Michelle Elaine Gambles v. State ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
03-14-00484-CR
6516013
THIRD COURT OF APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
8/17/2015 9:00:27 AM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
CLERK
03-14-00484-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FILED IN
3rd COURT OF APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
FOR THE 8/25/2015 4:50:27 PM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
THIRD SUPREME JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXASClerk
____________________________
MICHELLE ELAINE GAMBLES
APPELLANT
VS.
THE STATE OF TEXAS
APPELLEE
________________________________________
ON APPEAL FROM THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW NUMBER 2 OF
BELL COUNTY, TEXAS. CAUSE NUMBER 2C13-07485
________________________________________
APPELLANT’S BRIEF
____________________________________________
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Floyd White Bobby Dale Barina
Texas Bar No. 00785231 Texas Bar No. 01738480
100 Kasberg Drive, Suite A Tyler Woudwyk
Temple, Texas 76502 Texas Bar No. 24084120
Email: lawyer@vvm.com 455 East Central Texas Expressway
Suite 104
Harker Heights, Texas 76548
Tele: (254) 699-3755
Fax: (254) 699-1074
Email: BobbyDaleBarina@BarinaLaw.Com
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
IDENTIFICATION OF THE PARTIES
Pursuant to Tex.R.App.P 38.6(a), a complete list of the names and addresses
of all interested parties is provided below so the members of this Honorable Court
may at once determine whether they are disqualified to serve or should recess
themselves from participating in the decision of this case.
Complaint, victim or aggrieved party:
The State of Texas
Appellant or criminal Defendant:
Michelle Elaine Gambles
1018 Arnold Drive
Bartlett, Texas 76511
Trial counsel for Appellant:
Michael F. White
100 Kasberg Drive, Suite A
Temple, Texas 76502
David Fernandez, Jr.
P.O. Box 5120
Temple, Texas 76505
Appeal counsel for Appeal:
Bobby Dale Barina
Tyler Woudwyk
455 East Central Texas Expressway, Suite 104
Harker Heights, Texas 76548
Michael F. White
100 Kasberg Drive, Suite A
Temple, Texas 76502
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Appeal Counsel for the State:
Steve Morris
1201 Huey Road
Belton, Texas 76513
Trial counsel for the State:
Mark Currier
1201 Huey Road
Belton, Texas 76513
Trial Judge
Honorable John Mischtian
1201 Huey Road
Belton, Texas 76513
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NUMBER
IDENTIFICATION OF THE PARTIES .................................................................. 2
INDEX TO AUTHORITIES .................................................................................... 5
STATEMENT OF THE NATURE AND RESULT OF THE CASE ...................... 6
STATEMENT OF FACTS ....................................................................................... 7
ISSUES PRESENTED ............................................................................................ 40
Issue number 1
The evidence presented at trial was insufficient to uphold the jury verdict of
guilt.
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ..................................................................... 40
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 45
PRAYER .................................................................................................................. 45
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ................................................................................ 46
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ....................................................................... 46
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INDEX TO AUTHORITIES
PAGE
Cases
Anderson v. State,
707 S.W.2d 267 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1986) ......................... 42, 44
Brooks v. State,
323 S.W.3d 893 (Tex.Crim.App.2010) ................................................ 41
Bryant v. State,
923 S.W.2d 199 (Tex.App.-Waco 1996) ............................................... 43
Clayton v. State,
235 S.W.3d 772 (Tex.Crim.App.2007) ................................................. 41
Gharbi v. State,
131 S.W.3d 481 (Tex.Crim.App.2003) ................................................. 41
Gollihar v. State,
46 S.W.3d 243 (Tex.Crim.App.2001) ................................................... 41
Gray v. State,
152 S.W.3d 125 (Tex.Crim.App.2004) ................................................. 41
Jackson v. Virginia,
443 U.S. 307, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979) ......................... 41
Malik v. State,
953 S.W.2d 234 (Tex.Crim.App.1997) ................................................. 41
Raymond v. State,
640 S.W.2d 678 (Tex.App.-El Paso 1982) ............................................ 42, 44
Sheehan v. State,
201 S.W.3d 820 (Tex. App. -Waco 2006) .............................................. 41, 42, 44
Statutes
Tex. Crim. Proc. Code Ann. Art 36.14 (West 2012) ............................. 41
Tex. Penal Code Ann §38.03 .................................................................. 6, 40, 45
Rules
Tex R. App. P. 38.6(a) ............................................................................ 2
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STATEMENT OF THE NATURE AND RESULT OF THE CASE
The Appellant was charged by information on October 2, 2013 with
Resisting Arrest or Search in violation of Tex. Penal Code Ann §38.03. R.R. Vol 4,
p. 7. The Appellant entered a plea of not guilty and proceeded to jury trial. R.R.
Vol 4, p.8. The jury found her guilty R.R. Vol 6, p.70 and assessed punishment.
Appellant was sentenced to 6 days confinement in Bell county jail and a zero
dollar fine R.R. Vol 7, p.58.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS
GUILT/INNOCENCE PHASE OF THE TRIAL
VOLUME 4 OF 9
THE STATE’S CASE IN CHIEF R.R. VOL. 4, p. 27
Mark Koenig R.R. Vol 4, p. 27
The State’s first witness was Mark Koenig R.R. Vol 4, p. 27. He was an
apprentice plumber for MY Plumbing Company at the time of the incident R.R.
Vol 4, p. 28. He was called to a service call on September 11, 2013 at 1809
Stardust in Bell County Texas R.R. Vol4, p.29.
The owner of MY Plumbing (Young) drove to the location of the service call
R.R. Vol 4, p.30. Soon after arriving, as he was unloading materials, he was
accused by a neighbor of speeding down the road R.R. Vol 4, p.31. The neighbor
was identified as the Appellant R.R. Vol 4, p.31. Appellant was agitated R.R. Vol
4, p.32, and Young went to speak with her for two to three minutes R.R. Vol 4,
p.33.
Young then made a phone call R.R. Vol 4, p.33, to 911 dispatcher R.R. Vol
4, p.34. Young described Appellant to dispatcher R.R. Vol 4, p.34. Two officers
soon arrived one after the other R.R. Vol 4, p.35, Lawson (Lawson) first and then
Firebaugh (Firebaugh) R.R. Vol 4, p. 35. Lawson proceeded to separate the
parties R.R. Vol 4, p.35 and then approached the Appellant R.R. Vol 4, p.35.
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Lawson attempted to calm the Appellant R.R. Vol 4, p.36 but was
unsuccessful R.R. Vol 4, p.36. Firebaugh attempted to talk to Plumbers R.R. Vol 4,
p.37, but had to go assist Lawson R.R. Vol 4, p.37. The officers then attempted to
arrest Appellant R.R. Vol 4, p.37. Lawson attempted to detain Appellant and put
her in handcuffs R.R. Vol 4, p.37. Lawson successfully got one had cuffed R.R.
Vol 4, p.38 and Appellant jerked other hand away from Lawson R.R. Vol 4, p.38.
Appellant broke away from Lawson R.R. Vol 4, p.38 by spinning away R.R. Vol 4,
p.38. Appellant and Lawson then went to the ground R.R. Vol 4, p.39. Appellant
continued to yell while on the ground R.R. Vol 4, p.40. There was another
neighbor also present R.R. Vol 4, p.40 on her porch R.R. Vol 4, p.41.
CROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 4, p.41
He never talked to police R.R. Vol 4, p.42. He was present when the officers
interviewed Young R.R. Vol 4, p.43. He was present when Young called 911 R.R.
