Affirmed and Memorandum Opinion filed February 1, 2005.
In The
Fourteenth Court of Appeals
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NO. 14-04-00025-CR
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CHRISTOPHER MENDEZ, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
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On Appeal from the 183rd District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 915,254
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M E M O R A N D U M O P I N I O N
A jury found appellant, Christopher Mendez, guilty of murder and sentenced him to thirty years= confinement. In two issues, appellant contends (1) the evidence supporting his conviction is legally and factually insufficient, and (2) the trial court erred in admitting gruesome and inflammatory photographs. Because all dispositive issues are clearly settled in law, we issue this memorandum opinion and affirm. See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.
I. Background
On June 16, 2002, appellant=s brother, Michael Mendez (AMendez@), was attending a party at the complainant=s home. Mendez argued with one of the other guests, Rubin Zambrano (AZambrano@). The argument eventually ended without any physical altercation. Shortly after the argument, Mendez left the party and went to appellant=s house, where appellant and Chris Ginardi (AGinardi@) were sitting on the front porch. Mendez informed appellant and Ginardi that someone at the party had threatened to kill him, and he asked appellant and Ginardi if they would accompany him back to the party. Mendez, appellant, and Ginardi got into Mendez=s truck and drove to Mendez=s home where they retrieved a shotgun and a 30-30 rifle.[1]
When they arrived at the party, they parked on the street in front of the complainant=s house. Mendez and appellant, each carrying a shotgun, exited the truck and approached the house. Ginardi stood by the truck, holding the 30-30 rifle in his hands. Mendez and appellant encountered Zambrano and pointed their shotguns at him.
Observing the situation, the complainant decided to confront Mendez. The complainant grabbed the shotgun that Mendez was holding, and a struggle ensued. Appellant fired a Awarning shot@ into the air. Appellant then lowered his shotgun and fired in the direction of the complainant and Mendez. When the complainant fell to the ground, appellant and Mendez retreated to the truck. As they drove away, appellant fired one more shot into the air. The complainant died as a result of a shotgun wound to the chest.
II. Sufficiency of the Evidence
In his first issue, appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction for murder. A person commits the offense of murder if he (1) intentionally or knowingly causes the death of an individual, or (2) intends to cause serious bodily injury and commits an act that is clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of the individual. Tex. Pen. Code Ann. ' 19.02(b) (Vernon 2003). Appellant contends the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to prove that appellant (1) fired the shot that killed the complainant, or (2) acted with the intent to cause the complainant=s death.
A. Legal Sufficiency
In reviewing legal sufficiency of evidence, we view all of the evidence in a light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 318B19 (1979); Young v. State, 14 S.W.3d 748, 753 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). In conducting this review, we do not engage in a second evaluation of the weight and credibility of the evidence, but only ensure that the jury reached a rational decision. Muniz v. State, 851 S.W.2d 238, 246 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). When faced with conflicting evidence, we presume the trier of fact resolved conflicts in favor of the prevailing party. Turro v. State, 867 S.W.2d 43, 47 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993).
First, appellant contends the evidence is legally insufficient to prove that he fired the shot that killed the complainant. At trial, the jury heard the testimony of two witnesses who saw appellant fire the shotgun he was holding. Rubin Zambrano testified that when appellant and Mendez arrived at the party, they both pointed their shotguns at Zambrano. He testified that the complainant ran up to Mendez and attempted to take Mendez=s shotgun. Zambrano heard Mendez say something like Ashoot him.@ Zambrano then saw appellant fire his shotgun in the complainant=s and Mendez=s direction. Zambrano testified that he did not actually see the shot hit the complainant. However, following the shot, Zambrano observed the complainant slide to the ground.
Additionally, Chris Ginardi testified that he saw appellant shoot in the direction of the complainant. Ginardi testified that appellant did not fire directly at the complainant, but rather, shot Aa little bit at an angle.@ Nonetheless, the evidence in the case shows that the complainant was shot directly in the left side of his chest. Harris County Assistant Medical Examiner, Roger Milton, testified that multiple shotgun pellets were retrieved from the complainant=s body. He also testified that the gunshot blast fractured appellant=s fourth, fifth, and sixth ribs on the left side of his chest. Further, Michael Lyons of the Houston Police Department Forensic Firearms Laboratory examined a photograph of the complainant=s wound. Lyons opined that the shotgun blast did not impact any objects before striking the complainant. Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the verdict, a rational jury could have concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant fired the shot that killed the complainant.
Second, appellant contends the evidence is legally insufficient to prove he acted with the intent to cause the complainant=s death. A person acts intentionally when it is his conscious objective or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result. See Tex. Pen. Code Ann. ' 6.03(a) (Vernon 2003). The intent to kill may be inferred from the use of a deadly weapon in a deadly manner. Adanandus v. State, 866 S.W.2d 210, 215 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). If a deadly weapon is used in a deadly manner, the inference is almost conclusive that the user had the intent to kill. Id.; Flanagan v. State, 675 S.W.2d 734, 745 n.9 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982). A shotgun is a deadly weapon per se. See Hill v. State, 913 S.W.2d 581, 590 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Because the evidence is legally sufficient to prove that appellant shot the complainant with a shotgun, it is legally sufficient to prove he intended to cause the complainant=s death.
