State v. Lard

519 P.2d 307, 86 N.M. 71
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedJanuary 23, 1974
Docket1341
StatusPublished
Cited by37 cases

This text of 519 P.2d 307 (State v. Lard) 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. Lard, 519 P.2d 307, 86 N.M. 71 (N.M. Ct. App. 1974).

Opinion

OPINION

WOOD, Chief Judge.

Defendant appeals his conviction of larceny of money in excess of $100.00 but not more than $2500.00. Section 40A-16-1, N.M.S.A. 1953 (2d Repl.Vol. 6). He also appeals his sentence as an habitual offender. Section 40A-29-5, N.M.S.A. 1953 (2d Repl.Vol. 6). The issues are: (1) sufficiency of the evidence as to the larceny; (2) admissibility of a statement allegedly privileged; and (3) propriety of the enhanced sentence.

The trial proceedings were tape recorded through the use of a four channel tape recorder. The parties stipulated that the appeal could be presented on the basis of the original district court file and a duplicate tape. The stipulation was approved by the trial court and this Court. Compare State ex rel. Moreno v. Floyd, 85 N.M. 699, 516 P.2d 670, decided December 7, 1973. The result of so proceeding is that notice of appeal was filed in the district court on October 10, 1973, and the record for appeal purposes was filed in this Court on October 18, 1973. This eight-day period is to be compared with the ninety-day period allowed by applicable appellate rules. We commend the trial court and both counsel for their efforts in seeking ways to shorten the appellate process in criminal cases. 1

Sufficiency of the evidence.

The claim concerning the sufficiency of the evidence has three parts. The first two parts concern the defense motion at the close of the State’s case in chief. At that point in the trial, defendant moved for a directed verdict on the basis that there was: (a) insufficient evidence to prove that defendant took the money and (b) insufficient evidence that the amount of money taken exceeded $100.00. Defendant asserts the denial of this motion as an independent point in this appeal.

Once the motion was denied, defendant proceeded to introduce evidence for the defense. In so doing he waived his claim that the evidence at the close of the State’s case was insufficient for submission to the jury. State v. Smith, 51 N.M. 184, 181 P.2d 800 (1947); State v. Vargas, 42 N.M. 1, 74 P.2d 62 (1937). We add, however, that testimony of the witness Brown is substantial evidence that defendant took the money and that testimony of the witnesses Ausburn, Palmer and Brown is substantial evidence that the money taken exceeded $100.00.

The third part of this claim is directed to the sufficiency of the evidence once all testimony had been introduced. Defendant did not move for a directed verdict at the close of all the evidence. Because defendant did not do so, the State contends the defendant waived any claim that the evidence was insufficient.

The State’s contention was correct under prior law. State v. Sandoval, 83 N. M. 599, 495 P.2d 379 (Ct.App. 1972); see State v. Cebada, 84 N.M. 306, 502 P.2d 409 (Ct.App. 1972). However, the Rules of Criminal Procedure changed this requirement. Section 41-23-40(j), N.M.S.A. 1953 (2d Repl.Vol. 6, Supp. 1973) provides: “Out of the presence of the jury, the court shall determine the sufficiency of the evidence, whether or not a motion for directed verdict is made.” The absence of a motion for a directed verdict at the close of all the evidence did not waive the claim that the evidence was insufficient at that point because the trial court was required to make that determination in the absence of a motion. This required determination is therefore an issue before us on appeal.

Defendant testified. He admitted he took the money, but claimed that the amount he took was $82.00. The effect of this testimony, if believed, would be to reduce his crime from a fourth degree felony to a petty misdemeanor. See § 40A-16-1, supra. Defendant’s contention is that he should have been believed; that testimony of witnesses placing the amount of money in excess of $100.00 should not be believed because of their motives. This third part of the sufficiency of the evidence issue is a claim concerning the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony. Such is to be determined by the jury. State v. Valles, 83 N.M. 541, 494 P.2d 619 (Ct.App. 1972). The appellate court does not weigh the evidence, nor may it substitute its judgment for that of the jury. State v. Page, 83 N.M. 487, 493 P.2d 972 (Ct.App. 1972).

The claim concerning the sufficiency of the evidence is without merit.

Admissibility of a statement allegedly privileged.

In answering the contentions concerning the sufficiency of the evidence we omitted any reference to the witness Evelyn Green. Her testimony supports other evidence concerning both the taking of the money and the amount of money taken. Defendant objected to her testimony, claiming it should not have been admitted under the husband-wife privilege.

The claim of privilege is based on Rule 505, New Mexico Rules of Evidence. Section 20-4-505, N.M.S.A. 1953 (Repl. Vol. 4, Supp. 1973). That privilege, generally speaking, is that an accused spouse in a criminal proceeding may prevent the other spouse from testifying against the accused. The evidence is that Evelyn Green was “living with” the defendant at the time of defendant’s larceny but was not married to defendant. Defendant asserts the privilege applies to these circumstances.

We disagree. “Spouse,” by definition, means a married person. Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (1966). “Marriage” is a civil contract requiring a license. Sections 57-1-1, N.M. S.A. 1953 (Repl.Vol. 8, pt. 2) and 57-1-10, N.M.S.A. 1953 (Repl.Vol. 8, pt. 2, Supp. 1973). The claim that Evelyn Green and defendant were living together “as man and wife” is insufficient to show a marriage under New Mexico statutes and, therefore, is insufficient to show that Evelyn was defendant’s spouse. The testimony of “a mistress or concubine, being not a legal wife,” 'is admissible. II Wigmore on Evidence, § 605 (3rd ed. 1940); see Lutwak v. United States, 344 U.S. 604, 73 S. Ct. 481, 97 L.Ed. 593 (1953); State v. Setzer, 226 N.C. 216, 37 S.E.2d 513 (1946).

Evelyn Green’s testimony was admissible ; the privilege did not apply.

Propriety of the enhanced sentence.

Defendant’s sentence for the larceny was enhanced as provided in § 40A-29-5, supra. The enhancement resulted because of two prior convictions. The prior convictions were under § 54-6-38(B) (2), N.M.S.A. 1953 (Repl.Vol. 8, pt. 2, Supp. 1971) which, at the time of conviction, was a part of New Mexico’s Drug and Cosmetic Act. Section 54-6-38(B) (2), supra, was subsequently repealed and a new § 54-6-38 was enacted. Laws 1972, ch. 84, § 47.

The prior convictions were for sale or delivery of an hallucinogenic drug (LSD). Defendant asserts his sentences for these prior convictions were under § 54-6-51, N.M.S.A. 1953 (Repl.Vol. 8, pt.

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Bluebook (online)
519 P.2d 307, 86 N.M. 71, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-lard-nmctapp-1974.