Thomas Navarro v. State ( 2011 )

IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-11-00051-CR
THOMAS NAVARRO,
Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
Appellee
From the 272nd District Court
Brazos County, Texas
Trial Court No. 10-00452-CRF-272
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant, Thomas Navarro, was charged by indictment with assault causing
bodily injury to a family member, a third-degree felony.1 See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. §
22.01(a), (b)(2) (West 2011). A jury convicted Navarro of the charged offense, and the
trial court subsequently found the enhancement paragraph contained in the indictment
to be true and assessed punishment at fourteen years’ incarceration in the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice—Institutional Division. In three issues, Navarro argues
1 The indictment also included an enhancement paragraph pertaining to Navarro’s prior
conviction for felony burglary of a habitation. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 30.02(a) (West 2011).
that: (1) the trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion to suppress
statements made to the arresting officer; (2) the trial court erroneously overruled his
objection to the State’s jury argument, which allegedly struck at him over the shoulders
of defense counsel; and (3) his sentence was improperly enhanced. We affirm.
I. MOTION TO SUPPRESS
In his first issue, Navarro argues that the trial court abused its discretion in
denying his motion to suppress statements he made to the arresting officer. Navarro
asserts that the statements he made were the product of an unwarned custodial
interrogation and, thus, should have been suppressed. We disagree.
A. Standard of Review
A trial court’s denial of a motion to suppress is reviewed for an abuse of
discretion. Guzman v. State, 955 S.W.2d 85, 89 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). We review the
evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling, see Gutierrez v. State, 221
S.W.3d 680, 687 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007), and we review the trial court’s ruling under a
bifurcated standard of review, giving almost total deference to the trial court’s rulings
on (1) questions of historical fact, even if the trial court’s determination of those facts
was not based on the evaluation of credibility and demeanor, and (2) application-of-the-
law-to-fact questions that turn on the evaluation of credibility and demeanor. Amador v.
State, 221 S.W.3d 666, 673 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). However, when application-of-the-
law-to-the-fact questions do not turn on credibility and demeanor of the witnesses, we
review the trial court’s ruling on those questions de novo. Id. Furthermore, we review
the record to determine whether the trial court’s ruling is supported by the record and
Navarro v. State Page 2
correct under some theory of law applicable to the case. Armendariz v. State, 123 S.W.3d
401, 404 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003).
B. Applicable Law
Oral confessions of guilt or oral admissions against interest made by a suspect
who is in custody are not admissible unless made in compliance with the provisions of
article 38.22 of the code of criminal procedure. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art.
38.22 (West 2005); Shiflet v. State, 732 S.W.2d 622, 623 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985); see also
Narramore v. State, No. 06-05-00226-CR, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS 2104, at *11 (Tex. App.—
Texarkana Mar. 20, 2007, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication).
However, if a person makes an oral confession of guilt or an oral admission against
interest while not in custody, a different rule applies. See Shiflet, 732 S.W.2d at 623; see
also Narramore, 2007 Tex. App. LEIXS 2104, at *11. Article 38.22, section 5 provides that:
“Nothing in this article precludes the admission of a statement made by the
accused . . . that does not stem from custodial interrogation . . . .” TEX. CODE CRIM.
PROC. ANN. art. 38.22, § 5. Thus, an oral confession or an oral admission against interest
that does not stem from custodial interrogation, and is given freely, voluntarily, and
without compulsion or persuasion, is admissible evidence against the accused. See
Shiflet, 732 S.W.2d 623; see also Narramore, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS 2104, at *11. And,
Miranda warnings are required only when the questioning by police stems from
custodial interrogation. See Dowthitt v. State, 931 S.W.2d 244, 263 (Tex. Crim. App.
1996). The crux of this issue is whether Navarro was in custody and was, thus, required
Navarro v. State Page 3
to be provided Miranda warnings when he made oral statements against his interest to
the arresting officer.
