Opinion Number: 1999-NMSC-045
Filing Date: December 13, 1999
NO. 24,669
STATE OF NEW MEXICO,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
MAURICIO "ARCHIE" VARELA,
Defendant-Appellant.
APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF GRANT COUNTY
V. Lee Vesely, District Judge
Phyllis H. Subin, Chief Public Defender
Laurel A. Knowles, Assistant Appellate Defender
Santa Fe, NM
for Appellant
Hon. Patricia A. Madrid, Attorney General
Joel Jacobsen, Assistant Attorney General
Santa Fe, NM
for Appellee
MINZNER, Chief Justice.
{1} Defendant appeals from a judgment and sentence entered
following a jury trial at which he was convicted of felony
murder, contrary to NMSA 1978, § 30-2-1(A)(2) (1963) and
NMSA 1978, § 30-1-13 (1963), shooting at a dwelling,
contrary to NMSA 1978, § 30-3-8 (1993) and NMSA 1978, § 30-1-3 (1963), and conspiracy, contrary to NMSA 1978, § 30-28-2
(1963). On appeal, Defendant claims that (1) the
Legislature did not intend to punish causing death by
shooting at a dwelling under Section 30-3-8; the trial
court erred (2) in admitting the State's gang expert
testimony and (3) in admitting impermissible impeachment and
hearsay evidence; (4) his convictions for both felony murder
and the predicate felony constitute a double jeopardy
violation; (5) the trial court erred in enhancing his
convictions for use of a firearm; (6) causing death by
shooting at a dwelling is not a crime one can conspire to
commit; (7) the trial court erred in submitting to the jury
a second degree murder instruction that failed to
incorporate accessory language; and (8) his convictions are not supported by sufficient evidence. We conclude the State
properly relied on Section 30-3-8 in charging Defendant with
felony murder, but that Defendant's right to be protected
from double jeopardy was violated by his convictions for
both felony murder and shooting at a dwelling. We also
conclude that firearm enhancement on these facts is improper
multiple punishment. Defendant's other claims provide no
basis for reversal. We affirm his convictions for felony
murder and conspiracy, vacate his conviction for shooting at
a dwelling, and remand for resentencing.
{2} On July 31, 1996, just before midnight, someone fired
several rounds into a mobile home in Silver City. After
firing the shots, the persons responsible sped off in a car.
One round hit Louis Martinez, the owner, as he slept. Louis
Martinez got out of bed, turned on the light, and collapsed
in an attempt to call 911. He died shortly thereafter.
{3} The police received a number of telephone tips, one of
which led to Ruben Olivas. Olivas eventually admitted to
having been in the car, identified Defendant as the
driver, and identified two other young men, Jaime Perez and
Michael Gonzales, as passengers. Defendant was twenty-seven
years old. Olivas, Perez, and Gonzales were between the
ages of fourteen and seventeen. Olivas, Perez, and Gonzales
all admitted to participating in the incident. Defendant
maintained he was home with family and friends the night of
the shooting.
{4} The State argued that all four men were members of the
Chinatown Locos (CTL), a local gang. CTL had been in
conflict with the Folk gang, to which Nick Martinez, Louis
Martinez's son, belonged. The State reasoned that the
shooter fired into the trailer in response to an earlier
confrontation between Nick Martinez and Gonzales. The three
younger men admitted to being members of CTL; Defendant
testified he was not. Four admitted members of CTL, Perez,
and Gonzales testified that Defendant was not a member of
CTL. A "gang expert" testified gang members often lie to
law enforcement to protect other gang members.
{5} Olivas testified for the State that he, Defendant,
Perez, and Gonzales were all members of CTL at the time of
the shooting and that they had spent the evening of July 31
together, drinking beer and cruising. At some point, they
picked up a shotgun and shells and went to Little Walnut
picnic ground. There Defendant suggested a "jale" or job.
The group drove to the Martinez home , fired four shots into
the trailer, and then sped off.
{6} The State called Gonzales to testify as a hostile
witness and questioned him about a prior written statement
he had given to the police, which identified "Archie" as the
driver. Gonzales denied any memory of writing the
statement, but he said its content was accurate. At the conclusion of Gonzales' testimony, Defendant moved for a
mistrial or, in the alternative, to strike the testimony on
the grounds that the State called Gonzales merely to impeach
him. The trial court denied the motion. When Detective
Villegas, who allegedly witnessed the statement,
subsequently testified, the trial court admitted the
statement itself. Defendant objected on the ground it was
inadmissible hearsay.
