{
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  "name": "STATE of New Mexico, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. David Marshall WOODWARD, Defendant-Appellant",
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    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "OPINION\nFROST, Justice.\n1.Defendant David Marshall Woodward (David) appeals his convictions on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, and battery. David raises numerous issues regarding evidentiary rulings, sufficiency of the evidence, denial of mistrial, and cumulative error, which he contends mandate a reversal or new trial. We find no merit to any of David\u2019s arguments and affirm.\nI. FACTS\n2. Viewed \u201cin the light most favorable to supporting the verdict,\u201d State v. Hernandez, 115 N.M. 6, 26, 846 P.2d 312, 332 (1993), the evidence adduced at trial is as follows. On the morning of March 28, 1990, a neighbor discovered the body of Deborah Woodward (Debbie), David\u2019s wife, submerged in her bathtub. Although initial responding law enforcement officers believed the death resulted from accidental drowning or suicide, the autopsy revealed that Debbie died from drowning as a result of acute ether intoxication. After receipt of preliminary autopsy results, police officers returned to the scene later that day to investigate a probable homicide.\n3. David and Debbie had had marital difficulties, and Debbie had filed for divorce in January 1990. After that, David moved in with his mother, and Debbie and their children continued to reside at their house. Under the divorce court\u2019s orders, David had visitation with their children every other weekend, during which he and the children stayed at the house and Debbie stayed elsewhere, such as with her parents. Between the weekend visits, David periodically spent time with the children at his mother\u2019s house.\n4. The State introduced evidence that, episodically during their marriage, David had abused his wife, Debbie had had extramarital relationships, and David was aware of and upset about these relationships. In addition, David admitted to tape recording his wife\u2019s conversations. Several witnesses testified that David had threatened various people in connection with the pending divorce and subsequent murder trial. A jailhouse informant also gave a statement to police, which statement he later recanted, that David had confessed to his wife's murder.\n5. The defense relied on an alibi as to David\u2019s whereabouts at the time of the murder. However, the State introduced contrary evidence, and the time of death was indeterminate. Overall, many facts were highly contested, and during the fifteen-day trial the jury was presented with multiple versions of the events surrounding and the cause of Debbie\u2019s death. After the jury returned verdicts of guilty on all charges submitted, the district court sentenced David to consecutive sentences of life imprisonment for first-degree murder, nine years for aggravated burglary, and six months for battery, for a total period of life plus nine and one-half years. David filed a timely notice of appeal pursuant to SCRA 1986, 12-102(A)(2), 12-202(A) (Repl.Pamp.1992).\nII. EVIDENTIARY ISSUES\n6. The standard of review for evidentiary issues is well established.\nOn review we defer to the trial judge\u2019s decision to admit or exclude evidence and we will not reverse absent a clear abuse of discretion. An abuse of discretion occurs when the ruling is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances of the case. We cannot say the trial court abused its discretion by its ruling unless we can characterize it as clearly untenable or not justified by reason.\nState v. Apodaca, 118 N.M. 762, 770, 887 P.2d 756, 764 (1994) (citations omitted) (quotations omitted).\nA. Admissibility of Testimony of Zelda Maggart and Benjamin M. Butler\n7. David\u2019s first contention is that the trial court improperly admitted the testimony of Zelda Maggart (Zelda) and Benjamin M. Butler (Butler) concerning events on January 8, 1990. Zelda, Debbie\u2019s mother, and Butler, the next-door neighbor of Debbie\u2019s parents, testified concerning hearsay statements Debbie made that evening. After David arrived unexpectedly at Debbie\u2019s parents\u2019 house, David fought with Debbie\u2019s father and physically removed Debbie\u2019s and his sons. In the meantime, Debbie ran out her parents\u2019 back door and into Butler\u2019s house.\n8.Debbie then threw herself on Butler\u2019s sofa, curled into a fetal position sobbing, and exclaimed, \u201cHe [David] is going to kill me.