IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AT AMARILLO
PANEL C
MARCH 30, 2006
______________________________NAPOLEON J. FIGUEROA,
Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
Appellee
_________________________________FROM THE 137TH DISTRICT COURT OF LUBBOCK COUNTY;
NO. 2003-402,738; HON. CECIL G. PURYEAR, PRESIDING _______________________________
Memorandum Opinion _______________________________
Before QUINN, C.J., and REAVIS and HANCOCK, JJ.
Napoleon J. Figueroa (appellant) appeals his two convictions for aggravated sexual assault. His sole issue concerns the legal sufficiency of the evidence underlying the findings that a deadly weapon was used or exhibited during the course of the rape. That is, the State allegedly failed to prove that the knife he brandished was a deadly weapon and that it was used or exhibited during the same criminal episode. We overrule the issue and affirm the judgments of the trial court.
The standard by which we review the legal sufficiency of the evidence is well established. We refer the parties to Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979) and Moff v. State, 131 S.W.3d 485, 488 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004) for its explanation.
Deadly Weapon
Next, when a person is charged with "us[ing] or exhibit[ing] a deadly weapon, to-wit: a knife," the evidence must establish that the knife used was actually deadly. Lockett v. State, 874 S.W.2d 810, 814 (Tex. App.-Dallas 1994, pet. ref'd). The Penal Code defines a "deadly weapon" as "anything manifestly designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death or serious bodily injury; or . . . anything that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury . . . . " Tex. Pen. Code Ann. §1.07(a)(17)(A) & (B) (Vernon Supp. 2005). Although a knife is not a deadly weapon per se, Thomas v. State, 821 S.W.2d 616, 620 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991), it may be shown to be so via evidence of its size, shape, sharpness, manner of use or intended use, and its capacity to produce death or serious injury. Billey v. State, 895 S.W.2d 417, 420 (Tex. App.-Amarillo 1995, pet. ref'd). Additionally, evidence of the use of expressed or implied threats, the distance between the accused and the victim, and the victim's description of the knife are also indicia susceptible to consideration. Id. Finally, while expert testimony regarding the deadly nature of a knife need not be produced to secure a conviction, it can nonetheless be useful. Davidson v. State, 602 S.W.2d 272, 273 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980); Lockett v. State, 874 S.W.2d at 814.
The victim, appellant's former girlfriend, testified that while in the living room of appellant, he began beating, choking, and biting her. So too did he throw her to the floor, spread her legs, kick her in the vagina, and demand that she remove her clothes. While this occurred, the victim attempted to scream; however, appellant covered her mouth and threatened to kill her. Then, she was taken by appellant into the kitchen where he placed her head in the freezer, fondled her vaginal area, grabbed a knife with "little creases" on the end of it, and stated he wanted to both kill himself and "cut off" her vagina. The victim testified that she was "very scared" and believed that he could badly hurt or kill her.
Additionally, an investigating officer testified that the victim described the knife as a "steak knife" or "paring knife" with a six-inch blade. She further informed him that appellant "held [the knife] to her and threatened to kill her again." And, when asked, the officer opined that the knife described to him was capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. He further thought it to be a deadly weapon.
From 1) the description of the knife, 2) appellant's verbal threats of death and maiming that accompanied its exhibition, 3) appellant's act of holding the knife "to her," 4) the extreme fear of the victim and her belief that appellant could kill her, and 5) the testimony by the officer regarding the harm that the knife was capable of causing, there are indicia sufficient to allow a rational jury to conclude, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the weapon was capable of causing death or serious bodily injury in the manner of its use or intended use. Billey v. State, 895 S.W.2d at 422 (holding that the evidence was sufficient to support a finding that a knife was capable of causing serious bodily injury or death in the manner of its intended use when the defendant exposed a concealed knife, impliedly threatened to use the knife to inflict serious bodily injury or death if the money from the cash register was not given to him, and he was in close proximity to the victim where he could do so if she did not comply with his demands). This being so, the finding that the knife constituted a deadly weapon was and is supported by legally sufficient evidence.
Same Criminal Episode
Next, appellant questions whether the deadly weapon at issue was used during the same criminal episode encompassing the rape. It purportedly was not because it was not brandished when the actual rape occurred. Nor purportedly did it facilitate the rape, according to appellant.
