Opinion ID: 2516529
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: exclusion of evidence concerning ibarra and torres

Text: {15} The defense theory of this case is that it involved, in part, the conflicting accounts of the witnesses Ibarra, Torres and Gonzales concerning what occurred on Chama Street earlier on the evening of August 5, 1997 and at the time of the shooting. The defense considered impeachment of these witnesses to be crucial. On cross-examination, Defendant attempted to impeach them on specific instances of conduct from their juvenile records. Although a prior shoplifting charge of Gonzales was put in evidence, the Defendant's right to cross-examine the other two witnesses, Ibarra and Torres, was restricted by the trial court. The Defendant alleges the restrictions rose to the level of denial of his constitutional rights. The Defendant alleges a violation of his constitutional right to confront witnesses against him under the Sixth and the Fourteenth Amendments to the federal constitution. See State v. Sanders, 117 N.M. 452, 459, 872 P.2d 870, 877 (1994) (discussing a defendant's constitutional right to cross-examine); see also State v. Lopez, 1996-NMCA-101, ¶ 14, 122 N.M. 459, 926 P.2d 784 (examining state and federal constitutional right to cross-examine). Defendant failed to preserve his state constitutional claim. The State argues that these restrictions were proper under the rules of evidence and the federal constitution. {16} The State contends that these exclusions of evidence should be reviewed for abuse of discretion. The Defendant questions the correct standard of review, alleging that a constitutional error occurred and therefore de novo review is indicated. Alternatively, the Defendant contends the restrictions on cross-examination were an abuse of discretion. We initially review whether or not the trial court has abused its discretion in its evidentiary rulings. See State v. Worley, 100 N.M. 720, 723, 676 P.2d 247, 250 (1984) (holding that admission or exclusion of evidence is within discretion of trial court and that such determination will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of clear abuse of discretion); see also State v. Brown, 1998-NMSC-037, ¶ 25, 126 N.M. 338, 969 P.2d 313 (noting abuse of discretion is standard of review for limitations on cross-examination). A trial court abuses its discretion when a ruling is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances of the case. State v. Simonson, 100 N.M. 297, 301, 669 P.2d 1092, 1096 (1983). {17} Ibarra and Torres testified that only one shot was fired from the car which pulled up to the house where the beating had occurred earlier. They testified that no gun had been fired from the house and that no one else at the scene was armed. There was also evidence from Gonzales and two neighbors that only one shot was fired. {18} In response to the State's Motion in Limine to prohibit the defense from inquiring into the juvenile records of Ibarra, Torres and Gonzales, the defense argued that the witnesses' records should be allowed in evidence as bad acts under Rule 11-608(B)(1) NMRA 2000 or alternatively as convictions under Rule 11-609(D) NMRA 2000, concerning prior adjudications. The State argued and the trial court found Rule 11-609(D), concerning admission of juvenile adjudications, to be the applicable rule. We agree. Rule 11-609(D) provides: Evidence of juvenile adjudications is generally not admissible under this rule. The court may, however, in a criminal case allow evidence of a juvenile adjudication of a witness other than the accused if conviction of the offense would be admissible to attack the credibility of an adult and the court is satisfied that admission in evidence is necessary for a fair determination of the issue of guilt or innocence. The rule sets out hurdles the defense would have had to overcome before admission of the evidence in question would have been proper. First, the evidence would have to be necessary for a fair determination of guilt or innocence. Second, the evidence would have to be admissible to attack the credibility of an adult, under subsection (A) of Rule 609. That subsection provides: For the purpose of attacking the credibility of a witness: (1) evidence that a witness other than an accused has been convicted of a crime shall be admitted, subject to Rule 11-403, if the crime was punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one (1) year under the law under which the witness was convicted.... (2) evidence that any witness has been convicted of a crime shall be admitted if it involved dishonesty or false statement, regardless of the punishment. {19} Ibarra was twenty years old at the time of trial. Ibarra had previous juvenile adjudications for criminal damage, no insurance, no driver's license, defective equipment, resisting arrest, minor in possession of alcohol, battery on a police officer, concealing identity, resisting or eluding a police officer, and escape from custody. It is undisputed that all the crimes in question are misdemeanors, except battery on a peace officer. Thus, the