State v. Blea
State v. Blea
Opinion
{1} Defendant Joseph Blea was convicted of multiple counts of first degree criminal sexual penetration and first degree kidnapping involving four separate victims in two separate district court cases, and appeals. In both appeals, cause no. A-1-CA-34986 and A-1-CA-35085, Defendant contends that New Mexico's DNA Identification Act (the Act) NMSA 1978, §§ 29-16-1 to -13 (1997, as amended through 2013) is unconstitutional on its face, and on our own motion we consolidated the appeals. We hold that the Act is not unconstitutional on its face, and summarily reject Defendant's remaining contentions. We therefore affirm the judgment and sentence in both cases.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Cause No. A-1-CA-34986
{2} On November 2, 1988, A.W. (Victim 1), who was 13 years old, went to her home after school where an unknown man wearing a ski mask was lying in wait, armed with a knife. The man vaginally penetrated Victim 1, and then forced her into the bathroom. After securing the bathroom door so Victim 1 could not escape, the unknown man fled. Victim 1 was taken to the hospital, where a rape kit was obtained and evidence was collected from her. The rape kit and evidence were subsequently analyzed by the Albuquerque, New Mexico Police Department (APD) crime lab, and a DNA profile was obtained which was not Victim 1's. The foreign DNA profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database, but no matches were found. After this initial investigation, the case was closed pending further leads because no person was identified as the perpetrator.
{3} Almost twenty years later, on August 13, 2008, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department (BCSD) deputies were dispatched to Defendant's home to investigate a violent domestic dispute, and arrested Defendant for aggravated assault against a household member and aggravated battery against a household member. Pursuant to the Act, a buccal cell swab was administered to Defendant at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center to obtain a DNA sample. The resulting DNA profile was then entered into the CODIS computer database system. Prosecutors subsequently dismissed the domestic violence charges.
{4} On January 13, 2009, APD Detective Sally Dyer was informed of a CODIS database match involving Victim 1's 1988 criminal sexual penetration and foreign DNA collected from a known prostitute who was murdered in Albuquerque in 1985. Defendant was identified as the individual whose DNA
*388 matched the foreign DNA in the two cases. However, no arrest was made because APD detectives continued investigating Defendant for almost another year, as a suspect in the disappearance and death of eleven women and a fetus between 2003 and 2006-crimes colloquially referred to as the "West Mesa" killings.
{5} On December 4, 2010, Detective Dyer obtained a search warrant for a buccal cell swab from Defendant to be analyzed and compared to the foreign DNA profile collected in Victim 1's criminal sexual penetration case as well as other evidence APD detectives had obtained in connection with the West Mesa killings. Based on the DNA profile obtained as a result of the search warrant, APD forensic scientist, Donna Manogue, determined that Defendant could not be excluded as the source of the foreign DNA taken from Victim 1 in 1988. Defendant was charged with one count of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree, contrary to NMSA 1978, Section 30-9-11(D) (2009), and one count of kidnapping, contrary to NMSA 1978, Section 30-4-1 (2003).
{6} On the day of jury selection, Defendant said that he wanted to waive his appearance at trial because he felt he had no defense, other than those raised by pretrial motions which had already been denied. There was discussion about possible alternatives on how to proceed, and ultimately, it was agreed that the case would be tried to the jury on stipulated facts in Defendant's absence. Defendant signed a waiver of appearance, waiving his right to appear at "all proceedings in this case" and "trial" which the district court approved. A jury was selected, and opening instructions were given to the jury.
{7} The following morning, the district court was advised that the parties had agreed to a set of stipulations, and that Defendant still did not want to be present at trial. It was agreed that the court would read the stipulation of facts to the jury, and by doing so, Defendant would not waive his right to appeal. The stipulation of facts was formally agreed upon, and signed by counsel. Defendant also signed the stipulation of facts stating that:
I have read and understand the above [stipulation of facts]. I have discussed this case and my constitutional rights with my lawyers. I understand that by agreeing to these stipulated facts above, I am agreeing [that] these facts will be presented to the jury as if they came in through the testimony of the state's witnesses. I voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently agree to this stipulation of facts without waiving any prior legal objections I have made in this case. I understand that a stipulation is an agreement that a certain fact is true.
