IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. AP-75,352
CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY YOUNG, Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS
ON DIRECT APPEAL
FROM CAUSE NO. 2005-CR-1183 IN THE 187 TH DISTRICT COURT
BEXAR COUNTY
P ER C URIAM . C OCHRAN, J., filed a concurring opinion. P RICE, J., filed a
dissenting opinion. K EASLER, J., concurred in the result with respect to point of error
fifteen and otherwise joined the opinion. H ERVEY, J., did not participate.
OPINION
The appellant was convicted in February 2006 of capital murder.1 Based upon the
jury’s answers to the special issues set forth in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article
1
T EX. P ENAL C ODE §19.03(a).
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37.071 §§2(b) and 2(e), the trial judge sentenced the appellant to death.2 Direct appeal to this
Court is automatic.3 After reviewing the appellant’s fifteen points of error, we find them to
be without merit. Consequently, we affirm the trial court’s judgment and sentence of death.
The appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence at both phases of trial. We
shall address these issues first. The remaining points of error will be addressed in the order
presented in the briefs.
In points of error one and two, the appellant contends that the evidence is both legally
and factually insufficient to prove that he committed capital murder. He argues that the
State’s primary evidence, the store surveillance video, is not enough, legally or factually, to
convict him of murdering the victim “while in the course of committing or attempting to
commit the offense of robbery.” 4 Specifically, the appellant asserts that: (1) the tape’s video
sequence does not include conduct by the appellant that would imply that he was robbing or
attempting to commit a robbery at the victim’s store; and (2) the tape’s sound in the
corresponding audio is so “muddled” that it would be almost impossible for the jury to
decipher any recorded dialogue that indicates that the appellant was in the course of
committing robbery or attempting to commit robbery at the victim’s store. The appellant also
2
T EX. C ODE C RIM. P ROC. art. 37.071 §2(g). Unless otherwise indicated all future
references to Articles refer to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
3
Art. 37.071 §2(h).
4
T EX. P ENAL C ODE §19.03(a)(2).
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claims that the eyewitness testimonies of convenience store patrons, Raul Vasquez, Jr. and
Hattie Helton, contributed little, if any, evidence to prove that the murder occurred in the
course of a robbery.
The evidence at trial established that on November 21, 2004, within minutes of
stealing a red Mazda Protégé from its owner at gunpoint, the appellant drove the stolen
vehicle to the mini-mart/dry cleaners owned by Hasmukhbhai Patel. The following events
were captured on the store’s surveillance camera:5 the appellant, wearing a black shirt and
light-colored shorts, entered the store at 9:37 a.m. and appeared to be holding something
hidden within his left pocket. The appellant looked around the front of the store before
moving behind Patel, who was working in the rear of the store. The appellant asked Patel
the cost of cleaning clothes at the store. The appellant’s voice immediately changed to a
lower tone, and the appellant stated, “Alright [sic], give up the money. I’m not playing. I’m
not fucking playing.” Patel came into view as he quickly moved behind the counter towards
the cash register, and the appellant could be seen leaning over the front counter with his left
arm completely extended, pointing a silver handgun at Patel. Again, the appellant ordered
Patel to “give up the money,” followed by the appellant’s firing his first shot in the direction
of Patel (now out of view behind the cash register). The appellant then yelled, “You be
fucking up. I’m not playing. Give it up!” He fired a second shot in the direction of Patel.
5
The surveillance camera provided both audio and video evidence of the crime. The
camera also time and date-stamped the film so it evidences the exact timing of the offense.
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At this point, the alarm went off as Patel had apparently pushed the panic button on the
system. The appellant, with his handgun still extended, followed the fleeing Patel to the
opposite side of the front counter, and he could be heard over the alarm shouting, “I said give
up the money, right.” The video caught the appellant’s movement behind the counter in the
direction of the cash register. He was out of view for a few seconds before coming back into
view and was then seen concealing his handgun under his shirt as he left the store.
Two of Patel’s regular customers, Raul Vasquez, Jr. and Hattie Helton, happened to
be in the parking lot of the store at the time of the offense. Vasquez had just pulled into a
parking space in front of the store. Before he could exit his truck, he heard gunshots and
looked up to see a black male leaning over the counter firing a gun at Patel. When the
gunman left the store and got into a small red car, Vasquez called the police and then chased
the gunman, but with no success. Vasquez was able to tell the police that the car’s license
plate had a “W” and that the perpetrator was wearing a black shirt and light-colored shorts.
Helton, who was parked directly in front of the door, had just exited the store moments
earlier and was in her car checking her “scratch-off” lottery tickets. When she heard the store
alarm go off, she looked up to see a black male exit the store and get in a small red car that
was parked by the gas pumps. Once he was gone, Helton exited her car and called to Patel.
When he did not answer, Helton called the police on a payphone located outside of the store.
Both Vasquez and Helton identified the appellant as the perpetrator at trial.
The appellant was apprehended at approximately 11:00 a.m. when an officer spotted
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the red car parked at a house several miles away. The car’s license plate began with a “W.”
The appellant was wearing a black shirt and light-colored shorts. The appellant’s hands,
shirt, and the steering wheel of the car all tested positive for gunshot residue. Patel’s blood
was found on one of the appellant’s socks. Patel died from the gunshot wound to his chest.
The murder weapon was never recovered.
In reviewing a claim that evidence is legally insufficient to support a judgment, “the
relevant question [on appeal] is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements
of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.”6 This standard accounts for the factfinder’s duty
“to resolve conflicts in the testimony, to weigh the evidence, and to draw reasonable
inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts.” 7 Therefore, in analyzing the legal sufficiency,
we will determine whether the necessary inferences are reasonable based upon the combined
and cumulative force of all the evidence, both direct and circumstantial, when viewed in the
light most favorable to the verdict.8
In a factual-sufficiency review, the evidence is reviewed in a neutral light rather than
6
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979).
7
Id.
8
Clayton v. State, 235 S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
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in the light most favorable to the verdict.9 Evidence can be factually insufficient in one of
two ways: (1) when the evidence supporting the verdict is so weak that the verdict seems
clearly wrong and manifestly unjust, and (2) when the supporting evidence is outweighed by
the great weight and preponderance of the contrary evidence so as to render the verdict
clearly wrong and manifestly unjust.10 Although an appellate court’s factual-sufficiency
review of the evidence allows the court to second-guess the jury to a limited degree, the
review should still be deferential to the jury's verdict. 11
Capital murder occurs when a person intentionally commits murder while in the
course of committing or attempting to commit robbery.12 The State did not bear the burden
of proving that the appellant completed the theft of the victim in order to establish the
underlying offense of robbery or attempted robbery.13 Rather, the requisite intent to rob may
be inferred from circumstantial evidence, particularly the appellant’s assaultive conduct.14
9
Roberts v. State, 220 S.W.3d 521, 524 (Tex. Crim. App.), cert. denied, 128 S. Ct. 282
(2007).
