However, Ortiz apparently could not recall more specific details of the shooting, including who fired the gun. This pay is 25 percent lower than average and 12 percent lower than median salary in Northern New Mexico . Brandon Trujillo in New Mexico Bernalillo County. However, [e]vidence is material under Brady only if there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of the proceeding would have been different. State v. Baca, 115 N.M. 536, 541, 854 P.2d 363, 368 (Ct.App.1993) (quoting United States v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667, 682, 105 S.Ct. At the start of trial a week later, Canas did not appear in court, and it was later learned that he had apparently fled to Colorado. We do not address this argument since we have reversed Defendant's convictions as to all charges relating to shooting at a dwelling or occupied building. LUTCF, Registered Representative. Chris was a hard worker and established his company "All American Towing" in 2017. {34} Defendant next argues that his convictions for all counts relating to shooting at a dwelling or occupied building must be reversed because there was no evidence that Defendant shot at a dwelling or occupied building. The famous stars were married for over a decade until they split in . He was buried on month day 2001, at burial place. Elaine Trujillo is 69 years old today because Elaine's birthday is on 11/05/1953. He took pride in everything he did and everything he did was for his sons. Chris Trujillo in Albuquerque, NM 145 results - Chris Trujillo may also have lived outside of Albuquerque, such as Rio Rancho, Las Cruces and 2 other cities in New Mexico. Hours & Location. The test under the catch-all rules is whether the out-of-court statement-not the witness's testimony-has circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness.3 Id. Arrangements made through Riverside Funeral Home of Santa Fe. {71} Defendant's claims of prosecutorial misconduct and cruel and unusual punishment arising from his sentence could arise on remand, so I agree these questions ought to be reached; additionally, I agree with the majority's disposition on the merits. Questions Post Question Evidence that supports two contradictory inferences is properly said to have proved neither. Q. We find no evidence to suggest that defense counsel purposely elicited the Detective's answer, or could have known it was coming. Now, you said Charlie started shooting first. It is true that the evidence tends to align itself with two different factual conclusions-that either Defendant or Allison shot and killed Mendez. In making its final ruling, the trial court mentions, for the first time, Rule 11-803(X): I think [that there are] grounds for me to go ahead and allow it at least to be played for the jury, just not admitted into evidence as an exhibit, but for all the other reasons that were cited by [the State], 803X and some of the other 804-A3. VI, 2. {60} Defendant's final claim is that the prosecutor aggravated the damage in closing by repeatedly referring to Jesus' story and identification as though it were valid evidence properly before the jury for consideration. In order to find the Defendant guilty, the State had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Defendant willfully shot a firearm at a dwelling or an occupied building. Now, who was Charlie shooting at, if you know? The same motivation that influenced Ortiz to neglect to name the two men on the balcony would, I think, encourage him to shift the blame for the fatal shot from his cousin to Defendant. The State concedes that this conviction must be vacated because this Court has explicitly held that this is not a cognizable crime in New Mexico. The fact finder can reject the defendant's version of an incident. State v. Vigil, 87 N.M. 345, 350, 533 P.2d 578, 583 (1975). Furthermore, even if Ortiz had believed that his cousin would be less culpable had he not fired the fatal shots, one could also speculate that he would have believed his cousin to be even less culpable had he not fired any shots. When the person in the best position to judge a witness's candor feels that the witness was being less than truthful, I am uncomfortable holding that the witness's statement bears circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness. {19} The dissent concludes that with respect to the second danger, lack of candor, Ortiz did in fact have a motive to lie and therefore his statement lacked circumstantial guarantees and was inherently untrustworthy. Dissent 74. Learn more about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. We find there was sufficient evidence to convict Defendant of first-degree depraved-mind murder on either of these theories. The trial court's determination of these questions will not be disturbed unless its ruling is arbitrary, capricious, or beyond reason. Id. After a lengthy discussion of that rule, the State noted, There are some other exceptions that I could argue or basis on the rules of evidence that I could argue for the admission of this, but that [, Rule 11-803(E),] I think is [the principal basis]. After Defendant's response to the State's argument, the State proffered several other grounds for the admission of the statement: Rule 11-801(D)(1)(c) NMRA 2002, Rule 11-803(X), Rule 11-804(A)(3) NMRA 2002, and Rule 11-613(B) NMRA 2002. Watch me LIVE every Wednesday & Thursday . {44} We next consider Defendant's argument that defense counsel was ineffective in failing to interview, secure the presence of, or secure a continuance until such time as Canas could be located. The jury had before it evidence from two other eyewitnesses that identified Defendant as one of the shooters. {51} The trial judge denied Defendant's motion to dismiss on the basis