In Re: The Commitment of Williard Joel Robinson v. the State of Texas ( 2023 )

Affirm and Opinion Filed February 23, 2023
S In The
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
No. 05-21-00795-CV
IN RE: THE COMMITMENT OF WILLIARD JOEL ROBINSON
On Appeal from the Criminal District Court No. 6
Dallas County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. CV-2070008
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Justices Molberg, Partida-Kipness, and Carlyle
Opinion by Justice Partida-Kipness
Appellant Willard Joel Robinson appeals the trial court’s judgment civilly
committing him for treatment and supervision pursuant to the Texas Civil
Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators Act (SVP Act). See TEX. HEALTH &
SAFETY CODE § 841.003. In four issues, Robinson argues: (1) the evidence was
legally and factually insufficient to support a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that
he is a sexually violent predator; (2) the trial court abused its discretion by sustaining
the State’s collateral estoppel objection during Robinson’s testimony; and (3) it was
an abuse of discretion to inform the jury of the trial court’s directed verdict against
Robinson and the inclusion of the instruction caused him prejudice. We affirm.
SVP ACT COMMITMENT STANDARDS
In 1999, the Texas Legislature enacted the Civil Commitment of Sexually
Violent Predators Act to protect the public from a “small but extremely dangerous
group of sexually violent predators” who “have a behavioral abnormality that is not
amenable to traditional mental illness treatment modalities and that makes the
predators likely to engage in repeated predatory acts of sexual violence.” Id. §
841.001. The Act provides for the involuntary civil commitment, by means of
outpatient treatment and supervision, of a repeat sexual offender who is found to be
a sexually violent predator. Id. §§ 841.003(a), 841.081(a).
In a suit to commit a person as a sexually violent predator, the State must
prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is (i) a “repeat sexually violent
offender” and (ii) “suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes the person
likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence.” Id. § 841.003(a), 841.062(a).
A person is a repeat sexually violent offender if he has been convicted of more than
one sexually violent offense and a sentence was imposed for at least one of the
offenses. Id. § 841.003(b); see also id. § 841.002(8) (defining sexually violent
offense). A behavioral abnormality is a “congenital or acquired condition that, by
affecting a person’s emotional or volitional capacity, predisposes the person to
commit a sexually violent offense, to the extent that the person becomes a menace
to the health and safety of another person. Id. § 841.002(2). A “predatory act” is an
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“act directed towards individuals, including family members, for the primary
purpose of victimization.” Id. § 841.002(5).
BACKGROUND
In August of 2020, the State filed its petition to have Robinson deemed a
sexually violent predator and have him civilly committed for treatment and
supervision. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 841.003. The focus at trial was
Robinson’s sexual offenses and the doctor’s evaluation. At trial, the State called
Doctor Antoinette McGarrahan and Robinson to testify.
I. Robinson’s Sexual Offenses
The records showed Robinson’s first sexual offense occurred when he was
sixteen. The victim in the case was a thirteen-year-old girl. Robinson denied
engaging in the offense but during a deposition, admitted to engaging in “essentially
a gang rape of a thirteen-year-old female.” He claimed he committed the offense
because he feared the other gang members he was with and was trying to get
involved with the gang. Robinson was sentenced to eighteen months in a juvenile
facility for this offense.
The records showed Robinson’s next offense was in 1998, when he was
twenty-six and his victim was twelve. The victim was a family friend and he
penetrated her vagina with his finger. Robinson denied committing the offense and
stated the victim’s grandmother had propositioned him sexually, but when he turned
her down, she fabricated this offense. The victim in this case gave a statement to
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police in 2014 regarding what had occurred. Although Robinson denied committing
the offense, he was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced
to eight years’ imprisonment. See TEX. PENAL CODE § 22.021.
His third sexual offense occurred in 2014. The victim in that case was
Robinson’s six-year-old biological daughter. Robinson denied committing this
offense and stated his daughter’s mother was seeing a man who was sexually abusing
the victim. Robinson was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault in this case
and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. See id.