10
Watson v. State, 204 S.W.3d 404, 414-15 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).
11
Roberts, 220 S.W.3d at 524; Cain v. State, 958 S.W.2d 404, 407, 410 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1997).
12
See T EX. P ENAL C ODE § 19.03(a)(2)(emphasis added).
13
See Bustamante v. State, 106 S.W.3d 738, 740 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003).
14
See id. at 740-41; Alvarado v. State, 912 S.W.2d 199, 207 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995).
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In this case, there was ample evidence, circumstantial and direct, of assaultive conduct
characteristic of attempted robbery displayed by the appellant in the store surveillance tape.15
Despite the video sequence being short, and the events occurring quite fast, there is
sufficient evidence on the surveillance tape that a jury could reasonably infer that the
appellant murdered Patel in the course of an attempted robbery. Assaultive conduct, the
gravamen of robbery, is demonstrated in the video by the appellant holding Patel at gunpoint
after demanding the surrender of his money, forcing him behind the counter, and firing shots
at Patel in response to his apparent refusal to give up the money. Vasquez’s testimony that
he saw a black man leaning over the front counter shooting at Patel is further evidence of
assaultive conduct typical of a robbery.
The appellant insists the tape is devoid of “many of the hallmarks of robbery.” To
the contrary, the tape clearly evidences the appellant making several statements
demonstrative of robbery, such as: “Alright [sic], give up the money. I’m not playing. I’m
not fucking playing,” and in the midst of firing shots at Patel shouting, “You be fucking up.
I’m not playing. Give it up!” and, “I said give up the money, right.” The appellant attacks
the clarity of the dialogue between himself and Patel, most notably by his reference to State’s
witness Detective Sean Walsh’s admission that he was unable to understand what was being
said on the videotape. However, the jury had the opportunity to listen to the audio numerous
times: during the presentation of evidence, during the State’s closing arguments, and during
15
See Green v. State, 840 S.W.2d 394, 401 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992).
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its deliberations.16 The jury could reasonably infer that the appellant intentionally
committed murder in the course of committing or attempting to commit robbery based upon
the combined and cumulative force of all the evidence.17 Because we view the evidence in
the light most favorable to the verdict, and we find that a rational trier of fact could have
found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, we hold that the
evidence was legally sufficient to support the jury’s guilty verdict in this case.18 Even in
considering all the evidence in a neutral light, we find that the evidence was not so weak nor
so outweighed by the great weight of contrary evidence as to make the verdict seem clearly
wrong and manifestly unjust.19 Thus, the evidence was factually sufficient to support the
verdict. The appellant’s first and second points of error are overruled.
In point of error eleven, the appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence
regarding future dangerousness.20 In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence at the
punishment phase, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and
16
We note that we have reviewed the surveillance video and were able to hear and
understand the appellant’s statements.
17
See Clayton, 235 S.W.3d at 778.
18
See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319.
19
Roberts, 220 S.W.3d at 524; Watson, 204 S.W.3d at 317.
20
See Art. 37.071 §2(b)(1).
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determine whether any rational trier of fact could make the finding beyond a reasonable
doubt.21 A jury is permitted to consider a variety of factors when determining whether a
defendant will pose a continuing threat to society.22
In its determination of the special issues, the jury is entitled to consider all the
evidence presented at the guilt phase of the trial, in addition to the evidence presented at the
punishment phase.23 The circumstances of the offense and the events surrounding it may be
sufficient in some instances to sustain a “yes” answer to the future-dangerousness special
issue.24
The evidence in the instant case revealed that, immediately after he stole a car from
a woman at gunpoint, the appellant drove to Patel’s store, demanded money, and then shot
Patel dead when Patel did not cooperate quickly enough. The appellant then left the store,
21
Banda v. State, 890 S.W.2d 42, 50 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994).
22
See Keeton v. State, 724 S.W.2d 58, 61 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987). Among those factors are:
(1) the circumstances of the capital offense, including the defendant’s state of mind and
whether he was working alone or with other parties; (2) the calculated nature of the
defendant’s acts; (3) the forethought and deliberateness exhibited by the crime’s execution;
(4) the existence of a prior criminal record, and the severity of the prior crimes; (5) the
defendant’s age and personal circumstances at the time of the offense; (6) whether the
defendant was acting under duress or the domination of another at the time of the offense;
(7) psychiatric evidence; and (8) character evidence. Id.
23
Banda, 890 S.W.2d at 51; Valdez v. State, 776 S.W.2d 162, 166-67 (Tex. Crim. App.
1989).
24
Banda, 890 S.W.2d at 51; see also Hayes v. State, 85 S.W.3d 809, 814 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2002).
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disposed of his weapon, and picked up a prostitute with whom he could do drugs. This
evidence of such a callous crime might alone support a finding of future dangerousness.
However, the State presented further evidence that, immediately prior to the instant crime,
the appellant also committed aggravated sexual assault on the woman from whom he stole
the red Mazda Protégé.
At approximately 8:45 a.m. on November 21, 2004, Daphne Edwards was serving
breakfast to her three young girls, all under the age of eight, when she realized that she was
out of cigarettes. Edwards decided to leave her efficiency apartment and quickly drove to
Patel’s store about one block away while the children were eating. She was gone less than
five minutes. Upon returning, she parked in front of the apartment and went straight inside.
Almost immediately after her return, there was a knock on her door. Thinking it was her
sister, Edwards opened the door to find the appellant standing there pointing a silver revolver
at her. The appellant put the gun to Edwards’ head, pushed his way in and asked her,
“Where’s the fucking money?” The appellant walked Edwards through the apartment at
gunpoint to make sure no one else was home other than the children and that there was no
access to a phone. The three children were scared and crying. Edwards gave the appellant
all the money that she had in her purse – $28 – but he told her that she had to give him
something else because that was not enough money. The appellant then told Edwards to
undress. He had Edwards tell her girls to go to the other room; however, as it was an
efficiency apartment the girls could still see and hear everything that happened. The
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appellant then told Edwards that she was not disrobing quickly enough, so he shot the gun
into the floor next to her feet. Edwards disrobed, and the appellant made her sit in a chair
and perform oral sex on him. The appellant then made Edwards walk to the bathroom where
the children could not fully see what was happening but the appellant could see the children.
The appellant then made Edwards get on her knees and perform oral sex on him again.25 The
appellant then decided that he wanted Edwards to wear something “sexy” for him, so he took
her back out of the bathroom to get her clothes. Edwards picked out an outfit but the
appellant thought it was too long, so she picked out another outfit. He made her put on this
outfit but did not allow her to put on any underwear. The appellant then decided that he
wanted to leave. When Edwards protested that she would not leave her children, the
appellant told her, “You did it before. I saw you.” The appellant then walked over to the
children and kissed each of them on the cheek and told them that their mommy would be
back.