\u201d Debbie also stated that she would probably never see her boys again. The trial court admitted this testimony under the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule, which provides: \u201cThe following [is] not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declarant is available as a witness:____ A statement relating to a startling event or condition made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement caused by the event or condition.\u201d SCRA 1986, 11-803(B).\n9. In State v. Maestas, 92 N.M. 135, 139\u201441, 584 P.2d 182, 186-88 (Ct.App.1978), the Court of Appeals considered the scope of the excited utterance exception. The victim in Maestas was severely beaten. At trial she could not or would not identify her assailant. Id. at 142, 584 P.2d at 189. The issue was whether the victim\u2019s out-of-court statements identifying the defendant as her assailant were admissible. The Court of Appeals held admissible the victim\u2019s statements made to her mother shortly after the beating while the victim was still under the stress of excitement from the beating. However, the Court held inadmissible the victim\u2019s statements to her sister-in-law later that evening and her sister the next morning. Id. at 141, 584 P.2d at 188.\n10. The Court noted that New Mexico follows the Wigmore test for the admissibility of excited utterances.\nFirst. \u201cThere must be some shock, startling enough to produce this nervous excitement and render the utterance spontaneous and unreflecting.\u201d\nSecond. \u201cThe utterance must have been before there has been time to contrive and misrepresent, i.e., while the nervous excitement may be supposed still to dominate and the reflective powers to be yet in abeyance.\u201d\nThird. \u201cThe utterance must relate to the circumstances of the occurrence preceding it.\u201d\nId. (quoting State v. Buck, 33 N.M. 334, 336-37, 266 P. 917, 918 (1927)). The Court also noted that, under this test, \u201c[t]here is no definite or fixed limit of time.\u201d Id. at 140, 584 P.2d at 187. Rather, \u201ceach case must depend upon its own circumstances.\u201d Id.\n11. In this case, the witnesses testified that Debbie was still sobbing and lying in a fetal position when she made the contested statements. There was ample evidence from which the trial court could conclude that Debbie was then experiencing shock resulting from David\u2019s intrusion into her parents\u2019 house, and that Debbie made the statements under the stress of and relating to this shocking circumstance. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Debbie\u2019s hearsay statements through the testimony of Zelda and Butler.\nB. Admissibility of Testimony of Stephen B. Maggart\n12. David\u2019s next contention is that the trial court improperly admitted the testimony of Stephen B. Maggart (Steve), Debbie\u2019s brother, concerning Debbie\u2019s hearsay statements that David had hit her. There were two statements concerning different incidents, which we discuss in inverse chronological order.\n1. The First Incident\n13. Steve testified regarding an incident in October or November 1989, when he visited Debbie at her house. When he arrived she was crying and had a small, bloody cut in the corner of her right eye. She told her brother that David had hit her. The trial court admitted this statement under the excited utterance exception to the hearsay rule.\n14. There was sufficient evidence to support a conclusion that Debbie was experiencing shock resulting from David\u2019s violent behavior, and that Debbie made the statement under the stress of and relating to this shocking circumstance. The trial court considered Steve\u2019s testimony in a proffer outside the presence of the jury and did not abuse its discretion in admitting Debbie\u2019s hearsay statement under the excited utterance exception.\n2. The Second Incident\n15. Steve also testified that, shortly before the other incident, he and Debbie were visiting their father in the hospital when he noticed that her faced was flushed and bruised. Steve then volunteered that Debbie said David had hit her. The court interrupted Steve, and defense counsel requested a sidebar at which he asked the State to caution Steve about hearsay. Defense counsel did not ask the court to strike Steve\u2019s statement or to give a limiting instruction. Consequently, David waived his objection to this statement. See State v. Sandoval, 88 N.M. 267, 268, 539 P.2d 1029, 1030 (Ct.App.1975) (holding that defendant did not preserve error when, after court sustained defense counsel\u2019s objection on grounds of relevancy, defense counsel failed to request that court strike testimony or give curative instruction).