Custodial interrogation is “questioning initiated by law enforcement officers
after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his freedom of
action in any significant way.” Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 444, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 1612,
16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966). A person is in “custody” only if, under the circumstances, a
reasonable person would believe that his freedom of movement was restrained to the
degree that he was not at liberty to leave. See Dowthitt, 931 S.W.2d at 254 (citing
Stansbury v. California, 511 U.S. 318, 323-25, 114 S. Ct. 1526, 1529-30, 128 L. Ed. 2d 293
(1994)); see also Herrera v. State, 241 S.W.3d 520, 526 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). The
determination of “custody” must be made on an ad hoc basis, after considering all of
the objective circumstances. Herrera, 241 S.W.3d at 526.2
At least four general situations may constitute “custody”: (1) the suspect is
physically deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way; (2) a law
enforcement officer tells the suspect that he cannot leave; (3) law enforcement officers
create a situation that would lead a reasonable person to believe that his freedom of
movement has been significantly restricted; and (4) there is probable cause to arrest and
law enforcement officers do not tell the suspect that he is free to leave. Gardner v. State,
306 S.W.3d 274, 294 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). In all four circumstances, the initial
determination of “custody” depends on the objective circumstances of the interrogation,
2In Herrera, the court concluded that the construction of “custody” with respect to article 38.22 is
consistent with the meaning of “custody” for purposes of Miranda. Herrera v. State, 241 S.W.3d 520, 526
(Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
Navarro v. State Page 4
not on the subjective views of the interrogating officer or the person being questioned.
Dowthitt, 931 S.W.2d at 255. In any event, in the first three circumstances, the restriction
upon freedom of movement must amount to the degree associated with an arrest as
opposed to an investigative detention. Id. With regard to the fourth circumstance, the
officers’ knowledge of probable cause must “be manifested to the suspect” to constitute
“custody.” Id.
Furthermore, in determining whether an encounter amounts to an arrest or an
investigative detention, the court of criminal appeals has listed the following factors to
consider: (1) the amount of force displayed; (2) the duration of a detention; (3) the
efficiency of the investigative process and whether it is conducted at the original
location or whether the person is transported to another location; (4) “the officer’s
expressed intent—that is, whether he told the detained person that he was under arrest
or was being detained only for a temporary investigation”; and (5) any other relevant
factors. State v. Sheppard, 271 S.W.3d 281, 291 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).
The subjective intent of law enforcement officers to arrest is irrelevant, unless
that intent in somehow communicated or otherwise manifested to the suspect.
Stansbury, 511 U.S. at 323-25, 114 S. Ct. at 1529-30; Herrera, 241 S.W.3d at 525-26. An
initial consensual encounter with police can be transformed into a custodial detention
where the police procedures become qualitatively and quantitatively so intrusive with
respect to a person’s freedom of movement. See Kaupp v. Texas, 538 U.S. 626, 630, 123 S.
Ct. 1843, 1847, 155 L. Ed. 2d 814 (2003).
Navarro v. State Page 5
A trial judge’s ultimate “custody” determination “presents a mixed question of
law and fact.” Herrera, 241 S.W.3d at 526 (citing Thompson v. Keohane, 516 U.S. 112-13,
116 S. Ct. 457, 465-66, 133 L. Ed. 2d 383 (1995)). Therefore, we afford almost total
deference to a trial judge’s “custody” determination when the questions of historical
fact turn on credibility and demeanor; otherwise, we review the trial judge’s “custody”
determination de novo. Id. Furthermore, when a trial judge denies a motion to
suppress and does not enter findings of fact, as is the case here, the evidence is viewed
“in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling,” and we “assume that the trial
court made implicit findings of fact that support its ruling as long as those findings are
supported by the record.” Id.
Further, we interpret Navarro’s rights under article I, section 9 of the Texas
Constitution consistently with the interpretation of his Fourth Amendment rights under
the federal constitution by the United States Supreme Court and the Texas Court of
Criminal Appeals. Sargent v. State, 56 S.W.3d 720, 724 n.2 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 2001, pet. ref’d). As such, the standard for investigative stops is the same under
the Texas Constitution as under the United States Constitution. See Rhodes v. State, 945
S.W.2d 115, 117 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).