Vol 4, p.43. Young called Appellant a short, black, fat woman R.R. Vol 4, p.45.
Young told dispatcher that Appellant was putting a voodoo hex on him R.R. Vol 4,
p.45. Appellant did not strike officers with her hands, feet, elbows, knees, head, or
teeth R.R. Vol 4, p.48. He saw nothing that indicated Appellant was trying to
injure Lawson R.R. Vol 4, p.48, or Firebaugh R.R. Vol 4, p.48. Appellant was
waving her arms and being loud R.R. Vol 4, p.49, but no use of physical force R.R.
Vol 4, p.50.
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Firebaugh had a stun gun that was black and yellow and looked like a gun
R.R. Vol 4, p.52. Firebaugh dry stuns Appellant with Taser in the back. R.R. Vol
4, p.53. Appellant reacted to stun as if she was in pain R.R. Vol 4, p.55. Stun
lasted two to three seconds R.R. Vol 4, p.55. Appellant tried to tell Firebaugh to
stop R.R. Vol 4, p.55, which he did R.R. Vol 4, p.55.
Lawson then escorted Appellant to the car R.R. Vol 4, p.56. The officers
seemed a little upset R.R. Vol 4, p.55.
REDIRECT EXAMINATION OF MARK KOENIG R.R. Vol 4, p. 56
Appellant did not use force against the officers prior to being on the ground
R.R. Vol 4, p.57. Lawson tried to arrest Appellant before going to the ground R.R.
Vol 4, p.57. Appellant used a little bit of force to break Lawson’s grasp R.R. Vol
4, p.58.
RECROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 4, p.60
Appellant did not make physical contact with Lawson in jerking away R.R.
Vol 4, p.60.
SHEENA MENDEZ R.R. Vol 4, p. 61
She is daughter of the owners of 1809 Stardust R.R. Vol 4, p.62. She was
present at the time of the incident to let the plumbers (Young and Koenig) into her
parent’s house R.R. Vol 4, p.63. The plumbers were already present when she
arrived R.R. Vol 4, p.64. Appellant was crossing the street when she arrived R.R.
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Vol 4, p.64, yelling that the plumbers were speeding down the street R.R. Vol 4,
p.64. She apologized that the plumbers were speeding and tried to explain that they
would be gone in five to ten minutes R.R. Vol 4, p.64. This did not appease or
calm Appellant R.R. Vol 4, p.65. She then retreated into the house waiting for
police to arrive R.R. Vol 4, p.65.
After officers arrived, Lawson spoke to Appellant R.R. Vol 4, p.67.
Appellant was yelling and upset R.R. Vol 4, p.68. Firebaugh was speaking to the
plumbers, R.R. Vol 4, p.69, and Lawson turned to approach and speak with the
plumbers R.R. Vol 4, p.69. Lawson told Appellant that if she did not calm down
she would be arrested R.R. Vol 4, p.70. Appellant did not calm down and Lawson
began to arrest her R.R. Vol 4, p.70.
Lawson grabbed Appellant’s hand and put it behind Appellant’s back R.R.
Vol 4, p.70. Appellant wiggled around at tried to get away R.R. Vol 4, p.71.
Firebaugh assisted and the officers and Appellant ended up on the ground R.R. Vol
4, p.73. Firebaugh stunned Appellant because she would not comply R.R. Vol 4,
p.73. The struggle on the ground lasted a few minutes R.R. Vol 4, p.73. Appellant
was placed in handcuffs and was still yelling R.R. Vol 4, p.74, as they escorted
Appellant to the patrol car R.R. Vol 4, p.74. She never gave a statement to the
officers R.R. Vol 4, p.75, or spoke with either the officer R.R. Vol 4, p.75.
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CROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 4, p.77
Neither officer asked her what she had seen R.R. Vol 4, p.78. She did
not see a knee strike to Appellant’s side by either officer R.R. Vol 4, p.79.
Firebaugh stunned Appellant for several seconds and she screamed out in pain
R.R. Vol 4, p.79. She never saw Appellant swing, kick, bite, head butt or scratch
at the Officers R.R. Vol 4, p.80. As the officers where on top of Appellant on the
ground she did not use physical force against officers R.R. Vol 4, p.80. Appellant
was wiggling to get away R.R. Vol 4, p.81.
Volume 5 of 9
MICHAEL YOUNG VOL. 5 p.4
He is owner of MY Plumbing company and a licensed plumber R.R. Vol 5,
p.7. He arrived at 1809 Stardust on date in question in the afternoon R.R. Vol 5,
p.8. He was approached by Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.8, and she began yelling at
him R.R. Vol 5, p.8. He ignored her and went to the door for the service call R.R.
Vol 5, p.8.
He then called 911 R.R. Vol 5, p.9. Appellant called him demoned (sic) and
white devil R.R. Vol 5, p.10, and asked the good lord to put a whooping on his
soul R.R. Vol 5, p.10. Appellant then began speaking in tongues R.R. Vol 5, p.10.
He told Appellant to call the police R.R. Vol 5, p.11, and when she did not he did
R.R. Vol 5, p.11.
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Shortly after he called, the police arrived R.R. Vol 5, p.12. He and Mendez
retreated into the house R.R. Vol 5, p.12. He then went to address the plumbing
situation and then the two officers arrived in separate cars R.R. Vol 5, p.13. He
began to speak with Firebaugh while Lawson spoke with Appellant R.R. Vol 5,
p.14. He identified Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.15. Lawson was attempting to calm the
Appellant but was unable to do so R.R. Vol 5, p.16. Lawson then grabbed her
wrist and Appellant tried to spin out of it R.R. Vol 5, p.17. Appellant and Lawson
then went to the ground together R.R. Vol 5, p.17, and Appellant kept her hands
under her chest as she laid on the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.17. The Officers asked her
to give up her hands R.R. Vol 5, p.17. He demonstrates how Appellant tried to
break the Officers grasp R.R. Vol 5, p.18.
Appellant complained about being in pain R.R. Vol 5, p.20. Appellant was
in shock and did not know why she was being arrested R.R. Vol 5, p.20. After
they went to the ground Firebaugh went to assist Lawson R.R. Vol 5, p.21.
Appellant struggled with the officers for two to five minutes R.R. Vol 5, p.21.
Appellant was then tased by Firebaugh in the small of her back R.R. Vol 5, p.23.
Appellant was tased twice before she was handcuffed R.R. Vol 5, p.24. He
provided the police with a written statement after the incident R.R. Vol 5, p.26.
HEARING OUTSIDE THE PRESENCE OF THE JURY R.R. Vol. 5, p. 26
Hearing concerned the fact that defense had never been provided a copy of
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the witness’s statement and no supplement to the officer’s report or reference in the
report to the existence of any such statement. Defense was provided a copy of the
statement R.R. Vol 5, p.26-28 The court proceeds in front of the jury R.R. Vol 5,
p.28.
CROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol. 5, p 30
He called Appellant a witch, and a fat, black, lady R.R. Vol 5, p.30.
Appellant did not like being called black, so he corrected himself by calling her
African American R.R. Vol 5, p.31. He testified that Appellant was yelling at him
for speeding through the neighborhood R.R. Vol 5, p.32, but he was not speeding
R.R. Vol 5, p.32. He told 911 dispatcher that he thought Appellant was nuts R.R.
Vol 5, p.33 after being asked if drugs or alcohol were involved R.R. Vol 5, p.33.
He was not on drugs that day or any day R.R. Vol 5, p.34.