The appellant then forced Edwards, still at gunpoint, to leave the apartment and get
into her red Mazda Protégé. He had her drive to the front of the apartment complex, at which
point he decided that he wanted to drive. As he was getting out of the car, he told Edwards
not to drive off or he would go back and kill her children. He told her to move to the
passenger seat. As he was getting into the driver’s seat, Edwards took the opportunity to
escape – the appellant had left the passenger door open and Edwards saw some people in the
25
DNA tests confirmed the sexual assault by the appellant.
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parking lot. She ran screaming to her cousin’s apartment at the front of the complex where
they called the police and then went to get the children. The appellant drove off in Edwards’
car.
In addition to this evidence, the State also presented the appellant’s previous
convictions for possession of marijuana, evading arrest, and three assaults with bodily injury,
two involving injury to his mother when he was a juvenile. The third assault occurred in
September 2004 and involved his girlfriend, Chala Riley, who was eight-months pregnant
at the time. In order to stop the assault, Riley lied and told the appellant that she was going
into labor. Further, the night before the instant offense, the appellant accosted the same
girlfriend after she informed him that she was permanently breaking off their relationship.
The appellant pulled her out of her car, beat her, and then took her car, purse, and cell phone.
Other evidence showed that the appellant shot at another person in a parking lot on May 9,
2004, but charges were never filed.
Appellant presented evidence of a tumultuous childhood. When he was eight years
old, his father was murdered and his sister was molested and impregnated by his stepfather.
Appellant argued that he never recovered from these events emotionally as he never received
the counseling or the father figures that he needed. He became angry and withdrawn and
began using drugs. However, the appellant’s mother, new stepfather, aunt, and grandmother
all testified to the appellant’s good side and how they were all shocked and surprised by the
instant offense. The appellant had just had two children, a daughter born in June and another
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in September, and he was attempting to get custody of one of the girls prior to the offense.
The appellant also presented evidence that he had told a psychologist that he had consumed
fifteen to twenty beers and smoked marijuana the night before the instant offense, and that
he smoked crack cocaine the morning of the offense. The appellant further pointed out that
he committed no acts of violence or even infractions during his fourteen months of
incarceration while waiting for his trial. The appellant argues that this evidence should
outweigh the evidence presented by the State. While intoxication at the time of the offense
and good behavior in prison are factors that a jury might consider, neither precludes a finding
of future dangerousness.26 We have held that, while this Court can review the objective
evidence of future dangerousness, we do not engage in reviewing the jury’s normative
decision on mitigation, whether it answers in the affirmative or the negative.27 Therefore,
we defer to the jury’s conclusion that the evidence was not sufficient to warrant a sentence
of life imprisonment and conclude there was sufficient evidence to support the jury's
affirmative finding on the future dangerousness issue. Point of error eleven is overruled.
In his third point of error, the appellant claims that the trial court erred in overruling
his Batson28 challenges regarding three African-American venire members: Geneva Johnson,
26
See Banda, 890 S.W.2d at 50-51 (intoxication); Emery v. State, 881 S.W.2d 702, 707
(Tex. Crim. App. 1994) (lack of violent behavior in prison).
27
Colella v. State, 915 S.W.2d 834, 845 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995).
28
Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986).
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Myrtlene Williams, and Paulette Childress.29 After the appellant objected to the State’s
peremptory challenge of each of these venire members as racially motivated, the trial court
held a Batson hearing in which the prosecutors testified as to their race-neutral reasons for
exercising the peremptory strikes. The trial court found the State did not exercise the
peremptory strikes on the basis of race and overruled each of the appellant’s challenges.
In Batson, the Supreme Court outlined an analytical tool for testing the challenges to
the State’s use of peremptory strikes. Initially, the defendant must establish a prima facie
case showing that the State exercised its peremptory challenges in a discriminatory manner.
The burden then shifts to the State to articulate race-neutral explanations for its questioned
strikes which the defendant may rebut. Finally, the trial court must determine whether the
defendant has carried his burden of proving purposeful discrimination by the State.30
In the instant case, we need not address whether the the appellant established a prima
facie case. Where the prosecutor has articulated his reasons for the challenged peremptory
strike and the trial court has ruled on the ultimate questions of intentional discrimination, that
issue becomes moot.31 Therefore, we shall go on to review the trial court’s decisions.
We review the record of a Batson hearing and the voir dire examination in the light
29
See Art. 35.261.
30
See Batson v. Kentucky, 479 U.S. at 106.
31
Cantu v. State, 842 S.W.2d 667, 689 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992); Hernandez v. New
York, 500 U.S. 352 (1991).
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most favorable to the trial court's ruling.32 We will not disturb a trial court’s ruling on a
Batson issue unless it is clearly erroneous.33
We first note that, in the instant case, six out of sixty venire members were African-
American.34 Of these six venire members, one was disqualified, one was challenged for
cause by the State without objection by the defense, and three were excluded by the State’s
peremptory strikes. One African-American was accepted to serve on the jury and was the
second juror selected overall. The State exercised a total of fourteen peremptory strikes.
Juror number 27, Geneva Johnson, was the first African-American prospective juror
struck by the State. Following the defense’s Batson challenge, the State gave the following
race-neutral basis for exercising the strike:
[State]: Your Honor, in response, the prospective juror indicated on her
questionnaire that the defendant appeared to be about the age of
her sons, that she was not sure she could render a fair verdict.
And while she believed in capital punishment, she did not think
she could make that decision herself. It is based on that
comment and that comment in her questionnaire alone that –
32
Gibson v. State, 144 S.W.3d 530, 534 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004); Cantu, 842 S.W.2d
at 689; Harris v. State, 827 S.W.2d 949, 955 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992).
33
Gibson, 144 S.W.3d at 534; Cantu, 842 S.W.2d at 689; Whitsey v. State, 796 S.W.2d
707, 726 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990) (op. on reh’g).
34
Approximately 200 prospective jurors were called. However, the jury was seated
after the initial sixty were questioned or otherwise disqualified.
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[COURT]: Her response to question 89.35
[State]: That is correct. And that was the reason for the State’s
peremptory challenge in this case.
[COURT]: Go ahead. [To Defense]
[Defense]: Judge, I think also that we should be given the opportunity to
question her further if they’re going to base it solely on the
questionnaire. That they had a chance to ask her to clarify that.
They did. And I don’t think that her response bears out what
was stated in the questionnaire. The point of the questionnaire
is simply to provide a road map for questioning at the time of
the actual live voir dire. And she was asked to explain that. I
think she gave a sufficient answer such that she’s not–challenge
her peremptorily on that basis.
