Garcia, Alejandro John ( 2015 )


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  •                                                                                 PD-0099-15
    COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
    AUSTIN, TEXAS
    Transmitted 3/13/2015 11:26:10 AM
    No. PD-0099-15                   Accepted 3/13/2015 1:49:30 PM
    ABEL ACOSTA
    CLERK
    IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS, AT AUSTIN
    Alejandro John Garcia
    Appellant
    v.
    The State of Texas
    Appellee
    On Appeal from 368th District Court of Williamson County in Case No. 11-216-K368,
    the Hon. Burt Carnes, Judge Presiding, and the Opinion of the Third Court of
    Appeals in Case No. 03-12-00781-CR, Delivered December 11, 2014
    Petition for Discretionary Review
    Submitted by:
    David A. Schulman
    March 13, 2015            Attorney at Law
    Post Office Box 783
    Austin, Texas 78767-0783
    Tel. 512-474-4747
    Fax: 512-532-6282
    eMail: zdrdavida@davidschulman.com
    State Bar Card No. 17833400
    John G. Jasuta
    Attorney at Law
    Post Office Box 783
    Austin, Texas 78767-0783
    Tel. 512-474-4747
    Fax: 512-532-6282
    eMail: lawyer1@johngjasuta.com
    State Bar Card No. 10592300
    Attorneys for Alejandro John Garcia
    Identity of Parties and Counsel
    Pursuant to Rule 38.1(a), Rules of Appellate Procedure (“Tex.R.App.Pro.”),
    the following is a complete list of the names and addresses of all parties to the
    trial court’s final judgment and their counsel in the trial court, as well as
    appellate counsel, so the members of the Court may at once determine whether
    they are disqualified to serve or should recuse themselves from participating in
    the decision of the case, and so the Clerk of the Court may properly notify the
    parties to the trial court’s final judgment or their counsel, if any, of the judgment
    and all orders of the Court of Appeals.
    Appellant
    Alejandro John Garcia
    TDCJ-ID No. 1818028
    1800 Luther Drive
    Navasota, Texas 77868
    Trial Counsel                            Appellate Counsel
    Richard Segura                            David A. Schulman
    SBN 00788384                                SBN 17833400
    Kathryn Ryle                            John G. Jasuta
    SBN 00797365                            SBN 10592300
    707 West 14th Street                    Post Office Box 783
    Austin, Texas 78701
    Austin, Texas 78767-0783
    State of Texas
    Hon. Jana Duty
    District Attorney
    Williamson County Justice Center
    405 Martin Luther King 2FL
    Georgetown, Texas 78626
    Trial                              Appellate Counsel
    Robert McCabe                                Deni Garcia
    SBN 24026830                               SBN 24027175
    Lytza Rojas                                John Prezas
    SBN 24046750                               SBN 24041722
    i
    Table of Contents
    Identity of Parties and Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
    Index of Authorities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
    Statement Regarding Oral Argument. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
    Statement of the Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
    Statement of Procedural History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
    Facts of the Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
    Ground for Review Number One Restated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
    The Court of Appeals Erred When it Concluded
    Appellant Failed to Show the Defense’s Expert
    Testimony “Was Properly Applied” to Appellant.
    Facts Relevant to First Ground for Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
    Summary of the Argument - First Ground for Review . . . . . . . 5
    Argument & Authorities - First Ground for Review. . . . . . . . . . 6
    The Court of Appeals Mis-Interpreted or Mis-Applied the
    Appropriate Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        6
    The Evidence was Necessary to Counter the State’s
    Arguments .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
    Conclusion - First Ground for Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
    i
    Table of Contents
    (CONT)
    Ground for Review Number Two Restated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
    The Court of Appeals Erred When it Resolved
    Appellant's Claim of Charge Error Without Reference
    to or Application of Almanza v. State.
    Facts Relevant to Second Ground for Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
    Summary of the Argument - Second Ground for Review. . . . . 20
    Argument & Authorities - Second Ground for Review. . . . . . . 20
    Conclusion - Second Ground for Review.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
    Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
    Certificate of Compliance and Delivery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
    ii
    Index of Authorities
    Federal Cases:
    Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
    
    509 U.S. 579
    (1993). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 8
    Texas Cases
    Allen v. State, AP-74,951
    (Tex.Cr.App.; June 28, 2006). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
    Almanza v. State, 
    686 S.W.2d 157
       (Tex.Cr.App. 1985) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 20-22, 24
    Arline v. State, 
    721 S.W.2d 348
    (Tex.Cr.App. 1986). . . . . . . 23
    Bass v. State, 
    270 S.W.3d 557
    (Tex.Cr.App. 2008). . . . . 16, 17
    Cargill v. State, AP-76,189
    (Tex.Cr.App. November 19, 2014). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
    E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. v. Robinson,
    
    923 S.W.2d 549
    (Tex. 1995). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 7
    Garcia v. State, 03-12-00781-CR
    (Tex.App. - Austin; December 11, 2014). . . vii, 5, 8, 19, 20
    Griffith v. State, 
    983 S.W.2d 282
    (Tex.Cr.App. 1998). . . . . . 10
    Johnson v. State, 
    739 S.W.2d 299
    (Tex.Cr.App. 1987). . . . . 21
    Jordan v. State, 
    928 S.W.2d 550
    (Tex.Cr.App. 1996). . . 12-14
    iii
    Index of Authorities
    (CONT)
    Texas Cases (CONT):
    Kelly v. State, 
    824 S.W.2d 568
    (Tex.Cr.App. 1992). . . . 5, 7, 8
    Mata v. State, 03-12-00476-CR
    (Tex.App. - Austin, June 24, 2014). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
    McBride v. State, 
    862 S.W.2d 600
       (Tex.Cr.App. 1993). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11
    Powell v. State, 
    63 S.W.3d 435
    (Tex.Cr.App. 2001).. . . . 16, 17
    Renteria v. State, 
    206 S.W.3d 689
    (Tex.Cr.App. 2006). . . . . 16
    Sexton v. State, 
    93 S.W.3d 96
    (Tex.Cr.App. 2002). . . . . . . . . 8
    Spence v. State, 
    795 S.W.2d 743
    (Tex.Cr.App. 1990). . . . . . 11
    Tillman v. State, 
    354 S.W.3d 425
    (Tex.Cr.App. 2011).. . . 8, 12
    Vasquez v. State, 
    389 S.W.3d 361
        (Tex.Cr.App. 2012). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-22, 24
    Walters v. State, 
    247 S.W.3d 204
    (Tex.Cr.App. 2007).. . . . . 16
    Texas Statutes / Codes:
    Rules of Evidence
    Rule 401... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
    Rule 404(b) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
    Rule 702 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13
    Rule 705(b) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
    iv
    Statement Regarding Oral Argument
    Because of complexity of the expert witness issue involved,
    the undersigned believe that oral argument will benefit the parties
    and assist the Court. Appellant therefore requests the opportunity
    to present oral argument in this case.
