Joe Derek Carr v. State ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
03-14-00235-CR
4202543
THIRD COURT OF APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
2/18/2015 5:19:27 PM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
CLERK
No. 03-14-00235-CR
In the FILED IN
3rd COURT OF APPEALS
COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS
For the 2/18/2015 5:19:27 PM
THIRD SUPREME JUDICIAL DISTRICT JEFFREY D. KYLE
at Austin Clerk
______________________________________
On Appeal from the 147th Judicial District Court of
Travis County, Texas
Cause Number D-1-DC-11-902003
______________________________________
JOE DEREK CARR, Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
_____________________________________
APPELLANT’S BRIEF
_____________________________________
Counsel for Appellant KRISTEN JERNIGAN
Joe Derek Carr ATTORNEY AT LAW
STATE BAR NUMBER 90001898
207 S. AUSTIN AVE.
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78626
(512) 904-0123
(512) 931-3650 (FAX)
Kristen@txcrimapp.com
ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.1, a complete list of the
names of all interested parties is provided below so the members of this Honorable
Court may at once determine whether they are disqualified to serve or should
recuse themselves from participating in the decision of this case.
Appellant:
Joe Derek Carr
Counsel for Appellant:
John Carsey (at trial)
1100 Guadalupe
Austin, Texas 78701
Kristen Jernigan (on appeal)
207 S. Austin Ave.
Georgetown, Texas 78626
Counsel for Appellee, The State of Texas:
Rosemary Lehmberg
Travis County District Attorney
Amy Meredith
J.D. Castro
Assistant District Attorneys
509 W. 11th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
Trial Court Judge:
The Honorable Clifford Brown
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
STATEMENT OF THE CASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
STATEMENT OF FACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
ISSUES PRESENTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ARGUMENT & AUTHORITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1. The trial court abused its discretion in allowing hearsay testimony
regarding Appellant’s alleged bad character and specific instances of
that alleged conduct.
2. The evidence is insufficient to show Appellant committed the offense
of murder.
3. The trial court abused its discretion in excluding admissible and
proper impeachment evidence.
4. The trial court abused its discretion in allowing the admission of a
recorded phone call which was not properly authenticated.
5. The content of a recorded phone call between Appellant and his
mother, which was improperly admitted at trial, violated Appellant’s
right against self-incrimination.
iii
6. The trial court abused its discretion in denying Appellant’s Motion for
New Trial.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
CERTIFICATE OF WORD COUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
iv
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
CASES
Angel v. State, 627 S.W.2d 426 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Barber v. State, 989 S.W.2d 822 (Tex. App.--Fort Worth 1999). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7, 9, 27
Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14, 17
Buhl v. State, 960 S.W.2d 927 (Tex. App.--Waco 1998) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Garcia v. State, 201 S.W.3d 695, 702 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006),
cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 1289 (2007) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Hacker v. State, 389 S.W.3d 860 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Henderson v. State, 906 S.W.2d 589 (Tex. App.--El Paso 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Hooper v. State, 214 S.W.3d 9 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (1979) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 17
Johnson v. State, 611 S.W.2d 649 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Jones v. State, 711 S.W.2d 35 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27, 28
King v. State, 953 S.W.2d 266 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997) . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 14, 22, 25
Kotteakos v. United States, 328 U.S. 750 (1946) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 22, 25
Lewis v. State, 911 S.W.2d 1 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Losada v. State, 721 S.W.2d 305 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Malloy v. Hogan, 378 U.S. 1 (1964) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
v
Megan Winfrey v. State, 393 S.W.3d 763 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013) . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372
(Tex. Crim. App. 1990) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10, 13, 18, 21, 22, 24
Richard Winfrey v. State, 323 S.W.3d 875 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Richardson v. State, 860 S.W.2d 214 (Tex. App.--Fort Worth 1993) . . . . . . . . . . 12
Stobaugh v. State, 421 S.W.3d 787 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth, 2014) . . . . . . . .16, 17
Werner v. State, 711 S.W.2d 639 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
STATUTES AND RULES
TEX. CODE CRIM. PRO. Art. 38.08 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
TEX. CONST. Art. I, § 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
TEX. PENAL CODE § 19.02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
TEX. R. APP. 44.2(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 21, 25
TEX. R. EVID. 607 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20, 21
TEX. R. EVID. 608 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
TEX. R. EVID. 611(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
TEX. R. EVID. 802 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
TEX. R. EVID. 803(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13
TEX. R. EVID. 901 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23, 24
U.S. CONST. AMEND. V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
vi
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 39.1, Appellant requests oral
argument in this case.
