This memorandum opinion was not selected for publication in the New Mexico Appellate Reports. Please see Rule 12-405 NMRA for restrictions on the citation of unpublished memorandum opinions. Please also note that this electronic memorandum opinion may contain computer-generated errors or other deviations from the official paper version filed by the Court of Appeals and does not include the filing date.
1 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
2 STATE OF NEW MEXICO,
3 Plaintiff-Appellee,
4 v. NO. 34,292
5 MIGUEL CARDENAS,
6 Defendant-Appellant.
7 APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF SANDOVAL COUNTY 8 Louis P. McDonald, District Judge
9 Hector H. Balderas, Attorney General 10 Margaret McLean, Assistant Attorney General 11 Santa Fe, NM
12 for Appellee
13 Jorge A. Alvarado, Chief Public Defender 14 Sergio Viscoli, Appellate Defender 15 David Henderson, Assistant Appellate Defender 16 Santa Fe, NM
17 for Appellant
18 MEMORANDUM OPINION
19 WECHSLER, Judge. 1 {1} Defendant appeals his conviction for criminal sexual penetration (CSP) in the
2 third degree. [RP 92] Our notice proposed to affirm, and in response Defendant filed
3 a motion to amend the docketing statement and memorandum in opposition. We deny
4 Defendant’s motion to amend, and remain unpersuaded by his arguments. We affirm,
5 and further remand for correction of an apparent clerical error in the amended
6 judgment and sentence.
7 {2} Defendant refers to State v. Franklin, 1967-NMSC-151, 78 N.M. 127, 428 P.2d
8 982, and State v. Boyer, 1985-NMCA-029, 103 N.M. 655, 712 P.2d 1, as support for
9 his continued argument that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction
10 for criminal sexual penetration (CSP). [RP 58, 92; DS 3; MIO 5-6] See State v.
11 Sutphin, 1988-NMSC-031, ¶ 21, 107 N.M. 126, 753 P.2d 1314 (setting forth our
12 standard of review). Based on the evidence detailed in our notice, we hold that ample
13 evidence was presented to support the jury’s findings that Defendant caused Victim
14 to engage in sexual intercourse and did so through the use of physical force or
15 physical violence. See NMSA 1978, § 30-9-11(F) (2009); see also State v. Sparks,
16 1985-NMCA-004, ¶¶ 6-7, 102 N.M. 317, 694 P.2d 1382 (defining substantial
17 evidence as that evidence which a reasonable person would consider adequate to
18 support a defendant’s conviction).
2 1 {3} We acknowledge Defendant’s assertions that the sex was consensual [MIO 4]
2 and that Victim fabricated the facts supporting the crime because she believed it
3 would help her position in the couple’s child custody dispute. [MIO 3] As we
4 emphasized in our notice, however, these were matters to be considered and weighed
5 by the factfinder. See, e.g., State v. Salas, 1999-NMCA-099, ¶ 13, 127 N.M. 686, 986
6 P.2d 482 (recognizing that it is for the factfinder to resolve any conflict in the
7 testimony of the witnesses and to determine where the weight and credibility lay);
8 State v. Rojo, 1999-NMSC-001, ¶ 19, 126 N.M. 438, 971 P.2d 829 (recognizing that
9 the jury is free to reject the defendant’s version of the facts). We also acknowledge
10 Defendant’s argument that “a rational jury who rejected [Victim’s] testimony that
11 [Defendant] had committed battery on a household member and child abuse could not
12 have credited her associated claim that he forcibly raped her, as this would have
13 required it to fragment her story to the point of distortion.” [MIO 6] However, “we
14 review the verdict of conviction, not the verdict of acquittal,” see State v. Fernandez,
15 1994-NMCA-056, ¶ 39, 117 N.M. 673, 875 P.2d 1104, and will not disturb a jury
16 verdict that is supported by sufficient evidence.