The parties gave opening statements; the stipulation of facts was read to the jury; exhibits were admitted into evidence by stipulation; the court gave instructions to the jury; the parties gave closing statements; the jury retired to deliberate; and the jury then returned its guilty verdicts in open court. Defendant appeals.
B. Cause No. A-1-CA-35085
{8} In 2010 and 2011 APD Detectives asked APD forensic scientists to analyze and compare the DNA sample taken from Defendant pursuant to the December 4, 2010 search warrant to foreign DNA samples retrieved from three other victims of criminal sexual penetration which occurred in 1990 and 1993. The APD forensic scientists determined that Defendant could not be excluded as the source of the foreign DNA sample taken from the anal swab from K.H. (Victim 2), and vaginal swabs from A.M. (Victim 3) and L.O. (Victim 4). As a result, Defendant was charged in a subsequent indictment with six counts of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree, contrary to Section 30-9-11(D), and kidnapping of Victim 2, contrary to Section 30-4-1 ; three counts of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree, contrary to Section 30-9-11(D), and one count of kidnapping of Victim 3, contrary to Section 30-4-1 ; and two counts of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree, contrary to Section 30-9-11(D), and one count of kidnapping of Victim 4, contrary to Section 30-4-1.
{9} Defendant then entered into a conditional plea and disposition agreement approved by the district court in which Defendant agreed to plead no contest to two counts *389 of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree of Victim 2; two counts of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree of Victim 3; and one count of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree and one count of kidnapping of Victim 4. The plea was conditioned on Defendant reserving his right to appeal: (1) whether the Act is constitutional under the Fourth Amendment and the New Mexico Constitution; (2) whether the statute of limitations was improperly applied to his case; and (3) whether the December 4, 2010 search warrant was defective, as not being issued by an impartial magistrate. With regard to these issues, the parties also agreed that all pertinent pleadings, arguments and rulings made in cause no. D-202-CR-2010-04089 (cause no. 4089) were deemed to be incorporated and binding in cause no. D-202-CR-2013-01243 (cause no. 1243), and the parties entered into a stipulation of facts (SOF) which Defendant agreed would constitute the uncontested facts on appeal. Defendant appeals.
II. Constitutionality of the DNA Identification Act
{10} In 1994, Congress enacted legislation authorizing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to establish an index of DNA samples. Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Pub. L. No. 103-322,
{11} New Mexico elected to participate in CODIS with the adoption of the Act in 1997. 1997 N.M. Laws, ch. 105. The Act provides for the "collection, storage, DNA testing, maintenance and comparison of samples and DNA records for forensic purposes" and it specifies that procedures "shall meet or exceed the provisions of the federal DNA Identification Act of 1994 regarding minimum standards for state participation in CODIS, including minimum standards for the acceptance, security and dissemination of DNA records[.]" 1997 N.M. Laws, ch. 105, § 4(B)(1).
{12} The Act originally only required convicted felons to provide DNA samples for inclusion in the DNA identification system. 1997 N.M. Laws, ch. 105, § 2(A) (stating that a purpose of the Act is to "establish a DNA identification system for covered offenders"); 1997 N.M. Laws, ch. 105, § 3(D) (defining a "covered offender" to mean "any person convicted of a felony offense as an adult under the Criminal Code, the Motor Vehicle Code or the constitution of New Mexico or convicted as an adult pursuant to youthful offender or serious youthful offender proceedings under the Children's Code[.]"); 1997 N.M. Laws, ch. 105, § 6 (requiring "covered offenders" to provide DNA samples).