vii
No. 03-14-00235-CR
In the
COURT OF APPEALS
For the
THIRD SUPREME JUDICIAL DISTRICT
at Austin
______________________________________
On Appeal from the 147th Judicial District Court of
Travis County, Texas
Cause Number D-1-DC-11-902003
______________________________________
JOE DEREK CARR, Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
_____________________________________
APPELLANT’S BRIEF
_____________________________________
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
On February 11, 2015, a jury found Appellant guilty of the offense of
murder as alleged in the indictment. (CR: 103). The Court assessed punishment
of sixty years in prison. (CR: 106). Appellant filed a Motion for New Trial on
March 12, 2014. (CR: 115). The Motion was denied by the trial court on April
10, 2014. (RR10: 24). Appellant timely filed Notice of Appeal the same date,
on April 10, 2014. (CR: 128). This appeal results.
1
STATEMENT OF FACTS
At trial, Chris Kashimba testified that he was the victim, Veronica Navarro’s
ex-boyfriend. (RR3: 88-90, 92, 96). On June 25, 2014, Navarro spent the night
at Kashmiba’s house and left the next morning. (RR3: 107). Kashimba told the
jury that on June 27, 2011, he saw Navarro again after she had attended a job
interview. (RR3: 101). According to Kashimba, during their meeting, Navarro
indicated that she wanted to break up with her boyfriend, Appellant, and return to
her relationship with Kashimba. (RR3: 102, 112). Kashimba did not hear from
Navarro again and so he assumed she had reconciled with Appellant. (RR3: 115).
Jeff Allbritton, a Travis County park police officer, told the jury that on July
6, 2011, he responded to a call of a possible deceased person at Lake Travis.
(RR3: 192). Allbritton was directed to an area on the lake and observed a body
wrapped in a tent. (RR3: 202). It appeared the body was anchored to
something, but he and other law enforcement officers removed it. (RR3: 205-06).
Renee Luna, a Travis County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Specialist,
stated that when Navarro’s body was pulled from the water, she observed that tied
to the tent wrapping her body was a cinder block and paint cans. (RR3: 233).
One of the paint cans had a sticker which indicated it was Olympia brand paint and
was purchased from a Lowe’s store in Hutto in July of 2010. (RR3: 236). On
2
cross-examination, Luna admitted that she collected seventeen pieces of evidence
at the crime scene, but did not test any of them. (RR3: 254). She agreed further
that she did not know whether any of those items contained DNA because they
were not tested. (RR3: 254). Luna was later re-called and stated that she and
other law enforcement officers searched Appellant’s home and found an empty tent
bag. (RR5: 41-43). Luna indicated that the tent bag and the tent found wrapped
around Navarro’s body had the same product number. (RR5: 43). On
cross-examination, Luna admitted that any tent of the same make and model would
have the same labeling. (RR5: 145).
Sylvia Leal, a detective with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, testified
that she participated in examining the crime scene, removing Navarro’s body, and
attending Navarro’s autopsy. (RR4: 135-41). At the time of the autopsy, Leal
did not know Navarro’s identity, but when she later learned Navarro was the
deceased, she notified her family. (RR4: 138). When she spoke with the family,
she learned Navarro had been dating Appellant, a Pedernales firefighter. (RR4:
140). Leal attempted to locate Appellant but was not able to, so she contacted the
United States Marshall’s Office. (RR4: 141). Leal was later re-called and stated
that she executed a search warrant on Appellant’s home, but did not follow usual
procedure because she learned Appellant was being held at the Canadian border.
3
(RR4: 223-24).
Dr. Satish Chundru, a deputy medical examiner at the Travis County
Medical Examiner’s Office, testified that he performed the autopsy on Navarro’s
body. (RR4: 158). The State offered Exhibits 54-59 and 61-63 which were
photographs of Navarro’s dead body. (RR4: 159). Chundru explained that he
could not determine the time of death. (RR4: 166). He estimated that Navarro’s
body had been in the water for a few days, but could not say exactly how long.
(RR4: 166). Chundru stated that there were no obvious signs of injury on
Navarro’s body and that he only came to the conclusion that Navarro died from a
lack of oxygen to the brain because there were no other indications to conclude
otherwise. (RR4: 187). Chundru could not determine how oxygen was
deprived. (RR4: 190-91). On cross-examination, Chundru acknowledged that if
someone was being deprived of oxygen, there would be signs of a struggle and
DNA underneath the victim’s fingernails. (RR4: 194). Chundru admitted that
his determination of Navarro’s cause of death was because of how the body was
found, not based on his examination. (RR4: 204). Chundru admitted further
that it is possible for an adult to succumb to Sudden Arrythmic Death Syndrome.