    Statement of the Case
    This case involves the denial of the right to put on a full
    defense, to introduce evidence in support of that defense, and to
    have the jury instructed in a meaningful way, such as to allow the
    jury to give effect to the evidence presented.
    Statement of Procedural History
    Appellant was charged by indictment with the offenses of
    aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first (1st) degree felony
    (Count I) and Indecency with a Child by Contact (Count II), a
    second (2nd) degree felony, in Cause No. 11-216-K368 in the
    368th District Court of Williamson County, Texas.         He was
    acquitted on Count I and convicted on Count II, and sentenced to
    confinement for ten (10) years. Notice of Appeal was timely given
    v
    on November 20, 2012. The Court of Appeals’ opinion from which
    review is sought was delivered by the Third Court of Appeals.
    Garcia v. State, 03-12-00781-CR (Tex.App. - Austin; December
    11, 2014). By previous Order of this Court, this petition is timely
    filed if presented to the Clerk of the Court on or before March 13,
    2015.
    vi
    No. PD-0099-15
    IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS, AT AUSTIN
    Alejandro John Garcia
    Appellant
    v.
    The State of Texas
    Appellee
    On Appeal from 368th District Court of Williamson County in Case No. 11-216-K368,
    the Hon. Burt Carnes, Judge Presiding, and the Opinion of the Third Court of
    Appeals in Case No. 03-12-00781-CR, Delivered December 11, 2014
    Petition for Discretionary Review
    TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS:
    COMES NOW, Alejandro John Garcia, Appellant in the
    instant cause, by and through David A. Schulman and John G.
    Jasuta, his undersigned attorneys, and respectfully files this
    “Petition of Discretionary Review,” and would show the Court as
    follows:
    Facts of the Case
    (Gleaned From the Opinion of the Court of Appeals)
    Appellant’s nine-year-old daughter went for an overnight visit
    to the apartment Appellant shared with his girlfriend and their
    1
    four-year-old son. She watched a movie with her brother in her
    brother’s room while Appellant watched a movie in the living room
    with the girl’s uncle, smoking marijuana. Appellant’s girlfriend
    was at work that evening.
    Appellant’s daughter testified that she ordinarily slept on the
    couch during her visits and that, after the movies finished,
    Appellant fixed the couch as her bed that night. They watched
    some television and, at around 9:36 p.m., she fell asleep on the
    couch. She said that Appellant also fell asleep on the couch, which
    was unusual. She woke up later when Appellant touched her,
    unbuckled his belt, then did “something really gross.” She
    testified, “He pulled down my pants and stuck his middle part into
    my bottom. And then he put his hands on my front part.” She
    testified that he put his “middle part inside my butt.” She testified
    that after doing those things “he woke up, and he said, ‘Oh, my
    God.’ And then he started wiping my butt and pulled up my pants.
    And then he went and threw the paper towel away. . . . [H]e told
    2
    me to take a shower, but I didn’t.” She said that Appellant said,
    “What the F?” and “Why did I do that?” to himself.
    The child testified that he did not tell her to keep quiet, did
    not threaten her, did not try to bribe her, and did not blame her.
    She said that she knew Appellant was asleep when these events
    occurred “because he wouldn’t have done that if he was awake.”
    The girl’s grandparents came and picked her up later that
    night and delivered her to her mother, who then immediately took
    the child to the hospital for a checkup. Because of the nature of
    the actions reported to hospital personnel, Austin Police were
    notified.
    Ground for Review Number One Restated
    The Court of Appeals Erred When it Concluded
    Appellant Failed to Show the Defense’s Expert
    Testimony “Was Properly Applied” to Appellant.
    Facts Relevant to First Ground for Review
    At opening, Mr. Segura promised the jury, without objection,
    they would hear evidence that Appellant was asleep when the acts
    occurred (RR Vol. 3, P. 42). To accomplish this, Appellant called
    3
    Dr. Michel Bornemann, a medical doctor who specializes in the
    study of parasomnia.
    When Appellant called Dr. Bornemann, the State requested
    and obtained a hearing under Rule 705(b), Tex.R.Evid. Through
    Dr. Bornemann, Appellant sought to offer evidence that he was
    essentially sleepwalking when he touched his daughter and,
    therefore, he lacked the requisite intent or voluntariness to commit
    the crime.
    At the close of the voir dire examination, the State objected
    and argued that it was based on a novel and unreliable scientific
    theory that could mislead the jurors. The State contended the
    theory lacked diagnostic criteria and support in the medical
    community and that Dr. Bornemann did not “appropriately
    diagnose this defendant as having any disorder.”
    The trial court refused to admit Dr. Bornemann's testimony.
    At that time, the trial court stated:
    Obviously, based on the motion for continuance back in the
    summer, I knew that this was going to be an issue or probably
    would be an issue, and so I’ve been looking at it as we’ve
    progressed through the trial of the case this week.
    4
    It’s very interesting. But what he’s really here to say is the
    defense story which he gave the night in the videotape we’ve
    all heard he’s being truthful. And then it goes -- and that’s
    based solely on his and his present girlfriend’s -- or his
    interview of the defendant and his present girlfriend, not on
    all the scientific studies that he talked about if it were a
    clinical case.
    I’m going to sustain the State’s objection. If you need a
    further bill, if he’ll stick around, we’ll do that at the
    close of business today.
    RR Vol. 4, P. 115.
    On appeal, Appellant claimed the trial court erred by
    sustaining the State’s objection to Dr. Bornemann’s testimony.
    The Court of Appeals rejected Appellant’s arguments, holding
    Appellant   failed   to demonstrate the       admissibility    of Dr.
    Bornemann’s testimony. Garcia, slip op. at 5.
