Court of Appeals of New Mexico
Decision Information
Chapter 30 - Criminal Offenses - cited by 5,757 documents
Rule Set 12 - Rules of Appellate Procedure - cited by 9,502 documents
Rule Set 14 - Uniform Jury Instructions — Criminal - cited by 1,783 documents
Citations - New Mexico Appellate Reports
State v. Apodaca - cited by 273 documents
State v. Boyer - cited by 532 documents
State v. Franklin - cited by 481 documents
State v. Kent - cited by 118 documents
State v. Salas - cited by 342 documents
Decision Content
STATE V. TRUJILLO
This memorandum opinion was not selected for publication in the New Mexico Reports. Please see Rule 12-405 NMRA for restrictions on the citation of unpublished memorandum opinions. Please also note that this electronic memorandum opinion may contain computer-generated errors or other deviations from the official paper version filed by the Court of Appeals and does not include the filing date.
STATE OF NEW MEXICO,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
MANUEL TRUJILLO,
Defendant-Appellant.
NO. 30,042
COURT OF APPEALS OF NEW MEXICO
March 12, 2010
APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OFCURRY COUNTY, Stephen K.
Quinn, District Judge
COUNSEL
Gary K. King, Attorney General, Santa Fe, NM, for Appellee
Hugh W. Dangler, Chief Public Defender, Karl Erich Martell, Assistant Appellate Defender, Santa Fe, NM, for Appellant
JUDGES
CYNTHIA A. FRY, Chief Judge. WE CONCUR: JAMES J. WECHSLER, Judge, LINDA M. VANZI, Judge
AUTHOR:
MEMORANDUM OPINION
FRY, Chief Judge.
Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction after a jury trial for possession of a controlled substance, contrary to NMSA 1978, Section 30-31-23 (1995) (amended 2006). [DS 2] Defendant raises this issue pursuant to State v. Franklin, 78 N.M. 127, 129, 428 P.2d 982, 984 (1967) and State v. Boyer, 103 N.M. 655, 658-60, 712 P.2d 1, 4-6 (Ct. App. 1985). [DS 3; MIO 1] We issued a calendar notice proposing to summarily affirm Defendant’s conviction. Defendant filed a timely memorandum in opposition, which we have duly considered. We affirm.
DISCUSSION
“Substantial evidence review requires analysis of whether direct or circumstantial substantial evidence exists and supports a verdict of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt with respect to every element essential for conviction. We determine whether a rational [fact finder] could have found that each element of the crime was established beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Kent, 2006-NMCA-134, ¶ 10, 140 N.M. 606, 145 P.3d 86 (citation omitted). On appeal, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, resolving all conflicts and indulging all reasonable inferences in favor of the verdict. State v. Apodaca, 118 N.M. 762, 765-66, 887 P.2d 756, 759-60 (1994).
In order to convict Defendant of possession of a controlled substance, the State was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that (1) Defendant had methamphetamine in his possession, and (2) he knew it was methamphetamine. See UJI 14-3102 NMRA. [RP 95] As discussed in greater detail in the calendar notice, a police officer testified that he found two pipes and a plastic bag with residue on Defendant upon his arrest. [DS 2; RP 110-11] The evidence tested positive for methamphetamine. [RP 110-14] In addition, Defendant testified that he admitted to using methamphetamine and to having a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine. [RP 115-16] Defendant’s response does not challenge our understanding of the evidence. We remain persuaded that the State introduced sufficient evidence that Defendant had methamphetamine in his possession and that he knew it was methamphetamine.
Defendant continues to argue that he presented an alternate and credible version of the events. [MIO 3] In his testimony, Defendant disputed that the pipe or bag contained any trace of a controlled substance and suggested that the officer may have tampered with the evidence. [MIO 1] Defendant also claimed that the officer threatened to charge Defendant with possession after he refused to reveal the name of his drug supplier. [MIO 1] As we stated in our calendar notice, the officer and the forensic drug chemist testified that there was residue in the pipes and plastic bags that tested positive for methamphetamine. [RP 110-14] In addition, the officer testified about how he handled the evidence. [RP 110-11] In light of the other evidence, the jury was free to disregard Defendant’s version of events. See State v. Salas, 1999-NMCA-099, ¶ 13, 127 N.M. 686, 986 P.2d 482 (recognizing that it is for the fact finder to make credibility determinations and resolve any conflict in witness testimony). We remain persuaded that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant’s conviction for possession of methamphetamine.
CONCLUSION
We affirm.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
CYNTHIA A. FRY, Chief Judge
WE CONCUR:
JAMES J. WECHSLER, Judge
LINDA M. VANZI, Judge