(RR4: 209-10). In fact, nearly 2,500 people in the United States die of the
syndrome every year. (RR4: 210-11). Chundru concluded his testimony by
4
agreeing that he had no physical evidence to support his finding of asphyxia as the
cause of Navarro’s death. (RR4: 216).
Heather Dragna, a forensic scientist in the DNA section at the Texas
Department of Public Saftey, testified that several items collected in this case were
tested but were negative for any probative evidence. (RR5: 91-94, 98). A glove
was tested and was positive for blood, but Navarro was excluded as a contributor
to the blood. (RR5: 96). The only other “positive” results for blood were from
Navarro’s SANE exam which showed she was the only contributor to the samples.
(RR5: 98). As for all of the other items tested, Dragna again confirmed that
“everything else was negative.” (RR5: 98).
Kenneth Crawford, a trash bag examiner with the Texas Department of
Public Safety, testified that there was no evidence that a trash bag collected from
inside the tent containing Navarro’s body and a trash bag found at Appellant’s
home were previously connected. (RR5: 153). Crawford could not say which
company manufactured either trash bag and could not associate one with the other.
(RR5: 155). On cross-examination, Crawford acknowledged that the two bags
could have come from separate boxes “anywhere in the world.” (RR5: 156).
Melissa Valadez, a trace evidence specialist with the Texas Department of
Public Safety, testified that she examined a sheet collected from Appellant’s house
5
and tape lifts from Appellant’s car but did not find any fibers consistent with fibers
from the rope or tent found with Navarro’s body. (RR5: 165-67). Valadez also
compared the fibers from the tent bag found at Appellant’s home with the tent
wrapped around Navarro’s body and determined that the fibers were inconsistent.
(RR5: 167). Valadez determined that the tent found with Navarro’s body did not
come from the tent bag found at Appellant’s house. (RR5: 167). Valadez ran
tests on a piece of drywall to compare the paint on it with the paint in the cans
found with Navarro’s body. (RR5: 187). While Valadez found the paint to be
similar, and that it could have come from Appellant’s home, she noted that it could
have also come from “any other source with similar characteristics.” (RR5: 187).
During Appellant’s case-in-chief, he recalled Detective Leal who stated that
it was her theory that in the days and weeks leading up to Navarro’s disappearance,
she was scared of Appellant and was planning on leaving him. (RR8: 26-27).
Leal was then shown several facebook posts from Navarro. (RR8: 28). One
post was dated June 19, 2011, in which Navarro posted about what a loving father
Appellant was and how much she loved him. (RR8: 28). Another post from the
same date indicated that Navarro hated to see Appellant leave for work. (RR8:
28). Also on the same date, Navarro updated her current city to Spicewood,
Texas, where she had just moved with Appellant. (RR8: 29). On June 22, 2011,
6
Navarro posted that she had just put Appellant’s son down for a nap so she had
time to plant her mini azaleas, which she loved. (RR8: 30). On June 26, 2011,
Navarro posted that Appellant was her fiancé. (RR8: 31).
At the hearing on Appellant’s Motion for New Trial, it was undisputed that
an investigating officer committed a Brady1 violation by failing to turn over
surveillance videotapes from a Walmart store which showed Appellant and
Navarro shopping together the day before she disappeared. (RR10: 10-18).
These tapes, admitted as Exhibits 339, 339(b), 339(c), and 341 refuted the theory
presented by the State that Navarro was frightened by Appellant and was planning
to leave him. (RR10: 18). Despite the arguments made by counsel that these
tapes would have affected the outcome of Appellant’s trial, the Court denied
Appellant’s Motion for New Trial. (RR10: 26).
1
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963).
7
ISSUES PRESENTED
1. The trial court abused its discretion in allowing hearsay testimony
regarding Appellant’s alleged bad character and specific instances of that
alleged conduct.
2. The evidence is insufficient to show Appellant committed the offense of
murder.
3. The trial court abused its discretion in excluding admissible and proper
impeachment evidence.
4. The trial court abused its discretion in allowing the admission of a
recorded phone call which was not properly authenticated.
5. The content of a recorded phone call between Appellant and his mother,
which was improperly admitted at trial, violated Appellant’s right against
self-incrimination.
6. The trial court abused its discretion in denying Appellant’s Motion for
New Trial.