{7} Perez also testified for the State. He testified "some
other guy," not Defendant, was driving the car. Perez
admitted he shot the gun in order to get even with Nick
Martinez. He also admitted he had previously told the
police the driver was Archie Varela, but he insisted the
earlier statement was a result of police harassment.
{8} The trial court instructed the jury, based on UJI 14-341
NMRA 1999, on the following felony as predicate for felony
murder:
For you to find the defendant guilty of
causing death by Shooting at a Dwelling
as an Accessory charged in Count 2, the
State must prove to your satisfaction
beyond a reasonable doubt each of the
following elements of the crime:
1. The defendant helped,
encouraged, or caused another to
willfully shoot a firearm at a dwelling;
2. The defendant knew that the
building was a dwelling;
3. The defendant caused the death
of Louis Martinez;
4. This happened in New Mexico on
or about the 31st day of July, 1996.
There was no objection.
{9} The trial court instructed the jury on felony murder,
depraved mind murder, and second degree murder. The jury
found Defendant guilty of accessory to first degree felony
murder, accessory to shooting at a dwelling, and conspiracy
to commit shooting at a dwelling. The jury also found that
a firearm was used in the commission of second degree murder
and shooting at a dwelling. Defendant was sentenced to life
imprisonment plus eighteen years which included two, one-year firearm enhancements and two enhancements pursuant to
the Habitual Offender Act. See NMSA 1978, § 31-18-17(D)
(1993).
{10} NMSA 1978, § 30-3-8(A) (1993) provides:
Shooting at a dwelling or occupied
building consists of willfully discharging a firearm at a dwelling or
occupied building. Whoever commits
shooting at a dwelling or occupied
building that does not result in great
bodily harm to another person is guilty
of a fourth degree felony. Whoever
commits shooting at a dwelling or
occupied building that results in injury
to another person is guilty of a third
degree felony. Whoever commits
shooting at a dwelling or occupied
building that results in great bodily
harm to another person is guilty of a
second degree felony.
Defendant contends that Section 30-3-8(A), properly
construed, does not include a shooting at a dwelling that
results in death. Section 30-3-8(A) does not mention
"causing death" and death is not included as a type of
"great bodily harm" as that term is defined by NMSA 1978, §
30-1-12(A) (1963). He argues the crime for which he was
convicted was intended to be prosecuted only as a homicide
rather than as a felony or as felony murder. Defendant's
arguments raise questions of law, which we review de novo.
See State v. Rowell, 121 N.M. 111, 114, 908 P.2d 1379, 1382
(1995).
{11} Ordinarily a defendant may not base a claim of error on
instructions he or she requested or to which he or she made
no objection. See State v. Noble, 90 N.M. 360, 365, 563
P.2d 1153, 1158 (1977). Defendant argues on appeal that the
jury instructions incorrectly stated the law and resulted in
fundamental error. We agree with Defendant that
fundamental error need not be preserved. "An exception to
the general rule barring review of questions not properly
preserved below . . . applies in cases which involve
fundamental error. Fundamental error cannot be waived."
State v. Osborne, 111 N.M. 654, 662, 808 P.2d 624, 632
(1991) (quoting State v. Clark, 108 N.M. 288, 296, 772 P.2d
322, 330 (1989), habeas corpus relief granted on other
grounds by Clark v. Tansy, 118 N.M. 486, 492-93, 882 P.2d
527, 533-34 (1994)). We agree with Defendant that it would
be fundamental error to substitute "death" for "great bodily
harm" if the legislature did not intend for a shooting at a
dwelling that results in death to be prosecuted under
Section 30-3-8. Nevertheless, we do not believe any error
occurred.
{12} Section 30-1-12(A) defines great bodily harm as "an
injury to the person which creates a high probability of
death; or which causes serious disfigurement; or which
results in permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the
function of any member or organ of the body." The trial
court instructed the jury pursuant to a uniform jury
instruction promulgated by this Court. See UJI 14-341 NMRA
1999. Defendant challenges the jury instruction's equation of "death" and "great bodily harm." He argues the
Legislature did not equate the two terms and the jury
instruction incorrectly stated the law by authorizing a
conviction under Section 30-3-8 for "causing death."