II. Doctor McGarrahan
Dr. McGarrahan is a psychologist that specializes in forensic psychology and
neuropsychology. The State hired her to conduct a risk assessment of Robinson and
“provide her opinions and conclusions” regarding if Robinson suffered from a
behavioral abnormality. Dr. McGarrahan explained she reviews records (including
criminal, medical, and disciplinary records), interviews the individual face-to-face,
talks with collateral individuals who might have relevant information about the
person evaluated, and then conducts a risk assessment to determine if the individual
is a psychopath or has psychopathic characteristics.
Dr. McGarrahan testified she interviewed Robinson by video conference for
three hours. Based on that interview and her review of the records, Dr. McGarrahan
concluded Robinson suffers from a “behavioral abnormality that makes him likely
to commit predatory acts of sexual violence.” She explained the two biggest risk
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factors she looked for were “sexual deviance and antisociality or psychopathy.” In
determining Robinson’s diagnosis, Dr. McGarrahan considered Robinson’s criminal
history, beginning with his juvenile criminal behavior. Dr. McGarrahan also
reviewed the three sexual offenses Robinson was convicted of and his denial or
excuses for involvement in them. She stated the sexual assault offenses are
considered to be violent offenses according to statute.
Dr. McGarrahan testified she diagnosed Robinson with pedophilic disorder
with attraction to females and explained it meant Robinson has “recurrent, intense
sexually arousing fantasies or behaviors involving prepubescent children.” Dr.
McGarrahan would consider Robinson “non-exclusive” because his sexual relations
included both adults and children. When asked if there was any evidence Robinson
still suffers from pedophilic disorder, Dr. McGarrahan explained her concern was
Robinson had “not been treated for this condition, he doesn’t believe he’s a sex
offender and doesn’t believe he needs treatment.” She stated that pedophilic disorder
is a “chronic condition” and had affected Robinson’s “emotional or volitional
capacity.” Dr. McGarrahan also felt Robinson would be a “menace to the health and
safety” of others.
She also diagnosed Robinson with “antisocial personality disorder with
significant characteristics of psychopathy” which is a “persistent and inflexible
pattern of behavior, maladapted behavior” that can be seen at home, work, or around
other people. Robinson’s criminal history was evidence of his personality disorder
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because he consistently violated the rights of others, “being irresponsible, impulsive
and not following the rules.”
Dr. McGarrahan also identified psychopathic traits in Robinson. She
explained antisocial personality combined with psychopathic characteristics is often
what is referred to as a “sociopath, it sort of takes the antisocial to a higher level.”
Dr. McGarrahan diagnosed Robinson as sexually deviant with an antisocial
personality disorder, which combined is what is considered to be “two of the highest
risk factors for engaging in sexual violence.”
Next, she testified to her conclusion that Robinson was likely to reoffend.
Robinson admitted to using drugs or alcohol at the time of the sexual offenses.
According to Dr. McGarrahan, using alcohol or drugs can cause one to be “more
impulsive . . . sort of lower those inhibitions.” Robinson had previously gone through
a substance abuse treatment program but indicated he used drugs or alcohol while
he was on probation or parole. In his deposition, Robinson stated it was hard for him
to know if he would use drugs or alcohol in the future if he was released. Dr.
McGarrahan believed use of drugs or alcohol would increase his risk to reoffend
sexually.
Robinson’s belief he was not a sex offender, did not need treatment for his
sexual offenses, and “he wasn’t sure what the future holds” when asked if he felt he
would reoffend, coupled with his pedophilic and anti-social personality disorders
caused Dr. McGarrahan to believe Robinson was at high risk to “engage in this
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behavior in the future.” She stated she believed Robinson had a “behavioral
abnormality that makes him likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence.”
II. Robinson
Robinson was the only other witness to testify at the hearing. He testified
regarding his criminal history, stating he had been on probation, mandatory
supervision/parole, state jail, and prison before. After going through his extensive
criminal history, the State questioned Robinson about his first sexual offense. He
stated he was attempting to join a gang “because I wasn’t getting the love at the
house.” He admitted to sexually assaulting a thirteen-year-old girl who was tutoring
him for school. Robinson explained that he only sexually assaulted the girl because
he “feared for my life because I know the guys that I’m hanging around with they
got guns.”