B. Factual Sufficiency
When reviewing factual sufficiency of evidence, we view all of the evidence in a neutral light and determine whether the evidence of guilt, standing alone, is too weak to support the finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, or the evidence contrary to the verdict is so strong that the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard could not have been met. Zuniga v. State, 144 S.W.3d 477, 484B85 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). Although we review the fact finder=s weighing of the evidence, and we are authorized to disagree with the fact finder=s determination, our evaluation should not substantially intrude upon the fact finder=s role as the sole judge of the weight and credibility given to witness testimony. Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 7 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). In our review, we must consider the evidence that the appellant claims most undermines the jury=s verdict. Sims v. State, 99 S.W.3d 600, 603 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003).
To support his factual insufficiency argument, appellant generally relies on the following: (1) no eyewitnesses could conclusively state that appellant shot, or how he shot, the complainant; (2) Ginardi testified that appellant did not shoot directly at the complainant; (3) appellant testified that he randomly shot in the direction of the complainant but did not consciously aim at the complainant; (4) appellant testified that if he would have shot in the direction of the complainant, he would have shot his brother, Mike Mendez; (5) appellant fired two shots in the air, which indicates he consciously avoided shooting the complainant; (6) appellant never admitted that he shot the complainant and did not know the complainant had been shot until after leaving the party; (7) the firearms examiner for the State was unable to conclusively determine that the fatal shot was fired from appellant=s shotgun; and (8) many drunken individuals at the party were confronting each other, and in the commotion, appellant panicked and fired his shotgun.
Appellant accurately states that no witnesses conclusively testified that appellant shot the complainant. However, based on the testimony recited in our legal sufficiency analysis, the jury could have reasonably concluded that appellant fired the shot that killed the complainant.
Appellant testified that when he fired the second shot from his gun, the complainant and Mendez were struggling on the ground, and that the complainant was on top of Mendez. Appellant contends that this testimony shows a lack of intent to kill because if he would have fired at the complainant, he necessarily would have shot his brother, Mike Mendez. However, contrary to appellant=s testimony, Ginardi testified that the complainant and Mendez remained standing while they were struggling for the gun. Further, the evidence shows that the complainant was struck directly in the chest by the shotgun blast and that none of the shotgun pellets struck Mendez. This evidence strongly refutes appellant=s version of the facts.
Although appellant contends that he did not aim his shotgun at the complainant, the jury was free to decide the weight and credibility given to appellant=s testimony. See Fuentes v. State, 991 S.W.2d 267, 271 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). It is the jury that accepts or rejects reasonably equal competing theories of a case. Goodman v. State, 66 S.W.3d 283, 287 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). The evidence is not factually insufficient merely because the jury resolved conflicting views of the evidence in favor of the State. See Cain v. State, 958 S.W.2d 404, 407 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). In this case, the jury was entitled to infer intent to kill from appellant=s use of a deadly weapon. Ahrens v. State, 43 S.W.3d 630, 634 (Tex. App.CHouston [1st Dist.] 2001, pet. ref=d).
After reviewing all the evidence in a neutral light, we conclude the State=s evidence, when considered by itself, is not too weak to support a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant intentionally caused the complainant=s death, and the contrary evidence is not so strong that the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard could not have been met. Accordingly, the evidence is factually sufficient to support the jury=s verdict.
We overrule appellant=s first issue.
IV. Admission of Photographs
In his second issue, appellant contends that the trial court erred in admitting four photographs showing various depictions of the complainant=s wounds. At trial, appellant objected that the photos were intended to inflame the jury and had no probative value. The Texas Rules of Evidence govern the admissibility of inflammatory photographs. Hicks v. State, 860 S.W.2d 419, 426 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993), overruled on other grounds by Rosales v. State, 4 S.W.3d 228 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Rule 403 requires an admissible photograph to have A>some probative value and that its probative value not be substantially outweighed by its inflammatory nature.=@ Rojas v. State, 986 S.W.2d 241, 249 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998) (quoting Long v. State, 823 S.W.2d 259, 272 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991)). In determining whether the inflammatory nature outweighs its prejudicial value, the trial court should consider Athe inherent tendency that some evidence may have to encourage [the] resolution of material issues on an inappropriate basis and should balance carefully against it the host of factors affecting probativeness, including relative weight of the evidence and the degree to which its proponent might be disadvantaged without it.@ Fuller v. State, 829 S.W.2d 191, 206 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992), overruled on other grounds by Castillo v. State, 913 S.W.2d 529 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995). Relevant factors in ascertaining the admissibility of photographs under Rule 403 include the number of exhibits offered, the gruesomeness, detail, and size, whether they are black and white or color, whether they are close-up, whether the body is naked or clothed, the availability of other means of proof, and other circumstances unique to the case. Santellan v. State, 939 S.W.2d 155, 172 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). It is within the trial court=s discretion to admit photographs, and we will disturb its decision on appeal only if it falls outside the zone of reasonable disagreement. Salazar v. State, 38 S.W.3d 141, 151 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001).