misdemeanors cannot be admitted under Rule 609(A)(1). {20} Under subsections (D) and (A)(2) of Rule 609, read together, evidence of a witness' convictions must be analyzed for its dishonesty or false statements. That is, it must be determined whether any of the crimes could be used to attack the credibility of an adult under subsection (A)(2). The New Mexico approach to what constitutes dishonesty or false statement follows the federal approach. State v. Bobbin, 103 N.M. 375, 381, 707 P.2d 1185, 1191 (Ct.App.1985) (allowing impeachment with crimes of dishonesty or false statement or crimes committed through fraud or deceit); see generally, Christopher B. Mueller and Laird C. Kirkpatrick, 3 Federal Evidence § 277, at 258-69 (2d ed.1994). {21} Of Ibarra's three crimes brought in issue by the Defendant, only the crime of concealing his identity involves dishonesty or false statement. The trial court here had two opportunities to exclude the evidenceunder Rule 11-403 NMRA 2000 as applied to Rule 11-609 subsection (A)(2)and Subsection (D). See Lenz v. Chalamidas, 109 N.M. 113, 117, 782 P.2d 85, 89 (1989). Exclusion of the evidence was not an abuse of discretion. {22} The Defendant also seeks review of the trial court's rulings on the admissibility of the prior adjudications of witness Torres. When Torres testified at trial, the Defendant asked to be allowed to cross examine him about juvenile offenses, including a 1995 probation violation for possession of a deadly weapon, as well as prior shoplifting and larceny charges. The court allowed Torres to be examined about the shoplifting offense and the larceny, but refused to allow questions about his possession of a firearm in 1995. During a bench conference, defense counsel asked to be allowed to introduce evidence of Torres' juvenile crime of violation of probation due to possession of a firearm, and another crime not here in issue, in order to prove the Defendant's theory of self-defense. {23} The Defendant now argues that the evidence of probation violation was admissible under Rule 404(B) NMRA 2000, which provides: Evidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity or absence of mistake or accident. This is a rule of inclusion allowing the use of other bad acts for other reasons. See State v. Williams, 117 N.M. 551, 557, 874 P.2d 12, 18 (1994). The Defendant argued that possession of a gun by Torres on another date was relevant to the Defendant's claim of self-defense. The trial court ruled that even if the evidence were relevant, Torres' probation revocation for possession of a gun was not admissible under Rule 11-403 because its potential prejudice outweighed its probative value. We conclude that this was a proper exercise of the trial court's discretion. {24} Next we discuss the Defendant's claim under the federal constitution. The Defendant argues that the trial court's refusal to allow him to cross-examine these complaining witnesses concerning certain of their prior juvenile adjudications effectively denied him due process of law and the right to confront witnesses against him. See U.S. Const. amends. VI, XIV; see also Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 316, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 39 L.Ed.2d 347 (1974) (stating that an accused has the right to confront witnesses against him and to cross-examine those witnesses regarding possible bias). We review this claim under a de novo standard. State v. Martinez, 1996-NMCA-109, ¶ 14, 122 N.M. 476, 927 P.2d 31 (While the scope of cross-examination usually lies within the sound discretion of the district court, Confrontation Clause claims are issues of law that we review de novo.) A defendant's right of confrontationwith its protection of the right to cross-examine, test credibility, detect bias, and otherwise challenge an opposing version of factsis a critical limitation on the trial court's discretion to exclude evidence a defendant wishes to admit. State v. Johnson, 1997-NMSC-036, ¶ 23, 123 N.M. 640, 944 P.2d 869 (balancing a defendant's constitutional rights to a full and fair defense with the State's interest to determine whether exclusion of evidence under rape shield law is constitutional). We acknowledge the Constitution guarantees criminal defendants a meaningful opportunity to present a complete defense. Crane v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 683, 690, 106 S.Ct. 2142, 90 L.Ed.2d 636 (1986) (internal quotations omitted). The Defendant sought to inquire into the witnesses' past adjudications, concerning acts not bearing on honesty. These adjudications were tangential and had little bearing on the truthfulness of the witnesses, but the potential prejudice to the state was great. See State v. Meadors, 121 N.M. 38, 48, 908 P.2d 731, 741 (holding that a portion of defendant's cross-examination was properly excluded because its potential for unfair prejudice was greater than its slight or nonexistent probative value). We conclude that the trial court's limitations on the Defendant's cross-examinations were proper and not a violation of the Defendant's constitutional rights.