State v. Chavez

461 P.2d 919, 80 N.M. 786
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedNovember 7, 1969
Docket337
StatusPublished
Cited by14 cases

This text of 461 P.2d 919 (State v. Chavez) 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
State v. Chavez, 461 P.2d 919, 80 N.M. 786 (N.M. Ct. App. 1969).

Opinion

OPINION

WOOD, Judge.

Defendant was convicted of robbery while armed with a deadly weapon. Section 40A-16-2, N.M.S.A.1953 (Repl.Vol. 6). His appeal questions the propriety of testimony concerning the giving of a polygraph examination and the examiner’s opinion as to the result of the test. He contends the trial court erred in admitting this testimony.

Generally speaking, such evidence is not admissible. State v. Varos, 69 N.M. 19, 363 P.2d 629 (1961); State v. Trimble, 68 N.M. 406, 362 P.2d 788 (1961); People v. Nicholls, 42 Ill.2d 91, 245 N.E.2d 771 (1969); Holt v. State, 202 Kan. 759, 451 P.2d 221 (1969); Mullins v. Page, 443 P.2d 773 (Okl.Cr.App.1968); Watkins v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 438 S.W.2d 819 (1969); see State v. Freeland, 255 Iowa 1334, 125 N.W.2d 825 (1964).

Such evidence has been admitted when there is a sufficient stipulation as to admissibility. However, no claim is made that the stipulation was not sufficient in this case. It was in writing. It provided the results of the test were admissible, that the examiner was qualified and could give his opinion whether the defendant committed the offense. Defendant and his attorney signed the stipulation. The examiner was available for cross-examination and was cross-examined concerning his testimony on direct examination.

In such a situation it has been held that evidence concerning the test and its results is admissible over defendant’s objection; State v. Chambers, 104 Ariz. 247, 451 P.2d 27 (1969); State v. Valdez, 91 Ariz. 274, 371 P.2d 894 (1962); State v. Galloway, Iowa, 167 N.W.2d 89 (1969); State v. McNamara, 252 Iowa 19, 104 N.W.2d 568 (1960). See People v. Davis, Cal.App., 76 Cal.Rptr. 242 (1969); People v. Houser, 85 Cal.App.2d 686, 193 P.2d 937 (1948); compare Herman v. Eagle Star Insurance Co., 283 F.Supp. 33 (C.D.Cal.1966).

The result in the foregoing cases is contrary to State v. Trimble, supra, where it is stated:

“ * * * The [trial] court thereupon concluded that since the defendant had signed a waiver agreeing to be bound by the results of the test, the evidence of Hathaway was admissible [over objection]. -We think the court was led into error. The signing of a waiver did not alter the rule with regard to the admissibility of Hathaway’s evidence. * * *»

We agree with the State that the cases cited in connection with the foregoing quotation are doubtful support. 1 See Herman v. Eagle Star Insurance Co., supra. Nevertheless, the result is consistent with the reason for excluding testimony as to polygraph examinations and results generally — that the procedure has not gained general acceptance in the particular field in which it belongs. Further, the Trimble result is reaffirmed in State v. Varos, supra. The rule in New Mexico is that regardless of whether there is a stipulation, or regardless of the contents of the stipulation, evidence as to polygraph examinations and results is not admissible over objection.

Reaffirmation of the result in State v. Trimble, supra, does not, however, require a reversal in this case. Defendant did not object to testimony concerning the examination and the examiner’s opinion as to the results of the examination. Without objection, the stipulation was read to the jury as part of the instructions. Defendant did move to dismiss the indictment at the close of the State’s case on the ground “ * * * that the lie detector test, * * * is certainly not reliable.” It is not claimed that this motion presented a question as to the admissibility of the evidence, as opposed to its quality. Compare State v. Romero, 79 N.M. 649, 447 P.2d 674 (Ct.App.1968). Defendant’s appeal is presented on the basis that the contentions concerning admissibility of the polygraph test and results were not presented to nor ruled upon by the trial court. See State v. Sedillo, (Ct.App.), No. 347, decided October 31, 1969.

Defendant claims that even though no issue as to the admissibility of the evidence, now questioned, was presented to the trial court, we should reverse on the basis of State v. Varos, supra, and State v. Tapia, 75 N.M. 757, 411 P.2d 234 (1966).

In State v. Varos, supra, certain testimony was introduced as to a polygraph test. “ * * * [T]he jury was given the impression that through the use of the machine the defendant was shown to have been lying. * * * ” Because of the prejudicial effect of this evidence, the case was reversed although “ * * * no proper objection was made by counsel for the defendant during the presentation of the doubtful testimony. * * * ” The opinion states:

“* * * Where a case is as close as this one, we may consider errors in the record notwithstanding failure of counsel to properly save a question for review, but we do not want it implied that we will reverse a conviction which is manifestly correct * * *.”

State v. Varos, supra, is not applicable. This case, in our opinion, is not a close one. The armed robbery was committed in daylight hours in the victim’s home and took about twenty minutes. Throughout this time the victim was in the presence of the perpetrator. The victim identified defendant as that person. The cross-examination did not attack this identification. An officer testified that he took five photographs to the victim’s house for viewing; one of the defendant and four other photographs of subjects resembling defendant’s physical description. The officer testified that on the basis of the photographs, the victim positively identified the defendant “right away.”

In State v. Tapia, supra, one counsel was appointed to represent two defendants. The interests of the two defendants were conflicting. The conflict became obvious when the co-defendant’s statements were offered and counsel failed to vigorously oppose their admission. With this conflict, the failure to appoint separate counsel to represent defendant constituted a denial of due process. In so holding, the opinion stated the trial judge had the duty to see the trial was conducted with solicitude for the essential rights of the defendant.

State v. Gomez, 75 N.M. 545, 408 P.2d 48 (1965) stated the appellate court is:

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Bluebook (online)
461 P.2d 919, 80 N.M. 786, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-chavez-nmctapp-1969.