Case Title: Smith v. State

Citation: 444 P.2d 961, 70 N.M. 450

Docket Number: 

State: new-mexico

Court: New Mexico Supreme Court

Date: 1968-09-09T00:00:00Z

Document:
444 P.2d 961 (1968) 70 N.M. 450 Diane SMITH, Petitioner-Appellant, v. STATE of New Mexico, Defendant-Appellee. No. 8581. Supreme Court of New Mexico. September 9, 1968. *962 Rudy S. Apodaca, Las Cruces, for appellant. Boston E. Witt, Atty. Gen., Gary O'Dowd, Spencer T. King, Paul Lacy, Asst. Attys. Gen., Santa Fe, for appellee. MOISE, Justice. This is an appeal from a denial of relief sought under Rule 93 (§ 21-1-1(93), N.M.S.A. 1953). Appellant was convicted of murder in the first degree. Following conviction, she was sentenced to life imprisonment pursuant to a stipulation between her counsel and the district attorney which was read to the jury, wherein it was agreed that the death penalty would not be sought and that in the event of conviction of murder in the first degree the maximum sentence would be life imprisonment. No appeal was taken from the sentence imposed. By her motion appellant asserts, generally, denial of her rights under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Mexico, without specifying which Articles are claimed to be violated. From her brief, it is apparent that her principal claim is to the effect she was denied due process of law by virtue of the stipulation whereby the jury was deprived of their statutory duty to fix the sentence as provided in § 40A-29-2, N.M.S.A. 1953, which reads: Appellant argues that this statute places on the jury the dual responsibility of determining guilt or innocence and fixing the penalty for first degree murder, and that there may be no waiver of the jury's right and duty concerning the penalty. Our attention is directed to State v. Nelson, 65 N.M. 403, 338 P.2d 301 (1959), cert. denied, 361 U.S. 877, 80 S. Ct. 142, 4 L. Ed. 2d 115, wherein we held that § 40-24-10, N.M.S.A. 1953, since repealed and replaced by § 40A-29-2, supra, placed such a two-fold duty on the jury. It was not there determined if a stipulation such as was here entered into would be proper. Also, we note the difference between § 40A-29-2, supra, now in effect, and § 40-24-10, supra, applicable when Nelson, supra, was decided. However, we do not consider the nature or effect of these changes but proceed on the assumption that the law as stated in Nelson, supra, continues unchanged. Appellant's principal reliance is placed on the reasoning and authority of State v. Christensen, 166 Kan. 152, 199 P.2d 475 (1948), which is the only case passing directly on the issue, although involving a somewhat differently worded statute. This was an appeal from a sentence imposed following conviction in a case where the death penalty had been waived by stipulation, as was done here. The court reversed the conviction holding the statute which provided that "if there is a jury trial the jury shall determine which punishment (death or confinement and hard labor for life) shall be inflicted" was to be literally applied, and that "no stipulation of the parties or consent thereto by the court can change the statute or affect its applicability." *963 It is further stated that under the statute there being considered, The court there indicated that the authorities "overwhelmingly support the conclusion" that it was reversible error to have proceeded as was done there, and a new trial was granted. We are not aware of any cases to the contrary. We are not called upon, however, to consider the correctness of the reasoning or result in that case. This is not an appeal from the conviction, but rather is a collateral attack thereon under our Rule 93 procedure. We have held that Rule 93, supra, does not provide a substitute for appeal. State v. Williams, 78 N.M. 431, 432 P.2d 396 (1967). It is a post-conviction remedy, civil in nature, substantially equivalent to habeas corpus, State v. Weddle, 77 N.M. 420, 423 P.2d 611 (1967); United States v. Anselmi, 207 F.2d 312 (3rd Cir.1953), cert. denied, 347 U.S. 902, 74 S. Ct. 430, 98 L. Ed. 1061, and an issue not properly cognizable in a habeas corpus proceeding cannot furnish basis for relief under Rule 93. See State v. Ramirez, 78 N.M. 418, 432 P.2d 262 (1967). It appears that after the reversal and remand in State v. Christensen, supra, while the defendant was being held in jail awaiting re-trial, she sought habeas