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
Appellant’s first point of error should be sustained because the trial court
abused its discretion in allowing hearsay testimony regarding Appellant’s alleged
bad character and specific instances of that alleged conduct which only served to
inflame the jury. Appellant’s second point of error should be sustained because
the evidence is insufficient to show Appellant committed the offense of murder
where the State failed to prove a specific act that caused Navarro’s death or even
the cause of death itself. Appellant’s third point of error should be sustained
8
because the trial court abused its discretion in excluding admissible and proper
impeachment evidence which would have shown a crucial witness for the State,
Kashimba, was untruthful. Appellant’s fourth point of error should be sustained
because the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the admission of a recorded
phone call which was not properly authenticated. Appellant’s fifth point of error
should be sustained because the content of a recorded phone call between
Appellant and his mother, which was improperly admitted at trial, violated
Appellant’s right against self-incrimination. Appellant’s sixth point of error
should be sustained because the trial court abused its discretion in denying
Appellant’s Motion for New Trial where it was shown competent and material
evidence was withheld from Appellant in violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S.
83 (1963).
9
ARGUMENT & AUTHORITIES
I. The trial court abused its discretion in allowing hearsay
testimony regarding Appellant’s alleged bad character and
specific instances of that alleged conduct.
The trial court abused its discretion in allowing hearsay testimony of
Appellant’s alleged bad character in violation of Texas Rules of Evidence 403,
404(b), and 802. A trial court’s decision to admit or exclude evidence is
reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. Montgomery v. State, 810
S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). The test for abuse of discretion is not
whether, in the opinion of the reviewing court, the facts present an appropriate case
for the trial court’s action; but rather, whether the court acted without reference to
any guiding rules or principles. Id.
At trial, Manuela Navarro, Navarro’s cousin, told the jury that Navarro told
her Appellant “would never let her do anything and would never let her go
anywhere.” (RR3: 56).2 Chris Kashimba, Navarro’s ex-boyfriend, stated that
Navarro told him that she was afraid of Appellant and “didn’t like his attitude.”
(RR3: 93).3 Kashimba also stated that Navarro told him that Appellant would
2
Appellant preserved error by objecting and receiving a running objection to this testimony.
(RR3: 50).
3
Appellant preserved error by objecting and receiving a running objection to this testimony.
(RR3: 93).
10
“scream or throw things, throwed little fits, temper tantrums.” (RR3: 94). In
addition, Kashimba was allowed to testify that Navarro told him Appellant gave
her bruises, “drank a lot,” and became “more aggressive.” (RR3: 94-95).
Kashimba told the jury that Navarro told him that she planned to get a job and
break up with Appellant. (RR3: 102). When the prosecutor asked AnnaKaren
Perez, Navarro’s cousin, whether Navarro had expressed any concerns about her
relationship with Appellant, Appellant objected and the Court interjected, outside
the presence of the jury:
THE COURT: To this point I’ve allowed you to have some latitude with
the hearsay going to her state of mind and so forth, but
it’s not just a blanket allowance to just have a rambling
hearsay. I mean, you have to be very specific with your
questions as they relate to her state of mind and the
relationship. All right? (RR3: 154-55).
Perez was then allowed to testify, over Appellant’s objection, that Navarro
said her relationship with Appellant was not what she expected and that she had
concerns about moving in with Appellant. (RR3: 156).
Appellant anticipates that the State will argue, as it did at trial, that the
above, complained-of testimony is evidence regarding the relationship between
11
Appellant and Navarro and is admissible pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal
Procedure Article 38.36. Even if this is true, the Rules of Evidence still apply and
the evidence must fall under an exception to the hearsay rule. Garcia v. State,
201 S.W.3d 695, 702 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006), cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 1289 (2007).
Article 38.36 does not extend the rules of evidence to admit otherwise inadmissible
testimony. See Barber v. State, 989 S.W.2d 822, 834 (Tex. App.--Fort Worth
1999), citing Werner v. State, 711 S.W.2d 639, 644 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986);
Henderson v. State, 906 S.W.2d 589, 597 (Tex. App.--El Paso 1995); Richardson
v. State, 860 S.W.2d 214, 216 (Tex. App.--Fort Worth 1993); Buhl v. State, 960
S.W.2d 927, 932 (Tex. App.--Waco 1998).
Texas Rule of Evidence 802 instructs, “Hearsay is not admissible except as
provided by statute or these rules or by other rules prescribed pursuant to statutory
authority. Inadmissible hearsay admitted without objection shall not be denied
probative value merely because it is hearsay.” TEX. R. EVID. 802.
At trial, the State argued that all of the testimony above fell under Rule of
Evidence 803(3) as an exception to the hearsay rule. Texas Rule of Evidence
803(3) states, “A statement of the declarant’s then existing state of mind, emotion,
sensation, or physical condition (such as intent, plan, motive, design, mental
feeling, pain, or bodily health), but not including a statement of memory or belief
12
to prove the fact remembered or believed unless it relates to the execution,
revocation, identification, or terms of declarant’s will.” TEX. R. EVID. 803(3).