{13} In 2006 the Act was expanded to require persons eighteen years of age or older who were arrested for the commission of specified felony offenses to provide a DNA sample to jail or detention facility personnel "upon booking." 2006 N.M. Laws, ch. 104, § 1(A). The felonies specified were sex offenses defined as felonies and all other felonies involving death, great bodily harm, aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary, larceny, robbery, aggravated stalking, use of a firearm or an explosive, or a violation of the Antiterrorism Act. 2006 N.M. Laws, ch. 104, 1(D)(3)(b). The DNA of these arrestees was included in the DNA identification system.
See
{14} In 2011, the Legislature further expanded the Act to require any person eighteen years of age or older "who is arrested for the commission of a felony" to "provide a DNA sample to jail or detention facility personnel upon booking." 2011 N.M. Laws, ch. 84, § 1(A). However, the DNA sample may only be included in the DNA identification system if "the arrest was made upon an arrest warrant for a felony;" or the defendant had "appeared before a judge or magistrate who made a finding that there was *390 probable cause for the arrest;" or "the defendant posted bond or was released prior to appearing before a judge or magistrate and then failed to appear for a scheduled hearing." 2011 N.M. Laws, ch. 84, § 1(B)(1)-(3). In all other cases, the DNA sample collected from a person arrested "shall not be analyzed and shall be destroyed." 2011 N.M. Laws, ch. 84, § 1 (B).
{15} This case concerns the Act as it existed following the 2006 legislation, and is codified as NMSA 1978, §§ 29-16-1 to -13 (2007). The current Act includes the changes made in 2011 and is codified as Section 29-16-1 to -13 (2013).
A. Defendant's Motions To Suppress
{16} Defendant filed motions to suppress the DNA evidence collected from him in connection with his arrest for domestic violence in 2008, arguing that the seizure of his DNA pursuant to the Act violated the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 10 of the New Mexico Constitution. After a hearing at which only legal arguments were presented, the district court denied Defendant's motions.
B. Standard of Review
{17} Defendant does not contend that the Act is unconstitutional as applied in any particular respect. His argument is that the Act, which requires all persons arrested for certain crimes to provide a DNA sample, is unconstitutional on its face. As such, Defendant has the burden to demonstrate that there is no potential set of facts to which the Act can be constitutionally applied.
See
State v. Murillo
,
C. Fourth Amendment Arguments
{18} Defendant contends that the seizure of his DNA upon his arrest in 2008 violated the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Defendant's argument was rejected by the United States Supreme Court in
Maryland v. King
,
{19} In
King
, in 2003 a man concealing his face broke into a woman's home in Maryland, armed with a gun, and raped her.
DNA identification of arrestees is a reasonable search that can be considered part of a routine booking procedure. When officers make an arrest supported by probable cause to hold for a serious offense and they bring the suspect to the station to be detained in custody, taking and analyzing a cheek swab of the arrestee's DNA is, like fingerprinting and photographing, a legitimate police booking procedure that is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment.
{20} The Court first determined that the administration of a buccal swab,
*391
which "involves wiping a small piece of filter paper or a cotton swab similar to a Q-tip against the inside cheek of an individual's mouth to collect some skin cells[,]" is a search for purposes of the Fourth Amendment.
{21} However, "[t]o say that the Fourth Amendment applies here is the beginning point, not the end of the analysis."
King
, 569 U.S. at 446,
{22} The U.S. Supreme Court recognized that various governmental interests are legitimately served by collecting the DNA of an arrestee for a "serious offense" under Maryland's statute during a routine booking procedure.
{23} First, this means that " '[i]n every criminal case, it is known and must be known who has been arrested and who is being tried.' "
King
, 569 U.S. at 450,
{24} Thus, obtaining an arrestee's DNA furthers the government's interest in correctly identifying the person arrested. According to the United States Supreme Court, the use of DNA for identification purposes "represents an important advance in the techniques used by law enforcement to serve legitimate police concerns for as long as there have been arrests[.]"