[COURT]: It’s denied.
The appellant argues the State’s reasons for striking Johnson were not race-neutral.
Specifically, he contends that the State displayed disparate treatment towards similarly
situated non-African American venire members through a comparison of Johnson’s
responses to those of two Hispanic venire members, Jason Olivarri and Jaime Pena. The
State accepted Olivarri as a member of the jury without any objection by the defense, while
Pena was peremptorily struck by the defense. The appellant claims that the State’s stated
35
Question 89 of the Bexar County Juror Information questionnaire asked, “Do you
know of a reason why you could not serve as a juror in this case and be absolutely fair to both
the Defendant and the State, and render a verdict based solely upon the evidence presented
to you?” Immediately following the question there was space to check “Yes” or “No”, and
following the question, “If yes, please explain.” Two lines were provided for the prospective
juror to answer the question.
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basis for striking Johnson was its concern regarding her ability to render a fair verdict, and
if the State’s reason was indeed race-neutral, then the State would have also struck Olivarri
and Pena, whose responses should have elicited the same type of concern.
Johnson stated in Question 89 of her jury questionnaire that she was unsure whether
she could render a fair verdict because the defendant reminded her of her own sons.36
Olivarri’s response also indicated that he had a reason that might cause him to not be fair,
stating “I get easily nervous and could easily sway in favor of either party if they pressured
me hard enough.” The appellant’s attempt to characterize these responses as being similar
is misplaced. Johnson’s statement in Question 89 regarding her uncertainty in her ability to
render a fair verdict was in reference to her personal belief that she might not be able to vote
in favor of the death penalty because it would be like convicting her own sons. Olivarri
implied that he just might be easily swayed by jury argument. Further, regarding the death
penalty, Johnson indicated she might be unable to assess the full range of punishment for the
crime in which the defendant was charged. In comparison, Olivarri told the prosecutor that
he believed in an “eye for an eye,” and would be in favor of the death penalty if he found the
evidence supported such a verdict. Hence, the concerns raised by Johnson’s and Olivarri’s
responses in their questionnaires and during voir dire are sufficiently dissimilar so as to
36
In her juror questionnaire, Johnson explained her affirmative answer to Question 89
by stating “The defendant appears to be about the age of my sons. I’m not sure I would
render a fair verdict. While I believe in capital punishment[,] I don’t think I could make that
decision myself.” She elaborated on those answers during voir dire.”
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dispel any inference of disparate treatment by the State.
The appellant also compares the State’s concerns regarding Johnson’s inability to
render a fair verdict to Jaime Pena’s possible prejudices against the State as a result of his
prior false arrest. The State argues it was more likely the defense would find Pena to be a
greater risk based on Pena’s business connections to the victim’s family. The State did not
need to waste a peremptory strike on Pena knowing the defense would exercise one. Thus,
the appellant’s argument that the State displayed disparate treatment of venire member Pena
as compared with Johnson is not borne out by the record.
Juror number 38, Myrtlene Williams, was the second African-American prospective
juror struck by the State. In response to the defense’s Batson challenge, the State offered the
following explanation for striking Williams:
[State]: Our position, Judge, is she participates in what’s called the
Outreach Ministries, and the group that she participates with
goes into the prison for the sole purpose of rehabilitating people
within the jail and the prison system. And that’s our main
reason. And then in addition that, she has a daughter who has,
that she had mentioned, been convicted of a larceny type offense
in the State of North Carolina.
***
[Defense]: Mr. Bunk, is there, in any response from Ms. Williams, to you,
that indicate that she cannot be fair or impartial and listen to the
evidence presented in this case?
[State]: I didn’t ask her that question, sir.
[Defense]: Exactly. Is there, in any response from Ms. Williams, that she
would not fairly or impartially answer the special issue questions
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concerning life or death?
[State]: No. I chose to strike her because of her membership with
Outreach Ministry, and her daughter’s—specifically her
daughter’s criminal history.
Discriminatory intent is not inherently present in the State’s proffered race-neutral
explanation.37 In his attempt to rebut the State’s reasons for striking Williams, the appellant
merely asserts other areas in which the State may have inquired, such as the juror’s ability
to consider the full range of punishment, the same inquiry that the State based its strike of
prospective juror Johnson. However, the State did not have to further examine Williams
regarding her opinion of the death penalty if it had already decided that the juror’s
membership in the Outreach Ministries, in addition to her daughter’s criminal history, would
make her undesirable as a member of the jury. Nevertheless, the appellant now argues on
appeal that the State’s race-neutral reasons were pretextual because the State misconstrued
Williams’ role in the Outreach Ministries and displayed disparate treatment with regard to
other non-African American jury members who also had personal criminal histories or close
relatives with criminal histories.
The appellant argues that the prosecutor, in an effort to keep an African-American off
the jury, mischaracterized Williams’ words to make it seem as though Williams personally
ministered to inmates for the sole purpose of rehabilitating them. Williams advised the
prosecutor during her voir dire examination that she was a member of Outreach Ministries.
37
See Purkett v. Elem, 514 U.S. 765, 768 (1995)(per curiam).
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However, she stated that her involvement in the group was focused on helping the homeless
and families in poverty in an effort to “bring them closer to the Church.” When Williams
told the prosecutor that there were members of her group that attended the jails and prisons,
the prosecutor asked Williams what the purpose of such visits was, to which she agreed that
the purpose was to attempt to rehabilitate inmates.
An examination of the exchange makes it apparent that the State did not intentionally
misconstrue Williams’ words in its explanation of its strike. The State’s main basis for
excluding Williams from the jury – that “the group that she participates with goes into the
prison for the sole purpose of rehabilitating people” – is consistent with Williams’ voir dire
account of those particular members’ goal in its ministry. It was not improper for the State
to strike Williams based on her connection to Outreach Ministries if it felt her membership
could cause her to be more sympathetic to the defendant, particularly in the punishment phase
of trial.38 Furthermore, whether the prosecutor was accurate in his assertion that it was the
Outreach Ministry members’ sole purpose in going to the prison to rehabilitate the prisoners,
is inconsequential. The trial court is not required to find a Batson violation simply because
the proffered explanation turns out to be incorrect.39 Hence, the appellant’s contention of
38
See Casarez v. State, 913 S.W.2d 468, 496 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995) (stating that “in
the case of religion, the attribution is not overly broad, and therefore not invidious, when the
belief is an article of faith[; b]ecause all members of the group share the same faith by
definition, it is not unjust to attribute beliefs characteristic of the faith to all of them”).
39
Gibson, 144 S.W.3d at 534 n.5 (citing Johnson v. State, 68 S.W.3d 644, 649 (Tex.
Young - 21
pretext based upon an alleged mis-characterization of William’s response is insufficient to
rebut the prosecutor’s race-neutral explanations.