A sexual assault becomes aggravated when a person uses or exhibits a deadly weapon in the course of the same criminal episode. Tex. Pen. Code Ann. §22.021(a)(2)(A)(iv) (Vernon Supp. 2005). Furthermore, the criminal episode begins when the assailant restricts, in any way, the victim's freedom of movement and ends with the final release or escape of the victim from the attacker's control. Burns v. State, 728 S.W.2d 114, 116 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1987, pet. ref'd). Finally, the use or exhibition of the weapon at any time during that period elevates the crime to aggravated sexual assault. (1) Id.
Again, the evidence of record illustrates that appellant first restricted his victim's freedom while in the living room. The restriction continued into the kitchen wherein he held the knife and through the bedroom wherein he forcibly committed the act of sodomy and required her to perform fellatio. Moreover, throughout this entire period, appellant's actions had sexual overtones. For instance, while in the living room he spread her legs and directed her to disrobe. In the kitchen, he fondled his victim's genitalia, and in the bedroom, he anally and orally assaulted her. Given this evidence, a rational jury could conclude beyond reasonable doubt that appellant exhibited the deadly weapon during the same criminal episode as the rape.
Having overruled the sole issue of appellant, we affirm the trial court's judgments.
Brian Quinn
Chief Justice
Do not publish.
1. Though the State alleged, in its indictment, that appellant "used and exhibited a deadly weapon
[emphasis added]" during the criminal episode, the charge required the jury to determine whether appellant
used "or" exhibited the instrument during that period. See Garrett v. State, 682 S.W.2d 301, 309 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1984) (holding permissible such interchange between the conjunctive and disjunctive). So, the jury need
only have found that the weapon was exhibited during the criminal episode to convict appellant of the
accusations.
laims were Howard’s claims of negligence against Mavis and Cathy Harrell.
Following trial of these remaining claims, a jury found that Cathy Harrell was not negligent, but that both Howard and Mavis Harrell were. The jury also found that Howard’s negligence was 51 percent of the cause of the accident and that Mavis Harrell’s negligence was 49 percent of the cause. On September 24, 2007, the trial court entered judgment on the verdict, ordering that Howard take nothing by his claims. Howard filed a motion for new trial, which was denied by the trial court on October 15, 2007. Howard timely filed his notice of appeal.
By his appeal, Howard presents 16 issues and 5 points of error. Howard’s “points“ are: (1) Mavis Harrell was negligent, (2) the trial court erred in dismissing Howard’s claims against TxDOT on the basis of governmental immunity, (3) the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of Darnell and Austin, (4) the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of Farmers Insurance Group, and (5) the clerk’s record on appeal is not complete.
Analysis
We start our analysis by noting that Howard is appealing pro se. Texas courts do not maintain separate sets of procedural rules for litigants with counsel and for litigants representing themselves. Mansfield State Bank v. Cohn, 573 S.W.2d 181, 184-85 (Tex. 1978); Clemens v. Allen, 47 S.W.3d 26, 28 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 2000, no pet.). Pro se litigants are held to the same standards as licensed attorneys and must comply with applicable laws and rules of procedure. Greenstreet v. Heiskell, 940 S.W.2d 831, 834-35 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 1997, no writ).
As noted above, Howard presents 16 “issues” in his appellate brief. However, Howard presents no specific argument relating to the 16 issues presented. As such, those issues that are not otherwise raised within his five “points” are waived as inadequately briefed. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(h); Lewis v. Deaf Smith Elec. Coop., Inc., 768 S.W.2d 511, 512-13 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 1989, no writ).
1. Mavis Harrell’s Negligence
By his first “point,” Howard contends that Mavis Harrell was negligent and that her negligence was a proximate cause of the accident at issue in this appeal. The jury agreed with Howard and found that Mavis Harrell was negligent. The jury further found that Mavis Harrell’s negligence was a cause of the accident. However, the jury found that Howard’s negligence was 51 percent responsible for causing the accident. Under the doctrine of proportionate responsibility, a claimant may not recover damages if his percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 33.001 (Vernon 2008). According to the judgment, it is on this basis that the trial court ordered that Howard take nothing by his claim against Mavis Harrell.