King
, 569 U.S. at 456,
{25} The U.S. Supreme Court added that "[a] suspect's criminal history is a critical part of his identity that officers should know when processing him for detention."
King
, 569 U.S. at 450,
{26} Second, "law enforcement officers bear a responsibility for ensuring that the custody of an arrestee does not create inordinate risks for facility staff, for the existing detainee population, and for a new detainee."
{27} Third, "looking forward to future stages of criminal prosecution, the Government has a substantial interest in ensuring that persons accused of crimes are available for trials."
{28} Finally, the U.S. Supreme Court said, "in the interests of justice, the identification of an arrestee as the perpetrator of some heinous crime may have the salutary effect of freeing a person wrongfully imprisoned for the same offense."
{29} In considering an arrestee's privacy interests, the Court reasoned that "the intrusion of a cheek swab to obtain a DNA sample is a minimal one."
{30} Balancing the respective interests, the Court concluded that "[i]n light of the context of a valid arrest supported by probable cause [the defendant's] expectations of privacy were not offended by the minor intrusion of a brief swab of his cheeks. By contrast, that same context of arrest gives rise to significant state interests in identifying [the defendant] not only so that the proper name can be attached to his charges but also so that the criminal justice system can make informed decisions concerning pretrial custody."
King
, 569 U.S. at 465,
{31} Defendant points out that under the Maryland statute construed in
King,
the DNA sample may not be tested or placed in a database until after a judicial officer makes a probable cause determination at arraignment to detain an arrestee on a qualifying "serious offense" (i.e., a crime of violence or an attempt to commit a crime of violence or burglary or an attempt to commit burglary); and the Maryland statute provides for automatic expungement if all the qualifying charges are deemed to be unsupported by probable cause, the criminal action does not result in a criminal conviction, the conviction is finally reversed or vacated, or "the individual is granted an unconditional pardon."
King
, 569 U.S. at 443-44,
{32} Anticipating this result, Defendant states, "If this Court does not find that the differences support an opposite result under King , however, [Defendant] asks that this Court decide the matter under Article II, Section 10 [of the New Mexico Constitution.]" We therefore turn to Defendant's argument that the seizure of his DNA was in violation of the New Mexico Constitution.
D. New Mexico Constitution Arguments
{33} Defendant contends that we should diverge from federal precedent and hold the seizure of his DNA was unconstitutional under Article II, Section 10 of the New Mexico Constitution. The parties do not dispute that Defendant has properly preserved this issue to be argued on appeal.
See
State v. Ketelson
,
{34} Article II, Section 10 of the New Mexico Constitution is similar to the Fourth Amendment. It provides: "The people shall be secure in their persons, papers, homes and effects, from unreasonable searches and *394 seizures, and no warrant to search any place, or seize any person or thing, shall issue without describing the place to be searched, or the persons or things to be seized, nor without a written showing of probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation."
{35} We apply the interstitial approach to determine if our state provision provides broader protection than the Fourth Amendment because both provisions provide overlapping protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
See
Ketelson
,
{36} Defendant makes no argument that we should diverge from federal precedent due to structural differences between state and federal government, or distinctive state characteristics. Defendant does contend, that for the reasons stated in Justice Scalia's dissent in
King
, the analysis and conclusion reached by the majority in
King
is flawed. Defendant also points to
People v. Buza
,
{37} To place Defendant's argument in perspective, we first review how CODIS operates. The CODIS database is composed of profiles of noncoding parts of the DNA that do not reveal genetic traits, and do not, at present, reveal information beyond identification.
King
, 569 U.S. at 445, 464,
{38} CODIS, according to
King
, connects laboratories at the local, and state level of all "50 States and a number of federal agencies." 569 U.S. at 444-45,
*395
{39} The central argument made by Justice Scalia's dissent in
King
is that the primary purpose of CODIS is to obtain known samples of DNA from arrestees so they can then be compared to unknown samples of DNA obtained from unsolved crimes, and thereby determine if a known arrestee was involved in the commission of an unsolved crime.