Autopsy or post-autopsy photographs can be used to illustrate injuries and reveal the cause of the death. Ladner v. State, 868 S.W.2d 417, 426 (Tex. App.CTyler 1993, pet. ref=d). Autopsy photographs are generally admissible unless they depict the mutilation caused by the autopsy. Salazar, 38 S.W.3d at 151. Even then, photographs might be admissible if the alteration was necessary to fully depict the extent of the injuries in certain cases when the photographs are highly probative and there is no danger that the jury would attribute the autopsy alteration to the defendant. Ripkowski v. State, 61 S.W.3d 378, 392B93 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001); Salazar, 38 S.W.3d at 152. Rule 403 favors the admission of relevant evidence and presumes that relevant evidence will be more probative than prejudicial. Etheridge v. State, 903 S.W.2d 1, 21 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). Moreover, photographs are generally admissible where verbal testimony about the same matter is admissible. Emery v. State, 881 S.W.2d 702, 710 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994).
Appellant specifically complains about the admission of State=s Exhibits 42, 43, 44, and 49. Exhibit 42 is an autopsy photograph that depicts an internal view of the complainant=s chest cavity, which was penetrated by shotgun pellets.[2] Exhibit 43 depicts the complainant=s head and skull.[3] The complainant=s skin is pulled back in order to show his skull. Exhibit 44 apparently depicts the complainant=s heart, after it was removed from the body during the autopsy.[4] Exhibit 49 is an x-ray of the complainant=s chest cavity. The x-ray shows multiple shotgun pellets lodged in the complainant=s chest.
Appellant contends that, because the cause of death was not contested, and other evidence was presented regarding the cause of death, the photographs served no purpose but to inflame the minds of the jury. However, we agree with the State that Exhibits 42, 44, and 49 were probative of other contested matters, such as bullet trajectory and shot pattern, that would enable the jury to see how the physical evidence and circumstances of the shooting compared to appellant=s version of the facts. Further, Exhibits 42 and 49 aided the medical examiner in explaining the complainant=s injuries to the jury. See Harris v. State, 661 S.W.2d 106, 108 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983) (holding autopsy photograph that helped illustrate and clarify a medical examiner=s testimony was admissible). Exhibits 42, 44, and 49 are not particularly offensive, nor are they portrayed in any manner more gruesome than that of the injuries inflicted. See Narvaiz v. State, 840 S.W.2d 415, 429B30 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992). Considering all of the relevant factors, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting Exhibits 42, 44, and 49.
Exhibit 43 appears to depict an injury inflicted upon the complainant=s skull. However, we find no evidence in the record that the complainant sustained an injury to his skull. Exhibit 43 was admitted into evidence with a group of other photographs during the medical examiner=s testimony. Nevertheless, the medical examiner never referred to Exhibit 43 during his testimony. Moreover, there is no indication in the record that the jury was shown Exhibit 43 when it was admitted into evidence or subsequently.[5] Under these circumstances, even if admission of Exhibit 43 was in error, the record plainly reflects that it did not influence the jury and was harmless. See Tex. R. App. P. 44.2(b) (nonconstitutional error that does not affect substantial rights must be disregarded); Motilla v. State, 78 S.W.3d 352, 355 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002) (noting that substantial rights are not affected by the erroneous admission of evidence if, after examining the record as a whole, the appellate court has fair assurance that the error did not influence the jury, or had but a slight effect). We overrule appellant=s second issue.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
/s/ Charles W. Seymore
Justice
Judgment rendered and Memorandum Opinion filed February 1, 2005.
Panel consists of Chief Justice Hedges and Justices Fowler and Seymore.
Do Not Publish C Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b).
[1] The record reflects that appellant was already carrying one shotgun before arriving at Mendez’s home.
[2] Appellant states in his brief that Exhibit 42 depicts the complainant’s exposed head wound. However, the medical examiner testified that Exhibit 42 depicts the path of travel of the shotgun pellets into the complainant’s chest cavity.
[3] The record contains a small, black and white photocopy of the photograph. Therefore, it is difficult to ascertain what details are depicted in the photograph. Neither appellant nor the State discuss the photograph in any detail. Additionally, the medical examiner did not refer to the photograph in his testimony.
[4] Appellant states in his brief that Exhibit 44 depicts the complainant’s head wound.
[5] During deliberations, the jury requested to hear appellant’s and Mendez’s recorded statements and to see the video of the crime scene. However, the record does not show that the jury requested any other exhibits. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 35.26 (Vernon 1981) (providing that “ [t]here shall be furnished to the jury upon its request any exhibits admitted as evidence in the case.”)