This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.
Facts
The Defendant was found driving a 2014 green Kia Soul, which had been reported stolen by its owner, William Byrd, in August 2022. The vehicle had a missing ignition, a broken window covered with duct tape, and a scratched-off VIN. The Defendant borrowed the car from a friend, Gloria Padilla, and was aware that the car had to be started with a screwdriver, which she acknowledged looked "sketchy" (paras 2, 5-6).
Procedural History
- District Court of Bernalillo County: The Defendant was convicted of receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle (para 2).
Parties' Submissions
- Defendant-Appellant: Argued that the evidence was insufficient to prove she knew or had reason to know the vehicle was stolen (para 2).
- Plaintiff-Appellee: Asserted that the evidence, including the condition of the vehicle and the Defendant's acknowledgment of its suspicious nature, was sufficient to support the conviction (paras 6-7).
Legal Issues
- Was there sufficient evidence to support the conviction for receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle?
Disposition
- The New Mexico Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction (para 10).
Reasons
Per Hanisee J. (Bogardus and Medina JJ. concurring): The Court found that the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, was sufficient to support the jury's conclusion that the Defendant knew or should have known the vehicle was stolen. The Court emphasized the suspicious circumstances surrounding the vehicle, such as the missing ignition, broken window, and altered VIN, as well as the Defendant's own acknowledgment of the vehicle's suspicious nature. The jury was entitled to reject the Defendant's explanation and infer knowledge of the vehicle's stolen status from the circumstantial evidence presented (paras 3-9).