HEARING OUTSIDE THE PRESENCE OF THE JURY R.R. Vol. 5, p. 34
BILL OF EXCEPTION R.R. Vol. 5, p. 39
Hearing concerned whether witness had opened door to impeachment
evidence regarding his own use of drugs or alcohol by his previous statement.
Witness had previously been on deferred adjudication for possession of a
controlled substance R.R. Vol 5, p.35. State argues that Defense is attempting to
open the door by leading the witness in violation of the motion in limine R.R. Vol
5, p.36.
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Outside the presence of the jury, the Appellant’s counsel made a Bill of
Exceptions.
Mr. Young testified that he had not been on drugs on any day R.R. Vol 5, p. 39,
Mr. Young believes that would mean any days since his birth R.R. Vol 5, p.40.
Mr. Young had been in front of the District Court of Coryell County R.R. Vol 5,
p.40, for possession charges R.R. Vol 5, p.40. Mr. Young pled guilty to 2 of the
charges R.R. Vol 5, p.41 and had used Methamphetamine and marijuana R.R. Vol
5, p.43.
After the testimony, the state abandoned their objections to testimony concerning
Mr. Young’s previous drug possession and use. The court allowed the testimony.
CONTINUATION CROSS-EXAMINATION OF MICHAEL YOUNG R.R.
Vol. 5, p. 43
He admitted to lying to the jury R.R. Vol 5, p.44. He had previously used
both methamphetamine and marijuana R.R. Vol 5, p.45.
Appellant did not knee the officer, kick the officer, head butt, bite or scratch
the officer R.R. Vol 5, p.47-48. While on the ground the officers struggle to
restrain Appellant’s hands R.R. Vol 5, p.50. Appellant was screaming that she was
in pain R.R. Vol 5, p.50. After instructing Appellant to give up her hands three
times R.R. Vol 5, p.50, Firebaugh tased the Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.51. Firebaugh
warned Appellant again and tased her a second time R.R. Vol 5, p.52. Appellant
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was flaying her feet around but he does not recall them ever striking the officers
R.R. Vol 5, p.52. He did not recall the officer’s indicating that they were in pain.
R.R. Vol 5, p.53.
He agrees that it would be helpful to have a video of the incident. R.R. Vol
5, p.53.
REDIRECT EXAMINATION OF MICHEAL YOUNG R.R. Vol. 5, p. 54
He reviewed his written statement R.R. Vol 5, p.54. Appellant tried to spin
away from Lawson prior to being on the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.56. They then went
to the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.57. He was placed on probation for 3 years for drug
possession R.R. Vol 5, p.58. He has used drugs since he was off probation R.R.
Vol 5, p.58, but was not the day of the incident R.R. Vol 5, p.58.
RECROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 5, p. 58
He lied to the jury about never using drugs but also used drugs since
probation R.R. Vol 5, p.58.
TONYA LAWSON R.R. Vol. 5, p. 60
She is a police officer with Killeen Police Department R.R. Vol 5, p.61. She
works from 2:00 P.M. to midnight R.R. Vol 5, p.61.She received a dispatch to
1809 Stardust on September 11, 2013 R.R. Vol 5, p.62, in Killeen, Bell county,
Texas R.R. Vol 5, p.62. She is a one man unit R.R. Vol 5, p.63. Upon arrival, she
noticed a black female (later identified as Appellant) running toward her patrol
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vehicle R.R. Vol 5, p.63, and she immediately exited the vehicle R.R. Vol 5, p.63.
Appellant was screaming and pointing at the plumbers R.R. Vol 5, p.64.
She attempted to calm the Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.64, but appellant continued to
scream about the plumbers. Appellant was overly agitated for the situation, in her
opinion R.R. Vol 5, p.64. She was unable to calm appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.67.
Appellant continued to scream for a couple of minutes R.R. Vol 5, p.67.
She began to walk toward the plumbers so she could get the situation from
him R.R. Vol 5, p.67. Firebaugh was present at this time R.R. Vol 5, p.68, already
speaking with the plumbers R.R. Vol 5, p.68. Firebaugh could see her back so she
turned to walk toward plumbers and Firebaugh when Firebaugh ran toward her
R.R. Vol 5, p.68. She turned around and Appellant was charging either her or the
plumbers R.R. Vol 5, p.68.
Firebaugh reached Appellant first and grabbed her left arm R.R. Vol 5, p.69.
The Officers were going to arrest her for loud noise R.R. Vol 5, p.69. She then
grabbed for her right arm R.R. Vol 5, p.69. She gained a hold of her arm R.R. Vol
5, p.70, and Appellant twisted to get away R.R. Vol 5, p.70.
She and Appellant then fell to the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.70. Appellant
tucked her arms under her chest R.R. Vol 5, p.71, as she continued to kick and
scream R.R. Vol 5, p.71. Firebaugh then removed the cartridge from his taser R.R.
Vol 5, p.71. Removing cartridge localizes stun instead of stunning a person’s
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entire body R.R. Vol 5, p.71.
She and Firebaugh then repeatedly ordered Appellant to give up her hands
R.R. Vol 5, p.72. Appellant continued to kick and scream and Firebaugh then tased
Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.72. Officers then placed her hands behind her back and
handcuffed her R.R. Vol 5, p.72. Appellant continued to kick and scream R.R. Vol
5, p.72.
Appellant refused to stand up and was escorted by the officers to the patrol
cars R.R. Vol 5, p.73. She then searched Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.74. Appellant
began to yell that she was raping her R.R. Vol 5, p.75. Appellant continued to kick
her legs but did not actually kick her R.R. Vol 5, p.75.
She was dressed in full uniform and arrived in her marked Killeen Police
Department Vehicle R.R. Vol 5, p.75. She has a COBAN in car video system in
her car R.R. Vol 5, p.76. The camera was looking forward in her car near rearview
mirror R.R. Vol 5, p.77. The incident occurred behind her vehicle R.R. Vol 5,
p.77. No recording exists from the COBAN in the police’s System R.R. Vol 5,
p.79.
She drove Appellant to jail R.R. Vol 5, p.79. Appellant was speaking in
what sounded like tongues or in a foreign language R.R. Vol 5, p.80.
CROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol. 5, p. 81
She believes that all interactions between the police and the public should be
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recorded R.R. Vol 5, p.82. Killeen Police Department policy requires that officers
record themselves or another officer to ensure device is functioning properly R.R.
Vol 5, p.87. She failed to record at the beginning of her shit to ensure the COBAN
device was functioning R.R. Vol 5, p.88. She was reprimanded for failing to do so
R.R. Vol 5, p.88. She turned the device on, but did not ensure that it functioned
properly R.R. Vol 5, p.88. She got a new microphone as soon as she released
Appellant to the Jail R.R. Vol 5, p.89.
Her supervisor requested a copy of the video as soon as she released
Appellant to the jail R.R. Vol 5, p.91. The COBAN system automatically uploads
to the central server R.R. Vol 5, p.92. She could name video files with name, case
number etc. R.R. Vol 5, p.92, but she did not because the mic was not working
R.R. Vol 5, p.93.
She is required to fill out a form KPD 339-03 Equipment Serviceability
Checklist at the beginning of each shift R.R. Vol 5, p.94. She failed to note that the
microphone was not working R.R. Vol 5, p.95. Not following the prescribed policy
was a mistake on her part R.R. Vol 5, p.99.
She believed her report to be accurate R.R. Vol 5, p.102. She often will
review notes and the video in making report R.R. Vol 5, p.104. She would
interview and take statements from witnesses, if she can R.R. Vol 5, p.104, But she
was unable to in this case R.R. Vol 5, p.105. Detectives would do the following
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interviews if witnesses are identified in the initial report R.R. Vol 5, p.105.