The majority of Howard’s argument concerning his first point argues that Mavis Harrell was negligent and that her negligence was a proximate cause of the accident. However, as previously noted, the jury made findings that Mavis Harrell was negligent and that her negligence was a proximate cause of the accident. Howard’s only challenge to the dispositive jury finding, that his negligence was 51 percent responsible for the accident, is that “It has been held that a driver may be justified in stopping his vehicle on a road way (sic) if he acts prudently, as where[,] under existing conditions[,] he is compelled to stop to avoid conflict with traffic or to comply with traffic control signals[.]”
The jury is afforded wide latitude in allocating responsibility for an accident under section 33.003. N. Am. Van Lines, Inc. v. Emmons, 50 S.W.3d 103, 126 (Tex.App.–Beaumont 2001, pet. denied). Even if the evidence could support a different percentage allocation of responsibility, an appellate court may not substitute its judgment for that of the jury. Id. Thus, even if this Court may think that a different allocation is more reasonable, we will not disturb the jury findings unless we find that there is insufficient evidence to support the findings. Id.
In the present case, evidence was presented to the jury that, upon approaching the construction site, Howard was distracted by the construction activities and that he was not paying attention to the road ahead of him because he was watching bridge beams being set. Howard testified that he did not see the flagman until his vehicle was approximately 15 feet from the flagman. The flagman testified that he was signaling for Howard to stop his vehicle at that time. Evidence was presented to the jury that Howard stopped suddenly, including Howard’s own testimony that he hit his brakes as hard as he could.
We cannot conclude that this evidence establishes, as a matter of law, that Howard acted prudently in the manner in which he stopped his vehicle in the roadway on the occasion in question. Further, we cannot conclude that the jury’s allocation of responsibility is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to require reversal. As such, we cannot say that there was insufficient evidence to support the jury’s finding of the allocation of responsibility between the parties. Therefore, we overrule Howard’s first point.
2. TxDOT’s Governmental Immunity
By his second point, Howard contends that the trial court erred in dismissing his negligence claims against TxDOT because TxDOT had actual notice of the claim and a premises defect claim is authorized under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Howard contends that TxDOT had actual notice of his claims because an incident report was prepared by a City of Cleburne Police Officer. Howard also contends that his pleadings asserted a claim for liability for a premises defect against TxDOT.
A governmental unit is entitled to receive notice of a claim against it no later than six months after the day that the incident giving rise to the claim occurred. § 101.101(a). The notice must reasonably describe the damage or injury claimed, the time and place of the incident, and the facts of the incident. Id. However, such notice is not required if the governmental unit has actual notice of the death of, injury to, or damage to property owned by the claimant. See § 101.101(c).
Howard does not contend that he gave formal notice of his claim to TxDOT and the record includes no evidence that Howard gave formal notice of his claim to TxDOT, as required by section 101.101(a). Rather, Howard contends that the incident report prepared by the City of Cleburne Police Officer was sufficient to provide TxDOT with actual notice of his claim. Howard, however, does not explain how a city police incident report could be said to have provided actual notice of a claim to TxDOT, a state agency. Further, even if the incident report were deemed to have provided actual notice to TxDOT, it does not notice a death, injury to Howard, or damage to Howard’s property. The incident report, a copy of which is contained in the record, indicates that no party to the accident was killed or injured and further indicates that both vehicles were driven from the scene. In fact, the report’s only indication that property damage was sustained is that the “yes” box is checked beside the question, “In your opinion, did this accident result in at least $1,000.00 damage to any one person’s property?” At best, this indicates that there was property damage caused by the accident, but nothing in this statement can be said to provide TxDOT with actual notice that the claimant’s property had been damaged. Further, notice of injury or property damage is insufficient to provide actual notice of a claim unless the governmental unit also has “a subjective awareness that its fault produced or contributed to the claimed injury [or damage].” Tex. Dep’t of Crim. Justice v. Simons, 140 S.W.3d 338, 347-48 (Tex. 2004). Thus, we conclude that the trial court did not err in dismissing Howard’s claim against TxDOT for his failure to provide the statutorily required notice.