\n16. In effect, defense counsel asked the court and the State not to let in any more inadmissible hearsay. Defense counsel got the relief he requested, because later, when Steve began to relate additional inadmissible hearsay, the court struck it. Moreover, even if David had preserved his objection that this testimony was erroneously admitted, its admission would be harmless because the evidence was cumulative, see Gallegos v. Citizens Ins. Agency, 108 N.M. 722, 733-34, 779 P.2d 99, 110-11 (1989), since the trial court properly admitted Steve\u2019s testimony regarding the first incident.\n3.Both Incidents\n17. David argues that evidence of both incidents is impermissible evidence of bad character under SCRA 1986, 11-404(A). Character evidence is generally inadmissible to prove action in conformity with such character, SCRA 11-404(A), but such evidence may be admissible for other purposes, SCRA 11-404(B). As discussed below in connection with Richard Kelley\u2019s testimony, David\u2019s behavior toward his wife and others with regard to his marriage and his wife\u2019s murder was probative evidence of motive, intent, plan, or knowledge. Indeed, such evidence was important to establish the requisite mental state for first-degree murder. See Hernandez, 115 N.M. at 19, 846 P.2d at 325.\n18. Lastly, David argues that the statements\u2019 prejudiei\u00e1l impact substantially outweighed their probative value such that the trial court should have excluded them under SCRA 1986, 11 \u2014 103. The purpose of SCRA 11-403 is not to guard against the danger of any prejudice whatever, but only against the danger of unfair prejudice. A statement is not unfairly prejudicial simply because it inculpates the defendant. 1 Kenneth S. Broun et al., McCormick on Evidence \u00a7 185, at 780 (John W. Strong ed., 4th ed. 1992) (\u201c[Pjrejudice does not simply mean damage to the opponent\u2019s cause.\u201d).\n19. Because a determination of unfair prejudice is fact sensitive, \u201cmuch leeway is given trial judges who must fairly weigh probative value against probable dangers.\u201d Id. at 783 (footnotes omitted). See State v. Chamberlain, 112 N.M. 723, 726-27, 819 P.2d 673, 676-77 (1991) (affirming admission of tape recording of fatally injured police officer\u2019s moans). The trial court in this case carefully weighed these factors and did not abuse its discretion in admitting Steve\u2019s testimony.\nC. Admissibility of Testimony of Kevin M. Patterson\n20. David next contends that the trial court improperly admitted the testimony of Kevin M. Patterson (Patterson) explaining the significance of a poem written in a card he sent to Debbie shortly before her death. Patterson and Debbie dated during the days preceding Debbie\u2019s death. David introduced the card into evidence; the State then proffered Patterson\u2019s testimony for explanation. The poem contained references to David\u2019s spying on Debbie and to Debbie\u2019s fear of David, upon which Patterson elaborated.\n21.Patterson\u2019s testimony was not hearsay. \u201c \u2018Hearsay\u2019 is [an out-of-court] statement ... offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.\u201d SCRA 1986, 11-801(C). The State introduced Debbie\u2019s out-of-court statements for the limited purpose of explaining what Patterson wrote in the card. Her statements were not admitted to prove that David spied on Debbie or that she was afraid of him, and the court so cautioned the jury. See State v. Litteral, 110 N.M. 138, 141, 793 P.2d 268, 271 (1990) (\u201cEvidence inadmissible for one purpose may be admissible for other purposes under a different rule of evidence.\u201d); see also State v. Gonzales, 113 N.M. 221, 230, 824 P.2d 1023, 1032 (1992) (\u201cThe jury is presumed to follow the court\u2019s [limiting] instructions.\u201d).\n22. David wanted the card admitted into evidence, but, without explanation, the card could have confused and misled the jury. The State offered Patterson\u2019s testimony to explain the contents of the card. See State v. Sacoman, 107 N.M. 588, 594, 762 P.2d 250, 256 (1988) (\u201cIt is proper for the State to correct a false impression generated by the defendant.\u201d). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting this testimony for this purpose.\nD. Admissibility of Testimony of Carl S. Miskowicz\n23. David next objects to the admission of the testimony of Carl S. Miskowicz (Miskowicz). Miskowicz shared a cell with David after David was arrested and before he was released on bail. Miskowicz made a statement to police that David had confessed to Debbie\u2019s murder while incarcerated. Later, Miskowicz recanted his statement. The court granted immunity -to Miskowicz and ordered him to testify. At trial, he continued to maintain that David had not confessed. The prosecution then introduced Miskowicz\u2019s prior police statement to impeach his testimony at trial.