited

Foster v. Coughlin 76 NY2d 964 N.Y. 1990-11-27 at 966 p. 497
Binns v. Goord 12 AD3d 1006 N.Y. App. Div. 2004-11-24 at 1007 p. 497
Miller v. New York State Department of Correctional Services 295 AD2d 714 N.Y. App. Div. 2002-06-13 at 714-715 p. 498
Cayenne v. Goord 16 AD3d 782 N.Y. App. Div. 2005-03-10 at 783-784 p. 498