The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. Raymond Denson, Appellant

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Raymond Denson for attempted kidnapping in the second degree, holding that the trial court did not err in admitting evidence of Denson's prior sex crime conviction to prove intent and that the evidence was legally sufficient to sustain the conviction. The Court also rejected Denson's arguments on merger, suppression, and the sufficiency of the attempt element. Justice Pigott dissented, arguing the prior conviction was irrelevant and the evidence did not show a dangerous proximity to kidnapping.