She did not write any supplements to her report R.R. Vol 5, p.106. She
recalled the plumber and another female, but she does not recall anything about the
female R.R. Vol 5, p.107.
She does not know how to edit, erase or destroy the audio-video R.R. Vol 5,
p.110. Depending on the case audio-video recordings can be evidence, but not in
this case R.R. Vol 5, p.111. She believes that she was professional and competent
in handling this case R.R. Vol 5, p.112.
When she decided to arrest Appellant, Firebaugh grabbed the left hand and
she attempted to get a hold of Appellant’s right hand R.R. Vol 5, p.116. Appellant
pulled away before she could get a hold R.R. Vol 5, p.116. They then go to the
ground R.R. Vol 5, p.116. She falls to the ground first and then Appellant and
Firebaugh fall to the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.117. Appellant used active resistance as
opposed to passive resistance R.R. Vol 5, p.117. Appellant was resisting from the
time she pulled away from her R.R. Vol 5, p.119.
Appellant had pepper spray in her hand while on the ground R.R. Vol 5,
p.120. She hurt her knee a little when she fell to the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.121. She
did not recall anyone saying that Appellant had recently had surgery R.R. Vol 5,
p.121, but if Appellant was resisting it was Appellant’s health at risk R.R. Vol 5,
p.122.
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Both officers were laying on Appellant’s legs because Appellant was trying
to kick them R.R. Vol 5, p.122. She did not perform a knee strike on Appellant
R.R. Vol 5, p.123. She did not tase Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.123. Officer Firebaugh
did tase Appellant one time R.R. Vol 5, p.123. The stunning was a “drive stun” in
which the prongs of the taser are removed R.R. Vol 5, p.124. This is used for Pain
Compliance R.R. Vol 5, p.124.
She never held Appellant’s pepper spray R.R. Vol 5, p.124. Appellant never
attempted to use pepper spray against her R.R. Vol 5, p.125. Appellant also had a
bible and a key ring with the pepper spray on it R.R. Vol 5, p.125. She was not
threatened by the Bible R.R. Vol 5, p.126.
She is aware of Fighting words R.R. Vol 5, p.127 and has training to deal
with them R.R. Vol 5, p.127.
REDIRECT R.R. Vol 5, p. 130
Appellant was being arrested for a loud noise violation R.R. Vol 5, p.131.
She witnessed the commission of the noise violation R.R. Vol 5, p.131. She did not
have an opportunity to speak with anyone else due to Appellant’s actions R.R. Vol
5, p.132.
RECROSS-EXAMINATION Vol 5, p. 133
Firebaugh’s car was pointed in opposite direction R.R. Vol 5, p.133.
Incident would have been in front of Firebaugh’s car R.R. Vol 5, p.134. She
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turned on her video, the equipment didn’t work R.R. Vol 5, p.137.
JONATHAN FIREBAUGH Vol 5, p. 138
He is a police officer with Killeen Police Department R.R. Vol 5, p.139. On
September 11, 2013 we has dispatched to 1800 Stardust R.R. Vol 5, p.141. When
he arrived he saw large white truck with box trailer, which he parked in front of
R.R. Vol 5, p.141. He then exited his vehicle and made contact with the person
who called 911 R.R. Vol 5, p.142, for a few minutes R.R. Vol 5, p.142.
Lawson (Lawson) was also present R.R. Vol 5, p.142, talking to Appellant
R.R. Vol 5, p.142. Lawson was attempting to calm Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.143.
Lawson tried to calm her for a few minutes R.R. Vol 5, p.145.
Lawson then turned to approach Plumbers R.R. Vol 5, p.146. Appellant
then began to ruch toward Lawson’s back R.R. Vol 5, p.147. He then ran to
Appellant and grabbed Appellant’s left arm R.R. Vol 5, p.147. Lawson then
grabbed Appellant’s right arm R.R. Vol 5, p.148, and appellant jerked making a
punching motion to break Lawson’s grasp R.R. Vol 5, p.148.
Appellant and Lawson then fell to the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.148. He
immediately followed them to the ground, voluntarily R.R. Vol 5, p.149. Appellant
locked her arms under her chest and began to kick R.R. Vol 5, p.149. He
positioned himself over her legs to prevent her from getting up R.R. Vol 5,
p.150.The three struggled on the ground for a few minutes R.R. Vol 5, p.151.
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Appellant was screaming gibberish R.R. Vol 5, p.151. He eventually got Appellant
in handcuffs R.R. Vol 5, p.152.
He was driving a marked Killeen Police Department vehicle R.R. Vol 5,
p.152, and was wearing his Police uniform R.R. Vol 5, p.153.
Appellant refuse to stand and had to be lifted to her feet R.R. Vol 5, p.153.
Appellant was then escorted to Lawson’s patrol car R.R. Vol 5, p.154. To begin
she locked up and refused to move R.R. Vol 5, p.154, but eventually walked to the
vehicle under her own power R.R. Vol 5, p.154.
Appellant refused to allow Lawson to search Appellant before transport R.R.
Vol 5, p.155. He collected her property that was left behind after the struggle R.R.
Vol 5, p.156. He identified a bible and a key ring with a pepper spray attached
R.R. Vol 5, p.156.
CROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 5, p. 157
He has not written a supplemental response R.R. Vol 5, p.158. It did not say
in the report that Appellant was kicking R.R. Vol 5, p.158. In the report he stated
that he grabbed her right arm R.R. Vol 5, p.159, but that was a mistake in the
report R.R. Vol 5, p.159. He turned over the keychain with the pepper spray over
to Appellant’s friend who was on the phone with Appellant’s husband R.R. Vol 5,
p.161.
When he exited his patrol vehicle, he forgot his hand mic on the charger
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R.R. Vol 5, p.161. Because he forgot this, he was unable to activate the in-car
camera system R.R. Vol 5, p.161. This is an unusual situation R.R. Vol 5, p.162,
but in a case he testified in the day before trial a similar situation occurred as well
R.R. Vol 5, p.162.
There was not defect in the Audio video system R.R. Vol 5, p.164. The
incident was not recorded due to his mistake R.R. Vol 5, p.164. He received a
written reprimand for failing to record the incident R.R. Vol 5, p.164.
Appellant had a book in her hands at the time of the incident R.R. Vol 5,
p.167, he believes it was a bible R.R. Vol 5, p.167. He was not threatened by the
bible R.R. Vol 5, p. 168. Nor was he threatened by her car keys or cell phone R.R.
Vol 5, p.168.
There were a few people in the vicinity of the incident when it occurred R.R.
Vol 5, p.168. One of which was the Appellant’s friend R.R. Vol 5, p.168, whom
he did not interview at any time R.R. Vol 5, p.169. He did not interview as the
incident was witnessed by two sworn officers R.R. Vol 5, p.169.
He is unsure when he notified the State that there was no recording of the
incident R.R. Vol 5, p.171. There is no mention of the failure to record the
incident in the police report R.R. Vol 5, p.171. He also never mentioned in his
report that he had been reprimanded for failing to record this incident in his report
R.R. Vol 5, p.173. He is fair to all citizens that he encounters R.R. Vol 5, p.173.
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When he stunned Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.173, it was in drive stun mode
R.R. Vol 5, p.174, and he activated the device one time R.R. Vol 5, p.174.
Stunning someone causes pain R.R. Vol 5, p.174, and is called pain compliance
R.R. Vol 5, p.174. IN normal mode the stun affects the whole body and may cause
pain R.R. Vol 5, p.174, but drive stunning is intended to achieve compliance
through pain R.R. Vol 5, p.174.