However, the testimony elicited at trial as described above did not reflect
Navarro’s then existing mental condition, but rather, reflected bad acts on
Appellant’s part such as drinking in excess, becoming aggressive, and throwing
temper tantrums. It also reflected Appellant’s alleged attempts to control Navarro
by telling her what to do and where she could go. Again, these are not reflections
of Navarro’s then existing mental condition, but rather, attempts by the State to
paint Appellant as an unlikeable and threatening person. As such, the trial court
erred in allowing this testimony into evidence. See Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at
391.
Appellant was harmed by the admission of this evidence because his
substantial rights, including his right to a fair trial, were affected by the trial court’s
ruling. TEX. R. APP. 44.2(b). “A substantial right is affected when the error had
a substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury’s verdict.”
King v. State, 953 S.W.2d 266, 271 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997), citing Kotteakos v.
United States, 328 U.S. 750, 776 (1946). This “evidence,” which was admitted in
violation of Texas Rule of Evidence 802, only served to inflame the jury and bias
the jurors against Appellant. In a case in which the manner of Navarro’s death
13
was never proven, or that Appellant committed an act which caused Navarro’s
death, as discussed below, this evidence surely influenced the jury’s verdict. See
King v. State, 953 S.W.2d at 271. Accordingly, Appellant’s first point of error
should be sustained.
II. The evidence is insufficient to show Appellant committed the
offense of murder.
Appellant’s second point of error should be sustained because the evidence
is insufficient to show Appellant committed the offense of murder. The Court of
Criminal Appeals has held that the legal sufficiency standard set out in Jackson v.
Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 320 (1979), is the standard that a reviewing court should
apply when determining the sufficiency of the evidence. Brooks v. State, 323
S.W.3d 893, 896 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). When reviewing the legal sufficiency
of the evidence, an appellate court views the evidence in the light most favorable to
the verdict and determines whether any rational trier of fact could have found the
essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson, 443 U.S. at
320; Brooks, 323 S.W.3d at 896.
In order to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, the State was required
to show that Appellant intentionally or knowingly caused Navarro’s death. TEX.
PENAL CODE § 19.02. However, in this case, Navarro’s cause of death was never
determined. The deputy medical examiner, Dr. Chundru stated that there were no
14
obvious signs of injury on Navarro’s body and that he only came to the conclusion
that Navarro died from a lack of oxygen to the brain because there were no other
indications to conclude otherwise. (RR4: 187). Chundru could not determine
how oxygen was deprived. (RR4: 190-91). On cross-examination, Chundru
acknowledged that if someone was being deprived of oxygen, there would be signs
of a struggle and DNA underneath the victim’s fingernails. (RR4: 194).
Chundru admitted that his determination of Navarro’s cause of death was because
of how the body was found, not based on his examination. (RR4: 204). In fact,
Chundru agreed that he had no physical evidence to support his finding of asphyxia
as the cause of Navarro’s death. (RR4: 216).
In addition, Dragna, testified that several items collected in this case were
tested but were negative for any probative evidence. (RR5: 91-94, 98).
Crawford testified that there was no evidence that a trash bag collected from inside
the tent containing Navarro’s body and a trash bag found at Appellant’s home were
previously connected. (RR5: 153). Valadez testified that she examined a sheet
collected from Appellant’s house and tape lifts from Appellant’s car but did not
find any fibers consistent with fibers from the rope or tent found with Navarro’s
body. (RR5: 165-67). Valadez also compared the fibers from the tent bag found
at Appellant’s home with the tent wrapped around Navarro’s body and determined
15
that the fibers were inconsistent. (RR5: 167). Valadez determined that the tent
found with Navarro’s body did not come from the tent bag found at Appellant’s
house. (RR5: 167). Valadez ran tests on a piece of drywall to compare the paint
on it with the paint in the cans found with Navarro’s body. (RR5: 187). While
Valadez found the paint to be similar, and that it could have come from
Appellant’s home, she noted that it could have also come from “any other source
with similar characteristics.” (RR5: 187).
It is well-settled that circumstantial evidence alone can be sufficient to
establish guilt. Hooper v. State, 214 S.W.3d 9, 13 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
“And while juries are permitted to draw multiple reasonable inferences, as long as
each inference is supported by the evidence presented at trial, juries are not
permitted to come to conclusions based on mere speculation or factually
unsupported inferences or presumptions.” Stobaugh v. State, 421 S.W.3d 787,
862 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth, 2014), citing Megan Winfrey v. State, 393 S.W.3d
763, 771 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). “If the evidence presented at trial raises ‘only a
suspicion of guilt, even a strong one, then that evidence is insufficient [to
convict].’” Id., citing Richard Winfrey v. State, 323 S.W.3d 875, 882 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2010).