corpus asserting that she had been placed in jeopardy in the first trial and since the reversal was not because of any claims advanced by her, to try her again would amount to double jeopardy. In Application of Christensen, 166 Kan. 671, 203 P.2d 258 (1949), it was held that the adoption of the stipulation whereby the question of the penalty to be inflicted in the event defendant was found guilty of first degree murder amounted to a trial error only and, accordingly, by appealing and seeking a new trial defendant had waived any claim based on prior jeopardy, and was not entitled to be released on habeas corpus. Applying the same reasoning here and assuming, without deciding, that it was error to proceed as was done, we are led to the conclusion that Rule 93 is not a proper device to obtain a review of what may have been a trial error. It is clear that Kansas, relied on by appellant, holds it was nothing more. It must follow that even though the question of the claimed error could have been raised on appeal and a decision obtained, appellant cannot succeed here through collateral attack. State v. Selgado, 78 N.M. 165, 429 P.2d 363 (1967). Moreover, the trial court found that the stipulation wherein it was agreed that the jury should not be permitted to return a verdict calling for the death penalty was entered into by counsel for defendant as a part of the trial strategy and should not be made the basis for relief under Rule 93. With this we agree. Compare State v. Selgado, supra. In our view, appellant has had the benefit of possible acquittal, or conviction of a lesser degree of homicide, without risking the death penalty. We see no deprivation of any constitutionally guaranteed right, nor do we see any prejudice in appellant having been given a trial free from the risks incident to having the jury consider the possibility of imposing death as the penalty, in the event of a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. It may have been legally erroneous to have so proceeded, as held in Kansas, but appellant lost nothing thereby and should not now be heard to complain in this proceeding. Compare State v. Blackwell, 76 N.M. 445, 415 P.2d 563 (1966). In Point II, appellant claims that the court erred in overruling her motion attacking an instruction given to the jury at the trial without objection. The particular instruction informed the jury that in the event a verdict of guilty was returned, the penalty would be assessed by *964 the judge, but it could recommend clemency and the recommendation would be considered. A petition recommending clemency, signed by eight jurors, was returned with the verdict. What we have said under Point I concerning errors in the trial which might require reversal on appeal not being available under Rule 93 applies to this point also. Likewise, what is said about trial tactics and prejudice is similarly pertinent. We think it in order at this point to quote from Adams v. United States, 95 U.S.App. D.C. 354, 222 F.2d 45 (1955), where error was claimed in the trial court's failure to grant relief under Section 2255 of Title 28 U.S.C.A. (1952) because of several claimed errors, including failure to give two instructions which had not been requested. The court, speaking through Circuit Judge Washington, said: Appellant would avoid the rule requiring timely objection to errors in instructions by her claim that fundamental error resulted from the instructions. She thus would seek the benefits of the law of "fundamental error" as announced by this court in State v. Garcia, 19 N.M. 414, 143 P. 1012 (1914), and invoked a number of times since. However, the rule there announced has no application here. As said in State v. Lucero, 70 N.M. 268, 272, 372 P.2d 837, 840 (1962): See also, State v. Sanders, 54 N.M. 369, 225 P.2d 150 (1950); State v. Garcia, 46 N.M. 302, 128 P.2d 459 (1942). Compare State v. Sanchez, 58 N.M. 77, 265 P.2d 684 (1954). Appellant next complains that the trial was a nullity because of an absence of jurisdiction since it was held in a federal court house wherein exclusive jurisdiction, except for the service of criminal or civil process, is by law vested in the United States. See Arledge v. Mabry, 52 N.M. 303, 197 P.2d 884 (1948). While appellee does not disagree that the rights of the federal government are as stated, it does not concede that the federal court house is outside