    Summary of the Argument
    First Ground for Review
    The Daubert / Robinson / Kelly standard does not require
    the testifying expert to have conducted scientific testing on the
    subject of his testimony, merely that he has applied the particular
    methodology when formulating an opinion. Additionally, otherwise
    inadmissible evidence becomes admissible if the actions of the
    opposing party “open the door.”
    5
    Argument & Authorities - First Ground for Review
    A
    The Court of Appeals Mis-Interpreted or
    Mis-Applied the Appropriate Standard
    The Rules of Evidence favor admission of all relevant
    evidence. Montgomery v. State, 
    810 S.W.2d 372
    (Tex.Cr.App.
    1990). Under Rule 401, relevant evidence is evidence which has
    “any tendency to make the existence of any fact of consequence to
    the determination of the action more probable or less probable
    than it would be without the evidence.” Bekendam v. State, 
    441 S.W.3d 295
    , 303 (Tex.Cr.App. 2014)(FN 4).
    For expert testimony to be admissible, the following
    requirements must be met:
    Ø the expert's testimony must be based on sufficient facts
    or data;
    Ù the expert's testimony must be the product of reliable
    principles and methods, and
    Ú the expert must apply the principles and methods
    reliably to the facts of the case.
    6
    See Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 
    509 U.S. 579
    , 591 (1993); E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. v. Robinson,
    
    923 S.W.2d 549
    , 556-557 (Tex. 1995); Kelly v. State, 
    824 S.W.2d 568
    , 571-572 (Tex.Cr.App. 1992).          Additionally, Kelly also
    identified a non-exclusive list of factors which could influence a
    trial court's determination of reliability, including
    Ø the extent to which the theory and procedure are
    accepted as valid by the relevant scientific community;
    Ù the technique's potential rate of error;
    Ú the availability of experts to test and assess the method
    or technique;
    Û the clarity and precision with which the underlying
    scientific premise and approach can be explained to the
    court; and
    Ü the knowledge and experience of the person(s) who
    applied the methodology on the occasion in question.
    
    Kelly, 824 S.W.2d at 573
    .        Under Kelly, the proponent of
    scientific evidence bears the burden of proving to the trial court,
    by clear and convincing evidence, that the evidence is sufficiently
    7
    relevant and reliable to assist the jury in determining a fact in
    issue. 
    Kelly, 824 S.W.2d at 573
    .
    Relying on Sexton v. State, 
    93 S.W.3d 96
    , 100 (Tex.Cr.App.
    2002), the Court of Appeals held Appellant failed to demonstrate
    the admissibility of Dr. Bornemann’s testimony. “We cannot say
    that the trial court abused its discretion by excluding Dr.
    Bornemann’s testimony because Garcia failed to show by clear
    and convincing evidence that a valid technique for diagnosing
    parasomnia was properly applied to him.” Garcia, slip op. at 5.
    Appellant acknowledges that Daubert and Kelly, as well as
    their various progeny, require an expert to fit his testimony to the
    facts of the case. See Tillman v. State, 
    354 S.W.3d 425
    (Tex.Cr.App. 2011).    However, the substance of both the trial
    court’s and the Court of Appeals’ ruling was that, in this case, Dr.
    Bornemann had not applied a valid technique when formulating
    his opinion. It is clear that both courts based this on Dr.
    Bornemann’s acknowledgment that he did not perform any clinical
    tests on Appellant.     What both courts ignored is that Dr.
    8
    Bornemann testified unequivocally that such testing was not
    necessary.
    Q. (Mr. McCabe) Did you perform any studies on Mr. Garcia?
    A. (Dr. Bornemann) No formal tests or studies were performed.
    Q. Wouldn’t you agree that you authored a paper -- co-authored a
    paper called "Violence in Sleep" out of the Oxford Journals;
    is that correct?
    A. Published by -- this is the one you’re looking at.   This was
    published in the scientific journal, Brain.
    Q. Yes. In 2010?
    A. Correct.
    Q. Okay. You were a co-author of that study?
    A. That’s correct.
    Q. Wouldn’t you agree that when you talk about -- there is a
    subsection called "History and Physical Examination" under
    "Diagnostic Procedures" about halfway through that paper. It
    says, "The first step in diagnosing a sleep disorder
    associated with violence is obtaining a complete history
    preferably from both the patient and the bed partner." You did
    those things; is that right?
    A. Well, I interviewed him. A physical examination was not
    performed, nor was it necessary. That is a comment related to
    the condition as a clinical entity and not necessarily as a
    forensic entity.
    Q. So when it says, "The clinical history should be followed by
    a   general   physical,    neurological,   and   psychiatric
    examinations," none of those things were done in this case?
    A. A physical examination wasn’t performed. It was not
    contributory to the review of the case. And there was no
    evidence to support further inquiry into a psychiatric
    condition.
    Q. It references -- forgive me if I pronounce this wrong --
    polysomnography.
    A. Correct. We have to keep in mind that that paper also is not
    particularly focused on sleepwalking. It also comments upon
    9
    unusual epilepsy. So, again, this is a clinical paper looking
    at violence that arises from sleep which is not necessarily
    particular or specific to sleep. It can also incorporate
    neurologic conditions such as epilepsy.
    Q. But there’s an entire section on here on arousal disorders,
    correct?
    A. That’s correct.
    Q. Is that what we’re talking about here is an arousal disorder?
    A. We are talking about an arousal disorder which is a subset of
    parasomnia.
    Q. So this paper is relevant to your testimony today?
    A. It is helpful, absolutely.
    Q. And   under   "Polysomnography,"   it  says, "an extensive
    polygraphic study with a multichannel scalp EEG, monitoring
    all four extremities in continuous, time-schychronized
    audio-visual recording is essential."
    A. Essential from a clinical diagnosis. From a forensic, legal
    perspective, a polysomnography that’s not associated with the
    allegation would not be able to determine what happened on
    that   particular   evening.   I   could   certainly   do   a
    polysomnography, or a sleep test, and find that he’s a
    sleepwalker.   But that only tells us he’s a sleepwalker.
    That’s not necessarily what may have occurred on the evening
    of the event.    So the information to determine -- render
    medical opinion which is well founded in our field is based
    upon the behavioral -- the characteristic behavioral patterns
    and also the specifics to the degree of consciousness and
    awareness in order to render an opinion related to a
    particular incident, not necessarily a global clinical issue
    which is particularly what that paper focuses on.