Robinson stated the victim of the second sexual assault he was convicted of
was his girlfriend’s sister. He testified he went over to his friend’s house because his
girlfriend was supposed to be there. Robinson admitted he had been drinking and
used marijuana that evening. He denied sexually assaulting the victim because the
grandmother was also present in the room. Robinson said the grandmother offered
him $200 to have sex with her so he left. He did not know if the grandmother
contacted the police in 1998.
The third sexual assault was against his daughter in 2014. Robinson denied
committing that offense. He stated he had smoked marijuana that day while he
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babysat the victim. Robinson said the victim told him her mother’s boyfriend was
touching her and it was the second time she had told him that was occurring. He
believes the victim lied to the police “because her mama told her” to do so.
Robinson admitted he had a problem with marijuana and alcohol and
completed programs to help him. He stated he used cocaine, marijuana, and drank
alcohol after completing the rehabilitation programs. Robinson testified he did not
believe he was a sex offender, needed sex offender treatment, or had any future risk
to commit a sex offense in the future.
On cross-examination, Robinson’s defense attorney started to ask him why he
pleaded guilty to two of his sex offenses. The State objected and asked to approach.
A bench conference was held but not transcribed for this appeal. Following the bench
conference, Robinson’s counsel proceeding questioning him but did not ask why he
pleaded guilty again. Robinson stated he did not have sexual attraction to little
children, did not plan on selling drugs anymore, and did not want to return to jail
following his release for these crimes.
III. Directed Verdict and Judgment
Once both sides rested, Robinson made a motion to strike Dr. McGarrahan’s
expert testimony from the record because it did not meet the “criteria of the Robinson
case or the analytical gap theory.” The State responded Robinson was “arguing a
credibility issue and that’s an issue that the jury can weigh.” The trial court denied
Robinson’s motion to strike.
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At the close of the evidence, the State then moved for a directed verdict on
the first issue, whether or not Robinson was a repeat sexually violent offender. The
trial court stated the record was clear that he has two convictions for sexually violent
offenses and granted the Motion for Directed Verdict. Robinson objected to the
inclusion of the directed verdict in the jury charge and the trial court overruled that
objection. The jury answered yes to the question that Robinson is a sexually violent
predator. This appeal followed.
ANALYSIS
Robinson brings four issues on appeal. We address each in turn.
I. Sufficiency of the Evidence
By his first and second issues, Robinson argues the evidence is legally and
factually insufficient to support his civil commitment.
A. Standard of Review
“A commitment proceeding under the SVP Act is the unusual civil case
incorporating the ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ burden of proof typically reserved for
criminal cases.” In re Commitment of Stoddard, 619 S.W.3d 665, 674 (Tex. 2020).
We use the criminal test for legal sufficiency. In re Commitment of Hill, 621 S.W.3d
336, 339 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2021, no pet.); see In re Commitment of Johnson, No.
05-17-01171-CV, 2019 WL 364475, at *2 (Tex. App.—Dallas Jan. 30, 2019, no
pet.) (mem. op.). We review the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict
to determine whether any rational factfinder could have found the required elements
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beyond a reasonable doubt. In re Hill, 621 S.W.3d at 339. It is the factfinder’s
responsibility to resolve conflicts in the testimony, weigh the evidence, and draw
reasonable inferences for basic to ultimate facts. Id.
The Texas Supreme Court clarified the standard of review for factual
sufficiency in civil cases where, as here, the burden of proof is beyond a reasonable
doubt. The court stated:
We hold that a properly conducted factual-sufficiency review in a SVP
case requires the court of appeals to determine whether, on the entire
record, a reasonable factfinder could find beyond a reasonable doubt
that the defendant is an SVP. In so doing, the appellate court may not
usurp the jury’s role of determining the credibility of witnesses and the
weight to be given their testimony, and the court must presume that the
factfinder resolved disputed evidence in favor of the finding if a
reasonable factfinder could do so. If the remaining evidence contrary to
the finding is so significant in light of the entire record that the
factfinder could not have determined beyond a reasonable doubt that its
finding was true, the evidence is factually insufficient to support the
verdict.