17 {4} We next address Defendant’s motion to amend his docketing statement to add
18 two issues. First, Defendant seeks to argue that the district court erred when it
19 restricted defense counsel from cross-examining Victim “about her violations of the
3 1 restraining order she obtained” against Defendant after the February 17, 2013
2 incident which led to his conviction. [MIO 6-7] Defendant argues that as part of any
3 cross-examination of Victim about her continued social and sexual relations with
4 Defendant after the February 17, 2013 incident, he wanted to specifically reference
5 that Victim got a restraining order against Defendant after the incident, yet continued
6 to see him. [MIO 6]
7 {5} In light of the State’s objection that Defendant failed to introduce the
8 restraining order into evidence [MIO 6], we conclude that the district court did not
9 abuse its discretion in excluding any reference to the restraining order. See, e.g., State
10 v. Lopez, 2009-NMCA-044, ¶¶ 13-14, 146 N.M. 98, 206 P.3d 1003 (holding that the
11 best evidence rule was violated where the prosecution presented testimony regarding
12 the contents of documents, but did not enter the documents themselves into evidence
13 or provide any explanation as to why the document was unavailable); see also State
14 v. Kent, 2006-NMCA-134, ¶ 18, 140 N.M. 606, 145 P.3d 86 (“We examine the
15 admission or exclusion of evidence for abuse of discretion, and the district court’s
16 determination will not be disturbed absent a clear abuse of discretion.”). Moreover,
17 to the extent Defendant suggests that reference to the restraining order would have
18 served to dispute Victim’s testimony about the February 17, 2013 incident or cast
19 doubt on her credibility [MIO 6, 8], this evidence would be cumulative of
4 1 Defendant’s testimony that the sex was consensual. See generally State v. Marquez,
2 1998-NMCA-010, ¶ 24, 124 N.M. 409, 951 P.2d 1070 (“[T]he trial court in its
3 discretion may properly exclude cumulative evidence.”). We deny Defendant’s
4 motion to amend to add this issue. See State v. Sommer, 1994-NMCA-070, ¶ 11, 118
5 N.M. 58, 878 P.2d 1007 (denying the defendant's motion to amend the docketing
6 statement because the argument offered in support of the motion was not viable).
7 {6} Second, Defendant also seeks to amend his docketing statement to argue that
8 his trial counsel was ineffective. As his basis, Defendant asserts that counsel was
9 ineffective because during Victim’s cross-examination, he unsuccessfully attempted
10 to impeach Victim with her pre-trial interview. [MIO 9] Specifically, Defendant
11 provides that his counsel asked Victim to admit that she had consensual sex with
12 Defendant the night before the incident. When Victim denied this statement, counsel
13 attempted to impeach Victim with her pre-trial interview, but the audio of the pre-trial
14 interview when played for the jury actually supported Victim’s denial. [MIO 10]
15 Although this may have “flustered” counsel [MIO 11], we can not conclude that, but
16 for counsel’s performance, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome would
17 have been different. See State v. Bernal, 2006-NMSC-050, ¶ 32, 140 N.M. 644, 146
18 P.3d 289 (“For a successful ineffective assistance of counsel claim, a defendant must
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This memorandum opinion was not selected for publication in the New Mexico Appellate Reports. Please see Rule 12-405 NMRA for restrictions on the citation of unpublished memorandum opinions. Please also note that this electronic memorandum opinion may contain computer-generated errors or other deviations from the official paper version filed by the Court of Appeals and does not include the filing date.
1 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
2 STATE OF NEW MEXICO,
3 Plaintiff-Appellee,
4 v. NO. 34,292
5 MIGUEL CARDENAS,
6 Defendant-Appellant.
7 APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF SANDOVAL COUNTY 8 Louis P. McDonald, District Judge
9 Hector H. Balderas, Attorney General 10 Margaret McLean, Assistant Attorney General 11 Santa Fe, NM
12 for Appellee
13 Jorge A. Alvarado, Chief Public Defender 14 Sergio Viscoli, Appellate Defender 15 David Henderson, Assistant Appellate Defender 16 Santa Fe, NM
17 for Appellant
18 MEMORANDUM OPINION
19 WECHSLER, Judge. 1 {1} Defendant appeals his conviction for criminal sexual penetration (CSP) in the
2 third degree. [RP 92] Our notice proposed to affirm, and in response Defendant filed
3 a motion to amend the docketing statement and memorandum in opposition. We deny
4 Defendant’s motion to amend, and remain unpersuaded by his arguments. We affirm,
5 and further remand for correction of an apparent clerical error in the amended
6 judgment and sentence.
