Hall, Kirby A/K/A Kendell Davis ( 2015 )

PD-1641-14
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Transmitted 1/14/2015 11:29:58 PM
Accepted 1/16/2015 2:09:11 PM
JANUARY 16, 2015
PD-1641-14 ABEL ACOSTA
CLERK
IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF THE STATE OF TEXAS
KIRBY HALL
Petitioner/Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS
Respondent/Appellee
On Petition for Discretionary Review from the Fourteenth Court of Appeals
In Cause No. 14-13-00742-CR, affirming the conviction in
Cause No. 1394653 from the 228th District Court of Harris County, Texas
PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW
ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED ALEXANDER BUNIN
Chief Public Defender
Harris County, Texas
FRANCES BOURLIOT
Assistant Public Defender
Harris County, Texas
Texas Bar No. 24062419
1201 Franklin, 13th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: (713) 368-0016
Fax: (713) 437-4317
frances.bourliot@pdo.hctx.net
Counsel for Petitioner
IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
APPELLANT: Kirby Hall
TDCJ # 01880638
Alfred Hughes Unit
Route 2 Box 4400
Gatesville, Texas 76597
TRIAL PROSECUTORS: Ms. Gretchen Flader
Ms. Jane Waters
Assistant District Attorneys
Harris County, Texas
1201 Franklin, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77002
DEFENSE COUNSEL AT TRIAL: Rudy Duarte
2016 Main, Suite 103
Houston, Texas 77002
PRESIDING JUDGE: Hon. Marc Carter
228th District Court
Harris County, Texas
1201 Franklin, 16th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
COUNSEL ON APPEAL FOR APPELLANT: Frances Bourliot
Assistant Public Defender
Harris County, Texas
1201 Franklin, 13th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL .................................................................. ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................................... iii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ..................................................................................... iv
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT .........................................................1
STATEMENT OF THE CASE .....................................................................................1
STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY................................................................1
QUESTION FOR REVIEW ........................................................................................1
DID THE COURT OF APPEALS ERR WHEN IT FOUND THAT YBARRA AND
GARZA WERE NOT ACCOMPLICES AND THAT THE EVIDENCE WAS
LEGALLY SUFFICIENT TO UPHOLD MR. HALL’S CONVICTION?
REASON FOR GRANTING REVIEW ......................................................................... 2
ARGUMENT .......................................................................................................... 2
PRAYER ............................................................................................................... 8
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE .................................................................................... 9
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ............................................................................ 9
iii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
Cases
Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) ...................................................... 6
Casanova v. State, 383 S.W.3d 530 (Tex. Crim. App. Nov. 21, 2012).. ........................................ 7
Castillo v. State, 221 S.W.3d 689 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) ..................................................... 7
Curtis v. State, 573 S.W.2d 219 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978). ...................................................... 6
Hall v. State, 14-13-00742-CR, 2014 WL 6085585 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
Nov. 13, 2014)................................................................................................................... 1, 5
Hooper v. State, 214 SW.3d 9 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) ........................................................... 2
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (1979).............................................................................. 2, 6
Nava v. State, 379 S.W.3d 396 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, aff’d 415 S.W.3d 289
(Tex. Crim. App. 2013) ............................................................................................................ 6
Temple v. State, 342 S.W.3d 572 (Tex. App.--Houston. [14th Dist.] 2010, no pet.) .......... 6
Thompson v. State, 514 S.W.2d 275 (Tex. Cr. App. 1974) ...................................................... 6
Wincott v. State, 59 S.W.3d 691 (Tex.App.-Austin 2001, pet. ref'd) .................................... 7
Statutes
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 38.14. ........................................................................................... 5
iv
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT
Petitioner requests oral argument as it may aid the Court since the analysis of
this case depends upon a detailed review of the record.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
This petition seeks review of a direct appeal brought after a conviction for
aggravated assault of a peace officer. On August 12, 2013, Mr. Hall’s case was called
for a jury trial; he was arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty. (3 R.R. at 19). On
August 15, 2013, the jury found Mr. Hall guilty as charged in the indictment. (5 R.R.
at 108). On August 16, 2013, the trial court assessed his punishment at fifty (50) years
confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division. (6
R.R. at 60).
STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 13, 2014, in an unpublished memorandum opinion, the
Fourteenth Court of Appeals affirmed Mr. Hall’s conviction. Hall v. State, 14-13-
00742-CR, 2014 WL 6085585 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Nov. 13, 2014). See
Appendix. No motion for rehearing was filed.