The appellant also claims that four non-African American jury members, as well as
five other non-African American venire members who were either struck or successfully
challenged by the appellant, received disparate treatment from Williams during the State’s
voir dire examinations. The State, however, did not engage in disparate treatment with regard
to questioning venire members because none of these other prospective jurors put their
honesty in question. In contrast, Williams put her veracity at issue when she failed to
disclose her daughter’s larceny conviction in her jury questionnaire. When asked in Question
71 if she knew of any “close friend or relative that has been charged, arrested, indicted or
convicted of any criminal offense above the level of a traffic violation,” Williams checked
the box marked “No.” In response to the State’s voir dire question about her daughter’s
“difficulties in North Carolina,” Williams indicated to the prosecutor that she became aware
of her daughter’s larceny conviction “two or three years ago.” In comparison, none of the
four non-African-American venire persons who eventually served on the jury, nor the five
venire persons excluded by the defense, failed to disclose the criminal history of themselves,
close relatives, or friends. Nevertheless, this court will not impute disparate treatment in
every instance where one of the State’s reasons for striking a juror might technically apply
Crim. App. 2002); Ford v. State, 1 S.W.3d 691, 693-94 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999)).
Young - 22
to another venire member whom the State found acceptable.40 The concealment of her
daughter’s larceny conviction, along with Williams’ affiliation to a group that ministers to
prisoners, provided reasonable grounds for concern to the State to warrant its exercise of a
non-race based peremptory strike.
Paulette Bell, juror number 57, was the third African-American venire member
peremptorily struck by the State. In response to the appellant’s Batson challenge, the State
testified to the following reasons for its peremptory strike of Bell:
[State]: The State struck this juror for a multitude of reasons. Once,
she—her husband and son, both [b]lack men, feel like they
were—pulled over and apparently more than one time [in] her
son’s case, and felt like they were victims of racial profiling.
Second reason, she was on a criminal jury and found the
defendant—has been on a criminal [jury] that reached a not
guilty verdict. [Third] she also spoke that she’d like the chance
to go to the jail, and minister and preach. [Fourth] she, uh, while
she indicated today that she would be able to be—consider the
death penalty, she strongly opposed it in her questionnaire, and
repeats more than once, under no circumstances could she
participate in that.
[Defense]: And Judge, for the record, she’s a black female. Judge, their
primary reason offered is not a race-neutral reason. He stated
specifically that her husband and son are black males, and that
consequently they choose to strike her from this case because
they supposedly had been the subject of racial profiling. That is
not a race-neutral reason.
[COURT]: Yeah, but the other ones are.
[Defense]: Well, they listed as their primary reason—
40
See Adanandus v. State, 866 S.W.2d 210, 224-25 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993).
Young - 23
[State]: I did not.
[COURT]: They listed it as the first reason.
[Defense]: Okay. I’d ask that she be impaneled on that basis, because they
have not provided race-neutral reasons for striking this juror.
[COURT]: Okay, that’s denied. I mean, it’s denied.
The appellant argues that the State’s first reason for striking Bell was not race-neutral
and, in the alternative, the State’s explanation for its challenge falls within the “mixed
motives” doctrine and the case should, therefore, be remanded. 41 In Guzman, the State
offered reasons for its peremptory strike that were both gender based and gender neutral.
However, in ruling on the Batson challenge, the trial court failed to make explicit findings
that the State’s strike could be based upon the neutral reasons alone, and therefore, the case
was remanded to the trial court to make findings on that issue.
Here, the appellant contends that the prosecutor’s pointing out that Bell’s husband and
son were “black men” and subjects of “racial profiling” is an indication the State had a
racially discriminatory motive for striking Bell. However, the prosecutor’s statement that the
juror’s family members were black was made to explain its decision to strike Bell based on
her close familial relationship to persons who believed they experienced racial profiling. The
State’s striking of a juror based on her personal or close relative’s experiences with or
perceptions of law enforcement, particularly one as negative as racial profiling, is not by
41
See Guzman v. State, 85 S.W.3d 242 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002).
Young - 24
itself determinative of racial discrimination.42 Thus, the appellant did not rebut the State’s
race-neutral reason for striking Bell based on the prosecutor’s mere mentioning of the race
of the juror’s family members, or its stated concern regarding her family members’ previous
experiences with racial profiling.
Even assuming arguendo that the State displayed a discriminatory motive in its first
basis for striking Bell and the “mixed motives” doctrine applies, such grounds do not raise
equal protection concerns to a level that would require remanding this case to the trial court
as was done in Guzman, and as is now requested by the appellant.43 Unlike in Guzman, the
State and the trial judge here both noted that the first reason proffered by the State was not
the primary reason, but rather the first of four reasons the State sought to exclude Bell. In
addition, the trial judge demonstrated his consideration of the State’s other three reasons by
responding to the appellant’s contention that the State’s first reason was not race-neutral by
saying “Yeah, but the other ones are.” Lastly, the facts in this case contrast with Guzman
because the trial judge explicitly denied the appellant’s charge of purposeful racial
42
See Williams v. State, 804 S.W.2d 95, 98 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) (stating the
prosecutor’s strategy of selecting jurors not prone to have a prejudice against either the police
officers or the State was race-neutral); see also Hawkins v. State, 793 S.W.2d 291, 293-94
(Tex. App.–Dallas 1990, pet. ref’d) (holding that a prosecutor’s statement that a juror had a
prior unpleasant experience with law-enforcement personnel is a race-neutral explanation).
43
See Guzman, 85 S.W.3d at 255.
Young - 25
discrimination by the prosecutor.44 After reviewing the evidence in a light most favorable
to the trial court’s ruling, we are able to discern from the present record what the trial court
determined concerning the State’s allegedly race-based peremptory strike of prospective juror
Bell. Therefore, the trial court did not err in overruling the appellant’s Batson challenges and
a remand is not necessary. Point of error three is overruled.
In points of error four, five, and six, the appellant alleges that the trial court erred in
denying his motion to suppress any statements made or evidence seized following his arrest
because he was arrested without a warrant in violation of Article 38.23 and Chapter 14 of the
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United
States Constitution, and Article I § 9, of the Texas Constitution.
At trial, the appellant raised these claims in a general “Motion to Suppress.” The
motion merely states that he was arrested without “a valid warrant or probable cause or
reasonable suspicion.” He further claims that any and all statements made after the arrest are
“fruit of the poisonous tree.” No further argument or citations were made in the motion, at
the pre-trial hearing, or at trial.
At the hearing on the motion to suppress, the only evidence presented regarding the
appellant’s arrest came during the cross-examination of the State’s witness, Officer Richard
Hodge. The defense asked the officer how he came in contact with the appellant. Hodge
answered that they were looking for a vehicle that was used in the robbery-murder, that the
44
Compare Guzman, 85 S.W.3d at 254-55.
