State v. Turner

642 P.2d 178, 97 N.M. 575
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedMarch 9, 1982
Docket5179
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 642 P.2d 178 (State v. Turner) 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. Turner, 642 P.2d 178, 97 N.M. 575 (N.M. Ct. App. 1982).

Opinions

OPINION

WOOD, Judge.

Defendant was convicted of two counts of trafficking in cocaine by distribution. Section 30-31-20(A)(2), N.M.S.A.1978 (1980 Repl.Pamph.). We (1) answer all but one of defendant’s appellate claims summarily, and (2) discuss the propriety of the compelled disclosure of a statement taken by an attorney.

Issues Answered Summarily

(a) Defendant’s co-indictee was Lindley. The charges against Lindley were disposed of by plea agreement. In accepting Lindley's guilty plea, the trial court was informed, by Lindley, that defendant was involved. Defendant contends that Lindley’s statements as to defendant’s involvement prejudiced the trial court against defendant. Defendant also contends that prejudice against defendant is shown by the trial court’s conduct throughout the trial. The transcript of Lindley’s guilty plea hearing and the transcript of defendant’s trial shows that defendant’s claim is frivolous. The trial court’s impartiality could not be reasonably questioned. Gerety v. Demers, 92 N.M. 396, 589 P.2d 180 (1978).

(b) Harden was defendant’s counsel at arraignment on December 16, 1980. Trial was scheduled for March 16, 1981; defendant and Harden had notice of this trial date. On March 16, 1981, Harden was permitted to withdraw as counsel and a continuance was granted. The continuance was granted on the basis that a new trial date would be scheduled in the near future and new counsel would not be permitted to delay the trial. Attorney Marchiondo entered his appearance on March 19, 1981; trial was scheduled for April 6, 1981.

Defendant asserts that the trial court refused to consider any of the motions filed • by Marchiondo. This assertion is frivolous; the motions were considered, at least one was granted.

(2) Marchiondo’s request for a statement of facts, R.Crim.Proc. 9, was filed and heard immediately prior to trial on April 6, 1981. Defendant recognizes that this request was untimely, but contends that there was good cause to waive the time requirement, see R.Crim.Proc; 33(e), and that the trial court would not even consider whether good cause was shown. On appeal, defendant argues the reasons why Harden had not requested a statement of facts and the lateness of Marchiondo’s appearance. The transcript of the hearing shows that “good cause” was considered. Marchiondo’s assertion of good cause was the lateness of his appearance and lack of “opportunity to fully prepare all of the necessary motions * The record shows that Marchiondo filed other motions on March 26 and April 1, 1981. We cannot say that good cause was shown as a matter of law, or that the trial court erred in ruling that the requested statement of facts was untimely. State v. Palmer, 89 N.M. 329, 552 P.2d 231 (Ct.App.1976).

(3) Marchiondo’s motion for a continuance was denied. In claiming this was error, defendant asserts that the prosecutor did not disclose that Lindley would be called as a witness until March 24, 1981, that Lindley had refused to be interviewed by representatives of defendant, and that defendant did not have the opportunity to depose Lindley. The transcript shows that Harden knew, not later than March 15, 1981, that Lindley would be a prosecution witness. No motion to depose Lindley was ever filed. See R.Crim.Proc. 29. The matters relied on by defendant do not show that the trial court abused its discretion in denying Marchiondo’s motion for a second continuance of the trial. State v. Perez, 95 N.M. 262, 620 P.2d 1287 (1980); State v. Nieto, 78 N.M. 155, 429 P.2d 353 (1967).

(c) Defendant did not disclose his witnesses to the prosecution in advance of trial. See R.Crim.Proc. 28. Defendant asserts the trial court refused to allow him to call witnesses on his behalf. The transcript shows to the contrary. Prior to the taking of any testimony, the trial court ruled that defendant could call character witnesses. As to two other potential witnesses — Bender and Thomas — the trial court indicated that they would not be permitted to testify. However, the trial court agreed that defendant might make a tender as to their testimony. During the trial defendant tendered Thomas’ testimony and, after the tender, the trial court permitted Thomas to testify as a witness. Defendant never tendered the testimony of Bender. Harden testified that his notes of his interview with Bender were delivered to a representative of Marchiondo. There is no claim that Marchiondo did not know of the matters to which Bender could testify. Because the trial court was never informed as to Bender’s possible testimony, we cannot hold there was error in excluding Bender as a witness. State v. Bojorquez, 88 N.M. 154, 538 P.2d 796 (Ct.App.1975).

(d) Defendant contends evidence of other “offenses” was improperly admitted. Testimony as to defendant’s presence during certain activities at Lindley’s house on August 9, 1980, defendant’s statements to undercover agent Jones on August 25 and September 10, 1980, and Orosco’s testimony concerning receipt of a white powder from defendant after Orosco asked for cocaine were properly admitted under Evidence Rule 404(b). These items were relevant because they tended to show defendant’s knowledge and an absence of mistake or accident. These items tended to negate the defense claim that defendant had nothing to do with the cocaine transactions and the claim that defendant’s presence was only a coincidence. The trial court did not violate Evidence Rule 403 in admitting this testimony. State v. Schifani, 92 N.M. 127, 584 P.2d 174 (Ct.App.1978); State v. Allen, 91 N.M. 759, 581 P.2d 22 (Ct.App.1978).

Defendant asserts, in connection with the testimony referred to in the preceding paragraph, that the trial court should have instructed the jury in accordance with U.J.I.Crim. 40.28. This instruction informs the jury as to the purpose of evidence concerning other wrongs and offenses. Use Note 1 to the instruction states the instruction is to be given “[ujpon request”. There was no request for this instruction.

(e) Defendant complains of the admission of “evidence that the marijuana sold to Jones on August 14, 1980, came from Turner.” Undercover agent Jones testified, on direct examination as a prosecution witness, that he purchased marijuana from Lindley on August 14, 1980, while waiting for the cocaine to be delivered. Defendant objected to this testimony as irrelevant. The objection was properly overruled because the marijuana purchase was simply an aspect of the cocaine transaction. Lindley testified about the August 14th transaction. It was defendant who brought out, on cross-examination of Lindley, that defendant supplied the marijuana to Lindley. Defendant may not complain of evidence which he injected into the case. State v. Harrison, 81 N.M. 324, 466 P.2d 890 (Ct.App.1970).

(f) Defendant contends the trial court erred in failing to impose sanctions on the prosecution for violation of rules of discovery.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

State v. Salazar
New Mexico Court of Appeals, 2016
State ex rel. Brandenburg v. Blackmer
2005 NMSC 008 (New Mexico Supreme Court, 2005)
Colonias Development Council v. Rhino Environmental Services, Inc.
2003 NMCA 141 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 2003)
State v. Fernandez
875 P.2d 1104 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1994)
State v. Rubio
798 P.2d 206 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1990)
State v. Chamberlain
783 P.2d 483 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1989)
Lowery v. State
762 P.2d 457 (Court of Appeals of Alaska, 1988)
State v. Lopez
734 P.2d 778 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1987)
State v. Hernandez
717 P.2d 73 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1986)
State v. Henry
681 P.2d 62 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1984)
State v. Aguilar
650 P.2d 32 (New Mexico Court of Appeals, 1982)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
642 P.2d 178, 97 N.M. 575, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-turner-nmctapp-1982.