QUESTION FOR REVIEW
DID THE COURT OF APPEALS ERR WHEN IT FOUND THAT YBARRA AND
GARZA WERE NOT ACCOMPLICES AND THAT THE EVIDENCE WAS
LEGALLY SUFFICIENT TO UPHOLD MR. HALL’S CONVICTION?
1
REASON FOR GRANTING REVIEW
The opinion of the Fourteenth Court of Appeals conflicts with decisions by
this Court and the Supreme Court of the United States in that its determination that
the evidence is legally sufficient conflicts with Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (1979)
and Hooper v. State, 214 SW.3d 9 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
ARGUMENT
DID THE COURT OF APPEALS ERR WHEN IT FOUND THAT YBARRA
AND GARZA WERE NOT ACCOMPLICES AND THAT THE EVIDENCE WAS
LEGALLY SUFFICIENT TO UPHOLD MR. HALL’S CONVICTION?
On the night that this incident occurred, several people including Ybarra,
Garza, and Hall, gathered for a party at Rodriguez’s house. (3 R.R. at 205). Ybarra and
Rodriguez were very close. (3 R.R. at 204). Garza and Rodriguez had recently met and
Rodriguez had picked up Garza to bring her to his party. (4 R.R. at 71-72). Later that
evening, Ybarra agreed to drive Gonzalez and Garza home. (3 R.R. at 212). Hall had
shown them a gun and Rodriguez suggested that they go to an area close to his ex-
girlfriend’s house to shoot the gun. (3 R.R. at 195). Ybarra drove Hall, Rodriguez,
Garza, and Gonzalez to the area Rodriguez suggested to shoot the gun. (3 R.R. at
198-199). The group dropped Gonzalez off at home and, on the way to Garza’s
house, Rodriguez shot the gun out of the window. (3 R.R. at 202-203). Ybarra began
to get nervous that someone would call the police because of the gunshots. (3 R.R. at
204).
2
Officer Alan Whitlock received a call around 2:00 a.m. and was dispatched to
an apartment complex for a disturbance call. (3 R.R. at 39, 43). As he and the other
units were walking back to the vehicles, they heard several rounds of gunfire in the
area. (3 R.R. at 44). Whitlock observed two suspicious vehicles and decided to activate
his lights and initiate a traffic stop. (3 R.R. at 49-53). Whitlock decided to call for
another unit because he felt the passengers in Ybarra’s car were making furtive
movements; before Whitlock could call for another unit, the Cadillac started to roll
forward slowly and turn left. (3 R.R. at 56-57). Whitlock followed the Cadillac and
then saw the passenger in the back left side lean out of the window with a gun. (3 R.R.
at 60, 62-63). He originally identified the driver as the shooter but in retrospect
decided it must have been the back seat passenger because the car never stopped
moving. (3 R.R. at 61, 94). Whitlock never looked at a photo spread because he did
not believe he would be able to pick out the person who fired the shot. (3 R.R. at 82).
Ybarra testified that Hall told him not to stop the car after Whitlock had
initiated the stop. After Ybarra stopped the car, Hall allegedly told Rodriguez to shoot
the cop. (3 R.R. at 230-231). Ybarra tried to tell Rodriguez to throw the gun out of the
car. (3 R.R. at 232). Rodriguez, however, passed the gun to Hall. (3 R.R. at 233-236).
As Ybarra was driving off, he heard shots and saw Hall getting back into his seat. (3
R.R. at 233-236). Ybarra never saw Hall lean out of the car and shoot at Whitlock. (4
R.R. at 43). Rodriguez, Garza, and Hall eventually jumped out of the car. (3 R.R. at
238-40).
3
Ybarra ran to Rodriguez’s aunt’s house and Rodriguez called him while he was
there. (3 R.R. at 218, 4 R.R. at 11-12). Garza ran with Rodriguez to his house. (4 R.R.
at 103). About ten minutes later, Hall arrived at Rodriguez’s house without the gun
and stayed for a short time. (4 R.R. at 103-104).
Wanting to protect Rodriguez, Ybarra initially told the police that he was with
two black males and a Puerto Rican. (4 R.R. at 15). Garza ran with Rodriguez to his
house. (4 R.R. at 103).
