State v. Patton

493 P.2d 416, 83 N.M. 450
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedJanuary 7, 1972
DocketNo. 731
StatusPublished

This text of 493 P.2d 416 (State v. Patton) 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. Patton, 493 P.2d 416, 83 N.M. 450 (N.M. Ct. App. 1972).

Opinion

OPINION

SUTIN, Judge.

Under Rule 93, § 21-1-1(93), N.M.S.A. 1953 (Repl. Vol. 4), Patton and Moody sought to vacate a prior judgment and sentence upon conviction for armed robbery with a sawed-off shotgun. This court granted them the right to a hearing on the motion in the trial court. State v. Patton, 82 N.M. 29, 474 P.2d 711 (Ct.App.1970).

The trial court found that in July, 1967, after the arrest, Patton and Moody each gave a written statement to members of the Albuquerque Police Department. Each consulted with his attorney, was competently and effectively represented, and voluntarily pleaded guilty without promises or threats while knowing the consequences thereof. These findings are supported by substantial evidence. Therefore, the plea of guilty is binding. State v. Robbins, 77 N.M. 644, 427 P.2d 10 (1967). Although Patton, answering interrogatories by the court, stated that he did not plead guilty with full knowledge of the consequences, his answer was not conclusive. The record shows that Patton was fully advised by his counsel. State v. Elledge, 81 N.M. 18, 462 P.2d 152 (Ct.App.1969).

The foregoing disposes of Moody’s claim that his plea was involuntary and Patton’s claim that his plea resulted from threats and promises and was made without an understanding of the consequences.

The claim of both defendants that they did not have effective assistance of counsel is answered by State v. Wilson, 82 N.M. 142, 477 P.2d 318 (Ct.App.1970). Patton’s claim that he made an incriminating statement in a manner that violated his constitutional rights and induced his plea is answered by Burton v. State, 82 N.M. 328, 481 P.2d 407 (1971). Patton’s claim that he should have been proceeded against by information rather than by indictment is answered by New Mexico Constitution, Art. II, § 14 and State v. Mosley, 79 N.M. 514, 445 P.2d 391 (Ct.App.1968).

Finally, Moody’s claim that he was prejudiced because a portion of the record in his case was missing, is also without merit. The missing portion of the record is a hearing on the issue of reduction in bond and a hearing concerning change of counsel. Moody makes no effort to show how he was prejudiced. See State v. Brill, 81 N.M. 785, 474 P.2d 77 (Ct.App.1970). No “colorable need” for the missing records is shown. See Mayer v. City of Chicago, 404 U.S. 189, 92 S.Ct. 410, 30 L.Ed.2d 372 (1971).

Affirmed.

WOOD, C. J., and HENDLEY, J., concur.

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Related

Mayer v. City of Chicago
404 U.S. 189 (Supreme Court, 1971)
State v. Elledge
462 P.2d 152 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1969)
State v. Wilson
477 P.2d 318 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1970)
Burton v. State
481 P.2d 407 (New Mexico Supreme Court, 1971)
State v. Robbins
427 P.2d 10 (New Mexico Supreme Court, 1967)
State v. Mosley
445 P.2d 391 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1968)
State v. Brill
474 P.2d 77 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1970)
State v. Patton
474 P.2d 711 (New Mexico Supreme Court, 1970)

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Bluebook (online)
493 P.2d 416, 83 N.M. 450, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-patton-nmctapp-1972.