7 {2} Defendant refers to State v. Franklin, 1967-NMSC-151, 78 N.M. 127, 428 P.2d
8 982, and State v. Boyer, 1985-NMCA-029, 103 N.M. 655, 712 P.2d 1, as support for
9 his continued argument that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction
10 for criminal sexual penetration (CSP). [RP 58, 92; DS 3; MIO 5-6] See State v.
11 Sutphin, 1988-NMSC-031, ¶ 21, 107 N.M. 126, 753 P.2d 1314 (setting forth our
12 standard of review). Based on the evidence detailed in our notice, we hold that ample
13 evidence was presented to support the jury’s findings that Defendant caused Victim
14 to engage in sexual intercourse and did so through the use of physical force or
15 physical violence. See NMSA 1978, § 30-9-11(F) (2009); see also State v. Sparks,
16 1985-NMCA-004, ¶¶ 6-7, 102 N.M. 317, 694 P.2d 1382 (defining substantial
17 evidence as that evidence which a reasonable person would consider adequate to
18 support a defendant’s conviction).
2 1 {3} We acknowledge Defendant’s assertions that the sex was consensual [MIO 4]
2 and that Victim fabricated the facts supporting the crime because she believed it
3 would help her position in the couple’s child custody dispute. [MIO 3] As we
4 emphasized in our notice, however, these were matters to be considered and weighed
5 by the factfinder. See, e.g., State v. Salas, 1999-NMCA-099, ¶ 13, 127 N.M. 686, 986
6 P.2d 482 (recognizing that it is for the factfinder to resolve any conflict in the
7 testimony of the witnesses and to determine where the weight and credibility lay);
8 State v. Rojo, 1999-NMSC-001, ¶ 19, 126 N.M. 438, 971 P.2d 829 (recognizing that
9 the jury is free to reject the defendant’s version of the facts). We also acknowledge
10 Defendant’s argument that “a rational jury who rejected [Victim’s] testimony that
11 [Defendant] had committed battery on a household member and child abuse could not
12 have credited her associated claim that he forcibly raped her, as this would have
13 required it to fragment her story to the point of distortion.” [MIO 6] However, “we
14 review the verdict of conviction, not the verdict of acquittal,” see State v. Fernandez,
15 1994-NMCA-056, ¶ 39, 117 N.M. 673, 875 P.2d 1104, and will not disturb a jury
16 verdict that is supported by sufficient evidence.
17 {4} We next address Defendant’s motion to amend his docketing statement to add
18 two issues. First, Defendant seeks to argue that the district court erred when it
19 restricted defense counsel from cross-examining Victim “about her violations of the
3 1 restraining order she obtained” against Defendant after the February 17, 2013
2 incident which led to his conviction. [MIO 6-7] Defendant argues that as part of any
3 cross-examination of Victim about her continued social and sexual relations with
4 Defendant after the February 17, 2013 incident, he wanted to specifically reference
5 that Victim got a restraining order against Defendant after the incident, yet continued
6 to see him. [MIO 6]
7 {5} In light of the State’s objection that Defendant failed to introduce the
8 restraining order into evidence [MIO 6], we conclude that the district court did not
9 abuse its discretion in excluding any reference to the restraining order. See, e.g., State
10 v. Lopez, 2009-NMCA-044, ¶¶ 13-14, 146 N.M. 98, 206 P.3d 1003 (holding that the
11 best evidence rule was violated where the prosecution presented testimony regarding
12 the contents of documents, but did not enter the documents themselves into evidence
13 or provide any explanation as to why the document was unavailable); see also State
14 v. Kent, 2006-NMCA-134, ¶ 18, 140 N.M. 606, 145 P.3d 86 (“We examine the
15 admission or exclusion of evidence for abuse of discretion, and the district court’s
16 determination will not be disturbed absent a clear abuse of discretion.”). Moreover,
17 to the extent Defendant suggests that reference to the restraining order would have
18 served to dispute Victim’s testimony about the February 17, 2013 incident or cast
19 doubt on her credibility [MIO 6, 8], this evidence would be cumulative of
4 1 Defendant’s testimony that the sex was consensual. See generally State v. Marquez,
2 1998-NMCA-010, ¶ 24, 124 N.M. 409, 951 P.2d 1070 (“[T]he trial court in its
3 discretion may properly exclude cumulative evidence.”). We deny Defendant’s
4 motion to amend to add this issue. See State v. Sommer, 1994-NMCA-070, ¶ 11, 118
5 N.M. 58, 878 P.2d 1007 (denying the defendant's motion to amend the docketing
6 statement because the argument offered in support of the motion was not viable).