Ybarra and Rodriguez were both no-billed by the grand jury on charges of
attempted capital murder of a peace officer. (3 R.R. at 193-194, C.R. at 58). In
connection with this case, Ybarra plead guilty to evading arrest in a motor vehicle. (4
R.R. at 23-24). Garza was charged with evading arrest in connection to this case and
she pleaded guilty and received probation. (4 R.R. at 123-124).
Hall was found hiding in a tree. (5 R.R. at 20). When Hall was arrested and
when he gave his buccal swab, he gave his name as Kendall Davis with a birthdate of
October 9, 1988. (5 R.R. at 19-20). Law enforcement later found out that Kendall
Davis’s real name was Kirby Hall and that his real date of birth is May 10, 1989. (5
R.R. at 51). Hall had a warrant for his arrest out of Louisiana and that warrant was for
an offense where he could get up to life in prison. (5 R.R. at 53).
GSR samples and buccal swabs were taken from several people, including Hall
and Ybarra. (3 R.R. at 117-118, 125-126). The Cadillac was also swabbed for DNA
residue and fingerprints. (3 R.R. at 175, 178). Hall’s fingerprints were not found in any
4
of the swabs from the Cadillac. (3 R.R. at 182). No latent prints were found on any of
the recovered shell casings. (3 R.R. at 190). The GSR analysis showed no particles
present on Hall’s hands or clothing. (4 R.R. at 179, 185). The GSR analysis of Ybarra
was inconclusive. (4 R.R. at 179). None of the DNA swabs taken from the car
matched Hall. (4 R.R. at 209).
Ybarra, Rodriguez, and Garza all knew that the gun was in the car and they had
discussed a plan to shoot the gun over in an area that Ybarra and Rodriguez were
familiar with. It should have been foreseen that shooting a firearm into a
neighborhood might attract the attention of law enforcement and that in entering into
that conspiracy someone might get shot. In fact, Ybarra was nervous that someone
would call the police because of the gunshots. (3 R.R. at 204). Officer Whitlock heard
those gunshots and, finding Ybarra’s car suspicious, initiated a traffic stop—Ybarra
drove away from Whitlock. (3 R.R. at 44, 56-57).
Mr. Hall challenged the legal sufficiency of the State’s evidence regarding the
aggravated assault, arguing that Ybarra and Garza were both accomplices as a matter
of fact and that the independent corroborating evidence was insufficient. On appeal,
the Court of Appeals found the evidence legally sufficient to support the judgment
because: “[t]here is no evidence that Ybarra and Garza were appellant's accomplices
as a matter of fact; therefore, there is no requirement of corroboration. See Tex. Code
Crim. Proc. art. 38.14.”. Hall v. State, 14-13-00742-CR, 2014 WL 6085585, at *4 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Nov. 13, 2014).
5
An appellate court is to apply a “rigorous” Jackson v. Virginia analysis of the
sufficiency of evidence. See Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893, 912 (Tex. Crim. App.
2010). See, also, Temple v. State, 342 S.W.3d 572, 628 (Tex. App.--Houston. [14th Dist.]
2010, no pet.) (McCally, J., dissenting to denial of rehearing en banc). In evaluating
the sufficiency of the evidence, the appellate court must view all of the evidence in the
light most favorable to the verdict to determine whether any rational trier of fact
could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979).
“Where several people act together in pursuit of an unlawful act each one is
liable for collateral crimes, even though unplanned and unintended, if those crimes are
the foreseeable, ordinary and probable consequences of the preparation or execution
of the unlawful act.” Thompson v. State, 514 S.W.2d 275 (Tex. Cr. App. 1974); Curtis v.
State, 573 S.W.2d 219, 223 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978). For example, in Nava v. State, three
co-defendants entered into a conspiracy to commit felony theft by purchasing what
they believed to be stolen televisions from an undercover police officer. While
attempting to make this transaction, one of the co-defendants shot and killed the
undercover officer. Nava v. State, 379 S.W.3d 396, 404-405 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th
Dist.] 2012, aff’d 415 S.W.3d 289 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). The court held the evidence
was sufficient, finding that because the co-defendants knew that a gun was being
brought to the transaction, the co-defendants who did not shoot the officer should
have anticipated it was a potential result. Nava, 379 S.W.3d at 406.
6
The same logic applies to the case at bar. All of the parties knew of the gun and
should have anticipated the potential of an aggravated assault. Thus, all are
accomplices under the theory of party liability.
