AI Generated Opinion Summaries

This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.

Facts

• While driving on Highway 64 at night, Deputy Bell heard a "loud thud" on his vehicle, which he suspected was caused by a rock thrown from the vicinity of an intersection. Upon investigating, he saw only one vehicle, driven by the Defendant, near the location of the incident. Based on this observation, Deputy Bell stopped the Defendant's truck, leading to the Defendant's arrest and subsequent convictions for felony child abuse and misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI).

Procedural History

• Appeal from the District Court of San Juan County, John A. Dean Jr., District Judge: The district court denied the Defendant's motion to suppress evidence obtained from the traffic stop.

Parties' Submissions

• Defendant-Appellant: Argued that Deputy Bell lacked reasonable suspicion to stop his truck, challenging the legality of the stop and seeking to suppress evidence obtained as a result.
• Plaintiff-Appellee (State of New Mexico): Contended that Deputy Bell had reasonable suspicion to stop the Defendant's truck because it was the only vehicle near the scene shortly after the suspected crime occurred.

Legal Issues

• Whether Deputy Bell had reasonable suspicion to stop the Defendant's truck based on the circumstances surrounding a "loud thud" heard while driving, suspected to be a rock thrown at his patrol car.

Disposition

• The Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's denial of the Defendant's motion to suppress, thereby upholding the Defendant's convictions.

Reasons

• Per Michael E. Vigil, Judge (Roderick T. Kennedy, Chief Judge, and J. MILES HANISEE, Judge concurring):
  The court applied a two-part review to the motion to suppress, focusing on whether the stop was justified at its inception. It found substantial evidence supporting the district court's decision that Deputy Bell had reasonable suspicion to believe a crime had occurred and that the Defendant's vehicle was involved. The facts viewed in favor of the State showed that Deputy Bell heard a "loud thud" resembling a rock hitting his vehicle near an intersection. Upon investigating, he saw no one else but the Defendant in the vicinity, leading to the stop. The court concluded that, given the circumstances, Deputy Bell had a particularized suspicion based on all the circumstances that the Defendant was involved in the alleged crime. The court did not address the State's alternative argument that the stop was justified based on the Defendant's status as a potential witness to a crime, as it affirmed the decision based on the grounds argued at the suppression hearing.