the territorial limits of the State of New Mexico, or that a trial held therein is void. *965 As a matter of fact, it is pointed out that the very fact that process may be served on the federal premises demonstrates that the federal court house is within the state. See Ft. Leavenworth RR. v. Lowe, 114 U.S. 525, 5 S. Ct. 995, 29 L. Ed. 264 (1885). Similarly, we take note that the fact the Indian reservations, although not governed by the state, or controlled by its laws, are nevertheless a part of the state and residents thereon have certain rights by virtue of this fact. See Montoya v. Bolack, 70 N.M. 196, 372 P.2d 387 (1962); Note, "Land Under Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction: An Island Within a State," 58 Yale L.J. 1402 (1949); Note, "Federal Areas: The Confusion of a Jurisdictional-Geographical Dichotomy," 101 U.Pa.L.Rev. 124 (1952). As we view the problem, it is not one of jurisdiction over the federal court house property. If the murder had been committed on the court house grounds, this would be the issue. See Benson v. United States, 146 U.S. 325, 13 S. Ct. 60, 36 L. Ed. 991 (1892); United States ex rel. Bowen v. Johnston, 58 F. Supp. 208 (N.D.Cal. 1944), affirmed, 146 F.2d 268 (9th Cir.1944), cert. denied, 324 U.S. 876, 65 S. Ct. 1012, 89 L. Ed. 1428. In Brown v. State, 219 Ind. 251, 37 N.E.2d 73, 137 A.L.R. 679 (1941), concerning "venue" as distinguished from "jurisdiction," the court said the following: The offense appellant was charged with having committed allegedly occurred in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. The trial was before a jury of that county, and was presided over by the judge of the district in which the county is located. Appellant was denied none of the rights guaranteed her by Art. II, §§ 12 and 14, N.M.Const., unless she was thereby entitled to a trial within the county assuming for the sake of argument that the jurisdiction vested in the federal government over the federal building created an island within the county. The pertinent part of Art. II, § 12, reads: Article II, § 14, states: This court, in the early case of State v. Holloway, 19 N.M. 528, 146 P. 1066 (1914), 1915F L.R.A. 922, considered at length the rights of an accused to trial in a particular county. It was there said: After reviewing decisions from many states, it was stated as the conclusion of the court that: In the instant case, not only did appellant have a trial by an impartial jury of Dona Ana County, presided over by the district judge of that county, but had all of the rights referred to in the quotation from State v. Holloway, supra. We have not overlooked the language of this court in Arledge v. Mabry, supra, to the effect that voting places on federally owned property wherein exclusive jurisdiction has been ceded are "outside the state territorially, within contemplation of law" so far as meeting the requirements of Art. VII, § 1, New Mexico Constitution, requiring voters to personally appear and cast their ballots in the precinct of their residence "in New Mexico." Also, we have noted the language in Chaney v. Chaney, 53 N.M. 66, 201 P.2d 782 (1949), where it is stated that land acquired by the United States through condemnation "is not deemed a part of the State of New Mexico" so that persons residing thereon did not meet the requirements of residence for divorce purposes. While we fully appreciate that the language can be read literally so as to result in federal property located geographically within the state being determined as legally outside, we doubt that such an anomalous result was contemplated insofar as requiring a holding that a trial held in a federal court house in Las Cruces, in the center of Dona Ana County, within the external boundaries of the State of New Mexico, was not conducted "in the county." See discussion in Crownover v. Crownover, 58 N.M. 597, 274 P.2d 127 (1954), and in State v. Mimms, 43 N.M. 318, 92 P.2d 993 (1939), cert. denied, 308 U.S. 626, 60 S. Ct. 382, 84 L. Ed. 522, reh. denied, 309 U.S. 694, 60 S. Ct. 512, 84 L. Ed. 1035, which would seem to dictate a conclusion different from that reached in Arledge, supra, and in Chaney, supra, under facts such as are here present. We hold the federal court house where the trial took place was in Dona Ana County and that appellant's right to a trial "in the county" was met. To hold otherwise would certainly