United States v. Vazquez-Pulido

F I L E D
United States Court of Appeals
Tenth Circuit
PUBLISH
SEP 1 1998
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
PATRICK FISHER
Clerk
TENTH CIRCUIT
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v. No. 97-2238
JOSE VAZQUEZ-PULIDO,
Defendant-Appellant.
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the District of New Mexico
(D.C. No. CR-96-210-JP)
Renee L. Camacho (John J. Kelly, United States Attorney, Albuquerque, New
Mexico, with her on the briefs), Special Assistant United States Attorney, Las
Cruces, New Mexico, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
R. Morgan Lyman, Mesilla Park, New Mexico, for Defendant-Appellant.
Before BRORBY, HOLLOWAY and EBEL, Circuit Judges.
BRORBY, Circuit Judge.
Mr. Jose Vazquez-Pulido appeals his jury conviction in federal district
court for five drug-related offenses. He specifically appeals the district court’s
denial of his motion to suppress evidence seized from him subsequent to his
allegedly unlawful arrest. He also appeals the court’s ruling that allowed the
government to cross-examine his expert witness on mental capacity as to tests
used to determine his competency to stand trial. We exercise jurisdiction
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and affirm.
BACKGROUND
At roughly 9:00 a.m. on March 19, 1996, Javier Vazquez-Pulido 1 drove into
the Columbus, New Mexico, United States Port of Entry from Mexico. United
States Customs Service agents subsequently searched his vehicle and discovered
approximately eight and a half kilograms of heroin and 329 grams of
methamphetamine. Javier Vazquez-Pulido told agents the vehicle was owned by
his friend. He later stated the vehicle belonged to his brother. When asked about
the inconsistency, he stated the vehicle belonged to a friend and his brother.
During Javier Vazquez-Pulido’s detention, United States Immigration and
Naturalization Inspector Rene Alvarez processed his immigration documents to
determine Javier Vazquez-Pulido’s date of birth, parents’ names, and resident
alien card number.
1
We refer to the appellant as Mr. Vazquez-Pulido, and to his brother as
Javier Vazquez-Pulido.
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At approximately 10:00 a.m. the same day, Mr. Vazquez-Pulido walked into
the Columbus Port of Entry from Mexico. He asked Inspector Alvarez for an
extension of his temporary deferral of inspection card, which would allow him to
enter the United States without the permanent resident alien card that he had lost.
When Inspector Alvarez asked him where he was going, Mr. Vazquez-Pulido
replied he was returning to California. Inspector Alvarez also asked him if he had
any luggage and if he came in a vehicle. Mr. Vazquez-Pulido replied no to both
questions. Inspector Alvarez thought these answers were suspicious.
Inspector Alvarez informed Mr. Vazquez-Pulido he could reapply for a new
permanent resident alien card by obtaining two photos and paying $75. Mr.
Vazquez-Pulido returned to Mexico to obtain the photos. Meanwhile, Inspector
Alvarez used information from Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s immigration documents to
complete his resident alien card application.
As Inspector Alvarez processed Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s paperwork, he
recognized similarities to information he had processed earlier that morning
concerning Javier Vazquez-Pulido. In particular, he noticed Mr. Vazquez-
Pulido’s place of birth and parents’ names were identical to those of Javier
Vazquez-Pulido. The first four digits of their resident alien numbers were the
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same, indicating the cards probably were issued in the same area. Inspector
Alvarez informed the Customs agents on Javier Vazquez-Pulido’s case of the
similarities. When Mr. Vazquez-Pulido returned to the Port of Entry later that
morning, the Customs agents arrested him.
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido filed a pretrial motion to suppress evidence resulting
from the allegedly invalid search and seizure of his vehicle and his allegedly
unlawful detention at the Port of Entry. At the suppression hearing, Mr. Vazquez-
Pulido also claimed evidence was seized subsequent to his unlawful arrest. The
district court denied his motions to suppress, finding probable cause existed to
search the vehicle, no unlawful detention occurred, and probable cause supported
the arrest.
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s counsel moved for a competency evaluation pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. § 4241 to determine if Mr. Vazquez-Pulido was competent to stand
trial. Dr. Juan Sosa was appointed to evaluate Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s competency
to stand trial. Dr. Sosa’s report to the court contained the results of psychological
tests conducted on Mr. Vazquez-Pulido. The court determined Mr. Vazquez-
Pulido competent to stand trial.
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At trial, Mr. Vazquez-Pulido called Dr. Jorge Vargas, a psychiatrist, as an
expert witness to testify as to his mental capacity to commit the crimes charged.
