Court Opinion

ID: 9536258
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 06:56:52.116446+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:33:29.719794
License: Public Domain

SPIESS, Chief Judge (concurring in part and dissenting in part). I concur in the majority opinion insofar as it affirms the conviction of defendant Epifanio Sedillo. With respect to defendant Fred Arthur Sedillo, I am unable to concur in the view of the majority and respectfully dissent. I think the court here should apply the doctrine of fundamental error and through its application determine whether a miscarriage of justice has occurred. The Supreme Court in applying the doctrine in State v. Salazar, 78 N.M. 329, 431 P.2d 62 (1967) said: “We held, in State v. Garcia, 19 N.M. 414, 421, 143 P. 1012, 1014 (1914), that where there is a total absence of evidence to support a conviction as well as evidence of an exculpatory nature, this court has a duty to see that substantial justice is done. Also, see State v. Armijo, 35 N.M. 533, 2 P.2d 1075 (1931). We feel that this case calls for the application of that doctrine. Not only was there an absence of any evidence of participation by Salazar, as that term is defined in State v. Ochoa [41 N.M. 589, 72 P.2d 609] supra, but the record is replete with evidence suggesting he was incapable of performing any act or forming the requisite criminal intent. Under the facts here, we may properly consider whether substantial evidence to support a finding of guilt is present.” The record, as I read it, indicates a complete lack of evidence of guilt as to Fred Arthur Sedillo. The only proof offered in support of the charge against him is that he was a passenger in an automobile driven by defendant Epifanio Sedillo. The automobile was stopped by the police and the office equipment later identified as the stolen property was found in the trunk of the car. It seems undisputed that the recently stolen office equipment so found furnished the sole basis for conviction. In State v. Romero, 67 N.M. 82, 352 P.2d 781 (1960) the court, in considering the sufficiency of the evidence in a burglary case, said: “Assuming, without deciding, that the unexplained exclusive possession of recently stolen goods may be substantial evidence on which to sustain a conviction — compare State v. Lott, 1936, 40 N.M. 147, 56 P.2d 1029, with State v. White, 1933, 37 N.M. 121, 19 P.2d 192— the first issue presented is whether, under the above state of facts, the state has shown exclusive possession of the stolen property by the appellant. We think not. “In State v. White, 1933, 37 N.M. 121, 124, 19 P.2d 192, 194, we stated: ‘Possession of the fruits of crime * * * involves knowledge, dominion, and control, with power of disposal, or voice in the power of disposal, in the alleged possessor. * * * ‘It would be carrying the rule too far to require one accused of crime to explain the possession of stolen property, when such possession could also, with equal right, be attributed to another. * * * ’ State of Idaho v. Frank Sullivan et al., 34 Idaho 68, 199 P. 647, 17 A.L.R. 902, at pages 907 and 908.’ “At best the state has shown that the appellant had constructive possession of the jewelry by virtue of occupying the same room in which it was found. There was no evidence showing or tending to show that the appellant had knowledge, control or voice in the power of disposal concerning the jewelry.” In the instant case the prosecution may have shown constructive possession of the office equipment in Fred Arthur Sedillo by reason of the fact that he was a passenger in the automobile at the time the equipment was found. There was no evidence from which it could be said that he had knowledge, control or a voice in the power of disposal of the equipment. In State v. Romero, supra, the court adopted the following definition of “exclusive” : “To create an inference of guilt, the term ‘exclusive’ does not mean that the possession must be separate from all others provided there is other evidence to connect defendant with the offense.” The record is barren of any other evidence connecting or tending to connect defendant Fred Arthur Sedillo with the offense. To meet the requirement expressed in State v. Salazar, supra, the record discloses evidence of an exculpatory nature in the testimony of the defendant, Fred Arthur Sedillo, which is summarized in the majority opinion. In summary, it is my view that there is no evidence which would support a conclusion that Fred Arthur Sedillo either burglarized or participated in burglarizing the law offices. In my opinion a clear miscarriage of justice has occurred in the conviction of Fred Arthur Sedillo and I consequently would reverse the judgment as to him.