The testimony of an accomplice is inherently untrustworthy and should be
viewed with caution because “the accomplice is a corrupt source who may well have
improper incentives when testifying against the accused-e.g., to redirect blame or to
gain favor with the State in exchange for a reduced punishment.” Wincott v. State, 59
S.W.3d 691, 698 (Tex.App.-Austin 2001, pet. ref'd). In reviewing the sufficiency of the
corroborating evidence, the appellate court must eliminate from its consideration all
accomplice testimony and review the remaining portions of the record to determine
“if there is any evidence that tends to connect the accused with the commission of the
crime.” Castillo v. State, 221 S.W.3d 689, 691 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). The
corroborating evidence does not need to be sufficient by itself to convict the accused.
Casanova v. State, 383 S.W.3d 530 (Tex. Crim. App. Nov. 21, 2012).
Whitlock was not able to identify Hall as the shooter and there was no GSR,
DNA, or fingerprint evidence linking Hall to the incident. None of Hall’s clothes
were found to have GSR even though the accomplices testified that Hall had shot the
gun earlier that evening. In contrast, Ybarra’s right hand had gunshot residue and
Rodriguez’s fingerprints and palm prints were found on the rear driver’s side of the
car. The fact the physical evidence more strongly indicates Ybarra or Rodriguez as the
7
shooter provides a motive to implicate Hall. This motive and attempt to shift blame is
the very reason the accomplice witness rule exists.
Because there is no evidence other than the uncorroborated accomplice
testimony that identifies Hall as the individual who shot at Whitlock, the evidence is
legally insufficient to support a conviction for aggravated assault of a peace officer.
The Court of Appeals erred in holding that Ybarra and Garza were not accomplices
as a matter of fact and that the evidence was legally sufficient to prove that Mr. Hall
committed an aggravated assault on a peace officer.
PRAYER
Mr. Hall asks the Court to grant his petition and conduct a full review of his
appeal in the Fourteenth Court of Appeals.
Respectfully submitted,
ALEXANDER BUNIN
Chief Public Defender
Harris County Texas
/s/Frances Bourliot
______________________________
FRANCES BOURLIOT
Assistant Public Defender
Harris County, Texas
Texas Bar No. 24062419
1201 Franklin, 13th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: (713) 368-0016
Fax: (713) 437-4317
frances.bourliot@pdo.hctx.net
8
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
This is to certify that a copy of the foregoing petition for discretionary review
has been served on the District Attorney of Harris County, Texas, by e-file on the
14th day of January, 2015. A copy has also been sent by e-file to the State Prosecuting
Attorney, also on the 14th day of January, 2015.
/s/Frances Bourliot
_________________________________
Frances Bourliot
Certificate of Compliance
Pursuant to proposed Rule 9.4(i)(3), undersigned counsel certifies that this brief
complies with the type-volume limitations of Tex. R. App. Proc. 9.4(e)(i).
1. This brief contains 2,669 words printed in a proportionally spaced typeface.
2. This brief is printed in a proportionally spaced, serif typeface using Garamond
14 point font in text and Garamond 13 point font in footnotes produced by
Microsoft Word software.
3. Upon request, undersigned counsel will provide an electronic version of this
brief and/or a copy of the word printout to the Court.
4. Undersigned counsel understands that a material misrepresentation in
completing this certificate, or circumvention of the type-volume limits in Tex. R. App.
Proc. 9.4(j), may result in the Court's striking this brief and imposing sanctions against
the person who signed it.
/s/Frances Bourliot
________________________________
Frances Bourliot
9
Hall v. State, Not Reported in S.W.3d (2014)
in that it was approximately 2:00 a.m. and there were no
other cars in the area. When Whitlock pulled behind the white
2014 WL 6085585
Cadillac he noticed the passengers of the car making furtive,
Only the Westlaw citation is currently available.
suspicious movements. Whitlock turned on his emergency
SEE TX R RAP RULE 47.2 FOR lights to stop the Cadillac. When the driver of the car did not
DESIGNATION AND SIGNING OF OPINIONS. stop, Whitlock turned on his siren and followed the car. As
the car went around a curve Whitlock saw the passenger in the
MEMORANDUM OPINION back left side behind the driver lean out of the window with a
Do Not Publish—Tex. R.App. P. 47.2(b). gun. Whitlock could not identify the individual with the gun
Court of Appeals of Texas, other than his race, which was African–American. Whitlock
Houston (14th Dist.). then heard gunfire and felt a bullet hit his chest.
