Jose D. Arausa, Jr. v. State

NO. 07-02-0267-CR

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

AT AMARILLO

PANEL E

NOVEMBER 25, 2002



______________________________



JOSE DEMETRO ARAUSA JR., APPELLANT

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE



_________________________________

FROM THE 64TH DISTRICT COURT OF HALE COUNTY;

NO. A14185-0109; HONORABLE JACK R. MILLER, JUDGE

_______________________________

Before REAVIS and JOHNSON, JJ., and BOYD, SJ. (1)

ON ABATEMENT AND REMAND

A pro se notice of appeal was timely given in the above case, and the clerk's and reporter's records have been timely received by us. However, appellant's brief, which was due to be filed no later than September 19, 2002, has not been filed, nor have we received any motion seeking an extension of time within which to file the brief. On November 6, 2002, we notified appellant that neither a brief or a motion seeking an extension of time had been filed, and if a satisfactory response was not received within ten days of the notice, the appeal would be abated pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.8.

The notice of appeal indicates appellant's intent to appeal his conviction. This state of the record requires us to remand the case to the 64th District Court of Hale County to conduct a hearing as mandated by Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.8. Upon remand, the judge of the trial court shall immediately cause proper notice to be given and conduct a hearing to determine:

1. If appellant is indigent and if the appointment of an attorney is necessary.



2. If it be determined that an attorney should be appointed, the name, address, and State Bar of Texas identification number of the attorney appointed.



3. If appellant is not indigent, whether he has failed to make the necessary arrangements for prosecuting his appeal, and if he has not done so, what orders are necessary to ensure those arrangements are made.



4. If any other orders are necessary to ensure the diligent and proper pursuit of appellant's appeal.



In support of its determination, the trial court shall prepare and file written findings of fact and conclusions of law and cause them to be included in a supplemental clerk's record. In addition, the trial court shall cause a transcription of the hearing to be prepared and included in a reporter's record. Those supplemental records should be submitted to this court no later than December 23, 2002.

It is so ordered.

Per Curiam

Do not publish.



1. John T. Boyd, Chief Justice (Ret.), Seventh Court of Appeals, sitting by assignment. Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 75.002(a)(1) (Vernon Supp. 2002).

to meet the requirement of appellate rule 38.1(h). We will, nevertheless, address his contention. When deciding whether evidence is legally sufficient to support a conviction, a reviewing court must assess all the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict to determine whether any rational trier of fact could find the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Poindexter v. State, 153 S.W.3d 402, 405 (Tex.Crim.App. 2005), citing Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979).

On the facts of this case, the elements of robbery are that the defendant, at the stated time and place, while in the course of committing theft of property and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, intentionally or knowingly threatened or placed the victim in fear of imminent bodily injury or death; and then and there exhibited or used a deadly weapon, specifically a knife, which in the manner of its use or intended use was capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 29.02 (Vernon 2003); Jefferson v. State, 144 S.W.3d 612, 613 (Tex.App.--Amarillo 2004, no pet.).

The jury was free to believe the victim's testimony that the man who attacked her threatened her with a knife to coerce her to turn over her purse and phone. She also testified she feared for her life. Officer Lloyd Cook testified a knife like the one the victim described would be a deadly weapon. The jury heard the circumstances surrounding the victim's opportunity to see the man who committed the offense and her subsequent identification of appellant in a photograph. (1) They observed her identification of him at trial. The jury also heard a second witness who knew appellant and identified him as wearing similar clothing in the immediate area about the time of the robbery. The jury had ample evidence on which to evaluate the weight to be given to the identification of appellant.

Our review of the record compels the conclusion a rational fact finder could have found the elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. We overrule appellant's sole issue and affirm the judgment of the trial court.



James T. Campbell

Justice









Do not publish.



1. The photographic lineup was introduced in evidence and appears in the appellate record. Appellant makes passing reference in his brief to the lineup, but does not argue the presentation was improper or suggested his identification by the victim.