Dr. Vargas testified that his evaluation consisted of a mental status evaluation
conducted during a ninety-minute interview with Mr. Vazquez-Pulido. He also
testified that he reviewed a forensic report on Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s mental
functioning. Dr. Vargas testified Mr. Vazquez-Pulido suffered, inter alia, from
depression and a psychosis, which probably existed on the day of his arrest.
Based on his evaluation, Dr. Vargas concluded Mr. Vazquez-Pulido did not have
the specific intent required to commit the crimes charged.
In its cross-examination of Dr. Vargas, the government inquired about tests
generated during Dr. Sosa’s competency examination. 2 Mr. Vazquez-Pulido
repeatedly objected to this line of questioning, claiming the tests were given
solely for the purpose of determining competency. The district court overruled
his objections, concluding questions regarding Dr. Sosa’s test results were proper
so long as the government did not refer to Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s competency to
2
The government questioned Dr. Vargas about the Bender Gestalt test, the
Wechsler Intelligence Scale test in Spanish, the draw-a-person test, and Mr.
Vazquez-Pulido’s test results. The results indicated Mr. Vazquez-Pulido had
average intelligence and motor skills, nervous system problems, and no major
difficulties with self-perception or social adjustment.
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stand trial.
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido was subsequently convicted on five drug-related
charges 3 by a jury and sentenced to 262 months imprisonment. We now address
his issues on appeal.
ANALYSIS
Motion to Suppress
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido argues the district court erred in denying his pretrial
motion to suppress evidence resulting from his allegedly unlawful arrest. 4 He
maintains his warrantless arrest was unlawful because it was not supported by
probable cause. When reviewing a district court’s denial of a motion to suppress,
3
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido was charged with: conspiracy to possess with intent
to distribute heroin and methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 and 18
U.S.C. § 2; importation of heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 952(a), 960(a)(1),
960(b)(1)(A) and 18 U.S.C. § 2; possession with intent to distribute heroin, in
violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 18 U.S.C. § 2; importation
of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 952(a), 960(a)(1), 960(b)(1)(A)
and 18 U.S.C. § 2; and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in
violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 18 U.S.C. § 2.
4
Evidence seized from Mr. Vazquez-Pulido as a result of his arrest and
introduced at trial included a military identification card in his name, a birth
certificate, and the eventual discovery of the car registration for the car
containing the drugs in Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s name and in the name of Espinosa
Ramirez.
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we consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, and
accept the court’s findings of fact unless they are “clearly erroneous.” United
States v. Anderson, 981 F.2d 1560, 1566 (10th Cir. 1992). “‘The ultimate
determination of reasonableness under the fourth amendment is, however, a
conclusion of law that we review de novo.’” Id. (quoting United States v.
McKinnell, 888 F.2d 669, 672 (10th Cir. 1989)).
To be lawful, a warrantless arrest must be supported by probable cause to
arrest. Id. “Probable cause to arrest exists when an officer has learned of facts
and circumstances through reasonably trustworthy information that would lead a
reasonable person to believe that an offense has been or is being committed by the
person arrested.” United States v. Guerrero-Hernandez, 95 F.3d 983, 986 (10th
Cir. 1996). In the probable cause determination, we look at the totality of the
circumstances of each particular case. Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238
(1983); United States v. Hansen, 652 F.2d 1374, 1388 (10th Cir. 1981). Probable
cause to arrest does not require facts sufficient to establish guilt, but does require
more than mere suspicion. Hansen, 652 F.2d at 1388.
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido first claims the district court’s finding that the
Customs agents knew the car containing the drugs was registered in his name
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when they arrested him is clearly erroneous. “A finding is ‘clearly erroneous’
when, although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire
evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been
committed.” Exxon Corp. v. Gann, 21 F.3d 1002, 1005 (10th Cir. 1994)
(quotation marks and citation omitted). According to our review of the record,
the district court’s finding was confirmed, in part, by Javier Vazquez-Pulido’s
statement that the car belonged to his brother and a friend, 5 and the immigration
information indicating Mr. Vazquez-Pulido and Javier Vazquez-Pulido were
brothers. Based on this evidence, we conclude the district court’s finding is not
clearly erroneous.
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido next contends his relationship to his brother, and his
arrival at the Port of Entry shortly after his brother’s arrest, are insufficient facts
to establish probable cause to arrest him. We agree “mere propinquity to others
5
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido further contends his brother’s statement was
unreliable hearsay which could not provide a sufficient basis for probable cause.
Even if true, the finding of probable cause to support an arrest may be based on a
co-defendant’s hearsay statement, in whole or part. Clanton v. Cooper, 129 F.3d
1147, 1155 (10th Cir. 1997) (noting the probable cause determination is made
“under a ‘practical, nontechnical’ totality of the circumstances test” (quoting
Gates, 462 U.S. at 230-32)). Moreover, the agents could have considered the
brother’s statement partly corroborated by Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s appearance at
the border shortly after his brother. See Gates, 462 U.S. at 241 (recognizing the
value of corroborating details to an informant’s tip in evaluating its veracity).