that it came down to a swearing match between the two attorneys and she found no prejudice to the Defendant. For example, the prosecutor asked: Q. NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion baseball team finished off a three-game sweep of the Fordham Rams on Sunday with a doubleheader win taking game one 11-3 and game two 19-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Bud Metheny Ballpark. Followed by a rosary at 7pm at Santa Rita Church in Bernal, NM. Prison pen pals seeking friendship. Trujillo formerly served as founding director of the Office of Equity and Diversity at Northern New Mexico College since 2013, where she oversaw programming to address access and inclusion for historically underrepresented populations in higher education. Her current term ends on December 31, 2024. TermsPrivacyDisclaimerCookiesDo Not Sell My Information, Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Stay up-to-date with FindLaw's newsletter for legal professionals. In closing the prosecutor made two references to Canas' statement: Let me take you to the balcony. 2023 March February January 2022 December November October September August . {57} Defendant also asserts that the prosecutor repeatedly asked Ortiz inflammatory and irrelevant questions about his experiences as a gang member and his fear of retaliation, serving to arouse the jurors' prejudices and make Defendant look guilty by association. From the onset of New Mexico jurisprudence, first-degree murder convictions have been appealed directly to this Court, and even after the creation of the Court of Appeals, this Court retained this crucial area of jurisdiction. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. Rule 11-613(B) would allow, in this case, for the impeachment of Ortiz with extrinsic proof of those out-of-court statements, but would not allow them to come in for substantive purposes. Refine Your Search Results All Filters 1 Christopher A Trujillo, 50 Resides in Albuquerque, NM Lived In Rio Rancho NM, Ponderosa NM It could have gone either way, and again, the prejudice to the defendant, I just don't see it. We agree that viewed in the context of the entire record, there is nothing to indicate that had the July booking photograph been disclosed, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Her desire to . PAMELA B. MINZNER, Justice (concurring in part, dissenting in part). The email address cannot be subscribed. {27} Defendant's reliance on Hernandez is misplaced. In contrast to his earlier jazz and funk inspired playing, Osbourne's band was more straightforward to hard rock and metal. Although accessory liability might make Defendant legally culpable whether or not he fired the fatal shots, I think it is fair to say that most people would view a shooter who missed his target less culpable than one who slays his target. The defendant intended that the crime be committed; 3. Christopher John Trujillo was born on March 30, 1991. Rule 11-804(A)(3) is simply the definition of unavailable that would apply to Ortiz and is not a ground for the admission of the statement. at 89, 390 P.2d at 967. Ortega stated that Allison was the original shooter, firing two or three times at Mendez, and then Defendant took the gun and shot at Canas and Ortega. Christopher passed away on month day 2001, at age 35 at death place, New Mexico. Show on Map . Accordingly, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Defendant's motion to dismiss for prosecutorial misconduct based on these two discovery violations. The dissent cites to no authority to support its conclusion that less deference is due when the trial court admits evidence under a rule that it did not principally rely on, and without some contrary authority, we believe we are obligated to review the trial court's ruling under the well-established abuse of discretion standard. However, both Ortega and Ortiz indicated that one of the two men shot first at Mendez and then the other immediately shot at Ortega and Canas. Chris was a. {12} Defendant first argues that the admission of the tape and transcript of Ortiz's out-of-court statement violated his right to confront the witness against him under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution as applied to the States by the Fourteenth Amendment, and under Article II, Section 14 of the New Mexico Constitution. We do not find the trial court's decision to be arbitrary, capricious, or beyond reason. He was a 1959 graduate of Valley High School (ABQ) and attended one year at UNM. He also testified that Ortiz identified Defendant as one of the shooters from a photo lineup as well but refused to have his identification recorded. 20 plus years experiencce in design and project management of architectural projects, including residential, retail, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment and places of worship. Contact. State v. Ross, 1996-NMSC-031, 122 N.M. 15, 20, 919 P.2d 1080, 1085. On November 13, 1997, this Court filed its opinion in Baca, 1997-NMSC-059, 51, 124 N.M. 333, 950 P.2d 776, holding that conspiracy to commit depraved-mind murder is not a cognizable crime in New Mexico. There, after the witness stated that she could not recall exactly what happened, the prosecutor, over instruction from the court, lead the witness with the only evidence adduced at trial which would support the charge of criminal sexual penetration in the first-degree. In order to find that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting the tape and transcript of Ortiz's interview with Detective Shawn, we must conclude that the trial court's decision was obviously erroneous, arbitrary or unwarranted. State v. Brown, 1998-NMSC-037, 39, 126 N.M. 338, 969 P.2d 313 (quoting State v. Stills, 1998-NMSC-009, 33, 125 