\n24. At the onset, we note that the State properly introduced Miskowicz\u2019s prior statement for the limited purpose of impeaching his trial testimony. See SCRA 1986, 11-613. Because defense counsel did not request a limiting instruction that the jury could not consider the prior statement for the truth of the matters it contained, David waived any argument that the jury improperly considered it as substantive evidence of David\u2019s guilt. See DeMatteo v. Simon, 112 N.M. 112, 114, 812 P.2d 361, 363 (Ct.App.1991) (holding that defendants waived any error by failing to request limiting instruction regarding evidence admissible for one purpose but not another).\n25. However, even assuming that David preserved his objection to the admission of Miskowicz\u2019s prior statement as substantive evidence, his objection fails because the trial court properly admitted both Miskowicz\u2019s testimony and his earlier statement. The evidence contains two analytical components: the purported confession made by David to Miskowicz, and Miskowicz\u2019s prior statement contradicting his trial testimony. Neither is hearsay. David\u2019s confession is an admission by a party-opponent under SCRA 1986,11-801(D)(2) (\u201cA statement is not hearsay if: ... The statement is offered against a party and is ... his own statement____\u201d). Likewise, Miskowicz\u2019s prior inconsistent statement was not hearsay under the rule in effect at the trial\u2019s commencement, SCRA 1986, 11-801(D)(1) (\u201cA statement is not hearsay if: ... The declarant testifies at the trial or hearing and is subject to cross-examination concerning the statement, and the statement is ... inconsistent with his testimony... ,\u201d).\n26. State v. Vigil, 110 N.M. 254, 794 P.2d 728 (1990), is dispositive of this case. The defendant in Vigil resisted introduction of a witness\u2019s prior statement concerning a purported admission by the defendant. Id. at 258, 794 P.2d at 732. At trial, the witness recanted. The Court held that the prior statement was admissible under SCRA 11-801(D)(1), (2). Id. In addition, the Court noted that although there was substantial evidence undermining the witness\u2019s credibility, this went to the weight and not to the admissibility of the evidence. Id. at 258-59, 794 P.2d at 732-33; see also State v. Williams, 117 N.M. 551, 561, 874 P.2d 12, 22 (1994) (finding the credibility of the witness, who is subject to cross-examination, irrelevant to a determination of admissibility).\n27. Similarly, in this case there was substantial evidence undermining Miskowicz\u2019s credibility. However, his veracity was for the jury to determine. See id. Miskowicz\u2019s testimony and prior statement were admissible nonhearsay. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Miskowicz\u2019s testimony and prior statement.\nE. Admissibility of Testimony of Richard B. Kelley\n28. David next contends that the trial court improperly admitted the testimony of Richard B. Kelley (Kelley). Kelley testified that before Debbie\u2019s murder David had solicited his assistance in planning the murder of Debbie\u2019s female friend, who David believed was responsible for the deterioration of his marriage. David argues that this testimony was inadmissible collateral evidence of a prior bad act unrelated to the offenses charged.\n29. The evidentiary rule regarding prior bad acts reads:\nEvidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that he acted 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.\nSCRA 1986, 11-404(B). See also State v. McGhee, 103 N.M. 100, 104, 703 P.2d 877, 881 (1985) (holding that evidence of prior bad acts is admissible \u201cif it is probative of a material element at issue\u201d); State v. Niewiadowski, 120 N.M. 361, 363-64, 901 P.2d 779, 781-82 (Ct.App.), cert. denied, 120 N.M. 184, 899 P.2d 1138 (1995) (holding that \u201cevidence of Defendant\u2019s other bad acts can be admissible if it bears on a matter in issue, such as intent, in a way that does not merely show propensity\u201d). In Williams, we noted that \u201c[i]f evidence of prior acts is relevant and admissible for a purpose other than proving a defendant\u2019s propensity to commit a crime, the probative value of the evidence must outweigh its prejudicial effect.\u201d 117 N.M. at 557, 874 P.2d at 18.\n30. The record indicates that the trial court carefully weighed Kelley\u2019s testimony during a proffer outside the presence of the jury. The court admitted the evidence as relevant to and probative of David\u2019s motive\u2014 the State was trying to show that David was obsessed with preserving his marriage and controlling Debbie, at all costs. As discussed above in connection with Steve\u2019s testimony, evidence of motive, intent, plan, or knowledge was relevant to the requisite mental state for first-degree murder. See Hernandez, 115 N.M. at 19, 846 P.2d at 325.