C. Discussion
At the suppression hearing, Bryan Police Department Officer William Dunford
testified that he was dispatched to the duplex in which Navarro and others lived due to
a 911 call. Once he arrived at the residence, Officer Dunford got out of his vehicle and
walked towards the duplex. He heard yelling coming from inside the duplex. When
Navarro v. State Page 6
Officer Dunford and his partner, Officer Torres, knocked on the door, they were greeted
by Michele Reeves. When she opened the door, Officer Dunford noticed that Reeves
was “holding her face, and it looked like she had like a rug burn on her right side of the
face whenever she moved her hand.” Officer Dunford recalled that the injury to
Reeves’s face appeared to be painful. Reeves allowed the officers to enter the house,
and she told them that she had “gotten into an argument with Mr. Navarro about
paying rent and that he pushed her, shoved her to the ground causing her to hit her
face. She said he bit her hand.” After taking Reeves’s statement, Officer Dunford went
to the back of the house to speak with Navarro. Officer Dunford remembered that
several other individuals were in the house, including Natalie Nobles, who was trying
to repair a window at that time.
Once Officer Dunford reached the back room, he observed Navarro “lying on [a]
mattress on the floor holding a beer.” Officer Dunford asked Nobles to leave the room,
and he began speaking with Navarro. Officer Dunford acknowledged that he did not
read Navarro his Miranda rights at this time, but he noted that Navarro was not under
arrest but was simply “[u]nder a temporary detention pending the investigation.”3
Navarro’s hands and arms were bleeding, but he declined any medical attention.
Navarro explained that he got the lacerations on his hands and arms by punching a
window after having an argument. Navarro told Officer Dunford that everything was
“okay” and asked him to leave. Officer Dunford testified that he developed probable
3 At no point was Navarro physically restrained until Officer Dunford arrested him after
developing probable cause.
Navarro v. State Page 7
cause to arrest Navarro when Navarro stated that: (1) Reeves had bit and hit herself in
order to get him in trouble; and (2) he “felt guilty for doing something.” Officer
Dunford admitted that Navarro was temporarily deprived of his freedom of movement
pending the investigation of the incident, though he noted that he had several prior
encounters with Navarro which always “ended with [Navarro] leaving.”4
In any event, before Officer Dunford arrested Navarro, he asked Nobles to enter
the room and tell him about what had happened. However, before she told her side of
the story, Navarro interrupted and instructed her to “tell [Officer Dunford] nothing
happened.” Nevertheless, Nobles told Officer Dunford that “she could hear arguing
and that she heard what sound[ed] like wrestling, something getting physical.” Officer
Dunford then asked Nobles to leave the room so he could clarify Navarro’s story
“because his story wasn’t matching up with the evidence I had on scene.” At this point,
Navarro stated that Reeves bit and hit herself to get him in trouble. According to
Officer Dunford, the temporary detention lasted approximately ten to fifteen minutes.
After arresting Navarro, Officer Dunford did not ask him any more questions.
Officer Dunford concluded that family violence had occurred based on “[t]he broken
window, the injuries to Mrs. Reeves, the testimony from Mrs. Reeves, testimony from
Mrs. Nobles, then Mr. Navarro’s conflicting story.” Officer Dunford also discovered
that Reeves and Navarro were dating and lived together in the duplex. Based on his
4 Officer Dunford recalled several instances in which the police got involved in disputes between
Navarro and his ex-wife; this information factored into his decision as to whether violence would
continue.
Navarro v. State Page 8
investigation, Officer Dunford believed that, had he not arrested Navarro and removed
him from the duplex, the violence would have continued.
Based on our review of the record, we cannot say that Navarro’s statements to
Officer Dunford were the product of custodial interrogation, which required Officer
Dunford to administer Miranda warnings prior to questioning Navarro. Our conclusion
is premised on the following facts: (1) Navarro was lying on the bed holding a beer
while Officer Dunford asked questions; (2) Officer Dunford never told Navarro that he
was under arrest, nor did he indicate that Navarro was under arrest when the
questioning commenced; (3) the encounter lasted only fifteen minutes and the questions
were in furtherance of a temporary investigation to determine whether Navarro had in
fact assaulted Reeves; (4) the record does not reflect that Officer Dunford used force or
handcuffs when questioning Navarro; (5) Navarro rejected Officer Dunford’s offer of
medical treatment for the lacerations on his hands and arms, which also undermines an
argument that Navarro’s freedom of movement was significantly restricted; and (6)
Officer Dunford conducted his investigation at the location where he first encountered
Navarro. See Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 22, 88 S. Ct. 1868, 1880, 20 L. Ed. 2d 889 (1968); see
also Sheppard, 271 S.W.3d at 289 (noting that while a person is not free to leave during a
temporary detention, the detention allows for an officer to investigate whether a crime
had been committed and does not constitute a custodial arrest). Viewing the evidence
in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling, we conclude that Navarro’s
statements were the product of a temporary detention, not a custodial interrogation.
