Opinion ID: 2612956
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: issue fiveevidence of conspiracy

Text: Bankert's fifth point is that the State presented insufficient evidence to support a conviction for conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. This claim is effectively refuted by the facts. A conspiracy is defined as a common design or agreement to accomplish an unlawful purpose or a lawful purpose by unlawful means. State v. Chavez, 99 N.M. 609, 611, 661 P.2d 887, 889 (1983) (citing State v. Thoreen, 91 N.M. 624, 628, 578 P.2d 325, 329 (Ct.App.), cert. denied, 91 N.M. 610, 577 P.2d 1256 (1978)); see also NMSA 1978, § 30-28-2(A) (Repl.Pamp.1984) (Conspiracy consists of knowingly combining with another for the purpose of committing a felony within or without this state.). A conspiracy can be established by an inference from circumstantial evidence. State v. Davis, 92 N.M. 341, 342, 587 P.2d 1352, 1353 (Ct.App.), cert. denied, 92 N.M. 353, 588 P.2d 554 (1978); State v. Armijo, 90 N.M. 12, 14, 558 P.2d 1151, 1153 (Ct.App.1976). From the afternoon of August 8 when Bankert and Christison ingested cocaine with Hall, to the final violent demand for all seven grams, Bankert was involved in nearly every act taken in furtherance of the conspiracy. There was, between the common-law husband and wife, a common design and a mutual agreement to obtain two eight-balls of cocaine. See id.