\n31. After Kelley testified before the jury, the trial court gave a limiting instruction that the jury could consider his testimony only to determine a motive for Debbie\u2019s murder. See Gonzales, 113 N.M. at 230, 824 P.2d at 1032 (\u201cThe jury is presumed to follow the court\u2019s [limiting] instructions.\u201d). Furthermore, the trial court excluded Kelley\u2019s testimony regarding two other incidents involving David, after weighing their probative value against their prejudicial effect. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting portions of Kelley\u2019s testimony as evidence of motive.\nF. Admissibility of Testimony of Dr. Glen A. Chaffee\n32. Dr. Glen A. Chaffee (Chaffee), a psychologist, treated David and Debbie for the seven months preceding Debbie\u2019s death. David objected to the admission of Chaffee\u2019s testimony recounting statements made by Debbie during psychological treatment. Debbie stated that David had made threats to kill her and others and that David had abused and spied on her.\n1. Medical Diagnosis or Treatment Exception\n33. The medical diagnosis or treatment exception to the hearsay rule provides: The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule, even though the declarant is available as a witness:\nD. Statements for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment. Statements made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment and describing medical history, or past or present symptoms, pain, or sensations, or the inception or general character of the cause or external source thereof insofar as reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment.\nSCRA 1986, 11-803(D).\n34.After the proffer, the trial court carefully questioned Chaffee to determine that Debbie\u2019s statements regarding David were necessary to Chaffee\u2019s treatment of Debbie for situational depression. The court also inquired into the possibility of fabrication to determine the reliability of Debbie\u2019s declarations. Then the court ruled to admit the testimony, but limited it to evidence of abuse, threats, and spying.\n35. In State v. Altgilbers, 109 N.M. 453, 786 P.2d 680 (Ct.App.1989), cert. denied, 109 N.M. 419, 785 P.2d 1038 (1990), the Court of Appeals considered the medical diagnosis or treatment exception to the hearsay rule. The defendant in Altgilbers was charged with sexually abusing two of his daughters. The Court upheld the trial court\u2019s admission under this exception of the girls\u2019 statements to a pediatrician and a psychologist identifying the defendant as the abuser. Id. at 457, 786 P.2d at 684. The Court noted that \u201c[i]n dealing with child sexual abuse ... disclosure of the perpetrator may be essential to diagnosis and treatment.\u201d Id. at 459, 786 P.2d at 686.\n36. Similarly, Chaffee testified that, in cases such as this that involve spousal abuse, disclosure of the perpetrator is essential to diagnosis and treatment of situational depression. Debbie\u2019s statements to Chaffee fall under SCRA 11-803(D), because Debbie made the statements for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment, and because Chaffee reasonably relied on these statements in diagnosing and treating Debbie.\n2. Confrontation Clause\n37. Unlike this ease, the declarants in Altgilbers were subject to cross-examination regarding their allegations against the defendant. 109 N.M. at 460-62, 786 P.2d at 687-89. Debbie could not be cross-examined because she was dead. Consequently, Altgilbers does not dispose of David\u2019s claim that Chaffee\u2019s testimony deprived him of his constitutional right of confrontation. See U.S. Const. amend. VI; N.M. Const. art. II, \u00a7 14.\n38. In Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 65-66, 100 S.Ct. 2531, 2538-39, 65 L.Ed.2d 597 (1980), the United States Supreme Court established a two-part Confrontation Clause test for hearsay evidence. First, the declarant must be unavailable. Id. at 65, 100 S.Ct. at 2538-39. Availability is not an issue in this case. Second, the statement must have sufficient \u201cindicia of reliability.\u201d Id. at 65-66, 100 S.Ct. at 2539. Noting that the traditional hearsay rules and the Confrontation Clause serve similar purposes, the Court concluded that \u201c[rjeliability can be inferred without more in a ease where the evidence falls within a firmly rooted hearsay exception.\u201d Id. at 66, 100 S.Ct. at 2539.\n39. In White v. Illinois, 502 U.S. 346, 355 n. 8, 112 S.Ct. 736, 743 n. 8, 116 L.Ed.2d 848 (1992), the United States Supreme Court held that the medical diagnosis or treatment exception is a \u201cfirmly rooted hearsay exception\u201d for purposes of Roberts\u2019 second element. Because we have held that Chaffee\u2019s testimony was properly admitted under this exception, David\u2019s constitutional right of confrontation was not violated.