State v. King

Summary

The New Mexico Supreme Court held that the prosecutor’s promise to dismiss the tampering charge in exchange for the defendant locating the murder weapon created an enforceable plea agreement, requiring specific performance. Accordingly, the tampering conviction was vacated and the case remanded for resentencing, while the remaining convictions were affirmed. The Court also affirmed the district court’s rulings on the accessory‑liability instruction, the inadmissibility of the defendant’s hearsay statements, and rejected the ineffective‑assistance claim. The decision relied on Santobello and related precedent.