    The Court of Criminal Appeals has repeatedly recognized that
    testimony from mental health experts is relevant to the issue of
    future dangerousness. See Griffith v. State, 
    983 S.W.2d 282
    , 288
    (Tex.Cr.App. 1998); see also McBride v. State, 
    862 S.W.2d 600
    ,
    10
    608 (Tex.Cr.App. 1993). The Court has also repeatedly made clear
    that there is no requirement that the mental health expert offering
    an opinion regarding whether a particular defendant will
    constitute a danger in the future have ever personally interviewed
    that defendant. Spence v. State, 
    795 S.W.2d 743
    , 762-763
    (Tex.Cr.App.   1990);   see also Allen       v.   State, AP-74,951
    (Tex.Cr.App.; June 28, 2006)(not designated for publication).1
    Being the pivotal “life or death” question in a capital case, it
    is clear that whether there is a probability a particular defendant
    “would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a
    continuing threat to society . . .,” is at least as important a
    question as whether Appellant’s behavior on the night in question
    was the result of parasomnia.         If a personal interview is not
    required when an expert is called to offer his or her opinion on
    “future dangerousness” in the death penalty setting, certainly
    conducting a “clinical study” is not required when an expert is
    1
    In Allen, there were concurring opinions by Judge Womack and Judge
    Johnson. Neither are important to this issue.
    11
    called to offer an opinion as to whether an individual is a
    parasomniac.
    Additionally, as set out in Tillman, relevance is a “looser
    notion than reliability,” and is “a simpler, more straight-forward
    matter to establish.” 
    Tillman, 354 S.W.3d at 438
    . The relevant
    inquiry is whether evidence “will assist the trier of fact and is
    sufficiently tied to the facts of the case.” Jordan v. State, 
    928 S.W.2d 550
    , 555 (Tex.Cr.App. 1996).
    In Jordan, the Court specifically addressed the “fit” aspect of
    the relevance inquiry. There, the proffered expert “answered
    questions about the specific facts of the case and how they might
    be affected by the factors he testified to,” “stated his opinion about
    the reliability of the eyewitness identifications,” and “identified
    facts in the case that he believed impacted those identifications.”
    
    Jordan, 928 S.W.2d at 556
    . However, the expert “did not testify
    about several factors that might have affected the reliability of the
    eyewitness identifications,” nor did he “interview the witnesses or
    examine certain pieces of evidence.” 
    Jordan, 928 S.W.2d at 555
    -
    12
    556. Nevertheless, the Court held that, although the expert “did
    not testify as to every conceivable factor that might affect the
    reliability of eyewitness identification present,” his testimony “was
    sufficiently tied to the facts to meet the simple requirement that it
    be ‘helpful’ to the jury on the issue of eye witness reliability.”
    
    Jordan, 928 S.W.2d at 556
    .
    In Jordan, the Court explained that the question under Rule
    702, Tex.R.Evid., is “not whether there are some facts in the case
    that the expert failed to take into account, but whether the
    expert’s testimony took into account enough of the pertinent facts
    to be of assistance to the trier of fact on a fact in issue.” 
    Jordan, 928 S.W.2d at 556
    . Further, the Court noted that the expert’s
    failure to account for some facts “is a matter of weight and
    credibility, not admissibility.” 
    Jordan, 928 S.W.2d at 556
    .
    In essence, therefore, what the Jordan Court ruled was that,
    whether an expert is correct in his or her opinion is a fact question
    for the jury to decide. In this case, Dr. Bornemann specifically
    testified that he did have “specialized knowledge that’s scientific,
    13
    technical, or otherwise that will assist the jury in understanding
    evidence in this case and determine a fact in issue in this case”
    (RR Vol. 4, PP. 102-103).
    In this case, the trial court undertook questioning Dr.
    Bornemann - the final questions he would answer. The following
    occurred:
    (THE COURT): Without the window dressing, tell me what you are
    here to render a paid expert opinion for?
    (Dr. Bornemann): Right. I’m here to review and support that
    Mr. Garcia’s behavior was without motivation, intent, and
    purposefulness because his behavior is consistent with
    parasomnia.
    RR Vol. 4, P. 110. More specifically, as he had previous testified,
    as part of his engagement in this case, Dr. Bornemann had
    rendered a “formal medical opinion related to this case,” and that
    opinion “indeed supports a sleep disorder, parasomnia with sexual
    attributes” (RR Vol. 4, P. 87).
    Under the rationale of Jordan, whether he was correct or not
    was a question for the jury.      Consequently, his opinion, that
    Appellant’s behavior was consistent with parasomnia (RR Vol. 4,
    P. 110), was relevant to the jury’s inquiry, because it tended to
    14
    make “the existence of any fact of consequence to the
    determination of the action more probable or less probable than
    it would be without the evidence.” Rule 401, Tex.R.Evid. The trial
    court erred by refusing to permit Dr. Bornemann’s testimony to be
    heard by the jury, and the Court of Appeals erred by failing to so
    find.
    B
    The Evidence was Necessary to Counter the State’s Arguments
    Appellant further asserts that even otherwise inadmissible
    evidence becomes admissible when it is necessary to counter the
    theory or argument of the opponent. See, for example, the ample
    amount of case law providing that evidence of extraneous bad
    acts, which is otherwise rendered inadmissible by Rule 404(b),
    Tex.R.Evid., becomes admissible when it is necessary to counter
    an opponent’s theory.
    The Court has often said that evidence of a person's bad
    character may be admissible when it is relevant to a non-character
    conformity fact of consequence in the case, such as rebutting a
    15
    defensive theory. Cargill v. State, AP-76,189 (Tex.Cr.App.
    November 19, 2014)(not designated for publication), citing Powell
    v. State, 
    63 S.W.3d 435
    , 438 (Tex.Cr.App. 2001). It has also held
    that even the defense’s opening statement may open the door to
    admission of extraneous-offense evidence to rebut a defensive
    theory raised in that opening statement. Mata v. State, 03-12-
    00476-CR (Tex.App. - Austin, June 24, 2014)(not designated for
    publication), citing Bass v. State, 
    270 S.W.3d 557
    , 563
    (Tex.Cr.App. 2008). Moreover, the concept of “opening the door”
    applies to both the State and the defense. See, e.g., Renteria v.
    State, 
    206 S.W.3d 689
    , 697 (Tex.Cr.App. 2006); Walters v. State,
    
    247 S.W.3d 204
    , 220 (Tex.Cr.App. 2007).
    Both Powell and Bass provide that an opening statement can
    open the door to the admission of otherwise inadmissible evidence.