See
{40} Justice Scalia's dissent further argues that the DNA search of an arrestee "had nothing to do" with establishing identity.
King
, 569 U.S. at 474,
{41} We now consider whether we should expand privacy rights of New Mexico arrestees beyond those recognized under the Fourth Amendment in
King
. "The key inquiry under Article II, Section 10 is reasonableness[,]" and "reasonableness depends on the balance between the public interest and the individual's interest in freedom from police intrusion upon personal liberty."
Ketelson
,
The purpose of the Act is to:
A. establish a DNA identification system for covered offenders and persons required to provide a DNA sample pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 ... of this 2006 act [ NMSA 1978, § 29-3-10 (2007) ];
B. facilitate the use of DNA records by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the:
(1) identification, detection or exclusion of persons in connection with criminal investigations; and
(2) registration of sex offenders required to register pursuant to the provisions of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act ...;
C. establish a missing persons DNA identification system consisting of the following DNA indexes:
(1) unidentified persons;
(2) unidentified human remains; and
(3) relatives of, or known reference samples from, missing persons; and
D. facilitate the use of DNA records by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the state medical investigator in the identification and location of missing and unidentified persons or human remains.
{42} The first stated purpose of the Act is to "establish a DNA identification" for two classes of persons. 2006 N.M. Laws, ch. 104, § 2(A). "[C]overed offenders" are persons convicted of felonies, and no argument is made here that a convicted felon cannot be constitutionally required to provide a DNA sample for identification purposes. See 2006 *396 N.M. Laws, ch. 104, § 2(A). What is before us are the second category of persons required to provide a DNA sample in the DNA identification system. As we have pointed out above, the "persons required to provide a DNA sample" are persons arrested for sex offenses defined as felonies, and all other felonies involving "death, great bodily harm, aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary, larceny, robbery, aggravated stalking, use of a firearm or an explosive or a violation pursuant to the Antiterrorism Act[.]" 2006 N.M. Laws, ch. 104, § 1(D)(3)(a)-(b). We herein refer to such persons as arrestees.
{43} It is fundamental that the State has a right to identify all persons it has arrested for committing a felony.
See
Hiibel v. Sixth Judicial Dist. Ct. of Nev., Humboldt Cty.
,
{44} Rather, Defendant's argument seems centered on the Acts's second purpose, which is to "facilitate the use" of the DNA records in the "identification, detection or exclusion of persons in connection with criminal investigations[.]" Section 29-16-2(B)(1). This stated purpose, Defendant contends, demonstrates that the purpose for collecting DNA is to use the DNA collected from arrestees to investigate whether they have committed other, unknown crimes when there is no reason to believe they committed any other crimes. While this use does not violate the Fourth Amendment under King , Defendant contends we should conclude it violates Article II, Section 10 of the New Mexico Constitution. We are not persuaded.
{45} The argument overlooks the fact that the State has obtained an arrestee's DNA in a manner that is both lawful and consistent with the New Mexico Constitution. The
real
complaint is that other information, lawfully in the State's possession-DNA from unsolved crime scenes-can be compared to the arrestee's known DNA. A defendant has no constitutionally protected privacy interest in DNA he or she leaves at a past or future crime scene, and a defendant has no constitutionally protected interest in the DNA used for identification at booking upon arrest. Under these circumstances, we do not perceive a constitutional violation. Obviously, the comparison of known DNA, obtained at booking, with unknown DNA, seized from unsolved crime scenes, is exactly the same use that has been made of fingerprints for decades. Even Justice Scalia's dissent in
King
recognizes that such use has not been deemed to be an unconstitutional privacy violation.
King
, 569 U.S. at 477-79,
{46} For the foregoing reasons, we hold that the initial collection of a DNA sample as part of a routine booking procedure, and its subsequent use under CODIS does not violate Article II, Section 10 of the New Mexico Constitution.