{13}Defendant's argument requires a strained construction of
Section 30-3-8.
The main goal of statutory construction
is to give effect to the intent of the
legislature. To do this, we look to the
object the legislature sought to
accomplish and the wrong it sought to
remedy. The words of a statute . . .
should be given their ordinary meaning,
absent clear and express legislative
intention to the contrary . . . .
Rowell, 121 N.M. at 114, 908 P.2d at 1382 (citations and
internal quotation marks omitted). We note that the first
sentence of Section 30-3-8 appears to prohibit any shooting
at a dwelling or occupied building. This sentence indicates
that the wrong the legislature sought to remedy is any
shooting at a dwelling or occupied dwelling. The next three
sentences assign a level of punishment to three different
fact patterns: a shooting at a dwelling or building that
does not result in great bodily harm; one that results in
injury to another person; and one that results in great
bodily harm. See § 30-3-8. If we construe the first
sentence according to its terms, as prohibiting any shooting
at a dwelling or occupied building, then the circumstance in
which the shooting results in death must be viewed as
falling into one of the three levels of punishment. "[O]ur
construction must not render the statute's application
absurd, unreasonable, or unjust." Aztec Well Servicing Co.
v. Property & Cas. Ins. Guar. Ass'n, 115 N.M. 475, 479, 853
P.2d 726, 730 (1993). To construe the statute as not
including situations in which the victim dies would render
Section 30-3-8's application absurd.
{14}An injury that causes death, surely often, if not
always, causes a high probability of death. Cf. State v.
Keyonnie, 91 N.M. 146, 148, 571 P.2d 413, 415 (1977)
(stating, in a different context, "as a matter of common
sense . . . death clearly and exclusively falls within the
definition of 'great bodily harm'"). In this case, for
example, Louis Martinez suffered an injury that created a
high probability of death and in fact caused his death. We
conclude that Sections 30-3-8 and 30-1-12(A), taken
together, support a conclusion that the Legislature equated
"causing death" and "great bodily harm." Therefore, we also
conclude the jury instruction correctly stated the law.
{15} Defendant also argues that causing death by shooting at
a dwelling does not meet the requirement under State v.
Harrison that the underlying felony be an independent, or a collateral, felony. 90 N.M. 439, 441, 564 P.2d 1321, 1323
(1977), superseded in part by rule on other grounds as
stated in State v. Corneau, 109 N.M. 81, 87, 781 P.2d 1159,
1165 (Ct. App. 1989). In Harrison, we placed three
limitations on the felony murder doctrine:
(1) [T]here must be a causal
relationship between the felony and the
homicide, (2) the felony must be
independent of or collateral to the
homicide, and (3) the felony must be
inherently or foreseeably dangerous to
human life.
Id. The first and third elements are clearly met.
Defendant argues that the second requirement was not met; he
contends the felony was not independent or collateral to the
homicide.
{16} We recently addressed the felony murder doctrine and
the requirement of an independent felony in State v. Campos,
1996-NMSC-043, 122 N.M. 148, 921 P.2d 1266, and State v.
Duffy, 1998-NMSC-014, 126 N.M. 132, 967 P.2d 807. In
Campos, we noted that "the vast majority of homicides are
predicated on an initial felonious assault or battery."
1996-NMSC-043, ¶10. We were concerned that most second
degree murders might be charged as first degree murders.
The underlying assaultive act would be a proper predicate
felony for felony murder doctrine, absent some limitation on
the range of appropriate felonies. Id. ¶ 19. We precluded
that possibility by adopting a collateral felony doctrine.
Under the New Mexico collateral felony doctrine, the
predicate felony cannot be a lesser included offense of
second degree murder. See id.
{17} In order to determine what is a lesser included offense
of second degree murder, in Campos we applied a strict
elements testSee footnote 1. This test provides a tool for determining
legislative intent, and
the purpose of the collateral-felony
limitation to the felony- murder
doctrine is to further the legislative
intent of holding certain second-degree
murders to be more culpable when
effected during the commission of a
felony -- thereby elevating them to
first-degree murders -- while
maintaining the important distinction
between classes of second- and first-degree murders.