    That is important, because, in this case, as he concluded his
    opening statement, counsel for the State told the jury:
    What the State anticipates the evidence is going to show is
    this fantastic tale from the defendant about night terrors,
    sleepwalking, and out-of-body experiences and wet dreams and
    this perfect storm of how all these complex acts of undressing
    yourself, undressing another person, sexual intercourse and
    16
    ejaculation all occurred while the defendant was not conscious
    and that, therefore, he didn’t intend to do any of these
    things. I’ll submit to you at the end of this evidence that
    it’s a load of crap. Thank you very much.
    RR Vol. 3, P. 40.   Additionally, during its opening final argument,
    the State attacked Appellant’s claim that he was asleep at the time
    of the incident (RR Vol. 5, P. 21, L. 4-11; P. 23, L. 12-19). More
    importantly, in his closing final argument, counsel for the State
    emphasized the lack of “medical evidence” supporting the
    defensive theory:
    (Mr. McCabe): There has been no medical evidence. There has
    been no scientific evidence. There has been nothing for you to
    consider that he didn’t act consciously, that he didn’t do
    these things on purpose, that he had some sort of disorder or
    wasn’t in his right mind. This was an intentional, knowing,
    voluntary act.
    RR Vol. 5, P. 41, L. 9-14.
    Under the rationale of both Powell and Bass, the testimony
    offered by the defense regarding Dr. Bornemann’s opinion on
    Appellant’s behavior was admissible to rebut the argument made
    by the State in its opening statement, that the claim Appellant was
    asleep was a “load of crap.” This is further reinforced by the
    statements made by counsel for the State during both opening and
    closing final argument, also attacking Appellant’s defense.
    17
    The trial court erred by refusing to permit Dr. Bornemann's
    testimony to be heard by the jury, and the Court of Appeals erred
    by failing to so find.
    Conclusion - First Ground for Review
    Appellant proved, by clear and convincing evidence, that Dr.
    Bornemann’s testimony would assist the jury in determining
    whether Appellant acted while sleeping or not. The trial court
    erred by excluding his opinion testimony, and the Court of Appeals
    erred by affirming the trial court’s actions. Discretionary review
    should be granted.
    Ground for Review Number Two Restated
    The Court of Appeals Erred When it Resolved
    Appellant's Claim of Charge Error Without Reference
    to or Application of Almanza v. State.
    Facts Relevant to Second Ground for Review
    (Gleaned from the Opinion of the Court of Appeals)
    In his second point of error, below, Appellant argued the trial
    court erred by refusing to include the words “intentionally or
    knowingly” in the application paragraph of the indecency charge.
    18
    The charge given was as follows,2 and Appellant requested that the
    terms “intentionally or knowingly” be included where asterisks
    inside of brackets have been inserted:
    Now bearing in mind the foregoing instructions, if you believe from the
    evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, ALEJANDRO
    JOHN GARCIA, on or about December 24, 2010, in Williamson County,
    Texas, [***] engaged in sexual contact with a child younger than 17 years
    of age, namely, any touching by the defendant, including touching through
    clothing, of any part of the genitals of [KG], with intent to arouse or gratify
    the defendant’s sexual desire, then you will find the defendant guilty of the
    offense of Indecency with a Child by Contact, as alleged in Count Two of
    the indictment, and so say by your verdict.
    As he did in the trial court, Appellant asserts, that without the
    words “knowingly or intentionally” in the application paragraph,
    the jury was free to treat the case as a strict liability offense and
    convict Appellant even if they believe he did not act intentionally.
    Citing Vasquez v. State, 
    389 S.W.3d 361
    , 366 (Tex.Cr.App.
    2012), the Court of Appeals held that the jury charge must contain
    an accurate statement of the law and must set out all of the
    essential elements of the offense. It also held that, in examining
    the charge for possible error, it was required to “view the charge as
    a whole instead of as a series of isolated and unrelated
    2
    Copied verbatim from the Court of Appeals opinion. See Garcia, slip op. at 6.
    19
    statements.” Garcia, slip op. at 6. The Court of Appeals thereafter
    found the trial court did not abuse its discretion and overruled
    Appellant’s point of error. Garcia, slip op. at 7.
    Summary of the Argument
    Second Ground for Review
    By considering Appellant’s claim under only Vasquez, the
    Court of Appeals applied the wrong standard. Had it correctly
    applied the long standing and still valid Almanza test, it would
    have found that the trial court erred as claim by Appellant, and
    that Appellant suffered “some harm.”
    Argument & Authorities - Second Ground for Review
    In Vasquez, the defendant was charged with aggravated
    robbery. The evidence at trial showed that he and his two
    roommates hatched a scheme to steal money at gunpoint from a
    woman driving a taqueria truck. He was the designated getaway
    driver.
    The abstract section of the jury charge defined the law of
    parties, and the application paragraph stated that the jury should
    20
    find appellant guilty if he was “acting alone or as a party (as herein
    defined)” in committing aggravated robbery. The defense presented
    was that the defendant was merely present when his roommates
    committed the robbery.
    The jury convicted him and the Court of Appeals, relying on
    the Court's plurality opinion in Johnson v. State, 
    739 S.W.2d 299
    (Tex.Cr.App. 1987), found reversible error because the trial judge,
    over the defendant’s objection, declined to apply the law of parties
    more explicitly in the application paragraph. 
    Vasquez, 342 S.W.3d at 363
    .
    The Court granted the State's petition to decide whether
    objected-to error in the application paragraph is subject to the
    “usual harm analysis” set out in Almanza v. State, 
    686 S.W.2d 157
    , 171 (Tex.Cr.App. 1985), “or a per se finding of harm.”
    
    Vasquez, 342 S.W.3d at 363
    . The Court ultimately concluded
    that the “usual Almanza factors” applied.3
    3
    Although the Court found that “any error in the present application
    paragraph” was harmless, unrelated to the instant case, the Court overruled
    Johnson “to the extent that it suggests a per se finding of harm.” 
    Vasquez, 342 S.W.3d at 363
    .
    21
    Vasquez does not and cannot stand as the standard for
    addressing claims of jury charge error. The “usual Almanza
    factors” remain the proper way to address such claims. Thus,
    contrary to the Court of Appeals’ statement that it “must view the
    charge as a whole instead of as a series of isolated and unrelated
    statements,” the Court was, in fact, required to look not at the
    charge “as a whole,” but at the particular part of the charge
    identified by Appellant as being in error.     Had it done so, the
    Court of Appeals would have found, for the reasons set out in
    Appellant’s brief below, that the trial court erred by its actions.