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independently suspected of criminal activity does not, without more, give rise to
probable cause.” Ybarra v. Illinois, 444 U.S. 85, 91 (1979) (ruling no probable
cause existed to search tavern patron without facts connecting him to illegal
activity); see also Sibron v. New York, 392 U.S. 40, 62 (1968) (observing no
probable cause existed to detain defendant who spoke to known narcotics addicts
over a period of eight hours, without independent evidence of criminal activity).
Nor is nearness to the place of the arrest of a co-conspirator or to the place of
illegal activity sufficient to establish probable cause. See United States v. Di Re,
332 U.S. 581, 593 (1948) (ruling no probable cause existed to arrest defendant
who merely was present during an illegal transaction that was not visibly
criminal); Anderson, 981 F.2d at 1566 (holding no probable cause existed to
arrest defendant who visited a house suspected to contain drugs, and walked by
the place of arrest of alleged co-conspirators, without additional evidence of
criminal activity).
However, where there are facts in addition to one’s association with
someone engaged in criminal activity, as in this case, we must consider whether
the “totality of the circumstances” known at the time of the arrest established
probable cause. See United States v. Hillison, 733 F.2d 692, 697 (9th Cir. 1984)
(“In order to find probable cause based on association with persons engaging in
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criminal activity, some additional circumstances from which it is reasonable to
infer participation in criminal enterprise must be shown.”); see also United States
v. Ramirez, 963 F.2d 693, 698-99 (5th Cir.) (ruling probable cause existed where
defendant was not only seen in the company of drug suspects, he was seen
meeting suspects while they engaged in a drug conspiracy, and his behavior was
consistent with the inference he was part of the conspiracy), cert. denied, 506
U.S. 944 (1992).
According to the district court, the facts known to the Customs agents at
the time of Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s arrest were: 1) Javier Vazquez-Pulido was
arrested at the Columbus Port of Entry after drugs were found in the vehicle he
was driving; 2) Javier Vazquez-Pulido told Customs agents the vehicle belonged
to his brother and a friend; 3) Mr. Vazquez-Pulido arrived shortly thereafter on
foot and without luggage; and 4) similarities in Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s and Javier
Vazquez-Pulido’s immigration records indicated they probably were brothers. In
this case, the arresting officers had more than mere association between Mr.
Vazquez-Pulido and Javier Vazquez-Pulido to make their probable cause
determination. The agents also had evidence the brothers were traveling together
in the vehicle containing the drugs, and that the vehicle was partly owned by Mr.
Vazquez-Pulido. From these facts and circumstances, the arresting agents could
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reasonably infer a connection among Mr. Vazquez-Pulido, his brother, and the
drugs found in the car. Reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
government, we conclude the agents had probable cause to arrest Mr. Vazquez-
Pulido. Consequently, we affirm the district court’s denial of his motion to
suppress.
Cross-Examination on Competency Tests
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido argues the district court erred when it allowed the
government to cross-examine his expert witness with information from the
pretrial competency report. He claims the court erred because the issues of
mental competency and mental capacity to commit a crime are legally distinct.
He points to the comprehensive statutory scheme for determining a defendant’s
competency to stand trial as evidencing Congress’ intent to keep competency
issues separate from trial issues. 6
See 18 U.S.C. §§ 4241 and 4247. He also
6
The statutory scheme provides detailed pre-trial procedures for
determinating whether a defendant is competent to stand trial. 18 U.S.C. § 4241.
Any of the parties, or the court sua sponte, may motion for a hearing to determine
if the defendant is mentally competent. Id. § 4241(a). If the court grants the
motion, it may order a psychiatric or psychological examination of the defendant
and require a report be filed by the examiner. Id. § 4241(b). The report must
include all tests employed, and their results. Id. § 4247(c)(2), (A)(4)(A). The
court then determines if the defendant is competent to stand trial, i.e., is able to
understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or is able
to assist in his defense. Id. § 4241(a).
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contends competency tests should not be allowed at trial since but for the
competency evaluation, evidence of the tests would not be before the parties.
Lastly, he argues allowing competency tests to be used against a defendant at trial
will chill defense counsel’s willingness to move for a competency evaluation.
We review evidentiary rulings for an abuse of discretion. United States v.
Janusz, 135 F.3d 1319, 1323 (10th Cir. 1998). However, when the issue on
appeal is a claim that the district court erred in interpreting the law, we review the
district court’s interpretation de novo. Kelley v. United States, 69 F.3d 1503,
1506 (10th Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 517 U.S. 1166 (1996).