Id. ¶ 22. We further held that when there is more than one
statutory definition of the requisite felony, "the correct
inquiry is whether it is possible to commit second degree
murder without committing some form of the dangerous
felony." Id. ¶ 23. Under this analysis, it would be
impossible to be convicted of felony murder if the
underlying felony was aggravated assault or aggravated
battery because it would be impossible to commit second
degree murder without committing some form of both
aggravated assault and aggravated battery. See id. This is
true despite the fact that some statutory definitions of
aggravated assault and aggravated battery may include one or
more statutory elements that are not elements of second
degree murder. See id. Finally, we held this test is to be
applied in the abstract. See id.
{18} Applying a strict elements test in this case, we
conclude that shooting at a dwelling is not a lesser
included offense of second degree murder. The crime of
shooting at a dwelling requires willfully shooting at a
dwelling, which is not an element of second degree murder.
The crime of second degree murder requires that a defendant
know that his or her acts create a strong probability of
death or great bodily harm; shooting at a dwelling does not
contain a similar mens rea. Since there is not more than
one statutory definition of the requisite felony, there is
no need to apply the alternative test prescribed in Campos.
See id.
{19} Defendant contends that Campos did not establish a
single method for establishing legislative intent. He
further contends that under Campos legislative intent must
be determined and that a strict elements test is often, but
not always, an effective mechanism. Defendant relies on
Duffy for the proposition that in "most circumstances" a
strict elements test answers the question of legislative
intent. 1998-NMSC-014, ¶ 24. In urging this Court to look
to other legislative indicia, Defendant reasons that the
legislature would not have created an automatic instance of
felony murder without a more express statement of its
intent. Defendant argues every instance of causing death by
shooting at a dwelling is per se felony murder. Defendant's
argument is not persuasive.
{20} In order to prevent the first degree murder mens rea
requirement from being swallowed up by the felony murder
doctrine, Campos, 1996-NMSC-043, ¶ 10, New Mexico imposes a
mens rea requirement for a felony murder conviction. See
State v. Ortega, 112 N.M. 554, 563, 817 P.2d 1196, 1205
(1991). "[T]he felony-murder doctrine in New Mexico does
not abandon the mens rea requirement for murder, nor does it
create a presumption that a defendant had intended to kill
whenever a homicide occurs during the course of a felony."
Campos, 1996-NMSC-043, ¶ 17. Our felony murder doctrine raises second degree murder to first degree when the murder
is committed in the course of a dangerous felony with the
requisite mens rea. See id. Thus, for the doctrine to
apply, the State must prove the elements of second degree
murder as well as an independent felony. See id. ¶ 19.
Under this doctrine, we avoid the risk that a person
committing a negligent or accidental killing will be
convicted of felony murder, because a negligent or
accidental killing does not constitute second degree murder.
See id. ¶ 18.
{21} In this case, the evidence supports a finding that
Defendant acted with the necessary mens rea. The jury
could have found he knew shooting into a mobile home, in
which several people lived, created a strong probability of
death or great bodily harm. See NMSA 1978, § 30-2-1(B)
(1963). It does not follow, however, that every instance of
shooting at a dwelling which results in death is
automatically felony murder. If a defendant shoots into a
dwelling, believing it to be abandoned, and kills an
occupant, then he or she would be guilty of the felony, but
would not necessarily be guilty of felony murder. In such a
fact pattern, a jury might find the requisite mens rea for
second degree murder absent, precluding a conviction for
felony murder.
{22} Defendant also argues that the trial court erred in
admitting a portion of the testimony of the State's "gang
expert." Relying on State v. Alberico, he argues that the
expert invaded the province of the jury by testifying about
witness credibility. 116 N.M. 156, 175, 861 P.2d 192, 211
(1993).
{23} Defendant made three objections at trial. The initial
objection he made was not an objection to specific
testimony, but rather an argument that the trial court
should not allow the expert to testify. Defendant argued
that the expert would rely on characteristics of other gangs
to impeach and impugn his character and that of local gang
members who might testify on his behalf. The court allowed
the expert to testify after ruling that the testimony would
cover only general gang characteristics.
{24} The expert began his testimony describing general
characteristics of gangs. Eventually, the prosecutor asked
him what a gang member typically does with respect to
revealing the identify of other gang members. At this
point, Defendant objected stating, "Calling this witness
[unintelligible] the credibility of other witnesses is
irrelevant." The objection was overruled. The witness
answered that a gang member's cooperation with law
enforcement is minimal. The witness noted that a gang
member does not want to be labeled an informant and has a
duty to protect older members. Defendant then, without stating a basis, objected "to each and every question."