REDIRECT R.R. Vol 5, p. 175
Drive stunning is much less severe than being tased R.R. Vol 5, p.176.
RECROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 5, p. 177
Appellant might have been in pain when she fell to the ground R.R. Vol 5,
p.178. People react to pain in different ways R.R. Vol 5, p.178, including kicking,
yelling, whatever might be appropriate R.R. Vol 5, p.178.
He was on Appellant’s left side R.R. Vol 5, p.179. He used his left knee to
perform a knee strike R.R. Vol 5, p.180, while attempting to gain control of her
hands R.R. Vol 5, p.180. He did not use full force because the goal was not to
injure her R.R. Vol 5, p.181. It does not take much force accomplish what was
needed R.R. Vol 5, p.181. It is similar to using pressure points R.R. Vol 5, p.182.
He would expect Appellant to react to falling to the ground, receiving a knee
strike, and being drive stunned R.R. Vol 5, p.186.
He believes Appellant called 911 R.R. Vol 5, p.186. Appellant’s friend is
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standing nearby while Appellant is on the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.187. He did not
look to see if there were any marks on Appellant from the Stun R.R. Vol 5, p.188.
The longer the exposure to the stun the greater likelihood of marks being left R.R.
Vol 5, p.188.
HEARING OUTSIDE THE JURY’S PRESENCE R.R. Vol 5, p.189
Objection is made to displaying Appellant’s injury R.R. Vol 5, p.189.
Defense requests to show Witness the mark to see if he recognizes them R.R. Vol
5, p.190. State objects as to relevance R.R. Vol 5, p.190. Court Sustains objection
R.R. Vol 5, p.190.
FURTHER DIRECT EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 5, p.191
He has previously heard one 911 call (plumber’s call), but did not know if
Appellant ever called 911 R.R. Vol 5, p.191.
STATE RESTS
THE DEFENSE’S CASE IN CHIEF R.R. VOL. 5, p. 191
JESSIE GILLEY R.R. VOL. 5, p. 193
She is person identified before as Appellant’s Friend R.R. Vol 5, p.194. She
lives at 1811 Stardust R.R. Vol 5, p.194. She was 12-15 feet away from where
incident occurred R.R. Vol 5, p.195. Appellant was talking to Lawson R.R. Vol 5,
p.195, and Lawson turned to walk away R.R. Vol 5, p.195. Firebaugh then ran
over R.R. Vol 5, p.195. Firebaugh grabbed Appellant by both shoulders and threw
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Appellant to the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.195. She was screaming that Appellant had
just had surgery and Firebaugh shouldn’t be treating her like that R.R. Vol 5,
p.195.
The scene was chaotic because everyone was screaming and rude R.R. Vol
5, p.195. Names like fucking nigger, white trash were used R.R. Vol 5, p.195.
Firebaugh threw Appellant to the ground, and put his knee in the middle of
Appellant’s back R.R. Vol 5, p.196. She was still screaming that Appellant just
had surgery R.R. Vol 5, p.196.
She witnessed Firebaugh stun Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.196. Firebaugh was
twisting the taser into Appellant’s back R.R. Vol 5, p.196. She heard the taser three
times R.R. Vol 5, p.197.
Appellant was shaking R.R. Vol 5, p.197, and flailing because Firebaugh
was in her back R.R. Vol 5, p.197.
Appellant never struck the officers R.R. Vol 5, p.197, but her legs flailed
due to the electricity R.R. Vol 5, p.197. Appellant’s entire body was moving R.R.
Vol 5, p.198.
There were two police cars R.R. Vol 5, p.198. No officer ever talked to her
R.R. Vol 5, p.198. She was the reason they were called R.R. Vol 5, p.198.
The Plumbers flew across Cora (street) and in doing so the truck and trailer
blew sparks R.R. Vol 5, p.198. Plumbers slid into a stop after crashing through her
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trees R.R. Vol 5, p.198. She was outside screaming at the plumbers to slow down
R.R. Vol 5, p.199. Appellant was hollering as well R.R. Vol 5, p. 199. She was
louder than appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.199. Plumbers called her “white trash” R.R.
Vol 5, p.199 and Appellant “black ass nigger” R.R. Vol 5, p.199.
She and Appellant were doing bible study for a number of hours prior to the
incident R.R. Vol 5, p.199. She had her glasses, keys, and telephone in her hands
during the incident R.R. Vol 5, p. 200. Firebaugh beat her phone on the sidewalk
R.R. Vol 5, p. 200, to get it out of her hand R.R. Vol 5, p. 200. She retrieved the
items from the ground after the incident R.R. Vol 5, p. 200. There was no pepper
spray on the keys R.R. Vol 5, p. 201.
She was unable to record the incident because her phone was messed up
R.R. Vol 5, p. 201. The police never took a statement from her R.R. Vol 5, p. 201.
CROSS EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 5, p. 202
She has known Appellant for seven to seven and a half years R.R. Vol 5, p.
203. Appellant and her spend a lot of time together. Appellant is her mode of
transportation R.R. Vol 5, p.204.
Both she and Appellant were yelling at the Plumbers R.R. Vol 5, p. 205.
She had a baby in her arms R.R. Vol 5, p. 206.
The officers arrived R.R. Vol 5, p. 207. Everyone was yelling, including the
Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p. 210. Appellant’s voice was raised at the officer R.R. Vol
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5, p. 210. The officer tried to calm Appellant down R.R. Vol 5, p. 210. Appellant
did not calm down R.R. Vol 5, p. 211, and was still making loud noise trying to
explain herself R.R. Vol 5, p. 211. The plumbers were calling her “f-ing nigger”
while the police were present R.R. Vol 5, p. 212.
Lawson never tried to arrest Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.212. Firebaugh
attempted to arrest Appellant first R.R. Vol 5, p. 213 and threw Appellant to the
ground R.R. Vol 5, p. 213. He then climbed onto Appellant’s back R.R. Vol 5, p.
213. Appellant was on the ground before Lawson ever attempted to take her by the
arm R.R. Vol 5, p. 213. Appellant’s body was spasming R.R. Vol 5, p.213.
REDIRECT R.R. Vol 5, p. 214
Firebaugh was interested in Appellant’s hand holding the phone and not the
hand holding the bible or keys R.R. Vol 5, p. 215. Appellant was on the phone
with 911 at the time R.R. Vol 5, p. 215. She picked up Appellant’s keys after the
incident R.R. Vol 5, p. 215, and there was not any pepper spray on them.
DEFENSE RECALLS OFFICER TONYA LAWSON R.R. Vol 5, p. 217
JURY NOT PRESENT
She was advised that she was under the Rule by the State’s Attorney R.R.
Vol 5, p.217. During recess she was in the conference room just outside the
courtroom R.R. Vol 5, p.218. In that room was Firebaugh and the other male R.R.
Vol 5, p. 218. They were talking about a different case, not Appellant’s R.R. Vol 5,
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p. 218. They were speaking about a different case that has already been settled in
district court R.R. Vol 5, p. 218. They were speaking about many things and she
does not remember all of it R.R. Vol 5, p. 218.
DEFENSE CALLS TABITHA MOORE R.R. Vol 5, p. 219
JURY NOT PRESENT
She works for defense counsel, Michael White R.R. Vol 5, p. 219. She was
in the area just outside the conference room that the Officers were in R.R. Vol 5, p.
219. She overheard Officer Lawson discussing how Officer Lawson was
answering the Appellant’s attorney R.R. Vol 5, p. 219. Lawson said that her
answers “Sure and just kept saying, Sure” R.R. Vol 5, p. 220. Lawson was saying
this in laughing manner, stating that was how she answered the questions R.R. Vol
5, p. 220.
CROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 5, p. 220
Officer Lawson said she was answering most of Defense’s question in that
manner R.R. Vol 5, p. 221. Lawson did not discuss any facts from Appellant’s case
that she heard R.R. Vol 5, p. 221. Lawson was talking about “defendant’s
attorney” R.R. Vol 5, p. 221. Lawson did not identify which attorney or which
case R.R. Vol 5, p. 222. She did not record the conversation R.R. Vol 5, p. 222.
This conversation between Lawson and Firebaugh occurred right before the last
recess R.R. Vol 5, p. 222.
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REDIRECT R.R. Vol 5, p. 223
JURY NOT PRESENT
Lawson identified the way she answered “defendant’s attorneys” R.R. Vol 5,
p. 223. Appellant’s trial is only trial currently having two attorneys representing
the same defendant R.R. Vol 5, p. 223.
ARGUMENT R.R. Vol 5, p. 224
JURY NOT PRESENT
Defense argues that Lawson’s testimony be struck, even though there was no
discussion of actual testimony. Defense argues that Lawson was discussing with
State’s witnesses how she dealt with defense questions and how to effectively
answer them.
State argues that the Rule is designed to discourage discussion of specific
details of the testimony. State argues that since no discussion of specific testimony
existed, there is no call for striking Lawson’s testimony.
Court Denies request to strike testimony.
MICHELLE ELAINE GAMBLES R.R. Vol 5, p. 226
She had gallbladder surgery July 16 R.R. Vol 5, p. 226, a few months before
the incident R.R. Vol 5, p. 228.
At approximately 2:50 in the afternoon she was in a prayer service R.R. Vol
5, p. 228. She and Gilley stepped outside to watch for Gilley’s grandkids to come
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home R.R. Vol 5, p. 228. Gilley’s grandson arrived and she saw the Plumber’s
truck flying down the street with sparks flying off of it R.R. Vol 5, p. 230.
She told Plumber that it was 3:30 and kids were walking home and did he
realize he could kill one of the kids R.R. Vol 5, p. 230. Plumber then said “you f-
ing, fucking nigger. Who you think you talking to? R.R. Vol 5, p. 231. Gilley tried
to interrupt R.R. Vol 5, p. 231, and Plumber than called Gilley “white trash” R.R.
Vol 5, p. 231. She then walked back across the street to borrow Gilley’s phone
R.R. Vol 5, p. 232. She was going to call the police, but Plumber told her he
already had called R.R. Vol 5, p. 232
The police arrive, and she approaches Lawson R.R. Vol 5, p. 232. She tried
to tell Lawson about how Plumbers where speeding through neighborhood R.R.
Vol 5, p. 232. Her voice was really high R.R. Vol 5, p.233. She was yelling and
waving her arms R.R. Vol 5, p.233, because she talks with her hands R.R. Vol 5,
p.233. She did not curse or hex him R.R. Vol 5, p. 233, what she said was, “I bind
you in the name of Jesus. I send it back to the depths of hell” R.R. Vol 5, p. 233.
Plumber called her a witch R.R. Vol 5, p. 234. She then started to speak in tongues
R.R. Vol 5, p. 233. She, Gilley and Plumber yell and argue until the Officers
arrive R.R. Vol 5, p. 235.
After Lawson spoke with her, Lawson said she needed to talk with the
Plumber and turned to walk over to the Plumber R.R. Vol 5, p. 235. Plumber
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continued to call her “nigger” R.R. Vol 5, p.235, so she walked towards Lawson to
ask if Lawson could stop him from calling her “nigger” R.R. Vol 5, p.235.
Lawson then turned and looked at her and said “you nigger” R.R. Vol 5, p.
236. She does not remember what happened in the interim, but she was then on
the ground R.R. Vol 5, p.236. She has fibromyalgia R.R. Vol 5, p.236, and when it
is disturbed her body starts shaking R.R. Vol 5, p. 236.
Firebaugh was the one to take her to the ground R.R. Vol 5, p. 236, Lawson
did not take her down or grabbing her arm R.R. Vol 5, p.237. Lawson didn’t know
Firebaugh was running towards Appellant, Lawson’s back was to Appellant R.R.
Vol 5, p. 237. Firebaugh pushed Lawson to the ground as well R.R. Vol 5, p. 237.
Firebaugh executed a knee strike on her R.R. Vol 5, p. 237.
Appellant was tased by Firebaugh R.R. Vol 5, p. 238, and still has the marks
left by taser R.R. Vol 5, p. 238. Appellant was tased once, but the taser was held
to her back R.R. Vol 5, p. 239. Apellant did not strike, bite, kick, or scratch the
officers in any way R.R. Vol 5, p. 240.
Appellant is still in pain from the tasing and the knee strike R.R. Vol 5, p.
241. Appellant is still facing the loud noise charge in Killeen, TX R.R. Vol 5, p.
242. Appellant never intended to use force against the officers R.R. Vol 5, p. 242
nor did she at any point R.R. Vol 5, p. 242.
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CROSS EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 5, p.243
Gilley is a good friend of Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.243. Appellant called 911
using Gilley’s phone R.R. Vol 5, p. 244. Appellant never spoke with a dispatcher
R.R. Vol 5, p. 245 as the Plumber’s had already called R.R. Vol 5, p. 245.
Appellant is unsure if call even went through R.R. Vol 5, p. 245. Appellant
believes that there should be a call from Gilley’s number R.R. Vol 5, p. 246.
When Lawson arrived Appellant did not rush Lawson’s patrol vehicle R.R.
Vol 5, p. 247. Lawson was lying about that R.R. Vol 5, p. 249. Appellant was not
yelling when Lawson arrived R.R. Vol 5, p.248. Lawson was also not trying to
calm Appellant down, as Lawson testified R.R. Vol 5, p.248. Appellant wanted to
speak with Lawson R.R. Vol 5, p. 248, but Lawson did not want to talk to
Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p.248. Lawson then called her the name R.R. Vol 5, p.249.
Lawson did not attempt to grab Appellant’s arm until Appellant was on the
ground R.R. Vol 5, p. 250. Appellant did not jerk her arm away from Lawson R.R.
Vol 5, p. 251.
Appellant knows Sheena Mendez is her neighbor, but does not know her
R.R. Vol 5, p.255, there has not been any previous incidents between the two R.R.
Vol 5, p.255. Appellant does not know Koenig, Lawson, Firebaugh, or Young
prior to the occasion in question R.R. Vol 5, p. 256.
REDIRECT EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 5, p. 258
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Appellant was carrying her glasses, bible and keys at the time of the incident
R.R. Vol 5, p. 258. Appellant does not have any sort of mace or pepper spray
attached to her keys R.R. Vol 5, p. 258. Appellant used to have mace on her keys
but removed them before the incident R.R. Vol 5, p. 258. Appellant did not try to
strike the officers with her bible R.R. Vol 5, p. 259.
DEFENSE RESTS
STATE RECALLS TONYA LAWSON R.R. Vol 5, p. 260
Lawson did not hear Young call Appellant the “N” word R.R. Vol 5, p. 260.
Lawson did not hear anyone at the scene use that word R.R. Vol 5, p. 260. Lawson
did not call Appellant that word R.R. Vol 5, p. 260.
STATE RECALLS SHEENA MENDEZ R.R. Vol 6, p. 6
She is familiar with the racial slur sometimes referred to as the “N” word
R.R. Vol 6, p. 6. She did not hear the plumbers use the “N” word R.R. Vol 6, p. 7.