Navarro v. State Page 9
See Gardner, 306 S.W.3d at 294; Sheppard, 271 S.W.3d at 291; Dowthitt, 931 S.W.2d at 255.
Thus, Miranda warnings were not required. See Dowthitt, 931 S.W.2d at 263.
Nevertheless, Navarro insists that he should have been provided Miranda
warnings prior to questioning because Reeves’s initial statement alone gave Officer
Dunford probable cause to arrest Navarro. Officer Dunford testified that he did not
have probable cause to arrest Navarro after only speaking with Reeves. See Rhodes, 945
S.W.2d at 117 (“The officer’s testimony is a factor to be considered, along with the other
facts and circumstances of the detention, in determining whether an arrest has taken
place.”). Moreover, even if Officer Dunford believed he had probable cause to arrest
Navarro prior to the time he actually did arrest, the record does not reflect that this was
ever manifested to Navarro. See Gardner, 306 S.W.3d at 294; Dowthitt, 931 S.W.2d at 255;
see also Abernathy v. State, 963 S.W.2d 822, 824 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998, pet. ref’d)
(stating that a police officer’s subjective view does not bear upon the question of
whether a suspect is in custody for purposes of Miranda if the subjective view is not
disclosed by the officer to the suspect). Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the
trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Navarro’s motion to suppress. See
Guzman, 955 S.W.2d at 89. Accordingly, Navarro’s first issue is overruled.
II. THE STATE’S JURY ARGUMENT
In his second issue, Navarro complains about the State’s closing argument. In
particular, Navarro alleges that the State’s closing argument “impugn[ed] the integrity
and veracity of defense counsel” by arguing that counsel “was simply relying on
technicalities to defend his client and seek an acquittal.” The State counters that
Navarro v. State Page 10
Navarro waived this issue by failing to pursue an objection to an adverse ruling. In the
alternative, the State contends that the complained-of statements were “proper rebuttal
argument” and that error, if any, was harmless.
A. Applicable Law
The court of criminal appeals has consistently held that arguments that strike at a
defendant over the shoulder of his defense counsel are improper. Dinkins v. State, 894
S.W.2d 330, 357 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995). A prosecutor risks improperly striking at a
defendant over the shoulder of counsel when the argument refers to defense counsel
personally and when the argument explicitly impugns defense counsel’s character.
Mosley v. State, 983 S.W.2d 249, 259 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988) (op. on reh’g); Guy v. State,
160 S.W.3d 606, 617 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2005, pet. ref’d). The “over-the-shoulder”
rule is designed to protect the defendant from improper prosecutorial character attacks
at defense counsel. Coble v. State, 871 S.W.2d 192, 205 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). When
evaluating an alleged improper argument, an appellate court views the statement in the
context of the entire argument. Mosley, 983 S.W.2d at 259.
B. Discussion
On appeal, Navarro complains about the following statements made by the State:
[The State]: Ladies and gentlemen, in [defense counsel’s]
opening statement, he told you something I agree
with absolutely. He told you that in this case he
wanted you to focus on the essential elements and not
get bogged down in the details and not focus on the
details. Then what does [defense counsel] do? He
gets up and talks to you about technicalities because
that’s what the defense does when they have nothing
left.
Navarro v. State Page 11
[Defense counsel]: Your Honor, I’m going to object to counsel striking at
the defendant over defense counsel’s shoulders.
[The State]: Characterizing the evidence in the case.
THE COURT: Overrule the objection.
[The State]: The defense strikes out at technicalities when the
defense doesn’t have anything left.
About the issue of judicial notice, folks, I read
the definition . . . .
This case isn’t about technicalities. It’s not
about that. It’s about the evidence that’s been
presented to you on things that matter about this case.
