Court Opinion

ID: 9606911
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:54:04.697103+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:36.372662
License: Public Domain

HENDLEY, Judge (specially concurring). I concur in Judge Sutin’s result that defendant be awarded a new trial but for different reasons. First, Hargrove’s testimony was inadmissible because the state made no attempt, other than the issuance of a subpoena, to secure the attendance of Hargrove. Both New Mexico and Montana have adopted the “Uniform Act to Secure the Attendance of Witnesses from without a State in Criminal Proceedings.” Sections 41-12-13 through 41-12-19, N.M.S.A.1953 (2d Repl.Vol. 6, 1972); §§ 94-9001 through 94-9007, Repl.Vol. 8, Revised Codes of Montana, 1947. I would require, under the circumstances of this case, the state to use the procedures in the Uniform Act before a witness could be declared unavailable. Section 20-4-804, N.M.S.A.1953 (Repl. Vol. 4, 1970, Supp.1973). Second, the state contends the error was harmless since Mr. Hargrove’s testimony was corroborative of the testimony of three other witnesses. It is true that Mr. Hargrove’s testimony with regard to the unauthorized taking and the identity of the property was repetitious of that of the other witnesses. However, the testimony of the other witnesses as to these two elements was hearsay although no objection was made to its admission. Our Supreme Court in State v. Romero, 67 N.M. 82, 352 P.2d 781 (1960) stated: “ * * * hearsay evidence may have sufficient probative worth to support a verdict * * * However, this rule does not operate to make objectionable testimony conclusive proof of the matter asserted therein. The fact that it was hearsay does not prevent its use as proof so far as it has probative value, but this is limited to the extent of whatever rational persuasive power it may have. * * But compare Pitcock v. State, 168 Tex.Cr. R. 223, 324 S.W.2d 866 (1959) and Nesbit v. State, 71 Ga.App. 744, 32 S.E.2d 207 (1944), both standing for the proposition that hearsay admitted without objection is of no probative value whatsoever. As I cannot say that the hearsay testimony of the other witnesses was conclusive proof of two elements of the crime, State v. Romero, supra, and as I do not know what rational persuasive power it had in the eyes of the jury, we cannot say that the improperly received prior hearing testimony did not contribute to the conviction. See State v. Thurman, 84 N.M. 5, 498 P.2d 697 (Ct.App.1972); State v. Lopez, 80 N. M. 599, 458 P.2d 851 (Ct.App.1969). Thus, not being able to determine whether or not the error was harmless, I agree the defendant is entitled to a new trial. I need not reach the confrontation issue.