Kirby HALL a/k/a Kendell Davis, Appellant
Juan Ybarra, the owner of the white Cadillac, testified that
v. on the day of the offense, he went to Richard Rodriguez's
The STATE of Texas, Appellee. house to drink and to smoke marijuana with six or seven of
their mutual friends including Jose Gonzalez, Brianna Garza,
No. 14–13–00742–CR. | Nov. 13, 2014.
and appellant. At some point in the evening, Ybarra planned
On Appeal from the 228th District Court, Harris County, to drive Gonzalez and Garza home. Appellant left the house
Texas, Trial Court Cause No. 1394653. for a few minutes, returned with a rifle, and said to Ybarra,
“Let's go shoot this.” At that point, Ybarra, Rodriguez, and
Attorneys and Law Firms appellant decided to shoot the gun, then drive Gonzalez and
Garza home. Rodriguez knew of a location where neighbors
Frances Young Bourliot, for Kirby Hall aka Kendell Davis. shot guns without anyone calling the police.
Alan Curry, for State of Texas.
When they arrived at the location described by Rodriguez,
Panel consists of Chief Justice FROST and Justices Ybarra stopped the car, appellant got out, shot the gun
CHRISTOPHER and BUSBY. in the air four or five times, and got back in the front
passenger seat of the car. Ybarra then drove to Gonzalez's
house. After Gonzalez got out of the car, the rest of the
passengers changed positions. Rodriguez moved to the front
MEMORANDUM OPINION
passenger seat, Garza sat behind Rodriguez in the right back
TRACY CHRISTOPHER, Justice. passenger seat, and appellant sat behind Ybarra in the left
back passenger seat. As Ybarra drove out of Gonzalez's
*1 Appellant Kirby Hall a/k/a Kendell Davis appeals his neighborhood, Rodriguez leaned out of the front passenger
conviction for aggravated assault against a public servant seat and fired the gun once. Ybarra became nervous about
challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to support his Rodriguez and appellant shooting the gun, and decided to
conviction. See Tex. Penal Code § 22.02(b)(2)(B). Finding drive them back to Rodriguez's house before taking Garza
sufficient evidence to support appellant's conviction, we home. Ybarra testified, “I wanted to get that gun out of my
affirm. car as quick as I could.”
As Ybarra was driving toward Rodriguez's house he saw two
I. BACKGROUND patrol cars pass. One of the cars shined its spotlight on the car
and activated its emergency lights. Although appellant told
On September 1, 2011, Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Alan him not to stop, Ybarra stopped the car. At this time, Ybarra
Whitlock was dispatched to a disturbance in an apartment testified that everyone was afraid because the gun was sitting
complex. As he drove to the location of the disturbance in the front seat of the car. Ybarra told Rodriguez to throw the
Whitlock heard shots fired. Soon after hearing the shots fired, gun out of the window. Appellant told Rodriguez to shoot the
Whitlock observed a white Cadillac and a black car driving police officer. Rodriguez gave the gun to appellant explaining
very close together. Whitlock testified this was suspicious that he did not want to shoot the police officer. At this point,
© 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 1
Hall v. State, Not Reported in S.W.3d (2014)
Ybarra sped up because he was afraid if he stopped for the from the legislative determination that accomplice testimony
police car that appellant would shoot him. As Ybarra was must be taken with a degree of caution. Nolley v. State, 5
driving he heard three to four gun shots in quick succession. S.W.3d 850, 852–53 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1999,
Shortly after the shooting, when Ybarra slowed the car to no pet.). The underlying rationale is that the accomplice is
make a turn, Rodriguez and Garza jumped out of the moving a corrupt source who may well have improper incentives
car. Later, appellant jumped out of the car. Ybarra eventually when testifying against the accused-e.g., to redirect blame
pleaded guilty to evading arrest with a motor vehicle. or to gain favor with the State in exchange for a reduced
punishment. Wincott v. State, 59 S.W.3d 691, 698 (Tex.App.-
*2 Brianna Garza testified and gave an account similar to Austin 2001, pet. ref'd). For these reasons, an accomplice
that of Ybarra. Garza testified that it was her understanding witness is a “discredited witness,” and regardless of how
that she would be driven home before the men began completely the accomplice may outline the facts of a case,
shooting the gun. She recounted the initial shooting in the jury may not convict the accused without additional
the field, Rodriguez shooting the gun while the car was corroborating evidence. Walker v. State, 615 S.W.2d 728, 731
moving, the police attempting to stop them, appellant telling (Tex.Crim.App.1981); Gaston v. State, 324 S.W.3d 905, 908–
Rodriguez to shoot the officer, and Rodriguez refusing to 09 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, pet. ref'd).