When asked if there was anything to indicate a difference
between local and other gangs, the expert answered in the
negative.
{25} In order to preserve an error for appeal, "it is
essential that the ground or grounds of the objection or
motion be made with sufficient specificity to alert the mind
of the trial court to the claimed error or errors, and that
a ruling thereon then be invoked." State v. Lopez, 84 N.M.
805, 809, 508 P.2d 1292, 1296 (1973). In this case,
Defendant objected three times to the expert testimony. The
second, more specific, objection apparently was one of
relevancy. On appeal Defendant argues that the probative
value of the testimony was outweighed by its prejudicial
effect. That is a different objection; it identifies a
problem the trial court might have required the State to
avoid had Defendant asked the court to consider Rule 11-403
NMRA 1999.
{26} Perhaps when he referred to "credibility" Defendant
intended to raise the issue of prejudice. A specific
request that a court balance probative value of evidence
against prejudicial effect is not required to preserve an
issue for appeal if the court is otherwise aware that it
must compare the two. See State v. Conn, 115 N.M. 101, 104,
847 P.2d 746, 749 (Ct. App. 1992). Neither the court nor the
State, however, gave any indication they understood the
Defendant's objection to raise the issue. In fact, the
prosecutor offered to prove relevance. We conclude this
issue was not properly preserved for appeal. "The court had
no opportunity to consider the merits of, or to rule
intelligently on, the argument defendant now puts before
us." State v. Lucero, 104 N.M. 587, 590, 725 P.2d 266, 269
(Ct. App. 1986).
{27} Defendant makes two arguments regarding the testimony
of Michael Gonzales. First, he contends the trial court
erred in denying his motion for mistrial or in refusing to
strike the testimony, because the State allegedly called
Gonzales solely to impeach him. Second, he argues the trial
court erred in admitting written hearsay attributed to
Gonzales.
{28} "Since the granting of a mistrial is discretionary with
the trial court, we will not disturb the decision on appeal
absent an abuse of discretion." State v. Sutphin, 107 N.M.
126, 130, 753 P.2d 1314, 1318 (1988). "Abuse of discretion
exists when the trial court acted in an 'obviously
erroneous, arbitrary, or unwarranted ' manner." State v.
Stills, 1998-NMSC-009, ¶ 33, 125 N.M. 66, 957 P.2d 51
(quoting Alberico, 116 N.M. at 170, 861 P.2d at 206).
{29} Defendant is correct that it is improper to call an
opposing party's witness for the sole purpose of
impeachment.
Case law from other jurisdictions
supports the proposition that it is
entirely inappropriate for the
prosecution to call a witness who is
favorable to the defendant only to
elicit statements made to the witness by
a defendant, because such a scheme
operates as a subterfuge to avoid the
hearsay rule.
State v. Duran, 107 N.M. 603, 606, 762 P.2d 890, 893 (1988),
superseded by rule on other grounds as stated in State v.
Gutierrez, 1998-NMCA-172, ¶ 10, 126 N.M. 366, 969 P.2d 970.
We also held, however, that "[i]f the prosecution elicits
relevant, substantive testimony from the witness, it may
impeach its witness with prior inconsistent statements about
the same matter being testified to at trial." Duran, 107
N.M. at 607, 762 P.2d at 894.
{30} Gonzales' testimony, in large part, corroborated that
of Olivas. Gonzales' testimony provided significant
relevant substantive evidence in support of the State's
case. The only actual impeachment occurred when Gonzales'
account differed from that of Olivas. The differences were:
Gonzales' assertions that it was not the Defendant who drove
the car, but rather Archie Barela, where the participants
were seated in the car, and that Olivas, not Perez, fired
the shots. Otherwise, the testimony can best be
characterized as an effort to elicit testimony from an
uncooperative witness. In addition, Gonzales' attempt to
convince the jury that it was a third person who drove the
car supported the State's theory that Perez and Gonzales
agreed to protect Defendant, as fellow gang members, by
implicating another. For these reasons, we conclude the
trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying
Defendant's motion.
