People v. Brown

—Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: We reject the contention that defendant was deprived a fair trial when the prosecutor commented on and elicited evidence concerning two uncharged crimes without obtaining a Ventimiglia ruling. First, testimony that defendant was in possession of bolt cutters and copper pipe at the time of his arrest is not evidence of an uncharged crime because possession of those items is not illegal (see, People v Powell, 209 AD2d 879, 881, lv denied 84 NY2d 1037). That evidence, moreover, was necessary “to complete the narrative of the episode” (People v Gines,…