She did not hear the officers ever use that word R.R. Vol 6, p. 7. No one used that
word during the incident R.R. Vol 6, p. 8. Such an occurrence would have shocked
her, and made an impression on her R.R. Vol 6, p. 8.
CROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 6, p. 8
She arrived after the incident began R.R. Vol 6, p. 8. She was present prior
to the officers arriving R.R. Vol 6, p. 11. She did not know what happened
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between the plumbers and Appellant prior to her arrival R.R. Vol 6, p. 11. She
does not know what was said prior to her arrival, but after she arrived that word
was not used R.R. Vol 6, p. 12.
The Plumbers did call her a “witch” R.R. Vol 6, p. 12, as well as calling her
a “short, black female” R.R. Vol 6, p. 12. Plumbers also called her “African
American” more than once R.R. Vol 6, p. 12. She does not know how long prior
to her arrival the incident had been occurring R.R. Vol 6, p. 12. She did go inside
the residence for a period of time, but believes that she could have heard if the
conversation continued R.R. Vol 6, p. 13.
When she came back outside Firebaugh was discussing with Plumbers and
Lawson was speaking to Appellant R.R. Vol 6, p.13. Appellant and Gilley were
closer to Lawson than she was R.R. Vol 6, p.14.
STATE CALLS AUBREY HUCKABY R.R. Vol 6, p. 15
She is the training supervisor for the Bell County Communication Center
R.R. Vol 6, p. 16, which is the 911 center for Bell County R.R. Vol 6, p. 16. The
Center covers the City of Killeen R.R. Vol 6, p. 16. She reviewed all 911 calls
made on September 11, 2013 R.R. Vol 6, p.16. She was only able to find the
Plumber’s phone call for this address in the system R.R. Vol 6, p. 17. She
examined the system for Gilley’s phone number R.R. Vol 6, p.17, but there was no
record of that number calling on that date R.R. Vol 6, p. 18. Calls are recorded
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before the operator is able to answer R.R. Vol 6, p.18.
CROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 6, p.19
The system does not document calls that are made but not received R.R. Vol
6, p. 20. The system does not document any attempted calls or interrupted calls
R.R. Vol 6, p.21
DEFENSE REBUTTAL- RECALLS JESSIE GILLEY R.R. Vol 6, p. 21
She was present when Appellant was doing things with her phone R.R. Vol
6, p. 22. Appellant was on the phone with 911 R.R. Vol 6, p. 22 or so Gilley
thought R.R. Vol 6, p.22. The officer was beating her phone on the ground to get
it out of Appellant’s hand and Gilley retrieved her phone from Appellant’s hand
R.R. Vol 6, p.23. She thought she heard a conversation between Appellant and 911
dispatcher R.R. Vol 6, p. 23. When she retrieved the phone she hung up and called
Appellant’s husband R.R. Vol 6, p. 23.
She heard the Plumber call Appellant “nigger” R.R. Vol 6, p. 24, and also
heard Lawson call appellant that same word R.R. Vol 6, p.24.
STATE CLOSED R.R. Vol 6, p. 27
DEFENSE CLOSED R.R. Vol 6, p. 27
THE COURT’S CHARGE CONFERENCE R.R. Vol 6, p. 28
Defense requests change to charge that a phrase be removed R.R. Vol 6, p.
28 as well as reversing the findings on the verdict form to show not guilty first
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R.R. Vol 6, p. 29. State agreed to requested changes.
JURY NOTE R.R. Vol 6, p. 66
The jury sent out a note that said, “Would we be able to see a book with a
longer description of resisting arrest?” the court responded with “The court cannot
give any further definitions. Please refer to the Court’s charge” R.R. Vol 7, p.68
The jury sent out a second note that said “Does the force referred to in the
statute express aggressive or passive or either?” R.R. Vol 7, p.68. The court again
responded with “The court cannot give any further definitions. Please refer to the
Court’s charge” R.R. Vol 7, p.
JURY VERDICT R.R. Vol 6, p. 70
The jury found the Appellant guilty of Resisting Arrest or search or transport
R.R. Vol 6, p.71.
Volume 7 of 9
HEARING ON PUNISHEMNT
The court called the case and both sides announced ready R.R. Vol 7, p. 4.
State reoffered all the evidence previously admitted during guilt/innocence phase
of the trial and then rested, Court responded “very well”. R.R. Vol 7, p. 6.
DEFENDANT’S CASE IN CHIEF ON PUNISHMENT R.R. Vol 7, p. 7
CHRISTOPHER GAMBLES R.R. Vol 7, p. 7
He is Appellant’s husband R.R. Vol 7, p. 7. They have 2 Biological Children
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and 20 other children that call Appellant “mom” R.R. Vol 7, p. 11. Appellant
often goes to pray for or with a large number of people R.R. Vol 7, p. 11. She is
not paid for her prayer support R.R. Vol 7, p. 12.
Restricting Appellant with probation would be an injustice to a number of
people R.R. Vol 7, p. 14. Appellant would obey whatever restrictions were placed
on Appellant R.R. Vol 7, p. 15. Appellant has lesions on her liver R.R. Vol 7, p.
16.
CROSS-EXAMINATION R.R. Vol 7, p. 22
Appellant was charged with resisting arrest in the mid 1990’s R.R. Vol 7, p.
24, but the charge was reduced to disorderly conduct R.R. Vol 7, p. 26.
STAE AND DEFENSE REST AND CLOSE ON PUNISHMENT R.R. Vol 7,
p. 39
THE COURT’S CHARGE CONFERENCE R.R. Vol 7, p. 39
No objection to the Court’s charge R.R. Vol 7, p.40. The court added a
statement about self-incrimination, as Appellant did not testify during the
Punishment phase of trial R.R. Vol 7, p. 43.
JURY VERDICT R.R. Vol 7, p. 58
The jury verdict for the offense of Resisting Arrest or Transport is
confinement for 6 days in the county jail and a fine in the amount of zero dollars.
R.R. Vol 7, p. 58. The jury does not recommend the suspension of the sentence
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R.R. Vol 7, p. 59.
MOTION FOR JAIL CREDIT R.R. Vol 7, p. 62
The Defense moves that Appellant be given credit for 6 days in jail, leaving
her time served in this matter R.R. Vol 7, p. 62. The court sees that Appellant has
only served one day in county jail R.R. Vol 7, p. 62. Court gives credit for the one
calander day that the Appellant served with whatever “good time credit” the
Sherriff’s office calculates as is customary in Bell County R.R. Vol 7, p. 63.
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POINT OF ERROR NUMBER ONE
The evidence is legally insufficient to support the Jury Verdict of Guilt as
the State failed to establish that the Appellant intentionally used force against a
peace officer or another as required by law.
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
ON POINT OF ERROR NUMBER ONE
The evidence was insufficient to support the verdict of guilty because the
State failed to establish that the Appellant used force against the peace officers.
Appellant was convicted under section 38.03 of the Texas Penal Code. This section
begins in subsection (a) stating “A person commits an offense if he intentionally
prevents or obstructs a person he knows is a peace officer or a person acting in a
peace officer's presence and at his direction from effecting an arrest, search, or
transportation of the actor or another by using force against the peace officer or
another” TEX PENAL CODE ANN. §38.03(a). The statute then states that “It is
no defense to prosecution under this section that the arrest or search was unlawful”
TEX PENAL CODE ANN. §38.03(b). and that this offence, when not committed
using a deadly weapon is a class A misdemeanor ,see TEX PENAL CODE ANN.
