New York Court of Appeals
The People of the State of New York, Appellant v. Tomas Sanchez, Respondent; the People of the State of New York…
June 7, 199586 N.Y.2d 27
Summary
The Court held that the Grand Jury evidence was sufficient to support a first‑degree criminal possession charge in People v Sanchez, reversing the Appellate Division’s reduction, and that the evidence was insufficient to prove knowledge of weight in People v Garcia, so the reinstated third‑degree count was dismissed while the reduced first‑degree count was affirmed. The decisions rely on the Ryan standard for knowledge of weight and a de novo review of legal sufficiency under CPL 70.10. Justice Bellacosa dissented in part, arguing the evidence in Garcia was sufficient to sustain the possession charge.