16
In Stobaugh, the Second Court of Appeals found the evidence insufficient to
support the defendant’s conviction for murder where the State failed to prove a
specific act which caused the victim’s death. Id. at 864-65. Further, the Court
held that motive and opportunity alone are not enough to support a murder
conviction. Id. at 865.
Such is the case here. The only “evidence” presented by the State was
testimony from Kashimba that Navarro wanted to break up with Appellant and
therefore, he had a motive to kill her, and suspicions by law enforcement that
Appellant was connected to Navarro’s death. However, while it is true that
evidence of motive and opportunity helps link a defendant to wrongful conduct or
is supportive of other evidence of such conduct, without evidence that wrongful
conduct has occurred, there is nothing for motive and opportunity evidence to link
the defendant to. Hacker v. State, 389 S.W.3d 860, 871 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013).
In sum, there is absolutely no evidence that Appellant caused Navarro’s
death. Therefore, no rational trier of fact could have found Appellant guilty based
on the evidence presented in this case. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 320; Brooks, 323
S.W.3d at 896. Accordingly, Appellant’s second point of error should be
sustained.
17
III. The trial court abused its discretion in excluding admissible
and proper impeachment evidence.
Appellant’s third point of error should be sustained because the trial court
erred in excluding evidence which would have properly impeached Kashimba’s
credibility. Specifically, the trial court erred in excluding evidence that Kashimba
and Navarro fought often, in direct contrast to his affirmative representation on
direct examination. A trial court’s decision to admit or exclude evidence is
reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. Montgomery v. State, 810
S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). The test for abuse of discretion is not
whether, in the opinion of the reviewing court, the facts present an appropriate case
for the trial court’s action; but rather, whether the court acted without reference to
any guiding rules or principles. Id.
On direct examination, Kashimba testified as follows:
THE PROSECUTOR: Okay. When you guys were together, did you
have a fight?
KASHIMBA: No, ma’am. It might have been a discussion. I
mean, we never fought. We never threw things or
blew things out of portion. We were civilized
people and talked like human beings. (RR3: 96).
18
Outside the presence of the jury, and prior to commencing
cross-examination, Defense Counsel informed the Court that he wished to impeach
Kashimba, who previously testified that he and Navarro never fought, with three
incidents in which law enforcement was called as a result of domestic disturbances
between Kashimba and Navarro. Specifically, Counsel referenced the following:
DEFENSE COUNSEL: Your Honor, there are three Travis County
Sheriff’s Office case reports. One is dated
February 26th, 2010, in which two officers
responded to a report that there was a male chasing
a female down the street. That ended up to be
Chris Kashimba chasing Veronica Navarro down
the street. The investigation revealed that
Navarro had told Kashimba that she was breaking
off the relationship and that he became extremely
upset and chased her down the street. She got
away. There was no physical violence, but there
was this incident. There is another Travis County
report dated October 24th of 2008 in which a
deputy was dispatched to a family disturbance on
19
Kings Court. It ended up that it was again
Kashimba and Navarro, and he was told by
Navarro that she was living with Kashimba’s
family and that the two of them had gotten into an
argument and the police were called. And then
on September 22nd, 2008, there was a sheriff's
department report concerning a theft of a laptop
from Hyde Park Baptist Church. A deputy reports
that the employees were identified as Navarro and
Kashimba and then the deputy was present when
they were fired. This report says that it was learned
that Navarro and Kashimba had stolen a laptop
from the church after a report had been filed with
the Austin Police Department. And those three
items, based on his testimony, I believe I should be
able to inquire about. (RR3: 120-21).
The trial court denied Counsel’s request. (RR3: 123).
Texas Rule of Evidence 607 allows for the impeachment of a witness.
TEX. R. EVID. 607. It instructs: “The credibility of a witness may be attacked by
20
any party, including the party calling the witness.” TEX. R. EVID. 607.
Likewise, Texas Rule of Evidence 611(b) provides: “a witness may be
cross-examined on any matter relevant to any issue in the case, including
credibility.” TEX. R. EVID. 611(b). Texas Rule of Evidence 608 governs the
admissibility of impeachment evidence and forbids the use of specific instances of
conduct to impeach a witness’s credibility except to “expose bias or interest, rebut
affirmative representations made on direct examination, or to demonstrate a lack of
capacity.” TEX. R. EVID. 608; Lagrone v. State, 942 S.W.2d 602, 613 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1997).