Young - 26
car was found parked at a house, the occupants of the house were ordered out, the appellant
was uncooperative, and he was arrested. Hodge advised the appellant of his rights and
explained to him why he was being arrested. The remainder of the questioning revolved
around whether the appellant was intoxicated and how certain items of clothing and other
evidence were obtained. No other evidence was presented, and no argument was made
regarding an arrest, illegal or otherwise. Rather, the hearing focused on the alleged
warrantless seizure of specific items of evidence. At the end of the presentation of witnesses,
the State specifically requested a ruling on “the admissibility of the clothes taken from the
Defendant.” The defense agreed. The judge stated: “Yeah. As far as the boxers, the socks
and the rape kit, stuff that’s in the rape kit, it’s all admissible – well, I don’t know if it’s
admissible – well, your Motion to Suppress is denied, let’s put it that way.” The defense then
requested that the trial court reserve its ruling on the Motion to Suppress with regard to the
buccal swabs, a pair of shorts, and a t-shirt as the predicate had not been established yet. No
express ruling was ever made regarding the warrantless arrest claim nor did the appellant
request a ruling at any time.
When a defendant seeks to suppress evidence on the basis of an illegal arrest, the
initial burden of proof is placed on the defendant to rebut the presumption of proper
conduct.45 The defendant may satisfy this burden by establishing that he was arrested without
45
McGee v. State, 105 S.W.3d 609, 613 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Russell v. State, 717
S.W.2d 7, 9 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986).
Young - 27
a warrant.46 Once this is shown, the burden shifts to the State to either produce evidence of
a warrant or prove the reasonableness of the arrest.47
Here, the appellant failed to offer evidence that the arrest was warrantless. He could
have done so easily by asking Officer Hodge if the arrest was made pursuant to a warrant.
The appellant, however, failed to do so. Therefore, we must presume proper conduct, and
the burden never shifted to the State to produce evidence of a warrant or, alternatively, to
prove the reasonableness of the arrest. Assuming arguendo that the trial court ruled upon the
appellant’s warrantless-arrest claim, we presume he did so based upon the foregoing law.
The trial court did not err. Points of error four, five and six are overruled.
In the appellant’s seventh point of error, he posits that the trial court erred in denying
his Motion to Suppress because his slippers and socks were illegally seized from him
without a warrant, in violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United
States Constitution. As stated in the previous three points of error, the appellant made only
a general statement in his written motion that “the seizure of items, papers and effects from
him was effected without valid warrant or probable cause or reasonable suspicion” in
violation of the state and federal laws. The appellant did not set out what specific evidence
he wanted suppressed or brief his argument at trial in any way.
46
Id.
47
Id.
Young - 28
At the suppression hearing, evidence was elicited that the appellant’s socks and
slippers were seized from him after his arrest. The appellant was taken to Methodist
Specialty Hospital to have a rape kit completed for the sexual assault that preceded the
instant offense. Officer Hodge testified that he took the appellant’s slippers after the
appellant removed them for the exam by the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). The
socks were secured by the SANE nurse who then gave them to Officer Hodge. Evidence was
further elicited as to how the evidence was secured, tagged, and preserved for testing.
Neither the State nor the defense, prior to the trial court expressly denying the Motion to
Suppress, made any argument with regard to the items collected at the time of the sexual-
assault exam.48
Again, the appellant had the burden to show that the items in question were seized
without a warrant.49 And, again, the appellant failed to establish that there was no warrant.
However, unlike the claim regarding the alleged warrantless arrest, evidence was elicited
regarding the seizure of the items. Assuming arguendo that the appellant preserved his
48
Both the appellant and the State submit that the trial court did not expressly rule upon
this evidence. After a careful review of the record, we disagree. The trial court ruled
specifically on the rape kit, boxers, socks, and slippers. The judge then stated, “The buccal
swab, that kind of goes with everything else. I guess, if its –” The State then interrupted and
stated that the shorts, swab, and t-shirt were collected at the police station. The defense then
requested that the trial court reserve his ruling as to the shorts and t-shirt as they were “not
in complete predicate yet.” At no time did the trial court withdraw his ruling regarding the
socks and slippers.
49
See McGee, 105 S.W.3d at 613.
Young - 29
argument on appeal, we hold that it is without merit.
If the trial court’s ruling regarding a motion to suppress is reasonably supported by
the record and is correct under any theory of law applicable to the case, the reviewing court
must affirm.50 Here, while there is no evidence that the appellant consented to the seizure
of his socks or slippers, the evidence does show they were taken pursuant to a lawful
custodial arrest.51 The warrantless seizure of a suspect’s clothing subsequent to a legal arrest,
while he is in custody or detention, is permissible.52 “Indeed, it is difficult to perceive what
is unreasonable about the police examining and holding as evidence those personal effects
of the accused that they already have in their lawful custody as the result of a lawful arrest.” 53
Point of error seven is overruled.
In points of error eight and nine, the appellant complains that the trial court erred in
admitting into evidence State’s Exhibit 10, an autopsy identification photograph of the
50
Romero v. State, 800 S.W.2d 539, 543-44 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990).
51
The appellant failed to successfully challenge the legality of his arrest. See points of
error four five, and six, supra. Further, after a thorough review of the record at trial, we hold
that there was sufficient probable cause and reasonable suspicion to arrest the appellant
without a warrant, assuming there was not one, in accordance with both state and federal
laws.
52
See U.S. v. Edwards, 415 U.S. 800, 805-09 (1974) (defendant’s clothing seized the
morning after his arrest, when it became apparent clothes might be evidence of crime);
Marquez v. State, 725 S.W.2d 217, 234 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987).
53
Edwards, 415 U.S. at 806 (citations omitted).
Young - 30
victim, at the guilt phase of trial. Specifically, he alleges that the prejudicial nature of the
photograph substantially outweighed its probative value and that it was needlessly
cumulative.54
When determining whether the trial court erred in admitting relevant photographs into
evidence, our review is limited to determining whether the probative value of the photos is
substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or
misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay or needless presentation of
cumulative evidence.55 The trial court’s decision is reviewed under an abuse of discretion
standard, and may be disturbed on appeal only when the trial court’s decision falls outside
the zone of reasonable disagreement.56
A court may consider many factors in determining whether the probative value of
photographs is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. These factors
include: the number of exhibits offered, their gruesomeness, their detail, their size, whether
they are in color or black and white, whether they are close-up, and whether the body
depicted is clothed or naked. 57 A court, however, should not be limited by this list. The
54
T EX. R. E VID. 403.
55
T EX. R. E VID. 403; Long v. State, 823 S.W.2d 259, 271 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991),
citing Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 389 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) (op. on reh’g).
56
Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 391.
57
Long, 823 S.W.2d at 272.