N.M. 66, 957 P.2d 51). Chris Trujillo - Farm Bureau Financial Services - We make it simple to protect your family, home,. {14} At trial, the State called Ortiz as an eyewitness to testify regarding the details of the shooting. However, Detective Shawn testified that he believed Ortiz was generally telling the truth, but that he was withholding the actual names of the shooters and was only willing to give a physical description of them. {13} At trial, Defendant objected to the admission of Ortiz's taped statement on general impeachment and hearsay grounds. We are unpersuaded by Defendant's arguments and find that there was sufficient evidence at trial to convict Defendant of first-degree depraved-mind murder. Contact us. However, we conclude that these references to Canas' statement did not deprive Defendant of a fair trial. {17} In determining whether a statement is sufficiently trustworthy the statement must be inherently reliable at the time it is made. State v. Williams, 117 N.M. 551, 561, 874 P.2d 12, 22 (1994). [T]o establish ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant must point to specific lapses by trial counsel. State v. Brazeal, 109 N.M. 752, 757, 790 P.2d 1033, 1038 (Ct.App.1990). In this vein, Ortiz's ranking out of the Barelas gang certainly provided a plausible explanation for the start of the quarrel. He Was Born to Cathy Trujiilo and Anthony Suazo, Raised by his Grandparents in the small town Taos, New Mexico, USA. Are you getting ready to buy a new car? I do believe it's appropriate to allow that. Ashley Lynae Trujillo Home US States New Mexico Bernalillo County, NM Brandon Trujillo. We affirm Defendant's convictions for first-degree depraved-mind murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery. The dissent argues that our analysis under Rule 11-803(X) is misplaced because this exception cannot be read to mean that hearsay which almost, but not quite, fits another specific exception, may be admitted under the other exceptions' subsection Dissent 82 (quoting State v. Barela, 97 N.M. 723, 726, 643 P.2d 287, 290 (Ct.App.1982)). {25} In order to convict Defendant of first-degree depraved-mind murder as a principal, the state had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt each of the following elements of the crime: (1)The defendant discharged a firearm several times from the balcony of an apartment dwelling; (2)The defendant's act caused the death of Javier Mendez; (3)The act of the defendant was greatly dangerous to the lives of others, indicating a depraved mind without regard for human life; (4)The defendant knew that his act was greatly dangerous to the lives of others; (5)This happened in New Mexico on or about the 3rd day of July, 1997. 250 Harvard Rd, San Mateo, CA. Q. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. The majority admits Ortiz's out of court statements under Rule 11-803(X) NMRA 2002. Because none of the other rules upon which the State relied appear to be applicable, I would reverse the convictions of depraved mind murder, aggravated assault, and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery, and remand for a new trial on these counts. at 560, 874 P.2d at 21 (quoting State v. Taylor, 103 N.M. 189, 197, 704 P.2d 443, 451 (Ct.App.1985)). 2052). Thus, we do not address Defendant's double jeopardy argument. He took pride in everything he did and everything he did was for his sons. 27. The second reference came in the middle of his argument about the consistent statements of Ortega and Ortiz: You'd expect two completely different stories if we believe this theory that everyone in gangs lies. Chris Rembert, jr., Pensacola Catholic (Florida) Rembert was one of the top second basemen in the Sunshine State as a sophomore, recording a .410 batting average with 32 hits, 22 RBIs and five home runs. [A] non-jurisdictional claim not raised in the lower court is not properly reviewable on appeal. State v. Burdex, 100 N.M. 197, 201, 668 P.2d 313, 317 (Ct.App.1983) (finding defendant's constitutional claim of cruel and unusual punishment was not asserted at the trial court and was therefore not properly preserved for appeal because such a claim is non-jurisdictional).4 We therefore review Defendant's claim for fundamental error. In that case, we found that the defendant's depraved-mind acts of shooting toward two people at two different times were distinguishable and separate from the shot which actually killed the victim. The United States Supreme Court has held that the suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution. Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87, 83 S.Ct. Pound was taken to the hospital and removed from. $3895 . We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. {56} We agree that Detective Shawn's statements regarding Canas' identification of Defendant was improper hearsay testimony. According to Ortiz, even though the bigger guy asked for the gun, the little guy did not want to give it to him, telling the four down below, You guys think I'm joking, before he began shooting. Furthermore, Ortiz was present and available for cross-examination, which meant the jury could observe his demeanor and make its own determinations regarding Ortiz's credibility. {30} In State v. Baca, 1997-NMSC-059, 15, 124 N.M. 333, 950 P.2d 776, we concluded that in order to find the defendant guilty as an accessory to first-degree depraved-mind murder the State was required to show, either through direct or circumstantial evidence, that [the principal] committed an act greatly dangerous to the lives of others indicating a depraved mind without regard for human life and also that [the accomplice] helped, encouraged or caused [the principal's] act, intending that the crime occur. Id. Although it appears