\n3. The \u201cDavid Is Going to Kill Me\u201d Statement\n40. David next challenges the admission of a particular statement by Chaffee regarding a session he had with Debbie on January 10, 1990. During the proffer, Chaffee stated that on this date Debbie was afraid that David would hurt her and take the children. During his testimony before the jury, Chaffee stated that Debbie said, \u201cDavid is going to kill me.\u201d\n41. The defense immediately objected and moved for a mistrial. The trial court denied the motion for mistrial and did not strike the testimony or instruct the jury about it. In his briefs, David argues that the trial court erred by not declaring a mistrial or by not striking this testimony, on the grounds that it differed substantially from the proffer. Although we conclude that the \u201cDavid is going to kill me\u201d statement was inadmissible, we also conclude that its admission was harmless error.\n42. United States v. Joe, 8 F.3d 1488 (10th Cir.1993), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1184, 114 S.Ct. 1236 (1994), 127 L.Ed.2d 579, is a decision of the Tenth Circuit, originating from the District of New Mexico, with facts remarkably similar to the facts of this case. We find the rationale of Joe persuasive. The defendant in Joe was convicted of murdering his estranged wife. Eight days before her murder, the victim had seen a physician who treated her for rape. During treatment, she identified the defendant as the rapist. She also told the physician that she was afraid because the defendant had threatened to kill her. Id. at 1491.\n43. The court of appeals affirmed the trial court\u2019s admission of the statement identifying the defendant as the rapist. The court noted that \u201cthe identity of the abuser is reasonably pertinent to treatment in virtually every domestic sexual assault case.\u201d Id. at 1494. Likewise, in this case, Chaffee testified that when situational depression stems from spousal abuse disclosure of the perpetrator is essential to diagnosis and treatment. As we concluded above, the trial court properly admitted Chaffee\u2019s testimony regarding David\u2019s abusive behavior towards Debbie.\n44. The court in Joe then considered the victim\u2019s statement that she was afraid of the defendant because he had threatened to kill her. The court held that the first part of the statement, that she was afraid, was admissible as a statement of then-existing mental, emotional, or physical condition. Id. at 1492. See SCRA 1986, 11-803(C). However, the court held that the statement that the defendant would kill her was a prohibited \u201cstatement of memory or belief,\u201d Joe, 8 F.3d at 1493, that was inadmissible under any hearsay exception, id. at 1497.\n45. In this ease, Chaffee testified that Debbie stated that David was going to kill her. He testified that she was calm when she said it, so it was not an excited utterance. Likewise, this was not a present sense impression or a statement of then-existing mental, emotional, or physical condition. It was a \u201cstatement of memory or belief\u2019 and, as such, was inadmissible.\n46. However, not all erroneously admitted evidence necessitates reversal. We must next determine whether the error was harmless. Because David has invoked his rights under the Confrontation Clause, we apply the constitutional standard of review, \u201charmless beyond a reasonable doubt.\u201d Id. at 1497 (quoting Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 24, 87 S.Ct. 824, 828, 17 L.Ed.2d 705 (1967)). After carefully reviewing the record, we conclude that the erroneous admission of Chaffee\u2019s testimony regarding Debbie\u2019s statement was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.\n47. Zelda and Butler testified that on January 8, 1990, just two days before her session with Chaffee, Debbie stated that David was going to kill her, and we have concluded that Zelda\u2019s and Butler\u2019s testimony was admissible. The jury could reasonably infer that Debbie\u2019s statement to Chaffee stemmed from the same incident two days earlier. In fact, Chaffee testified that he discussed this incident with Debbie in her session on January 10. Consequently, Chaffee\u2019s testimony regarding Debbie\u2019s statement was cumulative. The erroneous admission of cumulative evidence is harmless error because it does not prejudice the defendant. See State v. Worley, 100 N.M. 720, 725, 676 P.2d 247, 252 (1984) (holding Confrontation Clause error harmless because evidence was cumulative).