State v. Quintana

526 P.2d 808, 86 N.M. 666
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedAugust 21, 1974
Docket1291
StatusPublished
Cited by25 cases

This text of 526 P.2d 808 (State v. Quintana) 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. Quintana, 526 P.2d 808, 86 N.M. 666 (N.M. Ct. App. 1974).

Opinions

OPINION

LOPEZ, Judge.

As the result of an altercation in a bar in which Roberto Roybal was killed by gunshot wounds, the defendant was charged with murder, contrary to § 40A-2-1, N.M.S.A.1953 (2d Repl.Vol. 6). He was convicted of second degree murder.

From judgment and sentence against him, he appeals raising issues concerning: (1)substantial evidence; (2) criminal discovery; (3) right to counsel; and (4) instructions.1 We affirm.

Substantial evidence

The defendant moved for a directed verdict at the close of the state’s case in chief. He contended that theré was insufficient circumstantial evidence and no direct evidence to the effect that he shot the deceased. He asserts the denial of the motion as an independent point on appeal.

After the denial of the motion, defendant took the stand, admitted that he fired the shot and asserted the defense of self-defense. In so doing he waived the error, if any, in the denial of. his motion. State v. Lard, 86 N.M. 71, 519 P.2d 307 (Ct.App.1974).

Defendant also argues that, “ * * * [ajll of the evidence pointed to * * * self-defense * * *,” and that therefore there was insufficient evidence to imply malice. We disagree. Malice may be implied by the use of a deadly weapon. State v. Anaya, 80 N.M. 695, 460 P.2d 60 (1969); State v. Ochoa, 61 N.M. 225, 297 P.2d 1053 (1956).

Defendant also claims an insufficiency of evidence at the close of the defense case. This contention involves the malice claim which we have answered. This contention also is directed to the credibility of the witnesses. Credibility of the witnesses was for the jury. Testimony as to the circumstances immediately prior to the shooting, together with defendant’s testimony, is substantial evidence supporting the conviction.

Criminal discovery

Pursuant to defendant’s motion, the trial court ordered compliance with Rules 27 and 29, N.M.R.Cr.P., §§ 41-23-27 and 41-23-29, N.M.S.A.1953 (2d Repl.Vol. 6, Supp.1973), relating to criminal discovery. Alleging that the state failed to comply with the order in a timely and satisfactory manner, the defendant moved alternatively for an order prohibiting the state from introducing any evidence or for a continuance. Defendant appeals from the denial of that motion. Specifically, he alleges that he was prejudiced by the state’s failure to comply with respect to a list of witnesses, FBI ballistics and fingerprint reports on the gun and bullet and an FBI report matching blood types of specimens found on the deceased’s tee-shirt and the defendant’s vest.

In State v. Billington, 86 N.M. 44, 519 P.2d 140 (Ct.App.1974), we held that the failure of the state to notify the defendant until the day of trial that it intended to use the testimony of a critical witness prejudiced the conduct of the defense. While the district attorney’s failure to strictly comply with the rules and the court’s order in the instant case cannot be condoned, we do not feel that substantial rights of this defendant have been prejudiced.

The state failed to supply the defendant with the, “ * * * list of the names and addresses of all witnesses which the district attorney intends to call * * *contemplated by Rule 27(b), supra. However, most of the witnesses eventually called either had their names endorsed on the back of the information or testified at the preliminary hearing. There is no factual basis in the record indicating that the state did not intend to call these witnesses. Cf. State v. Billington, supra.

In Billington, we stated that the purpose of Rule 27(b), supra, are as follows: (1) to facilitate plea discussions; (2) to facilitate preparation for cross-examination; and (3) to allow the taking of a.deposition or statement. There is no showing that the state’s failure to strictly comply with the' rule interfered with any of these purposes. Well before trial, defense knew of the existence of the witnesses who were endorsed or who testified in pre-trial proceedings. Counsel could have taken and in some instances did take statements or depositions of these witnesses to learn the substance of their testimony. The rule was substantially complied with as to these witnesses.

Three witnesses who were not listed on the information or who did not testify earlier also testified at trial. One was Charles Dunn. He was an employee of the funeral home where the deceased’s body was taken. His testimony related solely to the chain of custody of the decedent’s tee-shirt, which was later introduced into evidence. His testimony was merely technical. The second witness was Dr. James Saltz. He testified as to the medical cause of death. His testimony was merely technical and cumulative. The jury could have inferred that death was caused by the bullet from other testimony. We indicated in Billington that before defendant could be prejudiced, the testimony of the omitted witness must be important and critical, not technical or cumulative.

The third witness, James Porter, presents a more difficult problem. He was an FBI agent who performed blood-grouping tests upon deceased’s tee-shirt and defendant’s vest. The conclusion of the tests and the substance of his testimony was that Type A human blood was found on both garments. The state verbally informed defense counsel of the test results. It did not list Mr. Porter as a witness. It did not provide written copies of the test results nor did it make the specimens available for independent testing by the defense.

We feel, nevertheless, that the failure to comply with the rules was not prejudicial to the conduct of the defense. The defense was aware of the test results so they were able to prepare for cross-examination to some extent. We do not feel that more intensive cross-examination, even to the extent of proving the test results inconclusive, would have materially aided the defense. It certainly would not have altered the verdict. By the time the case went to the jury, the defendant had already admitted shooting the deceased. The purpose of Agent Porter’s testimony was to help prove that fact. No claim is made that had the test results been inconclusive, the defendant would have changed his strategy and not claimed self-defense.

An intensive cross-examination likewise would not have aided the defense in pressing its motion for a directed verdict at the close of the state’s case in chief. The testimony of Agent Porter on direct examination would have still stood as substantial evidence no matter how much doubt could have been placed upon it by an effective cross-examination. A jury question would still have existed. Furthermore, we do not think that the results of the blood grouping tests were critical. The critical fact was that both the deceased and the defendant had substantial amounts of blood on their clothing after shots were heard. This evidence tends to place the defendant in close physical proximity to the deceased at the time of or immediately after the shooting.

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State v. Quintana
526 P.2d 808 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1974)

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Bluebook (online)
526 P.2d 808, 86 N.M. 666, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-quintana-nmctapp-1974.