that defense counsel did not interview Ortega prior to opening statements, the court noted that it would allow counsel to finish interviewing him before he took the stand. Christopher Trujillo in New Mexico 283 people named Christopher Trujillo found in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and 6 other cities. Defendant alleges that the leading questions asked by the prosecutor dominated the questioning of Ortega and were not merely an attempt to lay a foundation or cojole a hostile or timid witness. I'm networking with professionals in the fields of Digital Strategy, Marketing, and Web Development. State v. Allison, 2000-NMSC-027, 27-31, 129 N.M. 566, 11 P.3d 141. Attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA in (1998-2000). Has a Death Occurred? {64} Lastly, Defendant claims that his thirty year sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 13 of the New Mexico Constitution. He is a Taos High School graduate of (1998). 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). {10} It is the duty of this court to interpret the various provisions of the Constitution to carry out the spirit of that instrument. Bd. Defendant also does not dispute that he knew this act was greatly dangerous to the lives of others. Thus, under our law, adults convicted of first-degree murder may appeal directly to the Supreme Court, as of right, because they will always be sentenced to life imprisonment or death, while it appears juvenile offenders convicted of first-degree murder may not be able to appeal their convictions directly to the Supreme Court because the trial court has discretion to sentence them to less than a life sentence. I think you are stuck with the strategy there. 2052) (internal citation omitted). On the other hand, both facts also argue that the statement he gave was less than candid. The trial judge denied both motions and made the following finding: First of all, I don't think very many jurors heard it. we must avoid concentrating on the suppressed evidence in isolation. Christopher Trujillo . art. Even assuming competent counsel would not have performed in such a manner, we do not find the necessary prejudice. Both Ortega and Ortiz indicated that one of the two men shot first at Mendez, and then the gun was handed off to the other who immediately shot at Ortega and Canas. at 499, 873 P.2d at 245. Chris Trujillo is an Agent at New York Life Insurance based in New York City, New York. Because we find substantial evidence in the record to support Defendant's convictions, and because Defendant failed to demonstrate circumstances that shock the conscience or show a fundamental unfairness, we find no fundamental error. The statement was thus specifically covered by [some] of the foregoing exceptions Rule 11-803(X). She told him that she was going to be back in a few. Best Match Powered by Whitepages Premium AGE -- Christopher M Trujillo Roswell, NM (Southwest Roswell) View Full Report We find sufficient evidence to support Defendant's one conviction for conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and affirm this conviction. None appears to support the use of Ortiz's interview with the police. Defendant invoked this Court's mandatory appellate jurisdiction based on his first-degree murder conviction and because he was sentenced to thirty years in prison. 11/21/2022 11:53 PM. He is not prepared to proceed today, Your Honor. This comment was apparently made by the prosecutor in response to defense counsel's request for a one-day continuance. Pallbearers: Dominic Trujillo, Raymond Bustamante, Sebastian Bustamante, Matthew Dimas, Lawrence Trujillo, George Bustamante, Sara Anaya and Anthony Trujillo. Rather, we must place it in the context of the entire record. And then who took the gun away from Charlie? Defendant first alleged that the State failed to provide accurate rap sheets on Ortega and Mendez, stating that neither record showed that the two men had a criminal history even though testimony presented at trial indicated that both had previously been in Springer Boys Home or the D home. Defendant also claimed that the State failed to provide a July booking photo taken of Defendant shortly after his arrest. If the acts of two or more persons contribute to cause death, each such act is a cause of death. {42} Defendant also claims that his attorney failed to complete his interview with Ortega. Moreover, counsel did not draw the jury's attention to it, and it was not repeated by counsel or the prosecutor. Ortega again identified Defendant at trial as the second shooter. Defendant argues that the only evidence presented at trial suggesting that he was the one who shot directly at Mendez was improperly before the court and that no evidence supports the finding that Defendant intended that Allison shoot Mendez or that he encouraged him to shoot. Id. He was raised with his fourteen siblings in what was always an entertaining and loving environment. Defendant's case did not go to trial until November 9, 1998, leaving counsel nearly a year to challenge the indictment for this crime. At that point the trial court allowed the witness to be led, and the direct examination continued with the prosecutor graphically describing sexual acts of defendant by way of leading questions, to each of which the witness gave a simple answer of yes. Id. {15} As a general rule, the [a]dmission of evidence is entrusted to the discretion of the trial court, and rulings of the trial judge will not be disturbed absent a clear abuse of discretion.2 State v. Worley, 100 N.M. 720, 723, 676 P.2d 247, 250 (1984); see also Lopez, 2000-NMSC-003, 10, 128 N.M. 410, 993 P.2d 727; State v. Torres, 1998-NMSC-052,15, 126 N.M. 477, 971 P.2d 1267; State v. Stout, 96 N.M. 29, 32, 627 P.2d 871, 874 (1981).