\n48. Furthermore, the prosecution did not elicit the \u201cDavid is going to kill me\u201d statement; Chaffee volunteered it. The record contains enough evidence aside from Chaffee\u2019s testimony from which the jury could infer David\u2019s intent. See Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 684, 106 S.Ct. 1431, 1438, 89 L.Ed.2d 674 (1986) (holding that Confrontation Clause error may be found harmless after weighing \u201ca host of factors,\u201d including \u201cwhether the testimony was cumulative,\u201d whether the testimony was corroborated or contradicted, and \u201cthe overall strength of the prosecution\u2019s case\u201d). The trial court did not commit reversible error.\nG. Admissibility of Testimony of David Nuckols\n49. David\u2019s next contention is that the trial court improperly admitted the testimony of David Nuckols (Nuckols), an investigator with the Bernalillo County District Attorney\u2019s office, regarding driving times between the scene of the murder and locations where David admitted to being on the evening of Debbie\u2019s murder. Nuckols determined these driving times by personally driving the routes on two different afternoons. Defense counsel moved to strike this testimony, and the trial court denied the motion.\n50. The evidentiary rule regarding lay opinion testimony reads:\nIf the witness is not testifying as an expert, his testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions or inferences which are\nA. rationally based on the perception of the witness and\nB. helpful to a clear understanding of his testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.\nSCRA 1986, 11-701. In an instructive discussion of lay opinion testimony, the Court of Appeals held:\nthe foundation required for admitting such evidence is a showing of first-hand knowledge on the part of the witness, and a rational connection between the observations made and the opinion formed. If these two requirements are present and the witness\u2019s opinion might be helpful in the determination of the facts in issue, the opinion is admissible. The requirement of a rational basis is satisfied if the opinion or inference is one which a normal person would form on the basis of the observed facts.\nState v. Luna, 92 N.M. 680, 684-85, 594 P.2d 340, 344-45 (Ct.App.1979).\n51. The State laid the requisite foundation. First, Nuckols based his testimony on first-hand knowledge he obtained from personally driving the routes. Second, his opinion was well within the range of opinions a normal person would form after driving these routes. Third, Nuckols\u2019s testimony was helpful because it was relevant to the issue of whether David could have killed Debbie and still have been at the other locations consistent with his alibi.\n52. In his brief, David argues that Nuckols\u2019s driving times were not reliable or accurate because Nuckols measured the times one and one-half years after Debbie\u2019s murder and during the day, even though Debbie was murdered at night. These arguments go to weight and not admissibility. See State v. Rubio, 110 N.M. 605, 607, 798 P.2d 206, 208 (Ct.App.), cert. denied, 110 N.M. 641, 798 P.2d 591 (1990). Defense counsel fully brought out concerns about reliability and accuracy during cross-examination, and we will not invade the jury\u2019s province by reweighing the testimony. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Nuckols\u2019s testimony.\nH. Exclusion of Maria Lena Woodward\u2019s Written Statement\n53. David also argues that the trial court erred in excluding the written statement to police given by Maria Lena Woodward (Maria), David\u2019s mother. Both Maria and a police officer testified about the statement and its contents, so the statement itself was cumulative. \u201cAlthough relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed ... by considerations of ... needless presentation of cumulative evidence.\u201d SCRA 1986, 11-403. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to admit the statement. See State ex rel. State Highway Comm\u2019n v. Steinkraus, 76 N.M. 617, 622, 417 P.2d 431, 434 (1966) (holding that trial court\u2019s refusal to admit cumulative testimony was not abuse of discretion).\nIII. SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE\n54. David also argues there was insufficient evidence to support his convictions. On appeal, we review whether there is substantial evidence, either direct or circumstantial, to support a guilty verdict beyond a reasonable doubt for each element of the convictions. Apodaca, 118 N.M. at 765-66, 887 P.2d at 759-60. \u201cWe view the evidence in the light most favorable to supporting the verdict and resolve all conflicts and indulge all permissible inferences in favor of upholding the verdict.\u201d Id. at 766, 887 P.2d at 760. In conducting this review, we do not reweigh the evidence. Id. Likewise, we will not \u201cmake inferences or deductions that would cause us to reject testimony relied on by the jury.\u201d Id. at 767, 887 P.2d at 761.