    In this case, Appellant properly objected to the trial court’s
    failure to include the terms “intentionally or knowingly” in the
    court’s charge as requested. Thus, when it found jury charge
    error, as Appellant asserts it would have been required to do, the
    “usual Almanza factors” would require the Court of Appeals to
    determine whether Appellant suffered “some harm.” 
    Almanza, 686 S.W.2d at 171
    .    “Some harm” means any harm, regardless of
    22
    degree. See Arline v. State, 
    721 S.W.2d 348
    , 351 (Tex.Cr.App.
    1986).
    Taking the application paragraph which was actually given to
    the jury, then reading it as the common person would read it, one
    would believe that they were authorized to convicted Appellant if
    he “engaged in sexual contact with the complainant,” regardless
    of whether they believed he did so knowingly or intentionally.
    Indecency with a child is not a strict liability offense, yet the
    court’s charge, as given, authorized the jury to convict as if it were.
    Thus, Appellant did, in fact, suffer “some harm,” because the
    application paragraph given to the jury in this case authorized
    them to convict Appellant simply because he engaged in sexual
    contact, even if they believed he was unaware he was doing it and
    had no intention to do it.
    Conclusion - Second Ground for Review
    The trial court erred by refusing to include terms
    “intentionally or knowingly” in the court's charge as requested by
    Appellant’s trial counsel. The Court of Appeals erred by applying
    23
    what it perceived to be the Vasquez standard, rather the “usual
    Almanza factors” which the Court’s opinion in Vasquez
    mandates. Had it utilized the “usual Almanza factors,” the Court
    below would have found that the trial court erred in its charge to
    the jury, and that Appellant was harmed by that error.
    Discretionary review should be granted, and a new trial ordered.
    Prayer
    WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Alejandro John
    Garcia, Appellant in the above styled and numbered cause
    respectfully prays that the Court will grant Discretionary Review
    of the instant case, and upon submission of the case will vacate
    the judgments of the courts below, and remand this case for a new
    trial.
    Respectfully submitted,
    _______________________________ _______________________________
    John G. Jasuta                  David A. Schulman
    Attorney at Law                   Attorney at Law
    Post Office Box 783               Office Box 783
    Austin, Texas 78767-0783          Austin, Texas 78767-0783
    lawyer1@johngjasuta.com           zdrdavida@davidschulman.com
    Tel. 512-474-4747                 Tel. 512-474-4747
    Fax: 512-532-6282                 Fax: 512-532-6282
    State Bar No. 10592300            State Bar No. 17833400
    Attorneys for Alejandro John Garcia
    24
    Certificate of Compliance and Delivery
    This is to certify that: (1) this document, created using
    WordPerfect™ X7 software, contains 4,498 words, excluding those
    items permitted by Rule 9.4 (i)(1), Tex.R.App.Pro., and complies
    with Rules 9.4 (i)(2)(B) and 9.4 (i)(3), Tex.R.App.Pro.; and (2) on
    March 13, 2015, a true and correct copy of the above and
    foregoing “Petition for Discretionary Review” was transmitted via
    the eService function on the State’s eFiling portal, to John Prezas
    (jprezas@wilco.org), counsel for the State of Texas, and the Hon.
    Lisa McMinn (lisa.mcminn@spa.state.tx.us), State’s Prosecuting
    Attorney.
    ______________________________________
    David A. Schulman
    25
    Exhibit “A”
    Court of Appeals’ Opinion of December 11, 2014
    TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
    NO. 03-12-00781-CR
    Alejandro John Garcia, Appellant
    v.
    The State of Texas, Appellee
    FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, 368TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
    NO. 11-216-K368, HONORABLE BURT CARNES, JUDGE PRESIDING
    MEMORANDUM OPINION
    A jury found Alejandro John Garcia guilty of indecency with a child by contact and
    assessed a sentence of ten years in prison. Garcia contends that the trial court abused its discretion
    by excluding his expert’s testimony, that the trial court abused its discretion by refusing to include
    the words “intentional and knowing” in the application paragraph of the jury instruction, and
    that the evidence is insufficient to sustain the conviction for indecency by contact. We will affirm
    the judgment.
    BACKGROUND
    Garcia’s nine-year-old daughter went for an overnight visit to the apartment Garcia
    shared with his girlfriend and their four-year-old son. She watched a movie with her brother in her
    brother’s room while Garcia watched a movie in the living room with the girl’s uncle, smoking
    marijuana. Garcia’s girlfriend was at work that evening. Garcia’s daughter testified that she
    ordinarily slept on the couch during her visits and that, after the movies finished, Garcia fixed the
    couch as her bed that night. They watched some television and, at around 9:36 p.m., she fell asleep
    on the couch. She said that Garcia also fell asleep on the couch, which was unusual. She woke up
    later when Garcia touched her, unbuckled his belt, then did “something really gross.” She testified,
    “He pulled down my pants and stuck his middle part into my bottom. And then he put his hands on
    my front part.” She testified that he put his “middle part inside my butt.” She testified that after
    doing those things “he woke up, and he said, ‘Oh, my God.’ And then he started wiping my butt and
    pulled up my pants. And then he went and threw the paper towel away. . . . [H]e told me to take a
    shower, but I didn’t.” She said that Garcia said, “What the F?” and “Why did I do that?” to himself.
    She testified that he did not tell her to keep quiet, did not threaten her, did not try to bribe her, and
    did not blame her. She said that she knew Garcia was asleep when these events occurred “because
    he wouldn’t have done that if he was awake.”
    The girl’s grandparents came and picked her up later that night and delivered her to
    her mother, who then immediately took the child to the hospital for a checkup. Because of the nature
    of the actions reported to hospital personnel, Austin Police were notified.
    Austin police officer Gregory White testified that Garcia admitted that he touched his
    penis to his daughter’s anus, but Garcia claimed he did not penetrate her. White testified that
    Garcia “actually said that he wasn’t sleepwalking, but was just tired. He was trying to describe it.
    He was just tired. . . . He offered that he was drinking and smoking weed but didn’t offer any other
    explanation as to what would explain an altered mental state.” White said that Garcia reported being
    fatigued from having worked long hours. White also testified, “In this case he was offering the
    explanation that he [mistook] his daughter [] for his girlfriend [].”