Young - 31
availability of other means of proof and the circumstances unique to each individual case
should also be considered.58 In reviewing the complained-of photograph, we note initially
that it is in color and is 8 ½" x 11" in size.
Our review shows that State’s Exhibit 10 is an autopsy identification photo of the
victim. The victim is shown unclothed from the chest up, lying on a table. The medical
examiner’s placard showing the case number is placed across the victim’s chest. The placard
covers up most of the chest and most of the entry gunshot wound. The photo was used twice
by the State during the guilt phase. The State’s first witness, Mitesh Patel, the victim’s son,
was shown the photo to identify that his father was the victim in this case. The defense did
not object when the photo was displayed for identification purposes. The photo was not
admitted into evidence at that time. The next time the photo was displayed was during the
medical examiner’s testimony. The medical examiner, Dr. Jennifer Rulon, early in her
testimony, testified that each autopsy exam is assigned a specific case number that goes on
her autopsy report and any other reports. At the end of her direct testimony, Dr. Rulon
explained how she always takes an identification photo of the deceased with a placard that
has the case number on it. The State then asked if Exhibit 10 shows that “this is the
individual who you’ve been discussing having done the autopsy on?” Dr. Rulon replied,
“Yes.” The photo was admitted over the appellant’s objection.
58
Id.
Young - 32
The admissibility of a photograph is within the sound discretion of the trial judge.59
A photograph is generally admissible if verbal testimony about the matters depicted in the
photograph is also admissible.60 State’s Exhibit 10 is an autopsy identification photo. It
depicts the victim before autopsy and displays the autopsy number assigned to that victim.
A photo of the victim displaying the autopsy number ensures that the autopsy report will
correspond to the photo of the correct victim. Thus, even though the victim’s identification
was initially based on his son’s testimony, the medical examiner’s office still utilized the
photo for the purpose of tying the victim to his assigned case number. For this reason, the
autopsy identification photo was relevant and not cumulative of the autopsy photographs
exhibiting the wounds. Regarding the appellant’s claim under Texas Rule of Evidence 403,
we cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in holding that the probative value of
the photograph outweighed the danger of unfair prejudice. The complained-of picture is not
particularly gruesome or detailed, it is not enhanced in any way, and it portrays no more than
the condition of the victim due to the injuries inflicted. Therefore, we overrule points of
error eight and nine.
In point of error ten, the appellant complains that the trial court erred when it denied
his request for a jury charge on the lesser-included offense of murder. Specifically, he argues
59
Paredes v. State, 129 S.W.3d 530, 539-40 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004); Williams v. State, 958
S.W.2d 186, 195 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).
60
Id. at 540.
Young - 33
that, because a police officer testified that he thought the audio on the store’s surveillance
video was “unintelligible,” there is no evidence that he committed murder in the course of
robbing or attempting to rob Patel. Alternatively, he argues that, because at the beginning
of the surveillance video the appellant asks how much dry cleaning costs, there is evidence
that he did not intend to rob Patel.
In determining whether the appellant is entitled to a charge on a lesser-included
offense, we must consider all of the evidence introduced at trial, whether produced by the
State or the defendant.61 This Court uses a two-pronged test in its review.62 First, the lesser-
included offense must be included within the proof necessary to establish the offense
charged; second, there must be some evidence in the record that if the defendant is guilty, he
is guilty only of the lesser-included offense.63 The credibility of the evidence and whether
it conflicts with other evidence or is controverted may not be considered in determining
61
Goodwin v. State, 799 S.W.2d 719, 740 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990).
62
Rousseau v. State, 855 S.W.2d 666, 672-75 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993); Goodwin, 799
S.W.2d at 740-41.
63
See Hall v. State, 225 S.W.3d 524, 536 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007), quoting Bignall v.
State, 887 S.W.2d 21, 23 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994) (“A defendant is entitled to an instruction
on a lesser-included offense where the proof for the offense charged includes the proof
necessary to establish the lesser-included offense and there is some evidence in the record
that would permit a jury rationally to find that if the defendant is guilty, he is guilty only of
the lesser-included offense.”).
Young - 34
whether an instruction on a lesser-included offense should be given.64
This Court has long held that murder is a lesser-included offense of capital murder.65
Therefore, the appellant has met the first prong of the test. However, the appellant fails to
meet the second prong. First, we point out that the appellant contradicts himself in his
argument. He states that the surveillance audio is completely unintelligible, but then admits
that he can discern what is being said at the beginning of the tape. We note that this Court
has listened to the tape and is able to discern the statements made by the appellant. However,
even assuming the police officer was correct and the audio was unintelligible, there is no
evidence that the appellant is guilty of only the lesser-included offense of murder. In
viewing the surveillance video with no sound, we observe that the video shows the appellant
entering the store, drawing a weapon, forcing Patel to the register at gunpoint, shooting Patel,
going to the register, and then leaving the store.
Given these facts, we conclude that there is no evidence in the record from which a
rational trier of fact could determine that the appellant was guilty only of murder. The trial
judge did not err in refusing the instruction. Point of error ten is overruled.
In his twelfth and thirteenth points of error, the appellant claims that the trial court
erred when it overruled his objection and permitted the admission of evidence at punishment
64
Banda, 890 S.W.2d at 60.
65
See Feldman v. State, 71 S.W.3d 738, 750 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002); Thomas v. State,
701 S.W.2d 653, 656 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985).
Young - 35
regarding an extraneous shooting incident. Specifically, the appellant complains that the
evidence was not relevant to the punishment issues and that the probative value of the
evidence was substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect. He argues that the evidence
was not relevant because the State did not “clearly prove” that he committed the extraneous
offense.
Generally, evidence of extraneous acts involving a defendant is relevant and
admissible in the punishment stage of a capital case.66 Further, Rule 403 favors the
admission of relevant evidence and carries a presumption that relevant evidence will be more
probative than prejudicial.67 However, before a trial court may admit evidence of uncharged
misconduct (also known as “extraneous offenses” or “extraneous misconduct”), the State
must “clearly prove” that the misconduct occurred and that the defendant was the
perpetrator.68 It is enough that the State presents evidence that, if believed, establishes that
the defendant himself committed the extraneous misconduct.69
The evidence here showed that on May 9, 2004, the appellant was living with Chala
66
See McFarland v. State, 928 S.W.2d 482, 512 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006); Patrick v.
State, 906 S.W.2d 481, 494 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995).
67
Williams v. State, 958 S.W.2d 186, 196 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); Montgomery, 810
S.W.2d at 389.
68
Chamberlain v. State, 998 S.W.2d 230, 235 (Tex. Crim. App.1999).
69
Harris, 827 S.W.2d at 961.