Based on our review of the record, we conclude that Navarro waived his
objection to the prosecutor’s closing argument. Texas law requires a party to continue
to object each time inadmissible evidence is offered, except when defense counsel
requests a running objection or objects out of the presence of the jury to all testimony he
deems objectionable on a given subject. Ethington v. State, 819 S.W.2d 854, 858-59 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1991). Moreover, an error in the admission of evidence is cured when the
same evidence comes in elsewhere without objection. Id.; see also Massey v. State, 933
S.W.2d 141, 149 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996); Hudson v. State, 675 S.W.2d 507, 511 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1984). And when a defendant creates the impression that he is abandoning his
objection, his initial objection is insufficient to preserve error for appeal. See Purtell v.
State, 761 S.W.2d 360, 366 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988).
While it is true that Navarro objected to the first statement the prosecutor made
regarding technicalities, he did not object to the prosecutor’s subsequent references to
Navarro v. State Page 12
technicalities, nor did he obtain a running objection to such remarks. As such, we
conclude that Navarro abandoned his objection to the prosecutor’s technicality remarks
and thus failed to preserve any resulting error for appeal.5 See Threadgill v. State, 146
S.W.3d 654, 667 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004) (holding that defendant waived objection to
prosecutor’s conduct in striking at defendant over the shoulders of his counsel during
closing argument by failing to object); Mathis v. State, 67 S.W.3d 918, 926-27 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2002) (concluding that defendant waived his argument that the prosecutor
committed reversible error when he referred to defendant in closing argument as a
“despicable piece of human trash” because defendant failed to object and request a
mistrial); Purtell, 761 S.W.2d at 366; see also Valentine v. State, No. 01-06-00522-CR, 2007
Tex. App. LEXIS 8730, at **12-13 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 1, 2007, no pet.)
(mem. op., not designated for publication) (“By failing to make a timely objection to the
State’s closing argument, Valentine waived any alleged error.”). Accordingly, we
overrule Navarro’s second issue.
III. ENHANCEMENT OF NAVARRO’S SENTENCE
In his third issue, Navarro asserts that the enhancement paragraph contained in
the indictment was never read at punishment and, thus, no plea was taken. As such,
Navarro, relying heavily on Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 36.01, argues that
no issue was joined and enhancement from a third-degree felony to a second-degree
5 Furthermore, to preserve error in cases of prosecutorial misconduct, the defendant must: (1)
make a timely and specific objection; (2) request an instruction that the jury disregard the matter
improperly placed before the jury; and (3) move for a mistrial. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a); Cockrell v. State, 933
S.W.2d 73, 89 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Here, in addition to his failure to object to each time the prosecutor
referred to technicalities, Navarro failed to request a jury instruction and move for a mistrial. See TEX. R.
APP. P. 33.1(a); see also Cockrell, 933 S.W.2d at 89.
Navarro v. State Page 13
felony is impermissible. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 36.01 (West 2007). The
State contends that this issue is waived because Navarro did not object when the trial
court failed to read the enhancement paragraph at the start of the punishment hearing.
In the alternative, the State argues that, because Navarro entered into a stipulation of
the evidence, there is sufficient evidence in the record to support the trial court’s
finding of true to the enhancement paragraph.
Article 36.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure specifies the order of
proceeding for a jury trial. Id. “When prior convictions are alleged for purposes of
enhancement only and are not jurisdictional, that portion of the indictment or
information reciting such convictions shall not be read until the hearing on punishment
is held . . . .” Id. art. 36.01(a)(1). The reading of the enhancement paragraphs at the
penalty stage of a bifurcated trial and the entry of the defendant’s responsive plea are
mandatory. Turner v. State, 897 S.W.2d 786, 788 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995). Without these
steps, no issue is joined between the State and the defendant, and neither the jury nor
the defendant is informed of the precise terms of the charge. See Hernandez v. State, 190
S.W.3d 856, 867 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2006, no pet.); Linton v. State, 15 S.W.3d 615,
620 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, pet. ref’d). “After the enhancement and plea
are read to the jury, the State is required to introduce evidence in support of the
enhancements.” Hernandez, 190 S.W.3d at 867.