do so. When appellant took the gun and said he was going
to shoot the officer, Garza hit the back of the gun in an Before turning to whether the evidence was sufficiently
attempt to stop appellant from shooting. Garza thought that corroborated, we review whether Ybarra and Garza were
appellant attempted to point the gun at Ybarra because Ybarra accomplice witnesses. 1 An accomplice is an individual
was stopped for the police car and did not want to flee. who participates with a defendant before, during, or after
Garza testified that as appellant began shooting, she and the commission of the crime and acts with the requisite
Rodriguez jumped out of the car. Garza and Rodriguez ran to culpable mental state. Cocke v. State, 201 S.W.3d 744,
Rodriguez's house. Appellant returned to Rodriguez's house 747 (Tex.Crim.App.2006); Yost v. State, 222 S.W .3d 865,
approximately ten minutes later, but left again when the 871 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, pet. ref'd). Such
police arrived. Garza pleaded guilty to evading arrest. participation must involve an affirmative act that promoted
the commission of the offense with which the accused
Appellant was convicted of aggravated assault against a was charged. Paredes v. State, 129 S.W.3d 530, 536
public servant and sentenced to 50 years in prison. (Tex.Crim.App.2004).
*3 To sustain a conviction for aggravated assault of a
II. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE public servant the evidence must demonstrate that: (1) the
person intentionally or knowingly threatened another with
In a single issue appellant claims the evidence is insufficient imminent bodily injury, (2) the person used or exhibited a
to support his conviction. Specifically, appellant contends deadly weapon during the commission of the assault, and (3)
that the evidence does not sufficiently corroborate the the offense was committed against a person the actor knew
testimony of the accomplice witnesses. was a public servant while the public servant was lawfully
discharging an official duty. Tex. Penal Code §§ 22.01(a)
In evaluating the sufficiency of the evidence, we must view (2), 22.02(a)(2), (b)(2)(B). Pursuant to Texas Penal Code
all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict to sections 7.01 and 7.02, an individual can be convicted as
determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found a party to an offense if that offense was committed by his
the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. own conduct, by the conduct of another for which he is
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979). criminally responsible, or both. Tex. Penal Code § 7.01. A
person is criminally responsible for an offense committed by
The accomplice-witness rule provides that a “conviction the conduct of another if, acting with intent to promote or
cannot be had upon the testimony of an accomplice unless assist the commission of the offense, he solicits, encourages,
corroborated by other evidence tending to connect the directs, aids, or attempts to aid the other person to commit the
defendant with the offense committed; and the corroboration offense. Tex. Penal Code § 7.02(a)(2). Therefore, we review
is not sufficient if it merely shows the commission of the the record to determine whether the evidence reflects that
offense.” Tex.Code Crim. Proc. art. 38 .14. The rule derives Ybarra and Garza could have been convicted as parties to the
© 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2
Hall v. State, Not Reported in S.W.3d (2014)
offense of aggravated assault of a public servant. Appellant *4 Appellant further argues that Ybarra and Garza
did not request an accomplice witness instruction at trial, nor participated in a conspiracy to shoot the weapon, and could be
does he argue that Ybarra and Garza were accomplices as considered accomplices under section 7.02 of the Texas Penal
a matter of law. Therefore, we address whether Ybarra and Code. If in the attempt to carry out a conspiracy to commit one
Garza were accomplices as a matter of fact. See Druery v. felony another felony is committed by one of the conspirators,
State, 225 S.W.3d 491, 497–98 (Tex.Crim.App.2007) (jury all conspirators are guilty of the felony actually committed,
instruction is given on an accomplice as a matter of law when though having no intent to commit it, if the offense was
witness is charged or could be charged with the offense or committed in furtherance of the unlawful purpose and was
lesser-included offense; when the evidence is conflicting as one that should have been anticipated as a result of carrying
to whether witness was accomplice, jury decides whether out the conspiracy. Tex. Penal Code § 7.02(b); Zamora v.
witness is an accomplice as a matter of fact). State, 432 S.W.3d 919, 922 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.]
2014, no pet.).