§38.03 (c) and (d). Appellant argues that she was only passively resistant and did
not intentionally use any force or violence toward the arresting officers.
The standard of review for evidentiary sufficiency challenges can be found
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in Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 318–19, 324, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560
(1979); Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893, 902 (Tex.Crim.App.2010); Clayton v.
State, 235 S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tex.Crim.App.2007). The sufficiency of the evidence
is measured against the elements of the offense as defined by the hypothetically
correct jury charge for the case. Gharbi v. State, 131 S.W.3d 481, 482–83
(Tex.Crim.App.2003); Gollihar v. State, 46 S.W.3d 243, 254
(Tex.Crim.App.2001); Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 236–40
(Tex.Crim.App.1997). A hypothetically correct jury charge is one that accurately
sets out the law, is authorized by the indictment, does not unnecessarily increase
the State’s burden of proof or unnecessarily restrict the State’s theories of liability,
and adequately describes the particular offense for which the defendant was tried.
Malik, 953 S.W.2d at 237. See also TEX.CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 36.14
(West 2012); Gray v. State, 152 S.W.3d 125, 127–28 (Tex.Crim.App.2004) (trial
court’s charge to the jury must set forth the “law applicable to the case”).
Appellant cites Sheehan v. State, 201 S.W.3d 820, 823 (Tex. App.—Waco
2006, no pet.), to support her Position that the State’s proof was insufficient.
There, the court said,
The Penal Code does not provide a definition of “using force against” or of
those terms individually. Courts have concluded that non-cooperation
with an arrest is not an act of “use of force against” a peace officer under
the resisting arrest statute, for example:
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• shaking off an arresting officer's detaining grip. Anderson v. State, 707
S.W.2d 267, 269 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1986, no pet.).
• pulling away from an arresting officer after being arrested. Young v.
State, 622 S.W.2d 99, 100-01 (Tex.Crim.App. [Panel Op.] 1981).
Thus, refusing to cooperate with being arrested does not constitute
resisting arrest by force.
The court in Sheehan goes on to state, “Courts have made the distinction
between actions that endanger an officer ((i.e. striking an arresting officer's arm)
and those actions in which there is no danger of injury to the officer (i.e. pulling
arm away from officer). See Raymond v. State, 640 S.W.2d 678, 679 (Tex.App.-
El Paso 1982, pet. ref'd).” (Id.)
The Courts have also stated, “[E]vidence of non-cooperation combined with
violent swings of the body and a forward movement causing the officer and the
defendant to fall off a porch was sufficient to establish resisting arrest.” Bryant v.
State, 923 S.W.2d 199, 206 (Tex.App.-Waco 1996, pet ref'd). This is important as
the court is describing the lower boundary, or the minimum action when non-
cooperation plus some substantial additional force is enough to support a
conviction for resisting arrest.
In this case, the evidence clearly shows that there was little to danger of
injury to the officers from Appellant’s passive non-cooperation, and no evidence
that Appellant used force against the officers. In fact, after a close reading of the
record shows that every witness testified that Appellant did not intend to strike the
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officers nor did she in fact strike them, intentionally or unintentionally. Officer
Lawson testified that Appellant was kicking her legs, not at Officer Lawson, but
just in general R.R. Vol 5, p. 75, and did not actually kick Lawson.
As stated, it has been held that non-cooperation combined with violent
swings of the body and forward movement causing the officer and defendant to fall
off a porch is what we need to establish Resisting arrest. In the instant case,
Appellant and Officer Lawson did indeed fall to the ground. But there is no
evidence that Appellant’s actions caused Lawson to go to the ground. The record is
conflicting, but it appears that both Officers Lawson and Firebaugh grabbed
Appellants arms R.R. Vol 5, p. 68, and Appellant jerked her arm away from
Officer Lawson to break her grasp R.R. Vol 5, p. 69. Lawson then fell to the
ground and pulled Appellant with her R.R. Vol 5, p. 70. Firebaugh then
voluntarily went to the ground after Lawson and Appellant R.R. Vol 5, p. 149. This
is the only action by the Appellant submitted into evidence that even approaches
sufficient force to establish Resisting Arrest, and it is clearly not enough.
As stated above, in Raymond and Sheehan, the courts have made the
distinction between actions that endanger an officer and those in which there is no
danger of injury to the officer. Appellant argues that her passive non-cooperation,
in this case jerking her arm away from Officer Lawson, that may or may not have
cause Lawson to fall to the ground (there is no evidence as to why Officer Lawson
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fell to the ground), in no way raises to the level that endangered the officer.
Sheehan cites Anderson v. State, 707 S.W.2d 267, 269 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st
Dist.] 1986, no pet.) which specifically says that the action that Appellant took,
shaking off an officer’s grip does not establish a “use of force” against that officer.
Clearly, there is some finite amount of danger in all actions. Appellant could
have stood motionless and either officer could have tripped when approaching her,
ending in the same outcome as this incident. The statute states that the force used
must be “intentional”. Appellant clearly intended to break the Officer’s grasp. But
the Defendant in Anderson (id.) intended to break the officer’s grasp as well.
Appellant argues that the action must have been intended to endanger the officer.
And in this case, the State needed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
Appellant intended to endanger the arresting Officers, which it clearly failed to do.
Once all of the evidence is considered in the light most favorable to the
verdict, a rational trier of fact could not have found, beyond a reasonable doubt, all
of the elements of the alleged violation of section 38.03. We, of course, would
have a better idea of what actually transpired, had Officers Lawson and Firebaugh
followed policy and made any sort of audio/visual recording of the incident, but
given the evidence presented, the evidence cannot be held to support Appellant’s
conviction for Resisting Arrest in under Texas Penal Code Section 38.03.
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CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the evidence is insufficient to support the Jury’s verdict of
Guilt. Accordingly, the case should be reversed and a Verdict of Not Guilty
should be entered.
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Michelle Elaine Gambles,
Appellant prays this Honorable Court reverse the judgment of conviction for
Resisting Arrest and, rendered or in the alternative reversed and remanded for a
new trial. The Appellant also Prays for any other relief that she may be entitled.
/S/ Bobby Dale Barina
BOBBY DALE BARINA
State Bar No. 01738480
Tyler Woudwyk
State Bar No. 24084120
455 East Central Texas Expressway, Suite
104
Harker Heights, Texas 76548
(254) 699-3755
(254) 699-1074
Email: bobbydalebarina@barinalaw.com
MICHAEL FLOYD WHITE
State Bar No. 00785231
100 Kasberg Drive, Suite A
Temple, Texas 76502
Email: lawyer@vvm.com
Attorneys for Appellant
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
This is to certify that a copy of the above entitled and numbered brief has been
served on the Bell County Attorney’s Office, Texas, by delivery of a true copy to
them, by depositing the same, postpaid, in an official depository under the care and
custody of the United States Postal Service on the 16th, day of August, 2015,
properly addressed to James Nichols County Attorney, P.O. Box 1127, Belton,
Texas, 76513.
/S/ Bobby Dale Barina
BOBBY DALE BARINA
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
This is to certify that a copy of the above entitled and numbered brief has been
served on Michelle Elaine Gambles, Appellant, by delivery of a true copy to her,
by depositing the same, postpaid, in an official depository under the care and
custody of the United States Postal Service on the 16th day of August, 2015.
/S/ Bobby Dale Barina
BOBBY DALE BARINA
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
The undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to Rule of Appellate Procedure
9.4(i)(3), that this computer-generated brief contains 10,134 words. The software
is Microsoft Word 2013.
/S/ Bobby Dale Barina
BOBBY DALE BARINA
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