However, because the trial court dismissed Howard’s claims against TxDOT by granting a plea to the jurisdiction, we must consider whether, at the applicable time, Howard’s failure to give TxDOT notice was jurisdictional. In 2004, the Texas Supreme Court held that a claimant’s failure to comply with section 101.101's notice requirement does not deprive the trial court of subject matter jurisdiction and cannot be properly asserted in a plea to the jurisdiction. See Univ. of Tex. Sw. Med. Ctr. at Dallas v. Loutzenhiser, 140 S.W.3d 351, 364 (Tex. 2004). This holding was subsequently superseded by statute when the legislature amended section 311.034 of the Texas Government Code to provide that, “Statutory prerequisites to a suit, including the provision of notice, are jurisdictional requirements in all suits against a governmental entity.” See Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 311.034 (Vernon Supp. 2008). However, the amendment did not become effective until September 1, 2005 and the legislature did not provide for retroactive application. Tex. Tech Univ. Health Scis. Ctr. v. Lucero, 234 S.W.3d 158, 165-66 (Tex.App.–El Paso 2007, pet. denied).
In the present case, the “day that the incident giving rise to the claim occurred” was January 20, 2004. § 101.101(a). Thus, Howard was required to give notice of his claim within 6 months of that date, or July 20, 2004. Because Howard’s notice was due prior to the September 1, 2005 effective date of the amendment to Texas Government Code section 311.034, TxDOT’s assertion of a lack of proper notice was a defense to the suit that could have been properly asserted in a motion for summary judgment, but the lack of notice did not deprive the trial court of subject matter jurisdiction and was an improper basis for granting a plea to the jurisdiction. Thus, to the extent that the trial court dismissed Howard’s claims against TxDOT on the basis of his failure to comply with section 101.101 depriving the trial court of jurisdiction, the trial court erred.
However, in its plea to the jurisdiction, TxDOT also asserted that governmental immunity has not been waived as to the claims asserted by Howard and that this would justify the trial court’s granting of the plea. TxDOT contends that the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction because Howard failed to plead facts that affirmatively demonstrate the trial court’s subject matter jurisdiction. Whether a pleading alleges facts sufficient to demonstrate the trial court’s subject matter jurisdiction is a question of law that is reviewed de novo. See Tex. Dep’t of Parks & Wildlife v. Miranda, 133 S.W.3d 217, 226 (Tex. 2004). In reviewing the granting of a plea to the jurisdiction, we must liberally construe the pleadings in favor of the plaintiff and take the facts pled as true. See Westbrook v. Penley, 231 S.W.3d 389, 405 (Tex. 2007).
In Texas, the doctrine of sovereign immunity deprives a trial court of subject matter jurisdiction for lawsuits in which the state or certain governmental units have been sued unless the state consents to the suit. Miranda, 133 S.W.3d at 224. It is the plaintiff’s burden to plead and prove that governmental immunity has been waived. See Liberty Mut. Ins. Co. v. Sharp, 874 S.W.2d 736, 739 (Tex.App.–Austin 1994, writ denied). The Texas Tort Claims Act provides a limited waiver of governmental immunity for certain causes of action. § 101.025. One such cause of action for which a waiver has been granted is certain claims for premises defects. See § 101.021(2). The elements of proof for a claim asserted under section 101.021(2) are determined by whether the condition is a premises defect or a special defect. § 101.022. However, whether the claim is for a premises or special defect, the plaintiff must prove that the condition of the premises created an unreasonable risk of harm, the owner failed to exercise ordinary care to protect the claimant from danger, and the owner’s failure was a proximate cause of injury to the claimant. See Wharton County v. Genzer, No. 13-06-078-CV, 2007 Tex.App. LEXIS 9873, at *9 (Tex.App.–Corpus Christi 2007, no pet.) (memo. op.) (citing State Dep’t of Highways & Pub. Transp. v. Payne, 838 S.W.2d 235, 238 (Tex. 1992)).
In the present case, Howard pled that TxDOT is liable for a premises defect because it failed to properly post warning signs about the roadwork and supervise Austin and Darnell in the performance of their duty to warn motorists of the roadway obstruction. Howard contends that the construction area constituted an unreasonably dangerous condition for which TxDOT owed a duty to use reasonable care, caution, and prudence in warning motorists of the danger. Howard also contends that TxDOT’s breach of this duty was the proximate cause of his physical injuries and property damage sustained as a result of the accident.
