Cordova v. City of Albuquerque

526 P.2d 1290, 86 N.M. 697
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedSeptember 11, 1974
Docket1414
StatusPublished
Cited by14 cases

This text of 526 P.2d 1290 (Cordova v. City of Albuquerque) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Cordova v. City of Albuquerque, 526 P.2d 1290, 86 N.M. 697 (N.M. Ct. App. 1974).

Opinion

OPINION

WOOD, Chief Judge.

Antonio Cordova and Rito Canales were killed by police gunfire on the night of January 28, 1972. The shooting occurred near sheds containing dynamite and blasting caps. The sheds were located within the right-of-way for a highway construction project. The contractor for the project was Wylie (Wylie Brothers Contracting Company, a corporation). Plaintiff, as Administratrix of Cordova’s estate, sought damages for the wrongful death of Cordova. There are two categories of defendants; the police defendants (City of Albuquerque, three Albuquerque Police Officers and three New Mexico State Police Officers) and Wylie. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of all defendants; plaintiff appeals. We affirm.

Plaintiff states twelve points in her brief. These points group into the following issues: (1) the trial judge should have recused himself, (2) propriety of summary judgment for the police defendants, (3) propriety of summary judgment for Wylie, (4) the time of filing supporting affidavits, (5) failure to consider surrounding and preceding circumstances, and (6) failure of the trial court to give plaintiff additional time.

The Trial Judge Should Have Recused Himself

Judge Payne held two hearings on the motions for summary judgment; September 10th and October 1st, 1973. During the first hearing, counsel in argument, had referred to the organization known as the Black Berets. Near the conclusion of this first hearing, the judge remarked that “maybe I’m not the appropriate judge to hear this.” He explained: (1) that in sentencing a person named Perry for a bombing, Perry had stated that he did the bombing in the company of Canales and had had some contact with the Berets; (2) that he heard the case involving a search which found dynamite at Beret headquarters and had quashed the search warrant.

Plaintiff made no response to the trial court’s remarks, never asked that the judge recuse himself, never asserted that the judge was biased, never contended that the judge should not continue in the case. Specifically, no issue was raised in the trial court concerning Judge Payne hearing the case either at the hearing when Judge Payne made his remarks or at the second hearing twenty days later.

In this Court plaintiff asserts for the first time that Judge Payne should have recused himself because of the judge’s “stated bias” and because with Judge Payne presiding, plaintiff was deprived of a “just hearing.” Because the claim is directed against the judge, we do not answer this contention on the basis that the issue may not be raised for the first time on appeal. See Appellate Rule 11. We answer on the basis-of the facts. Nothing in the record shows bias on the part of Judge Payne. Nothing in the record supports the claim of an unjust hearing. The record does not support plaintiff’s contention.

Propriety of Summary Judgment for the Police Defendants

Goodman v. Brock, 83 N.M. 789, 498 P. 2d 676 (1972) states the applicable summary judgment procedure. The movant for summary judgment has the burden of showing an absence of a genuine issue of fact and that the movant 'is entitled to summary judgment. Once the movant makes a prima facie showing, the burden is on the party opposing the motion to show a genuine factual issue exists and that the movant is not entitled to summary judgment.

(a) Movant’s Prima Facie Showing

The claim against the police defendants is that either they used or permitted the use of excessive and unwarranted force upon Cordova. Through affidavits and answers to interrogatories, the police defendants made the following showing in support of summary judgment.

On January 19, 1972 the police obtained information that someone would attempt to steal dynamite from the sheds. This information was conveyed to Wylie. The precaution taken was to place two padlocks on •each shed. During the night the padlocks were cut and dynamite taken.

On the afternoon of January 28, 1972, the police received an anonymous tip that an attempt would be made to steal dynamite from the sheds. Hogland, the construction foreman for Wylie, was informed and was told that the police intended to stakeout the area and “ ‘pick them up this time.’ ” A bulldozer was moved to a “strategic location so that it could be used as cover by the officers.”

Three teams of officers hid near the dynamite sheds. Each team consisted of two officers. One team was beneath the bulldozer.

When first observed, Cordova was standing alongside the bulldozer. He was carrying, at port arms, a military carbine with paratrooper stock. The weapon had a long clip. Cordova had his finger on the trigger. Cordova moved from the bulldozer to the area of the dynamite sheds.

Canales was seen a short time later. When first observed, he also was standing alongside the bulldozer. In his right hand he carried an automatic in a raised pistol position. The hammer was back. Canales had his finger in the trigger guard. In his left hand Canales carried a bolt cutter.

Canales joined Cordova at the dynamite sheds. One of them flashed a light several times in a southeasterly direction. Canales started working on the lock of one of the sheds with the bolt cutter. The two then conferred; again a light was flashed.

“At this point, I decided to take the subject in custody. * * * I then shouted, ‘ “Freeze, Police Officers.” ’ ” This shout was by one of the officers underneath the bulldozer. Cordova fired in the direction of these officers who returned the fire. Cordova was wounded by this fire.

Officers from at least two of the teams approached the dynamite sheds. Cordova was observed “half lying-half sitting” between two of the sheds. Cordova pointed his carbine in the direction of two officers as if to fire. The officers immediately fired. “I believe Cordova died at that instant.”

The showing is that Canales attempted aggravated burglary, a third degree felony. Sections 40A-16-4 and 40A-28-l(B), N. M.S.A.1953 (2d Repl.Vol. 6). The showing is that Cordova was either an accessory or a conspirator. Sections 40A-1-14 and 40A-28-2, N.M.S.A.1953 (2d Repl.Vol. 6). The showing is that Cordova’s conduct in connection with the attempted burglary of the dynamite shed was a felony.

In addition, the showing is that the officers were in the lawful discharge of their duties and that when told to “freeze,” Cordova fired at the officers. This also showed a felony. Section 40A-22-21(A)(1) and (3) and (B), N.M.S.A.1953 (2d Repl.Vol. 6).

The felonies shown were committed in the presence of the officers. City of Roswell v. Mayer, 78 N.M. 533, 433 P.2d 757 (1967); Cave v. Cooley, 48 N.M. 478, 152 P.2d 886 (1944). The officers’ duty, when fired upon, was not to retreat but to press forward and place Cordova under physical restraint. In so doing, the officers could defend themselves and use deadly force if such were justified by the circumstances. Alaniz v. Funk, 69 N.M.

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Bluebook (online)
526 P.2d 1290, 86 N.M. 697, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/cordova-v-city-of-albuquerque-nmctapp-1974.