{ "id": 2737642, "name": "STATE of New Mexico, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Robert Ray HOLLY, Defendant-Appellant", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Holly", "decision_date": "1968-09-06", "docket_number": "No. 150", "first_page": "516", "last_page": "519", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "79 N.M. 516" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "445 P.2d 393" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M. Ct. App.", "id": 9025, "name": "Court of Appeals of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "21 Cal.Rptr. 541", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. Rptr.", "year": 1962, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "203 Cal.App.2d 368", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. App. 2d", "case_ids": [ 2296135 ], "year": 1962, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/cal-app-2d/203/0368-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 N.M. 431", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5325932 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1967, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/78/0431-01" ] }, { "cite": "33 N.M. 370", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1554439 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1928, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/33/0370-01" ] }, { "cite": "38 N.M. 550", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1559216 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1934, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/38/0550-01" ] }, { "cite": "233 P. 49", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "year": 1924, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "30 N.M. 309", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 8841828 ], "year": 1924, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/30/0309-01" ] }, { "cite": "62 N.M. 111", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2713082 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1956, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/62/0111-01" ] }, { "cite": "40 N.M. 344", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 8842020 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1936, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/40/0344-01" ] }, { "cite": "34 N.M. 223", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1556021 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1929, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/34/0223-01" ] }, { "cite": "165 A.2d 761", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "year": 1960, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "223 Md. 559", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Md.", "case_ids": [ 1965002 ], "year": 1960, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/md/223/0559-01" ] }, { "cite": "5 Cal.Rptr. 620", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. Rptr.", "year": 1960, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "181 Cal.App.2d 715", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. App. 2d", "case_ids": [ 4381618 ], "year": 1960, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/cal-app-2d/181/0715-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 N.M. 6", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2743957 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1968, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/79/0006-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 N.M. 127", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5324373 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1967, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/78/0127-01" ] }, { "cite": "110 U.S. 516", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 3503887 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/110/0516-01" ] }, { "cite": "58 N.M. 404", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1587696 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1954, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/58/0404-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 N.M. 527", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5323589 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/78/0527-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 N.M. 657", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2804184 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1967, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/77/0657-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 549, "char_count": 8114, "ocr_confidence": 0.682, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.942276100310451e-07, "percentile": 0.735660264362903 }, "sha256": "ca1be7325c836a80bd2e9fb1c35c8c324307b778d89387be46a58162cb92001d", "simhash": "1:9fc66d4693880c51", "word_count": 1337 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:21:18.946358+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "SPIESS, C. J., and OMAN, J., concur." ], "parties": [ "STATE of New Mexico, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Robert Ray HOLLY, Defendant-Appellant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION\nARMIJO, Judge.\nAppellant was sentenced to a term in the penitentiary following entry of judgment based on jury verdict finding him guilty of larceny of property over the value of one hundred dollars in violation of \u00a7 40A-16-1, N.M.S.A.1953. Appellant filed a motion and supplemental motion pro se under \u00a7 21-1-1 (93), N.M.S.A.1953 (Supp. 1967). Following a hearing on the motion, an order was entered denying relief. This appeal follows.\nAppellant advances eight points as grounds for relief. None is considered sufficiently meritorious to warrant disturbing the trial court\u2019s ruling.\nAppellant first states that the trial court lacked jurisdiction over the proceedings in this case under the Constitution or statutes of New Mexico or under the Constitution of the United States. No grounds for this conclusion are stated, nor argument presented in support thereof.\nWe affirm the settled rule in this jurisdiction that a mere statement of the conclusion does not suffice to preserve a question for review. State v. Crouch, 77 N.M. 657, 427 P.2d 19 (1967) and State v. Reyes, 78 N.M. 527, 433 P.2d 506 (Ct.App.1967).\nAppellant next contends, that the information upon which he was tried was fatally defective because of reference to the offense as one contrary to \u00a7 40A-16-11, N.M.S.A.1953 instead of \u00a7 40A-16-1, N.M.S.A.1953.\nThe information additionally alleged that defendant stole electric wire belonging to Southwestern Public Service Company in an amount exceeding one hundred dollars.\nThese allegations, notwithstanding the misreference, are sufficient to charge the offense. See \u00a7 41-6-7, N.M.S.A.1953. Smith v. Abram, 58 N.M. 404, 271 P.2d 1010 (1954).