Opinion ID: 2524378
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Jury Instruction on Accomplice Testimony

Text: {25} Defendant claims that the trial court also erred in not giving a requested instruction on accomplice testimony. Defendant asserts that under the circumstances of this case, it was reversible error for the trial court to have refused the requested instruction because the credibility of Apodaca's testimony was suspect. She had wanted to have the jury directed to view the testimony of the accomplice [Apodaca] with suspicion and receive it with caution. {26} The language of Defendant's tendered instruction comes from UJI 14-5015 NMRA 2001. However, the use note for that instruction states that no instruction on the subject shall be given. In addition, the General Use Note to Uniform Jury Instructions Criminal NMRA 2001 also prohibits the use of this type of instruction: In no event may an elements instruction be altered or an instruction given on a subject which a use note directs that no instruction be given. The trial court refused the instruction on accomplice liability on that basis, stating that he was bound by the uniform jury instructions. {27} In two recent cases, this Court has rejected precisely the same argument after careful review. See State v. Brown, 1998-NMSC-037, ¶¶ 70-73, 126 N.M. 338, 969 P.2d 313; State v. Sarracino, 1998-NMSC-022, ¶¶ 9-19, 125 N.M. 511, 964 P.2d 72. Defendant does not persuade us to change our long-standing practice. See State v. Ortega, 112 N.M. 554, 575, 817 P.2d 1196, 1217 (1991) (rejecting the defendant's request for additional instructions on witness credibility and holding that the question was already covered by UJI 14-5020); State v. Smith, 88 N.M. 541, 546-47, 543 P.2d 834, 838-40 (Ct. App.1975) (observing that the requested instruction contradicted the general uniform jury instruction on credibility and holding that special instructions were not required for different categories of witnesses, the special instructions were of doubtful validity, and the general credibility instruction sufficiently instructed the jury.); Rule 11-107 NMRA 2001 (The court shall not comment to the jury upon the evidence or the credibility of the witnesses.). {28} The trial court covered the question of witness credibility when it instructed the jury on their duty to assess the credibility of the witnesses: You alone are the judges of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given to the testimony of each of them. In determining the credit to be given any witness, you should take into account his truthfulness or untruthfulness, his ability and opportunity to observe, his memory, his manner while testifying, any interest, bias or prejudice he may have and the reasonableness of his testimony considered in the light of all evidence in the case. UJI 14-5020 NMRA 2001. We hold that the trial court did not err when it followed the order of this Court and New Mexico case law and refused the additional instruction on witness credibility. See State v. Smith, 92 N.M. 533, 541, 591 P.2d 664, 672 (1979) (observing that the trial court must follow the directions of the Supreme Court regarding uniform jury instructions); State v. Curlee, 98 N.M. 576, 578, 651 P.2d 111, 113 (Ct.App.1982) (Inferior courts are bound to follow the directives of the Supreme Court regarding the uniform instructions.). {29} Additionally, our review of the record shows that the jury had sufficient information to assess the credibility of Apodaca and his motive for testifying. Defendant consistently challenged Apodaca's credibility, cross-examined him in detail on the inconsistencies in his multiple statements and about the plea agreement, and, in closing argument, continued to attack Apodaca's testimony as not being credible.