The record reflects that Ybarra and Garza were present when
the offense occurred, and that they participated in the offense Appellant argues that Ybarra and Garza knew that the gun was
of evading arrest or detention. Ybarra was charged with in the car and discussed a plan to shoot the gun in an open area.
evading arrest or detention in a motor vehicle, a state jail Therefore, appellant argues, the parties should have “foreseen
felony. See Tex. Penal Code § 38.04(b)(1)(B). Garza was that shooting a firearm into a neighborhood might attract the
charged with evading arrest on foot, a Class A misdemeanor. attention of law enforcement and that in entering into that
See id. § 38.04(a). However, the record does not reflect that conspiracy someone might get shot.”
Ybarra and Garza participated with appellant before, during,
or after the commission of the offense of aggravated assault The record does not reflect that Ybarra and Garza
of a public servant, or acted with the requisite culpable mental were accomplice witnesses because they were criminally
state to commit that offense. responsible for appellant's actions under the conspiracy
theory of party liability. Appellant argues that by planning
Both Ybarra and Garza testified that they knew a gun was in to discharge a firearm in the city, the group should have
the car and that appellant and Rodriguez intended to shoot anticipated the potential for the offense of aggravated assault
it in an open area. Garza expected to be dropped off at of a public servant.
her home before any shooting began. Ybarra testified he
attempted to stop the car when the police initiated the traffic Appellant's theory is not supported by the evidence or the
stop, and that he only drove away because he feared appellant Penal Code definition of co-conspirators. Section 7.02(b) of
would shoot him. Ybarra further testified that he instructed the Penal Code provides that a person can be held criminally
Rodriguez to throw the gun out of the window. Similarly, responsible under the law of parties if, in the attempt to carry
Garza testified that she hit the back of the gun in an attempt out a conspiracy to commit one felony offense, another felony
to prevent appellant from shooting Whitlock. There is no is committed by one of the conspirators. See Hooper v. State,
evidence that Ybarra or Garza took any affirmative act to 214 S.W.3d 9, 13–14 (Tex.Crim .App.2007). Discharging a
assist in shooting Whitlock. While they knew of the gun and firearm in a municipality is a misdemeanor, not a felony. See
the plan to shoot it prior to commission of the offense, they Tex. Penal Code §§ 42.01(a)(7), (d) (discharge of a firearm
believed appellant and Rodriguez intended to shoot the gun in a public place is a Class B misdemeanor) & 42.12(a),
in an open area. Ybarra and Garza did not anticipate that (b) (discharge of a firearm inside the corporate limits of a
appellant would shoot a police officer, nor did they act with municipality having a population of 100,000 or more is a
the requisite culpable mental state to commit the offense of Class A misdemeanor). The record does not contain evidence
aggravated assault of a public servant. The fact that Ybarra of a conspiracy to commit a felony.
and Garza were in the car, coupled with their knowledge of the
weapon when appellant shot Whitlock, does not render them Appellant's argument is predicated on the idea that Ybarra
accomplice witnesses to the charged offense. See Zuniga v. and Garza were accomplices to aggravated assault of a public
State, 393 S.W.3d 404, 414 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 2012, pet. servant. The record does not support appellant's assertion.
ref'd) (witness was not an accomplice simply because he was The record reflects that Ybarra and Garza did not participate
a passenger in the car at scene of murder). in the shooting of the police officer, did not conspire to
shoot a police officer, nor could they have anticipated when
© 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 3
Hall v. State, Not Reported in S.W.3d (2014)
they got in the car with appellant that he would shoot a
*5 Based on all the evidence presented, including the
police officer. If a State's witness has no complicity in
testimony of Ybarra and Garza, viewed in the light most
the offense for which an accused is on trial, the witness's
favorable to the verdict, we conclude a rational jury could
testimony is not that of an accomplice witness whatever may
have found the essential elements of the offense beyond a
have been the witness's complicity with the accused in the
reasonable doubt. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319. We therefore
commission of other offenses. Gamez v. State, 737 S.W.2d
overrule appellant's sole issue, and affirm the trial court's
315, 322 (Tex.Crim.App.1987). There is no evidence that
judgment.
Ybarra and Garza were appellant's accomplices as a matter of
fact; therefore, there is no requirement of corroboration. See
Tex.Code Crim. Proc. art. 38.14.
Footnotes
1 In his brief appellant contends that Ybarra, Garza, and Rodriguez were accomplice witnesses. Rodriguez, however, did not testify;
therefore, we confine our review to Ybarra and Garza.
End of Document © 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.
© 2015 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 4