{31} Defendant also contends the court erred in admitting
into evidence the written hearsay statement attributed to
Gonzales through Detective Villegas' testimony. The State
argued that Gonzales had testified to a lack of memory
regarding the events detailed in the statement and,
therefore, was unavailable under Rule 11-804(A)(3) NMRA
1999, and the statement was admissible under one of two
exceptions to the hearsay rule: as a statement against penal
interest or under the residual or catchall exception.
Defendant maintained the statement was not admissible, but
argued if the trial court admitted the statement as against
penal interest, the sections implicating him were not
against Gonzales' penal interest and requested a redaction.
The trial court refused to redact, admitted the entire
statement into evidence as against penal interest, and also suggested the statement was inconsistent with Gonzales'
trial testimony and was therefore admissible to impeach his
credibility. We examine both bases for the ruling.
{32} In order for a hearsay statement to be admissible under
Rule 11-804(B)(3) NMRA 1999, the exception to the hearsay
rule for statements against penal interest, the declarant
must first be unavailable. Rule 11-804(A) defines
unavailability as including five situations. Rule 11-804(A)(3) states that "'[u]navailability as a witness'
includes situations in which the declarant . . . testifies
to a lack of memory of the subject matter of the declarant's
statement." See State v. Torres, 1998-NMSC-052, ¶ 8, 126
N.M. 477, 971 P.2d 1267.
{33} "Admission or exclusion of evidence is a matter within
the discretion of the trial court and the court's
determination will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence
of a clear abuse of that discretion." State v. Valdez, 83
N.M. 632, 637, 495 P.2d 1079, 1084 (Ct. App. 1972). While
"[t]he trial court has discretion to determine whether the
burden of showing unavailability [of a witness] has been met
[and] [t]he ruling of the trial court will not be disturbed
absent a showing of abuse of that discretion," State v.
Smith, 92 N.M. 533, 539, 591 P.2d 664, 670 (1979), we agree
with the Defendant that the trial court erred in determining
Gonzales was "unavailable" within the meaning of Rule 11-804(A).
{34} In State v. Maestas, we held "the crucial factor [in
the employment of this rule] is not the unavailability of
the witness, but rather the unavailability of his/her
testimony." 92 N.M. 135, 141, 584 P.2d 182, 188 (Ct. App.
1978). Rule 11- 804(A)(3) mirrors the Federal Rules of
Evidence. See Fed. R. Evid. 804(a)(3). According to
Federal Evidence, "[T]he important point [of the
unavailability requirement] is the state of the recollection
of the declarant about the underlying realities described or
asserted in her prior statement. The fact that she either
does or does not remember making her statement does not bear
on the question at hand." 4 Christopher B. Mueller & Laird
C. Kirkpatrick, Federal Evidence § 483, at 737 (2d ed.
1994). In this case, Gonzales' testimony did not reflect a
lack of memory as to the subject matter, but rather as to
the making of the statement. In general, he confirmed the
events described in the statement and clarified which
"Archie" the statement identified. The trial court, in
fact, observed, "He's testified to most of this anyway."
When a witness testifies consistently with the substance of
a prior written statement, but fails to recall writing the
statement, the witness is not unavailable within the meaning
of Rule 11-804 (A).
{35} Defendant also argues the trial court was under an
obligation to redact any statements which were not against
Gonzales' penal interest. We need not address this issue. The statement was not admissible under Rule 11-804(A)(3).
{36} The statement was also not admissible under Rule11-613(B) NMRA 1999, which allows admission of prior
inconsistent statements of witnesses. Under Rule 11-613(B)
the statement introduced into evidence must be inconsistent
with trial testimony. When there are inconsistencies, the
statement as a whole can be admitted without the state
showing an inconsistency as to each and every statement.
See State v. Gonzales, 113 N.M. 221, 228, 824 P.2d 1023,
1030 (1992). This does not mean whenever a witness does not
remember making a statement the entire statement is admitted
into evidence; there must be substantive inconsistencies.
Gonzales' trial testimony was, in general, not inconsistent
with his prior statement.