The evidence of the fights between Kashimba and Navarro, which were
serious enough for law enforcement to be called, was admissible to impeach
Kashimba’s credibility, and specifically, his affirmative representations made on
direct examination that he and Navarro “never fought.” TEX. R. EVID. 608;
Lagrone, 942 S.W.2d at 613. As such, the trial court abused its discretion in
excluding this evidence. Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 391.
Appellant was harmed by the exclusion of this evidence because his
substantial rights, including his right to a fair trial, were affected by the trial court’s
ruling. TEX. R. APP. 44.2(b). “A substantial right is affected when the error had
a substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury’s verdict.”
21
King v. State, 953 S.W.2d 266, 271 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997), citing Kotteakos v.
United States, 328 U.S. 750, 776 (1946). The only “evidence” presented at trial
was Kashimba’s testimony that Navarro was planning on leaving Appellant, thus
establishing a motive for killing her. Had the jury been made aware that
Kashimba was not, in fact, truthful, that fact would most certainly have affected
the jury’s verdict. See King v. State, 953 S.W.2d at 271. Accordingly,
Appellant’s third point of error should be sustained.
IV. The trial court abused its discretion in allowing the admission
of a recorded phone call which was not properly
authenticated.
Appellant’s fourth point of error should be sustained because the trial court
allowed the admission of a recorded phone call without proper authentication. A
trial court’s decision to admit or exclude evidence is reviewed under an abuse of
discretion standard. Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex. Crim. App.
1990). The test for abuse of discretion is not whether, in the opinion of the
reviewing court, the facts present an appropriate case for the trial court’s action;
but rather, whether the court acted without reference to any guiding rules or
principles. Id.
During the testimony of Chief Osvold, of the Pembina County Jail where
Appellant was held until Travis County authorities transported him to Texas, the
22
State offered a recorded phone call between Appellant and his mother. Appellant
challenged the authentication of that phone call and established the following:
DEFENSE COUNSEL: Chief Osvold, did you personally have anything to
do with this phone call at the time it was made?
OSVOLD: I had nothing to do with any of the phone calls at
the time they were made.
DEFENSE COUNSEL: So you did not -- at the time it was made, you did
not check to see if the system was operating
properly at the time, correct?
OSVOLD: No, correct.
DEFENSE COUNSEL: And you didn’t push the button that records the
call, correct?
OSVOLD: Correct.
DEFENSE COUNSEL: In fact, you didn’t even know the call was being
made when it was made, correct?
OSVOLD: Correct. (RR7: 82-84).
Appellant objected that the tape was not properly authenticated under Rule
of Evidence 901, that the contents of the tape were not relevant, and that the
admission of the tape violated Appellant’s right against self-incrimination. (RR7:
23
76-77, 85-86). The trial court overruled Appellant’s objections. (RR7: 77-78,
87). On the tape, Appellant’s mother asks Appellant whether or not he killed
Navarro and he remains silent. (RR7: 77).
Texas Rule of Evidence 901 requires authentication that a voice, whether
heard firsthand or through mechanical or electronic transmission or recording,
through opinion testimony, is the voice of the alleged speaker. TEX. R. EVID.
901(b)(5). Further, Rule 901 telephone conversations must be authenticated by
evidence that a call was made to the number assigned at the time by the telephone
company to a particular person or business, if: (a) in the case of a person,
circumstances, including self-identification, show the person answering to be the
one called; or (b) in the case of a business, the call was made to a place of business
and the conversation related to business reasonably transacted over the telephone.
TEX. R. EVID. 901(b)(6).
None of this evidence which was required to show authenticity, was
presented and therefore, authentication was not established. See TEX. R. EVID.
901. Therefore, the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the recorded
phone call into evidence. Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 391.
Appellant was harmed by the admission of this evidence because his
substantial rights, including his right to a fair trial, were affected by the trial court’s
24
ruling. TEX. R. APP. 44.2(b). “A substantial right is affected when the error had
a substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury’s verdict.”
King v. State, 953 S.W.2d 266, 271 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997), citing Kotteakos v.
United States, 328 U.S. 750, 776 (1946). During the recorded phone call,
Appellant’s mother asked Appellant if he killed Navarro and Appellant remained
silent. This was clearly inflammatory in two ways. First, it insinuates that
Appellant’s mother believed he was capable of murder. Second, it implies that
Appellant’s silence reflects his guilt. In a case such as this one, where there was
no evidence that Appellant committed an act which caused Navarro’s death, the
recorded phone call most certainly had an effect on the jury’s verdict. See King v.
State, 953 S.W.2d at 271. For the foregoing reasons, Appellant’s fourth point of
error should be sustained.