    2
    The child’s mother testified that her daughter texted her upset, but would not speak
    to her when she picked her up later that night. The mother said that Garcia denied doing anything
    to their daughter. The child started shaking at the hospital and refused to allow a genital exam. The
    mother testified that she continues to take her daughter to counseling even though her daughter says
    she does not know why she has to go and the counselor thinks they have nothing further to discuss.
    The Department of Public Safety forensic examiner testified that tests of the child’s
    panties indicated the presence of semen in a stained area, though because no sperm were found the
    substance could have been something else. The examiner tested the stain for DNA, compared it to
    Garcia’s DNA, concluded that Garcia could not be excluded as a contributor, and stated that the
    probability of choosing another unrelated contributor was one in 436.6 million for Hispanic persons.
    Based on the State’s objection, the trial court excluded Garcia’s proposed witness,
    Dr. Michel Bornemann, a self-described “sleep physician.” Dr. Bornemann testified during a
    voir dire examination and a bill of exception. He would have testified to the jury about the
    possibility of Garcia acting sexually while essentially asleep. He said he reviewed a police report,
    reviewed the hospital’s report on the examination of the victim, listened to Garcia’s interview
    with Austin police, interviewed Garcia, and talked to Garcia’s girlfriend. Dr. Bornemann did not
    physically examine Garcia, nor did he test him for whether he was a sleepwalker. He testified that
    such tests can show whether someone sleepwalks during that test and whether the person has any
    underlying condition that could account for sleepwalking, but not whether a person might have
    sleepwalked on a particular previous occasion.
    The jury found Garcia not guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child, but found
    him guilty of indecency with a child by contact.
    3
    DISCUSSION
    Garcia challenges the trial court’s exclusion of Dr. Bornemann’s testimony, its jury
    instruction, and the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction.
    The court did not err by excluding the proffered expert testimony.
    Garcia contends that the trial court erred by sustaining the State’s objection to his
    expert, Dr. Bornemann. Garcia contends that the trial court wrongly excluded the testimony because
    it did not like the way in which Dr. Bornemann reached his conclusion.
    We review trial-court rulings on the admissibility of evidence under an abuse of
    discretion standard. Green v. State, 
    934 S.W.2d 92
    , 101-02 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). A trial court
    abuses its discretion when it acts without reference to any guiding principles, and we reverse the
    judgment when that abuse harms the defendant. Ex parte Ramey, 
    382 S.W.3d 396
    , 401 (Tex. Crim.
    App. 2012). A party proffering expert testimony must show that the scientific evidence is reliable
    through clear and convincing evidence showing the following: (1) the underlying scientific theory
    is valid, (2) the technique applying the theory is valid, and (3) the technique was properly applied
    on the occasion in question. Sexton v. State, 
    93 S.W.3d 96
    , 100 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002) (citing Kelly
    v. State, 
    824 S.W.2d 568
    , 572 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992)).
    When Garcia called Dr. Bornemann, the State requested and obtained a hearing
    concerning the underlying facts or data on which his opinion was based. See Tex. R. Evid. 705(b).
    Through Dr. Bornemann, Garcia sought to offer evidence that he was essentially sleepwalking when
    he touched his daughter and, therefore, that he lacked the requisite intent or voluntariness to commit
    the crime. At the close of the voir dire examination, the State objected to the testimony, arguing
    4
    that it was based on a novel and unreliable scientific theory that could mislead the jurors. The State
    contended that the theory lacked diagnostic criteria and support in the medical community
    and, furthermore, that Dr. Bornemann did not “appropriately diagnose this defendant as having
    any disorder.”
    We will focus on the third of the factors set out in Sexton. Dr. Bornemann stated that
    he did not examine Garcia physically, although they conversed by telephone, and he did not rely on
    any examination of Garcia regarding sleep disorders. Dr. Bornemann testified as follows:
    Clinically, in order to make a clinical diagnosis, you need longitudinal assessment
    of the individual to confirm that it is a recurrent problem that is of significant health
    or safety consequences to the individual and/or individuals that were with him. I
    can only guess what the situation would be with Mr. Garcia. But without having a
    longitudinal assessment as a physician and continuity of care, I can’t with confidence
    state that he has a specific disorder.
    Thus, despite his conclusions regarding Garcia’s actions, Dr. Bornemann essentially testified
    that diagnostic techniques are required to find a disorder and that he did not apply those techniques
    to Garcia. We cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion by excluding Dr. Bornemann’s
    testimony because Garcia failed to show by clear and convincing evidence that a valid technique for
    diagnosing parasomnia was properly applied to him. See 
    Sexton, 93 S.W.3d at 100
    .
    The jury instruction on indecency was not erroneous.
    Garcia contends that the trial court erred by refusing to include the words
    “intentionally or knowingly” in the application paragraph of the indecency charge. The charge given
    was as follows, and Garcia requested that the terms “intentionally or knowingly” be included where
    we have inserted asterisks inside of brackets:
    5
    Now bearing in mind the foregoing instructions, if you believe from the evidence
    beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, ALEJANDRO JOHN GARCIA, on
    or about December 24, 2010, in Williamson County, Texas, [***] engaged in sexual
    contact with a child younger than 17 years of age, namely, any touching by the
    defendant, including touching through clothing, of any part of the genitals of [KG],
    with intent to arouse or gratify the defendant’s sexual desire, then you will find the
    defendant guilty of the offense of Indecency with a Child by Contact, as alleged in
    Count Two of the indictment, and so say by your verdict.
    Garcia contends that, without the requested words, the charge improperly instructed the jury to
    convict him because he engaged in prohibited contact, even if he was unaware he was doing it and
    had no intention of doing it.
    The jury charge must contain an accurate statement of the law and must set out
    all of the essential elements of the offense. Vasquez v. State, 
    389 S.W.3d 361
    , 366 (Tex. Crim.
    App. 2012). In examining the charge for possible error, we must view the charge as a whole instead
    of as a series of isolated and unrelated statements. 
    Id. The applicable
    statute prohibits persons from engaging in sexual contact with a child.
    See Tex. Penal Code § 21.11(a). Sexual contact occurs when a person acting with the intent to
    arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person either touches certain parts of a child’s body or
    touches any part of a child’s body with certain parts of the toucher’s body. 
    Id. § 21.11(c).