III. Arguments Summarily Answered
A. Search Warrant Issued by Impartial Judge
{47} Pursuant to
State v. Franklin
,
{48} Defendant fails to establish factually or legally that the judge who issued the December 4, 2010 search warrant was legally disqualified from issuing the search warrant. We therefore do not consider this issue further.
See
Guerra
,
B. Statute of Limitations
{49} Defendant argues that the 1997 amendment to NMSA 1978, Section 30-1-8(I) (2009) which eliminated the statute of limitations for all first degree felonies does not apply to his case, and that he was entitled to the fifteen year statute of limitations for first degree felonies under the 1979 version of Section 30-1-8(B). The issue was preserved in Defendant's motion to dismiss which the district court denied.
{50} "When facts relevant to a statute of limitations issue are not in dispute, the standard of review is whether the district court correctly applied the law to the undisputed facts."
State v. Kerby
,
{51} Defendant's argument is answered by
State v. Morales
,
Although the extension of a statute of limitations cannot revive a previously time-barred prosecution, we conclude that it can extend an unexpired limitation period because such extension does not impair vested rights acquired under prior law, require new obligations, impose new duties, or affix new disabilities to past transactions. Because capital felonies and first-degree violent felonies committed after July 1, 1982, were not time-barred as of the effective date of the 1997 amendment, we hold that the Legislature intended the 1997 amendment to apply to these crimes.
Id. (citation omitted). In other words, if the alleged crime was not time-barred under the fifteen year statute of limitations when the 1979 amendment of Section 30-1-8 became effective, then the 1997 amendment, with no limitations period applied. In cause no. 4089, the indictment alleged that the crimes were committed on November 2, 1988, meaning that the fifteen year statute of limitations would have expired in 2003, which was after the 1997 amendment became effective. Therefore, under Morales , the 1997 version of Section 30-1-8 with no statute of limitations applied. The same result is reached in cause no. 1243. The indictment alleges that the crimes were committed on October 7, 1990, June 7, 1993, and November 25, 1993, respectively. Fifteen years from each of these dates is 2005, 2008, and 2008, all of which are after the effective date of the 1997 amendment to Section 30-1-8.
{52} Defendant's attempts to distinguish
Morales
on the basis that application of the 1997 version of Section 30-1-8 is unconstitutional because "a right of action had accrued upon discovery, which occurred at the time these crimes were reported" and therefore the statute of limitations expired fifteen years after the crimes were reported is not supported by any authorities, is not persuasive,
*398
and is rejected. Finally, Defendant argues, pursuant to
Franklin
and
Boyer
, that because "the cause of action accrued at the time of discovery, the application of the 1997 amendment to [Defendant] is an ex post facto application of that law and is unconstitutional." We reject this argument as well.
See
Guerra
,
C. Speedy Trial
{53} Defendant's final claim is that the delay in bringing his case to trial amounted to a violation of his right to a speedy trial. The State responds that Defendant failed to preserve his speedy trial claim for appeal. We agree.
{54} "It is well-settled law that in order to preserve a speedy trial argument, [the d]efendant must properly raise it in the lower court and invoke a ruling."
State v. Lopez
,
{55} Defendant asserted his right to a speedy trial when counsel entered his appearance on April 6, 2011. Defendant also filed a motion to dismiss for a violation of his right to a speedy trial on May 18, 2015. The district court, however, denied Defendant's motion without a hearing because the motion was untimely under the August 28, 2014 scheduling order, which directed that all motions in the case be filed by December 1, 2014. Accordingly, we conclude that Defendant failed to preserve his speedy trial claim for appellate review.
IV. CONCLUSION
{56} The judgment and sentence in each of these cases is affirmed.
{57} IT IS SO ORDERED.
WE CONCUR:
M. MONICA ZAMORA, Judge
STEPHEN G. FRENCH, Judge
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.