V. The content of a recorded phone call between Appellant and
his mother, which was improperly admitted at trial, violated
Appellant’s right against self-incrimination.
Appellant’s fifth point of error should be sustained because the contents of
the recorded phone call between Appellant and his mother, in which Appellant’s
mother asks Appellant if he killed Navarro, violated his right to remain silent.
The Fifth Amendment provides that “no person … shall be compelled in any
criminal case to be a witness against himself.” U.S. CONST. AMEND. V. This
25
right was made applicable to the states by the Due Process Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment. Malloy v. Hogan, 378 U.S. 1 (1964). Texas
Constitution article I, § 10, provides that “in all criminal prosecutions the accused
shall … not be compelled to give evidence against himself.” TEX. CONST. Art. I,
§ 10. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.08 provides, “…the failure of
any defendant to so testify shall not be taken as a circumstance against him, nor
shall the same be alluded to or commented on by counsel in the cause.” TEX.
CODE CRIM. PRO. Art. 38.08. If the complained-of remark called the jury’s
attention to the absence of evidence that only the testimony from the appellant
could supply, the conviction must be reversed. See Losada v. State, 721 S.W.2d
305, 313 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986); Angel v. State, 627 S.W.2d 424, 426 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1982); Johnson v. State, 611 S.W.2d 649, 650 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981).
In this case, the question from Appellant’s mother as to whether Appellant
killed Navarro clearly invaded his right to remain silent. Additionally, the answer
to Appellant’s mother’s question was information only Appellant could supply,
and therefore, should never have been put before the jury. See Losada, 721
S.W.2d at 313; Angel, 627 S.W.2d at 426; Johnson, 611 S.W.2d at 650.
Accordingly, Appellant’s fifth point of error should be sustained and his conviction
reversed. See Id.
26
VI. The trial court abused its discretion in denying Appellant’s
Motion for New Trial.
Appellant’s sixth point of error should be sustained because the trial court
abused its discretion in denying Appellant’s Motion for New Trial. A trial court’s
ruling on a Motion for New Trial is reviewed under an abuse of discretion
standard. Lewis v. State, 911 S.W.2d 1, 7 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995).
To be entitled to a new trial, appellant must show there is, in fact, new
evidence, both competent and material to the case, the existence of which was
unknown to appellant at the time of trial. See Jones v. State, 711 S.W.2d 35, 38
(Tex. Crim. App. 1986). Second, appellant must show his failure to discover such
evidence before trial, or to utilize the evidence, once discovered, at the time of
trial, was not a result of any lack of diligence on his part. Id.
At the hearing on Appellant’s Motion for New Trial, it was undisputed that
an investigating officer committed a Brady4 violation by failing to turn over
surveillance videotapes from a Walmart store which showed Appellant and
Navarro shopping together the day before she disappeared. (RR10: 10-18).
These tapes, admitted as Exhibits 339, 339(b), 339(c), and 341 refuted the theory
presented by the State that Navarro was frightened by Appellant and was planning
to leave him. (RR10: 18). Despite the arguments made by counsel that these
4
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963).
27
tapes would have affected the outcome of Appellant’s trial, the Court denied
Appellant’s Motion for New Trial. (RR10: 26).
Here, Appellant is able to show new evidence, in the form of surveillance
videotapes which contradict the State’s theory of their case, which is both
competent and material to the case, the existence of which was unknown to
appellant at the time of trial. See Jones, 711 S.W.2d 35, 38 (Tex. Crim. App.
1986). He is also able to show that his failure to discover this evidence before
trial was not a result of any lack of diligence on his part because it is undisputed
that a Brady violation occurred which deprived Appellant of this evidence. Id.
Because Appellant has met the standard for receiving a new trial, the trial court
abused its discretion in denying Appellant’s Motion for New Trial. Id.
Therefore, Appellant’s sixth point of error should be sustained.
28
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellant respectfully prays
that this Court reverse the judgment and sentence in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
_____”/s/” Kristen Jernigan_______
KRISTEN JERNIGAN
State Bar Number 90001898
207 S. Austin Ave.
Georgetown, Texas 78626
(512) 904-0123
(512) 931-3650 (fax)
Kristen@txcrimapp.com
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that a true and correct copy of the
foregoing Appellant’s Brief has been mailed to the Travis County District
Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 1748, Austin, Texas 7867, on February 19, 2015.
________”/s/” Kristen Jernigan__________
Kristen Jernigan
29
CERTIFICATE OF WORD COUNT
The undersigned hereby certifies that the foregoing document consists of
5,812 words in compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4.
________”/s/” Kristen Jernigan__________
Kristen Jernigan
30