Furthermore, the court of criminal appeals has held that not reading the
enhancement paragraphs and having the defendant plead to them could mislead a
defendant into believing the State has abandoned the enhancement paragraphs. Turner,
Navarro v. State Page 14
897 S.W.2d at 789. However, “[i]f the enhancements are in the indictment and the State
does not abandon them, the defendant is on notice that the State is still seeking a greater
penalty range.” Marshall v. State, 185 S.W.3d 899, 903 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).
The record indicates that the trial court conducted the punishment hearing; thus,
Navarro’s reliance on article 36.01, which is confined to jury proceedings, is misplaced.
See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 36.01; see also Davis v. State, 970 S.W.2d 747, 749
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, no pet.). And perhaps more importantly, the
record does not reflect that Navarro objected to the trial court’s failure to read the
enhancement paragraph at the start of the punishment hearing. In Davis, the
Fourteenth Court of Appeals stated the following:
At the trial court level, Davis failed to object to the trial court’s
failure to read the indictment and enhancement paragraphs before the
punishment hearing. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has stated that
an appellant may not raise this question for the first time on appeal. See
Reed v. State, 500 S.W.2d 497, 499 (Tex. Crim. App. 1973); see also Hardman
v. State, 614 S.W.2d 123, 125-26 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1981) (citing
Reed for the proposition that the appellant may not complain for the first
time on appeal about the court’s failure to read the indictment in a bench
trial). In Reed, the trial judge proceeded with the punishment stage of trial
after the jury returned a guilty verdict but before the court read that
portion of the indictment alleging a prior conviction for enhancement
punishment. See Reed, 500 S.W.2d at 498. The defense counsel failed to
object to the trial court’s omission. See 500 S.W.2d at 498-99. On appeal,
the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stated, “had there been an objection,
the problem could have been easily remedied by reintroducing the
evidence, if any had been offered after the enhancement allegations of the
indictment had been read, and the appellant’s plea thereto entered.” Id. at
499.
970 S.W.2d at 749. The Davis court also noted:
Additionally, in reaching our decision, we cannot help but point out the
purpose of reading all of the indictment, including the enhancement
Navarro v. State Page 15
paragraphs, to the jury: that is to join the issue in the juror’s minds so that
they will know what issues they must decide. When the judge, and not
the jury, is making the decision on enhancement, we do not have to clarify
issues in the same way we would for a jury. For example, in this cause,
the entire indictment was read aloud to the court and to Davis at the
arraignment. In addition, the judge took Davis’ plea of true to the
enhancement paragraphs at the arraignment and then heard Davis’
stipulation to the truth of the enhancement paragraphs at the punishment
hearing.[6] Clearly, the issue was joined, the judge knew the contents of
the indictment, and knew about the enhancement paragraphs. It would
not serve any useful purpose to require the judge also to read the
enhancement paragraphs out loud to himself.
Id. at 749-50.
Because Navarro did not object to the trial court’s failure to read the
enhancement paragraph at the start of the punishment hearing, we conclude that this
issue is waived. See id. at 749. And, even if Navarro had preserved this issue, we fail to
see how the trial court’s failure to read the enhancement paragraph at the start of the
punishment hearing harmed him, especially considering the trial court conducted the
punishment hearing, Navarro stipulated to the evidence documenting his prior
convictions, and there is no evidence that the State intended to abandon the
enhancement paragraph. See id. at 749-50. Accordingly, we overrule Navarro’s third
issue.
IV. CONCLUSION
Having overruled all of Navarro’s issues on appeal, we affirm.
6 In this case, Navarro admitted at the punishment hearing that he had been convicted of sixteen
prior misdemeanor offenses and five felonies and that the corresponding judgments and sentences were
true and correct. With regard to Navarro’s burglary-of-a-habitation conviction, Navarro’s counsel did
not object to the admission of the corresponding judgment and sentence. Moreover, in his opening
statement at the punishment hearing, the prosecutor referenced Navarro’s burglary-of-a-habitation
conviction, indicating that the State did not intend to abandon the enhancement paragraph.
Navarro v. State Page 16
AL SCOGGINS
Justice
Before Chief Justice Gray,
Justice Davis, and
Justice Scoggins
(Chief Justice Gray concurs in the judgment without a separate opinion)
Affirmed
Opinion delivered and filed October 5, 2011
Do not publish
[CR25]
Navarro v. State Page 17