Nothing in Howard’s pleading identifies facts that would, if taken as true, subject TxDOT, a governmental agency, to suit. Each of Howard’s allegations relating to TxDOT are legal conclusions unsupported by facts which would allow this Court or the trial court to assess whether the premises created an unreasonable risk of harm, TxDOT failed to exercise ordinary care to protect Howard from danger, and TxDOT’s failure to exercise reasonable care was a proximate cause of Howard’s injuries. Thus, we conclude that Howard has failed to “allege facts that affirmatively demonstrate the court’s jurisdiction to hear the cause.” Miranda, 133 S.W.3d at 226. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not err in dismissing Howard’s claims against TxDOT for want of jurisdiction. As such, we overrule Howard’s second point.
3. Austin’s Negligence
By his third point, Howard contends that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of Austin. Austin’s motion for summary judgment contended that there was no evidence that Austin breached a duty of care, Austin was a proximate cause of the accident, and Howard sustained damages as a result of any act or omission of Austin.
After adequate time for discovery, a party may move for a summary judgment as to all or any part of a lawsuit on the basis that there is no evidence of one or more essential elements of a claim or defense on which an adverse party would have the burden of proof at trial. Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(i). A no-evidence summary judgment is essentially a pretrial directed verdict and we apply the same legal sufficiency standard in reviewing a no-evidence summary judgment as we apply in reviewing a directed verdict. See Roth v. FFP Operating Partners, L.P., 994 S.W.2d 190, 195 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 1999, pet. denied). We review the evidence in the light most favorable to the respondent against whom the no-evidence summary judgment was rendered, disregarding all contrary evidence and inferences. See Merrell Dow Pharms., Inc. v. Havner, 953 S.W.2d 706, 711 (Tex. 1997); Roth, 994 S.W.2d at 195. A no-evidence summary judgment is improperly granted if the non-movant presents more than a scintilla of probative evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact as to the element on which the motion is based. Id. More than a scintilla of evidence exists when such evidence rises to a level that would enable reasonable and fair-minded persons to differ in their conclusions. Id. Less than a scintilla of evidence exists to support a fact when the evidence is so weak as to do no more than create a mere surmise or suspicion of the fact. See Kindred v. Con/Chem, Inc., 650 S.W.2d 61, 63 (Tex. 1983).
In the present case, the only evidence admitted prior to the trial court’s ruling on Austin’s motion was the City of Cleburne Police accident report. Nothing in this document establishes that Austin owed Howard a duty, Austin breached this duty, Howard sustained injuries or property damage, or Austin’s negligence caused any damages suffered by Howard. In fact, the accident report makes no reference to Austin. In response to Austin’s motion for summary judgment, Howard filed a “motion to quash” defendants’ summary judgment. In this motion to quash, Howard repeatedly cites a transcript of a deposition of Darnell. However, the deposition transcript cited by Howard is not part of the appellate record and does not appear to have been filed with the trial court before it ruled on the summary judgment motion.
Because there was no evidence presented to the trial court, after adequate time for discovery, that Austin breached a duty of care, Austin was a proximate cause of the accident, and Howard sustained damages as a result of any act or omission of Austin, we affirm the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Austin and overrule Howard’s third point.
4. Farmers Insurance Group’s Negligence
By his fourth point, Howard appears to contend that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of Farmers Insurance Group. This point, however, fails to cite any authority nor provide any substantive discussion of how the trial court erred. As a result, we deem this point to have been waived. See Knie v. Piskun, 23 S.W.3d 455, 460 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 2000, pet. denied); Lewis, 768 S.W.2d at 512-13.
5. Completeness of Clerk’s Record
By his fifth point, Howard contends that the clerk’s record was not filed, is missing, or the judge is hiding it. Howard contends that he has filed three requests for files to be sent to this Court. However, the clerk’s record in this case was filed on January 9, 2008. Further, a supplemental clerk’s record was filed on June 6, 2008. Because the appellate record includes what appears to be a complete clerk’s record and because Howard has not specified the nature of his complaint regarding the clerk’s record, we overrule Howard’s fifth point.
Conclusion
Having found no error in the trial court’s rulings in this cause, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Mackey K. Hancock
Justice