People v. Graves

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

In each case, the order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.

Each of these appeals involves a prosecution arising out of a street-level "buy and bust.” In all three, the trial courts permitted the People to adduce "expert” testimony by police officers regarding the distinctive roles and practices of some street dealers. The apparent purpose of this evidence in People v Graves and People v Williams was to explain to the jury why the defendants did not have "buy money” or drugs on their persons when they were arrested shortly after the alleged sales. In…