\n55. There is no direct evidence implicating David as Debbie\u2019s murderer. However, there is substantial circumstantial evidence supporting David\u2019s convictions. See State v. Duran, 107 N.M. 603, 605, 762 P.2d 890, 892 (1988). In addition to the evidence already discussed in this opinion, David\u2019s brother, Richard Woodward (Richard), testified that the day before Debbie\u2019s body was discovered David told him that he was going to kill Debbie\u2019s new boyfriend, Patterson, and that Debbie was next. Richard also contradicted testimony by their mother, Maria, regarding David\u2019s alibi.\n56. A former eoworker of David testified that several months before Debbie\u2019s death David had discussed with him how to kill someone with ether and make it look like an accident, and the autopsy revealed that Debbie died from drowning as a result of acute ether intoxication. Before the murder, David removed the motion detector lights from Debbie\u2019s house. The jury could infer that he did this in preparation for committing the murder. Based on testimony regarding David and Debbie\u2019s marital discord and the divorce court\u2019s outstanding orders, the jury reasonably could infer that David entered Debbie\u2019s house without permission, with the intent of committing murder once inside.\n57. After Debbie\u2019s death, David continued to maintain that Debbie had committed suicide, even after he became aware of the autopsy results. He also attempted unsuccessfully to obtain the proceeds from Debbie\u2019s life insurance. Lastly, multiple witnesses testified regarding David\u2019s jealousy and unwillingness to accept Debbie\u2019s decision to divorce him. We find the evidence sufficient to support the jury\u2019s conclusion of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt with regal\u2019d to each element of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, and battery.\nIV. DENIAL OF MISTRIAL\n58. In his brief, David argues that the trial court\u2019s refusal to grant a mistrial after striking witnesses\u2019 testimony prejudiced David and denied him due process. However, David does not cite any authority to support his assertion. We will not entertain arguments unsupported in the briefs. SCRA 1986, 12-213 (Repl.Pamp.1992 & Cum.Supp. 1995); State v. Clifford, 117 N.M. 508, 513, 873 P.2d 254, 259 (1994); see also State v. Fairweather, 116 N.M. 456, 463, 863 P.2d 1077, 1084 (1993) (\u201cThe mere assertion of prejudice, without more, is insufficient to establish prejudicial error warranting reversal of a conviction.\u201d).\nV. CUMULATIVE ERROR\n59. David\u2019s final argument is that all of the claimed errors cumulatively amounted to a denial of due process. \u201cThe doctrine of cumulative error \u2018requires reversal of a defendant\u2019s conviction when the cumulative impact of errors which occurred at trial was so prejudicial that the defendant was deprived of a fair trial.\u2019 \u201d Hernandez, 115 N.M. at 26, 846 P.2d at 332 (quoting State v. Martin, 101 N.M. 595, 601, 686 P.2d 937, 943 (1984)). This doctrine is to be strictly applied, and David cannot invoke it if the record as a whole demonstrates that he received a fair trial. Martin, 101 N.M. at 601, 686 P.2d at 943. In this case, taken together, the cumulative effect of any errors was slight, and we conclude after careful review of the whole record that David received a fair trial. See State v. Hoxsie, 101 N.M. 7, 10, 677 P.2d 620, 623 (1984), overruled on other grounds by Gallegos, 108 N.M. at 731, 779 P.2d at 108; State v. Luna, 93 N.M. 773, 781, 606 P.2d 183, 191 (1980).\nVI. CONCLUSION\n60. For the foregoing reasons we affirm David\u2019s convictions of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, and battery.\n61. IT IS SO ORDERED.\nRANSOM and FRANCHINI, JJ., concur.\n. SCRA 1986, 11 \u2014 801(D)(1) has since been amended (effective January 1, 1995).",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "FROST, Justice."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Tom Udall, Attorney General, Patricia A. Gandert, Assistant Attorney General, Santa Fe, for Appellee.",
      "Sammy J. Quintana, Chief Public Defender, Susan Roth, Assistant Appellate Defender, Santa Fe, for Appellant."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "908 P.2d 231\nSTATE of New Mexico, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. David Marshall WOODWARD, Defendant-Appellant.\nNo. 20477.\nSupreme Court of New Mexico.\nNov. 8, 1995.\nTom Udall, Attorney General, Patricia A. Gandert, Assistant Attorney General, Santa Fe, for Appellee.\nSammy J. Quintana, Chief Public Defender, Susan Roth, Assistant Appellate Defender, Santa Fe, for Appellant."
  },
  "file_name": "0001-01",
  "first_page_order": 41,
  "last_page_order": 52
}