\nBy his third point appellant charges violation of his constitutional rights because the criminal charge did not result from grand jury indictment; that prosecution based on information violates the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.\nThe United States Supreme Court in Hurtado v. People of State of California, 110 U.S. 516, 4 S.Ct. 111, 28 L.Ed. 232, decided in 1884, held that the requirement of a presentment or indictment of a grand jury required by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution was not applicable to the states. This is still the law of the land. The New Mexico courts concur in this view, see State v. Franklin, 78 N.M. 127, 428 P.2d 982 (1967) and State v. Reyes, supra.\n[4] Appellant next asserts that he was not afforded a preliminary hearing. His contention is refuted by the record.\nAppellant\u2019s fifth claim of error is that if the information in this cause was filed under art. 20, \u00a7 20, of the Constitution of New Mexico, that his rights were violated because the procedures therein required were not followed is also noted and found to be without merit simply because the information was not filed under this constitutional provision.\nFor his next claim of error, appellant asserts that he was not adequately represented by counsel at any of the proceedings in the case. No facts, particulars or details in support of this assertion are advanced. This failure to particularize the claimed inadequacy compels us to overrule his claim. State v. Marquez, 79 N.M. 6, 438 P.2d 890 (1968); State v. Crouch, 77 N.M. 657, 427 P.2d 19 (1967).\n\u25a0 Appellant for his seventh contention states that the charge against his accomplice was reduced to a misdemeanor and by reason thereof the state waived the right to charge appellant with a felony.\nNo question is raised as to the sufficiency of the evidence sustaining appellant's conviction. His guilt having been \u25a0established the fact another equally guilty with him received lesser punishment on a reduced degree of the same crime, does not affect appellant\u2019s guilt of the felony charged against him. People v. Griffith, 181 Cal.App.2d 715, 5 Cal.Rptr. 620 (1960).\nThere is no requirement in criminal procedure that a court impose identical sentences upon persons jointly guilty of a crime. Hardesty v. State, 223 Md. 559, 165 A.2d 761 (1960).\nAppellant\u2019s final contention is his assertion that error was committed when the court permitted in evidence during his trial and over timely objection, the testimony of his accomplice, Richard Dale Key, given at the preliminary hearing, and that Key\u2019s testimony should not have been received because he was a professional thief.\nIt is fundamental that a person accused of crime is entitled to be confronted with the witnesses against him, N.M.Const. art. 2, \u00a7 14, as well as the right to cross-examine said witnesses. Sec. 41-3-8, N.M.S.A. 1953. See State v. Halsey, 34 N.M. 223, 279 P. 945 (1929).\nIn State v. Moore, 40 N.M. 344, 59 P.2d 902 (1936) it was said:\n\u201cThe testimony of any witness taken in any court of this state may be used in a subsequent trial when after diligent effort has been made to ascertain the whereabouts of the witness, he cannot be found.\u201d\nAppellant claims lack of diligent effort on the part of the state in securing the attendance of the witness Key at trial.\nThis issue is one addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court and its ruling should not be disturbed in the absence of abuse. State v. Bailey, 62 N.M. 111, 305 P.2d 725 (1956); State v. Jackson, 30 N.M. 309, 233 P. 49 (1924).\nAppellant was once confronted with the witness and as we later point out, had full right of cross-examination. The record supports the conclusion that diligent effort was made to secure the attendance of the witness Key. A subpoena was issued and delivered to an officer who ascertained Key was no longer residing in Eddy County but moved to Texas. Proceedings were undertaken to compel Key\u2019s attendance under \u00a7 41-12-13 to \u00a7 41-12-18, N.M.S.A. 1953, known as the Uniform Act to Secure the Attendance of Witnesses from without a State in Criminal Proceedings. The Texas officer\u2019s subpoena return indicated that he was unable to make service. Numerous persons including Key\u2019s mother were contacted in an effort to ascertain the witness\u2019s whereabouts. An officer testified:\n\u201cQ. And did you also seek the assistance of the sheriff there at Levelland, Texas, and other West Texas towns in seeking this witness ?\n\u201cA. Yes sir, I did; practically the whole west side.\u201d\nAfter showing absence of the witness from the jurisdiction, the state established by substantial evidence the diligence required. State v. Riddel, 38 N.M. 550, 37 P.2d 802 (1934) ; State v. Trujillo, 33 N.M. 370, 266 P. 922 (1928).\nAppellant also complains that the testimony of the witness Key given at the preliminary hearing should not have been received at trial because appellant was deprived of his right to cross-examine the witness with respect to his credibility and bias.\nWe disagree that appellant was unreasonably restricted in his cross-examination of the witness Key. We are directed to certain questions asked of the witness, to which objection was interposed and which the committing magistrate ruled should not he answered, dealing with issuance of a subpoena for Key, who first contacted him about the subpoena' and his reason for being present to testify.\nAnswers to each of these questions were elicited and obtained during the course of other interrogation. Appellant had the opportunity to cross-examine Key, and did so at length.\nWe find appellant\u2019s claim that' Key\u2019s testimony should not have been received because he was a professional thief to be lacking in merit.\nTestimony is not to be excluded on such grounds. The attack is directed to the credibility of the witness and his credibility is an issue for determination by the trier of the facts. State v. Williams, 78 N.M. 431, 432 P.2d 396 (1967); People v. Simpson, 203 Cal.App.2d 368, 21 Cal.Rptr. 541 (1962).\nFinding no error, the order denying appellant\u2019s motion is affirmed.\nIt is so ordered.\nSPIESS, C. J., and OMAN, J., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "ARMIJO, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "James F. Warden, Carlsbad, for appellant.", "Boston E. Witt, Atty. Gen., Donald W. Miller, Asst. Atty. Gen., Santa Fe, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "445 P.2d 393\nSTATE of New Mexico, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Robert Ray HOLLY, Defendant-Appellant.\nNo. 150\nCourt of Appeals of New Mexico.\nSept. 6, 1968.\nJames F. Warden, Carlsbad, for appellant.\nBoston E. Witt, Atty. Gen., Donald W. Miller, Asst. Atty. Gen., Santa Fe, for appellee." }, "file_name": "0516-01", "first_page_order": 548, "last_page_order": 551 }