Young - 36
Riley. Riley testified that she was sitting with the appellant on the front porch of their home
when an individual known as “C-Small” drove by. The appellant got “all hyped up.” She
heard the appellant say “I’m going to go get C-Smalls. I’m going to shoot C-Small.” The
appellant then left the house with his older brother, who had been inside. Shortly thereafter,
Riley heard five or more gunshots not far from the house. She testified that the appellant
later told her that “he had shot at C-Smalls.”
Officer Joseph Briseno testified that he was called to the scene of a shooting at an
apartment complex that was next to the appellant’s house. When he arrived, he noticed two
suspects fleeing the location. The appellant was one of the suspects. As Briseno approached
the appellant, the appellant reached into his waistband and threw a gun into the bushes.
Briseno recovered the weapon which was fully loaded. Briseno testified that the appellant
told him that he got the gun in self-defense and that he and “C-Small” were shooting at each
other. Shell casings were recovered from the parking lot and were found to have come from
the appellant’s gun. The appellant also had gunshot residue on his hands.
We hold that the appellant’s out-of-court admissions that he committed the act of
misconduct, along with his possession of the weapon and forensic evidence, constituted
“clear proof” that he committed the extraneous offense. We conclude that the trial court did
not err in holding that the probative value of the evidence was not substantially outweighed
by the danger of unfair prejudice under Rule of Evidence 403.
We note that all evidence connecting a defendant with a particular crime is highly
Young - 37
prejudicial. However, here the evidence of the extraneous shooting was clearly probative of
whether the appellant would be a future danger. It is only when there exists a clear disparity
between the degree of prejudice of the offered evidence and its probative value that Rule 403
bars its admission.70 In reviewing the record before us, we cannot say that the probative
value of the extraneous shooting was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice. Points of error twelve and thirteen are overruled.
In point of error fourteen, the appellant alleges that the trial court erred when it denied
his motion for mistrial at punishment. He argues that Officer Briseno’s spontaneous
statement that the weapon used by the appellant in the May 2004 shooting was a “stolen
firearm” caused him incurable prejudice. With respect to this point of error, the record
reflects that Officer Briseno testified that he witnessed the appellant throw a gun into the
bushes; the officer further testified that he was the one who recovered the weapon. On re-
direct examination, the following occurred:
[State]: Officer, what type of gun was it?
[Briseno]: It’s a semi-automatic handgun. It was a Republic Arms, Patriot
.45 caliber, silver and black .45 caliber; one in the chamber and
six in the clip. And it was also a stolen firearm.
[Defense]: Judge, I’m going to object.
[COURT]: Sustained. Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, step outside.
70
Jones v. State, 944 S.W.2d 642, 652 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996); Joiner v. State, 825
S.W.2d 701, 708 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992).
Young - 38
The court then reprimanded the officer for providing the additional information that the gun
was stolen. Defense counsel requested an instruction to disregard and moved for a mistrial.
The motion for mistrial was denied, but the court did instruct the jury upon their return to
“disregard the last question and answer by this witness in every form and fashion.”
A witness’s inadvertent reference to an extraneous offense is generally cured by a
prompt instruction to disregard.71 A mistrial is a device used to halt trial proceedings when
error is so prejudicial that expenditure of further time and expense would be wasteful and
futile.72 Therefore, a mistrial should be granted only in cases where the “reference was
clearly calculated to inflame the minds of the jury or was of such damning character as to
suggest it would be impossible to remove the harmful impression from the jurors’ minds.” 73
We discern no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s denial of a mistrial. The
testimony in issue did not actually assert that the appellant stole the weapon or that he knew
it was stolen. The trial court could have reasonably concluded that the answer was not so
inflammatory as to be incurable by an instruction to disregard. Point of error fourteen is
overruled.
Finally, in the appellant’s fifteenth point of error, he complains that the trial court,
71
Rojas v. State, 986 S.W.2d 241, 251 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998); Kipp v. State, 876
S.W.2d 330, 339 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994).
72
Ladd v. State, 3 S.W.3d 547, 567 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999).
73
Rojas, 986 S.W.2d at 250.
Young - 39
when instructing the jury regarding the mitigation special issue, failed to give the instruction
contained in Article 37.071, § 2(f)(3). He argues that this violated his rights under both the
Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
At punishment, the trial court instructed the jury:
The second issue is:
State whether, taking into consideration all the evidence, including the
circumstances of the offense, the defendant’s character and background, and
the personal moral culpability of the defendant, there is a sufficient mitigating
circumstance or are sufficient mitigating circumstances to warrant that a
sentence of life imprisonment rather than a death sentence be imposed.
Jurors were not instructed that they “need not agree on what particular evidence supports an
affirmative finding on the issue.” 74
The appellant argues that the charge robbed him of the safeguard of having jurors
made unambiguously aware that they did not need to agree on the particular evidence that
supported a “yes” answer to the mitigation issue. The appellant further argues that the
instruction skewed the jury’s understanding in the prosecution’s favor, and therefore, he was
denied the constitutional guarantee of jury unanimity.
The appellant did not object to the charge, but now contends that the lack of the
instruction egregiously harmed him under the standard set out in Almanza v. State.75 The
74
Art. 37.071, § 2(f)(3).
75
686 S.W.2d 157, 171 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984) (op. on reh’g).
Young - 40
appellant relies on Mills v. Maryland 76 to support his argument that the lack of the Article
37.071, § 2(f)(3), instruction requires reversal. The charge in Mills listed the statutorily
available mitigating circumstances in that case and directed jurors to unanimously affirm
whether they agreed or disagreed that each circumstance did or did not exist.77 The United
States Supreme Court found that such a charge improperly required that all jurors
unanimously agree on the mitigating circumstances before finding that those circumstances
warranted a life sentence.78 However, even when presented with the circumstances in Mills,
the Supreme Court did not go so far as to say it is a constitutional requirement that every jury
deliberating punishment in a capital case should be explicitly instructed that the jurors need
not agree on the particular mitigating circumstances.
In this case, while jurors were not given the statutorily required instruction that they
need not agree on the particular mitigating evidence, they unanimously found that no
sufficient mitigating circumstance or circumstances warranted that a life sentence be
imposed. The foreman signed the answer that stated: “We, the jury, unanimously find and
determine that the answer to this Special Issue is ‘No.’” Because no juror believed there was
a circumstance or circumstances that warranted a life sentence, there was no possibility that
76
486 U.S. 367 (1988).
77
Id. at 378.
78
Id. at 384.
Young - 41
the jurors would be confused about a need to agree on a particular circumstance or
circumstances.
Although the trial court erred in failing to give the statutory instruction, in this case,
the appellant was not deprived of the constitutional guarantee of a unanimous verdict and did
not suffer egregious harm. Nor was the appellant denied a fair trial. Point of error fifteen
is overruled.
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
DELIVERED: April 22, 2009
PUBLISH