7 {6} Second, Defendant also seeks to amend his docketing statement to argue that
8 his trial counsel was ineffective. As his basis, Defendant asserts that counsel was
9 ineffective because during Victim’s cross-examination, he unsuccessfully attempted
10 to impeach Victim with her pre-trial interview. [MIO 9] Specifically, Defendant
11 provides that his counsel asked Victim to admit that she had consensual sex with
12 Defendant the night before the incident. When Victim denied this statement, counsel
13 attempted to impeach Victim with her pre-trial interview, but the audio of the pre-trial
14 interview when played for the jury actually supported Victim’s denial. [MIO 10]
15 Although this may have “flustered” counsel [MIO 11], we can not conclude that, but
16 for counsel’s performance, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome would
17 have been different. See State v. Bernal, 2006-NMSC-050, ¶ 32, 140 N.M. 644, 146
18 P.3d 289 (“For a successful ineffective assistance of counsel claim, a defendant must
19 first demonstrate error on the part of counsel, and then show that the error resulted
5 1 in prejudice.”). Stated another way, defense counsel’s misapprehension about whether
2 or not Victim had admitted in a pre-trial interview to having consensual sex on a day
3 other than the incident at issue does not refute the evidence that Defendant forced
4 Victim to have sex on the day of the incident. Unlike a failure to investigate that
5 results in the failure to discover evidence favorable to a defense, here any
6 misapprehension simply resulted in the discovery of a lack of evidence favorable to
7 the defense. Cf. Lytle v. Jordan, 2001-NMSC-016, ¶ 27, 130 N.M. 198, 22 P.3d 666
8 (stating that with respect to the showing that counsel’s deficient performance
9 prejudiced the defense, “the defendant must show that there is a reasonable
10 probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding
11 would have been different.” (internal quotation marks and citation omitted)).
12 {7} Citing to Franklin and Boyer [MIO 11], Defendant also asserts that counsel
13 was ineffective because counsel “failed to confront the State’s DNA expert about
14 whether the other contributor to the DNA samples” could be that of another man
15 [MIO 11]; failed to fully cross-examine Victim about discrepancies in her direct
16 examination testimony and her statements in the police reports [MIO 12]; and failed
17 to elicit testimony from Victim regarding her continued relationship with Defendant
18 after she obtained a restraining order. [MIO 12] All of these matters relate to trial
19 strategy, and do not establish a prima facie showing of ineffective assistance of
6 1 counsel. See State v. Allen, 2014-NMCA-047, ¶ 17, 323 P.3d 925 (refusing to “find
2 ineffective assistance of counsel if there is a plausible, rational trial strategy or tactic
3 to explain counsel's conduct”); see State v. Baca, 1997-NMSC-059, ¶ 25, 124 N.M.
4 333, 950 P.2d 776 (stating that “a prima facie case is not made when a plausible,
5 rational strategy or tactic can explain the conduct of defense counsel” (internal
6 quotation marks and citation omitted)). We thus deny Defendant's motion to amend
7 his docketing statement to argue ineffective assistance of counsel. See Sommer, 1994-
8 NMCA-070, ¶ 11 (recognizing that issues sought to be presented must be viable); see
9 also Bernal, 2006-NMSC-050, ¶ 35 (determining that tactical decisions made by
10 counsel at or during trial “are best evaluated during habeas corpus proceedings”).
11 {8} Thus, for the reasons set forth above and discussed in our notice, we deny
12 Defendant’s motion to amend, and affirm. We further remand to the district court with
13 instructions that the amended judgment and sentence [RP 109] be corrected to reflect
14 that the date of the crime for which Defendant was convicted was February 17, 2013,
15 rather than July 22, 2011, as stated.
16 {9} IT IS SO ORDERED.
17 ________________________________ 18 JAMES J. WECHSLER, Judge
19 WE CONCUR:
7 1 ________________________________ 2 MICHAEL D. BUSTAMANTE, Judge
3 ________________________________ 4 TIMOTHY L. GARCIA, Judge