{37} Nevertheless, "not all erroneously admitted evidence
necessitates reversal." State v. Woodward, 121 N.M. 1, 9,
908 P.2d 231, 239 (1995). The error must be prejudicial.
See id. at 10, 908 P.2d at 240. "In the absence of
prejudice, there is no reversible error." State v. Hoxsie,
101 N.M. 7, 10, 677 P.2d 620, 633 (1984), overruled on other
grounds by Gallegos v. Citizen Ins. Agency, 108 N.M. 722,
779 P.2d 99 (1989). Under Rule 11-103(A) NMRA 1999,
"[e]rror may not be predicated upon a ruling which admits or
excludes evidence unless a substantial right of the party is
affected." In this case, the statement provided evidence
cumulative of Gonzales' testimony, and therefore its
admission does not provide a ground for reversal. See Davis
v. Davis, 83 N.M. 787, 789, 498 P.2d 674, 676 (1972).
{38} Defendant also contends that if his conviction of
felony murder is affirmed, his conviction of shooting at a
dwelling must be vacated, because the two convictions are
based on unitary conduct. In State v. Contreras, we held
that consecutive sentences for felony murder and the
underlying felony violate the Double Jeopardy Clause when
based on unitary conduct. 120 N.M. 486, 490, 903 P.2d 228,
232 (1995). "Conduct is separate and distinct and not
unitary if 'events are sufficiently separated by either time
or space,' or 'the quality and nature of the acts or . . .
the objects or results involved' are distinguishable." Id.
at 490, 903 P.2d at 232 (quoting State v. Swafford, 112 N.M.
3, 13-14, 810 P.2d 1223, 1233-34 (1991)) (citation omitted)
(omission in original). Under Contreras, the reviewing
court looks at the facts of the case to determine whether
the conduct is unitary. See id. at 490, 903 P.2d at 232.
{39} In this case, the incident in question involved four
shots fired in rapid succession. Gonzales, which involved a
first degree murder and shooting into a motor vehicle, held
that "multiple gun shots . . . [fired] in rapid succession"
constituted unitary conduct "[b]ecause the shots were not
'separated by either time or space.'" 113 N.M. at 224, 824 P.2d at 1026. The State argues that in this case the first
three shots into the trailer, which did not injure anyone,
had different objects and results than the final shot which
killed Louis Martinez. The State argues the object and the
result of the first three shots was intimidation of Nick
Martinez, who was not in the trailer; the fourth shot killed
Louis Martinez. In our view, while the result might be
different, the object was the same. The difference in
result is not a sufficient basis to distinguish Gonzales.
{40} When the conduct is unitary and the legislature does
not expressly authorize multiple punishments, we apply a
strict elements test. See Contreras, 120 N.M. at 490, 903
P.2d at 232. We held in Contreras that the defendant "could
not have been convicted of felony murder unless the State
proved all of the elements of [the underlying felony]; the
elements of [the underlying felony] thus are subsumed by the
elements of felony murder in the course of [the underlying
felony]." Id. Because the elements of shooting at a
dwelling are subsumed by the felony murder conviction there
is no need to look to other indicia of legislative intent.
See id. at 490-91, 903 P.2d at 232-33. We conclude
Defendant's convictions for shooting at a dwelling and
felony murder violate his right to be free from double
jeopardy. Therefore, Defendant's conviction for shooting at
a dwelling is vacated.
{41} On appeal the State concedes, and we agree, the firearm
enhancements of sentences for the crimes of shooting into a
dwelling and felony murder with a predicate felony of
shooting at a dwelling constitute double jeopardy because
the use of a firearm is an element of the crimes. See State
v. Elmquist, 114 N.M. 551, 555, 844 P.2d 131, 135 (Ct. App.
1992). Under Elmquist, the enhancements must be vacated.
{42} Defendant argues his conspiracy conviction was
improper. Conspiracy is a specific intent crime. See State
v. Baca, 1997-NMSC-059, ¶ 51, 124 N.M. 333, 950 P.2d 776.
In order to be convicted of conspiracy, the defendant must
have the requisite intent to agree and the intent to commit
the offense that is the object of the conspiracy. See id.
In Baca, the Court held under the current depraved mind
murder case law, the defendant could not be found to have
intended to kill and simultaneously to have disregarded the
risk of death. See id. ¶ 52. Defendant argues the same
theory applies to shooting at a dwelling when an element of
the offense was "causing death," because that element would
require culpability amounting to recklessness. Defendant,
however, was convicted of conspiracy to commit shooting at a
dwelling, not conspiracy to commit causing death by shooting
at a dwelling. The requisite culpability of the crime of
shooting at a dwelling, as stated in Section 30-3-8 and repeated in the jury instruction, is willful, not reckless,
behavior. Under New Mexico law, willful conduct is
conscious or intentional conduct. See Rio Grande Gas Co. v.