    The
    statute does not include “knowing” as a culpable mental state for this offense, see 
    id., so the
    court’s
    exclusion of that word was proper. Contrary to Garcia’s argument, the charge given did not create
    a “strict liability” offense based merely on contact because it instructs that, to be guilty of the
    offense, the defendant must have committed the requisite touching intending to arouse or gratify
    someone’s sexual desire. Courts have held that including the words “intentionally or knowingly”
    as Garcia requested in an indecency charge would be error. See Bazanes v. State, 
    310 S.W.3d 6
    32, 36-37 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2010, pet. ref’d); Jones v. State, 
    229 S.W.3d 489
    , 492
    (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2007, no pet.). The trial court did not abuse its discretion by excluding the
    terms “intentionally or knowingly” where Garcia requested they be included because his requested
    instruction would not have accurately described the offense as defined by the language of the statute.
    The evidence was sufficient to support the finding of guilt.
    Garcia contends that the record lacks evidence to support the finding that he had the
    requisite intent when having sexual contact with his daughter. He contends that there is no evidence
    that he acted intentionally or knowingly. A conviction on the offense of indecency with a child
    requires a finding that the offender had sexual contact with the child intending to gratify the sexual
    desire of any person. See Tex. Penal Code § 21.11. While the offense of indecency by contact
    requires a finding that the offensive contact was committed with the specific intent to arouse or
    gratify someone’s sexual desire and a more basic finding that the contact was committed voluntarily,
    see 
    id. § 6.01(a),
    the offense does not require any other finding of knowledge or intent.
    When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a verdict, an appellate
    court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether any
    rational trier of fact could have found each essential element of the offense beyond a reasonable
    doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 
    443 U.S. 307
    , 320 (1979); Brooks v. State, 
    323 S.W.3d 893
    , 896
    (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). The reviewing court must defer to the jury’s determination of weight and
    credibility; the jury is the sole judge of the witnesses’ credibility and the weight to be given their
    testimony. 
    Brooks, 323 S.W.3d at 899
    . The fact finder is entitled to judge the credibility of
    the witnesses and can believe all, some, or none of the testimony presented. Chambers v. State,
    7
    
    805 S.W.2d 459
    , 461 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). When the record contains evidence supporting
    conflicting inferences, the appellate court must presume that the jury resolved any conflicts in favor
    of its verdict. Rabb v. State, 
    434 S.W.3d 613
    , 622 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014). Intent may be inferred
    from acts, words, and conduct of the accused. Hernandez v. State, 
    819 S.W.2d 806
    , 810 (Tex. Crim.
    App. 1991).
    Garcia does not dispute that he made the requisite contact with his daughter or that
    she was a child within the statutory definition, but contends that he did not act with the requisite
    intent or voluntariness. See Tex. Penal Code §§ 6.01(a) (voluntariness), 21.11(c) (sexual contact).
    He points to his daughter’s testimony that he was asleep when he touched his daughter and that
    he “woke up, and he said, ‘Oh, my God.’” He contrasts his behavior with that of other persons
    convicted of sexual crimes. He cites a case in which the Texarkana court of appeals reversed a
    conviction for aggravated sexual assault of a child based on the State’s failure to prove that an
    accused acted voluntarily when touching his daughter because the State provided no evidence that
    the defendant was awake or that a sleeping person could not engage in the offensive conduct.
    Whatley v. State, 
    415 S.W.3d 530
    , 548 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013), reversed, No. PD-1627-13,
    2014 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 1511 (Tex. Crim. App. Oct. 8, 2014).
    Since Garcia filed his supplemental brief based on the Texarkana court’s opinion,
    however, the court of criminal appeals has reversed that decision, reinstating the jury’s verdict of
    guilt. 2014 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 1511. Although the child in that case told investigators when
    she was eleven years old that Whatley was asleep during the event because his eyes were closed
    and he was snoring, she acknowledged during her testimony when she was eighteen that she had
    been unable to see Whatley’s face when they were in bed because he was behind her. 
    Id. at *14.
    8
    The court of criminal appeals found evidence from which the jury could have inferred that the child
    had mistaken Whatley’s closed eyes and heavy breathing for sleep. 
    Id. at *15.
    That court wrote that
    the jury could have concluded that the child reported that Whatley was asleep to reconcile her love
    for him with the abuse by asserting that he must have been unaware of his actions. 
    Id. at *14.
    Although the child had theorized that Whatley might have sleepily mistaken her for her mother,
    her mother testified that, in the five years she had shared a bed with Whatley, he only once reached
    for her in his sleep, and on that occasion he did not touch or penetrate her vagina.1 
    Id. at *14-15.
    As Garcia argued, the testimony in this case is somewhat similar to that in
    Whatley—a record that the court of criminal appeals has concluded supports the jury’s verdict
    and the implicit finding that Whatley’s actions were voluntary. See 
    id. at *16-17.
    There is some
    evidence on which the jury could have relied to find that Garcia’s actions were voluntary and
    committed with the requisite intent. The presumptive presence of semen on the child’s clothing is
    clear evidence that Garcia’s sexual desires were aroused and gratified by the contact. Although
    Garcia’s daughter testified that her father was asleep during this event, the jury was entitled to
    disregard this aspect of her testimony and apparently did so. The jurors were entitled to and must
    have chosen instead to credit Garcia’s statement to police that he was not sleepwalking when it
    occurred. They may have credited his statement that he believed he was touching his girlfriend as
    1
    This testimony conflicted with the mother’s report to police investigators that Whatley
    had several times initiated sexual contact while asleep and claimed not to remember doing so. See
    Whatley v. State, 
    415 S.W.3d 530
    , 546 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013), reversed, No. PD-1627-13,
    2014 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 1511 (Tex. Crim. App. Oct. 8, 2014). Although the court of criminal
    appeals did not reference this conflicting evidence in its opinion, it could have concluded that the
    jury was entitled to resolve the conflict in favor of the mother’s trial testimony.
    9
    showing that he was awake enough to recognize that he was contacting someone in a sexual
    manner—demonstrating that his actions were voluntary—but disbelieved his assertion that he
    thought he was touching his girlfriend. The standard of review does not permit us to reverse the
    conviction on this record.
    CONCLUSION
    Finding no reversible error presented, we affirm the conviction.
    Jeff Rose, Justice
    Before Justices Puryear, Rose, and Goodwin
    Affirmed
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Do Not Publish
    10