be exalting form over substance. In Crownover v. Crownover, supra, in passing on a statute giving our courts jurisdiction to grant divorces to persons in the military service and living on military bases located in New Mexico (§ 22-7-4, N.M.S.A. 1953), it is stated that "the concept of exclusive jurisdiction of the United States over lands ceded by the states is a developing one as are all such concepts with their application to the increasing number of factual situations * * *." We would add that when placed on trial, appellant voiced no objection to the place of trial. If she had any right to object to trial in the federal court house, she must certainly have waived it by remaining silent until after her conviction. In State v. Balles, 24 N.M. 16, 172 P. 196 (1918), it was stated that the right to jury trial as granted in Art. II, § 14, "constitutes a right or privilege which, insofar as the place of trial is concerned, may be waived by an accused person in a number of ways, and that, when he goes to trial in another judicial district, without objection on his part, he has waived the privilege, and cannot be heard to say that the court trying him was without jurisdiction." As already noted, if we assume the federal building is not within Dona Ana County, we see no reason why, under the facts here present, there was not an effective waiver of the right to trial in Dona Ana County. Pertinent to the problem under discussion is the following which we copy from Brown v. State, supra: See also, Annot., 137 A.L.R. 686, 687 (1942), where the following rule is found, and numerous cases, including State v. Balles, supra, are cited in support: See also, People v. Baker, 231 Cal. App. 2d 301, 41 Cal. Rptr. 696, 11 A.L.R.3d 1046 (1965); Morris v. State, 363 P.2d 377 (Okl. Cr. 1961); State ex rel. Lea v. Brown, 166 Tenn. 669, 64 S.W.2d 841, 91 A.L.R. 1246 (1933), cert. denied, 292 U.S. 638, 54 S. Ct. 717, 78 L. Ed. 1491. Compare State v. Furstenau, 167 Neb. 439, 93 N.W.2d 384 (1958). Similarly, it has been held that where a prisoner pleads guilty without objecting to the venue of the court in federal criminal proceedings, an effective waiver of venue as provided in Art. III, § 2, United States Constitution, results, and defects, if any, cannot be raised in subsequent collateral habeas corpus proceedings. Mahaffey v. Hudspeth, 128 F.2d 940 (10th Cir.1942), cert. denied, 317 U.S. 666, 63 S. Ct. 76, 87 L. Ed. 535. The same is true concerning waiver of rights guaranteed in the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution. See Levine v. United States, 182 F.2d 556 (8th Cir.1950), cert. denied, 340 U.S. 921, 71 S. Ct. 352, 95 L. Ed. 665; United States v. Gallagher, 183 F.2d 342 (3rd Cir.1950), cert. denied, 340 U.S. 913, 71 S. Ct. 283, 95 L. Ed. 659. Appellant argues two additional points. In the first, an attack is made on certain of the trial court's findings as not being supported by substantial evidence. We have considered the findings and the proof in connection therewith and are satisfied that the evidence and reasonable inferences arising therefrom furnish substantial support. Nothing more is required. State v. Lopez, 79 N.M. 282, 442 P.2d 594 (1968); State v. Crouch, 75 N.M. 533, 407 P.2d 671 (1965). We would add a word concerning appellant's argument that finding No. 6 somehow prejudiced her. The finding reads: Our discussion of Point I, in our view, contains a complete answer contrary to appellant's position. Finally, appellant argues that there was error in the action of the trial court in permitting the late filing of a counter praecipe by appellee. It is not necessary for us to consider the merits of this point because in our consideration of the appeal we have not noted or weighed any of the material incorporated in the transcript pursuant to the counter praecipe. These items consisted of objections to instructions and the closing arguments of one of the counsel for appellant. In ruling on the other points raised, our conclusions were reached without *968 reference to the materials assertedly incorporated erroneously. Having considered each of appellant's points and having concluded that no error in the court's consideration of the motion filed under Rule 93 has been demonstrated, it follows that the judgment appealed from should be affirmed. It is so ordered. CHAVEZ, C.J., and NOBLE, COMPTON and CARMODY JJ., concur.