Gilbert, 83 N.M. 274, 276, 491 P.2d 162, 164 (1971).
Defendant was convicted of a crime that required more than
recklessness. Defendant was properly convicted of
conspiracy to commit that crime.
{43} Defendant complains that the second degree murder
instruction, unlike the felony murder and depraved mind
murder instruction, failed to include the accessory language
of "helped, encouraged, or caused another to cause." He
contends the court's instruction precluded the jury from
considering a conviction of a lesser degree of murder.
Defendant did not object to the instruction; therefore we
review for fundamental error.
{44} The trial court instructed the jury on felony murder,
depraved mind murder, and second degree murder. The felony
murder and depraved mind murder instructions both contained,
within the elements, the language: "The defendant . . .
helped, encouraged, or caused." The uniform jury
instructions contain a special instruction incorporating
accessory liability into the felony murder instruction. See
UJI 14-2821 NMRA 1999. The uniform jury instructions,
however, do not provide a similar instruction for crimes
other than felony murder, but rather include a general
instruction, which is to be given separately. See UJI 14-2822 NMRA 1999. In this case, the jury was given an
accessory instruction consistent with the uniform jury
instructions. Both the depraved mind murder and felony
murder instructions incorporated accessory language.
Defendant asserts that because both the felony murder and
depraved mind murder instructions incorporated the language
"helped, encouraged, or caused" and the second degree murder
did not, a reasonable jury might believe there was a higher
level of culpability for second degree murder than felony
murder or depraved mind murder.
{45} We find Defendant's arguments unpersuasive. The
instruction for second degree murder stated in its
introductory paragraph, "For you to find the defendant
guilty as an accessory to Second Degree Murder as an
included offense of Count 1, even though the defendant did
not commit the murder, the State must prove . . . ."
(emphasis added). In addition, the jury was given the
appropriate, separate accessory instruction. See UJI 12-2822. We believe the introductory paragraph of the second
degree murder instruction and the separate accessory
instruction adequately informed the jury. No error
occurred.
{46} Finally, Defendant argues the evidence at trial was
insufficient to support his convictions for shooting at a
dwelling, felony murder, and conspiracy. We will review the
sufficiency of the evidence in order '"to ensure that . . .
a rational jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt
the essential facts required for a conviction."' State v.
Rojo, 1999-NMSC-001, ¶ 19, 126 N.M. 438, 971 P.2d 829
(quoting Baca, 1997-NMSC-059, ¶ 13). "We view the evidence
in the light most favorable to supporting the verdict and
resolve all conflicts and indulge all inferences in favor of
upholding the verdict." State v. Hernandez, 115 N.M. 6, 26,
846 P.2d 312, 332 (1993).
{47} Defendant contends that in order to find him guilty the
jury would have had to believe Olivas' testimony and notes
that his version of the facts changed frequently. Under our
case law, the fact finder determines credibility. See State
v. Roybal, 115 N.M. 27, 30, 846 P.2d 333, 336 (Ct. App.
1992). We are not persuaded that the jury could not have
believed Olivas or that his testimony was inherently
incredible. The State introduced sufficient evidence to
satisfy the ultimate standard of due process.
{48}Defendant was charged and convicted of shooting at a
dwelling. He was separately charged and convicted of felony
murder. He has not shown fundamental error in either
conviction. He has not shown reversible error in the trial
court's evidentiary rulings or jury instructions, nor has he
shown that there was insufficient evidence to support his
convictions. He has shown that his sentences, in part,
violate his right to be free from double jeopardy. For the
foregoing reasons, we affirm Defendant's convictions for
felony murder and conspiracy, vacate his conviction for
shooting at a dwelling, and also vacate the firearm
enhancements. We remand for resentencing.
{49} IT IS SO ORDERED.
______________________________________
PAMELA B. MINZNER, Chief Justice
WE CONCUR:
______________________________________
JOSEPH F. BACA, Justice
______________________________________
GENE E. FRANCHINI, Justice
______________________________________
PATRICIO M. SERNA, Justice
______________________________________
PETRA JIMENEZ MAES, Justice