We are unwilling to adopt a per se rule making all test results arising from
pretrial competency evaluations inadmissible at trial. We first note the statutory
scheme does not forbid the use of competency tests at trial. 7
Second, psychiatric
or psychological tests used to determine competency may be relevant to the
7
Section 4241(f) provides: “A finding by the court that the defendant is
mentally competent to stand trial shall not prejudice the defendant in raising the
issue of his insanity as a defense to the offense charged, and shall not be
admissible as evidence in a trial for the offense charged.” 18 U.S.C. § 4241(f).
Mr. Vazquez-Pulido, however, does not claim that the court’s finding prejudiced
him. Rather, he asks us to rule, as a matter of law, that all tests used to determine
competency shall not be used at trial.
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question of a defendant’s mental capacity to commit a crime. Indeed, expert
witnesses may use identical testing procedures for evaluating both the defendant’s
mental competency to stand trial and his mental capacity to commit the crime at
issue. See United States v. Cassidy , 571 F.2d 534, 537 (10th Cir.), cert. denied ,
436 U.S. 951 (1978). We see no reason why the difference in standards for
determining mental competency and mental capacity 8
requires a rule making the
test results of competency determinations per se inadmissible at trial.
We think the better approach to determining whether test results from
competency determinations should be admissible at trial is to evaluate the
evidence on a case-by-case basis for relevance, prejudice or confusion of the
issues. See Fed. R. Evid. 402, 403. This approach also is consistent with our
prior case law permitting testimony at trial as to evidence obtained during a
competency evaluation so long as the issues are not confused. United States v.
Collins , 491 F.2d 1050, 1053 (5th Cir.) (observing that competent evidence
adduced during a competency hearing can be presented at trial so long as such
8
The test for a diminished capacity defense, like that raised by Mr.
Vazquez-Pulido, is the whether the defendant had the mental capacity to form the
specific intent to commit the crime at issue. United States v. Twine, 853 F.2d
676, 678 (9th Cir. 1988).
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evidence does not “becloud” the issue (insanity) the jury is to decide), 9
cert.
denied , 419 U.S. 857 (1974).
We also do not find compelling that, as Mr. Vazquez-Pulido suggests,
competency tests should be inadmissible at trial since the tests would not be
available to the parties but for the competency evaluation. As we have already
recognized, identical testing procedures may be used by experts to evaluate both
the defendant’s mental competency to stand trial and his mental capacity to
commit a crime. Consequently, the tests used to determine competency may be
available to the parties regardless of the compelled competency evaluation.
Furthermore, the government can compel the defendant to undergo psychiatric or
psychological examination when the defendant raises the issue of insanity. 18
U.S.C. § 4242(a). Information from that examination may be used against the
defendant with respect to his mental condition even though the psychological or
psychiatric examination is compelled. Fed. R. Crim. P. 12.2(c). We therefore do
not find this argument persuasive enough to justify a per se rule making all test
9
The relevant statute in Collins was 18 U.S.C. § 4244, the predecessor to
18 U.S.C. § 4241. Section 4244 precluded not only the court’s order finding the
defendant competent to stand trial from being admissible at trial, but also any
statement made by the accused from being admissible on the issue of guilt. 18
U.S.C. § 4244 (1982). The difference in these two statutes, however, has no
impact on the point made here.
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results from pretrial competency examinations inadmissible.
We recognize defense counsel may face a dilemma in deciding whether to
move for a competency evaluation since the results of competency tests can be
used to rebut a mental defense at trial. However, this dilemma does not require
that all test results from the competency determination be inadmissible at trial.
The rules of evidence provide sufficient opportunity for defense counsel to
challenge the admissibility of such evidence. For example, defense counsel can
object on the basis of relevancy under Fed. R. Evid. 402, or object, under Fed. R.
Evid. 403, that the admission of competency evidence confuses the issues of
mental competency to stand trial and mental capacity to commit a crime. The
dilemma may also be reduced by vigorous cross- or redirect examination
distinguishing the purposes for which the tests were given. Moreover, there are
additional safeguards available to ensure a mentally incompetent defendant does
not stand trial. For example, the prosecutor or the court sua sponte may move for
a competency hearing if defense counsel fails to do so. See 18 U.S.C. § 4241(a).
For the above reasons, we decline to hold as a matter of law that all
contents and results of psychological tests used to determine competency are
inadmissible to rebut a mental defense. Mr. Vazquez-Pulido failed to appeal any
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specific evidentiary objections made to the government’s questioning. We find
no error in the district court’s decision to permit the government’s questioning of
Dr. Vargas regarding tests used to determine Mr. Vazquez-Pulido’s competency.
Accordingly, we AFFIRM.
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