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

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the defendant’s conviction for attempted kidnapping in the second degree, holding that the trial court properly admitted evidence of the defendant’s prior sex‑crime conviction to prove intent and that the evidence was legally sufficient to establish both the intent element and the dangerous‑near element of the offense. The Court applied the Molineux rule and a de novo sufficiency review. Judge Pigott dissented, arguing that the prior conviction was irrelevant and that the conduct did not constitute a dangerous‑near attempt, and would have reversed the conviction.