In re Stoddard, 619 S.W.3d at 668.
B. Legal Sufficiency
In his first issue, Robinson argues the testimony of Dr. McGarrahan was
unreliable and unsupported by the evidence. Opinion testimony that is wholly
conclusory or speculative amounts to no evidence “because it does not tend to make
the existence of a material fact ‘more probable or less probable.’” City of San
Antonio v. Pollock, 284 S.W.3d 809, 816 (Tex. 2009) (quoting Coastal Transp. Co.
v. Crown Cent. Petroleum Corp., 136 S.W.3d 227, 232 (Tex. 2004)). “Bare, baseless
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opinions will not support a judgment even if there is no objection to their admission
in evidence.” Id. “When a scientific opinion is admitted into evidence with objection,
it may be considered probative evidence even if the basis for the opinion is
unreliable.” Id. at 818. “But if no basis for the opinion is offered, or the basis offered
provides no support, the opinion is merely a conclusory statement and cannot be
considered probative evidence, regardless of whether there is no objection.” Id.
Dr. McGarrahan testified over the course of two days at Robinson’s trial.
When both sides stated they had no additional witnesses, Robinson then made a
motion to strike Dr. McGarrahan’s testimony arguing her opinion testimony was
unreliable and it did not meet the analytical gap test. The State argues Robinson’s
reliability objection was untimely. A timely objection must be made to preserve a
claim challenging the reliability of an expert’s testimony of appeal. In re
Commitment of Dodson, 434 S.W.3d 742, 750 (Tex. App..—Beaumont 2014, pet.
ref’d. When there is a reliability challenge to an expert’s opinion requiring the trial
court to evaluate the underlying methodology, there must be a timely objection made
so the trial court has the opportunity to conduct the analysis. In re Commitment of
Grunsfeld, No. 09-09-00279-CV, 2011 WL 662923, at *6 (Tex. App—Beaumont
Feb. 24, 2011, pet. denied). Here, because Robinson’s objection was untimely, the
trial court did not have the opportunity to evaluate the methodology used by Dr.
McGarrahan before her testimony was admitted. See id. By failing to timely object,
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Robinson waived appellate review of his complaint that Dr. McGarrahan’s opinions
were not reliable. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a).
Robinson also argues the “record does not support some of the conclusions
made by Dr. McGarrahan because they were based on unwarranted assumptions.”
Robinson can still raise this no-evidence claim for the first time on appeal. See
Pollock, 284 S.W.3d at 816.
To formulate her opinion on Robinson’s risk for reoffending, Dr. McGarrahan
testified that she reviewed extensive records, met with Robinson for three hours, and
evaluated the assessment of another doctor, Dr. Stephen Thorne. Dr. McGarrahan
stated she is a psychiatrist who had conducted over 200 of these types of evaluations
for both the State and defense, as well as the Texas Department of Criminal Justice,
at the time of the hearing. Dr. McGarrahan administered actuarial tests, and testified
these types of tests are generally accepted in her field. She explained the facts and
evidence she found relevant in evaluating her opinion and how those facts played a
role in the evaluations. Dr. McGarrahan relied on records typically relied on by
experts in her field and performed her evaluations according to her training. See In
re Commitment of Burnett, No. 09-09-00009-CV, 2009 WL 5205387, at *5 (Tex.
App.—Beaumont Dec. 31, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.).
We conclude the record was sufficient to support Dr. McGarrahan’s opinions.
See Pollock, 284 S.W.3d at 817. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to
the verdict, we hold that a rational jury could have found, beyond a reasonable doubt,
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that Robinson suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes him likely to engage
in a predatory act of sexual violent. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE §§
841.002(2), 841.003(a); In re Commitment of Almaguer, 117 S.W.3d 500, 506 (Tex.
App.—Beaumont 2003, pet. denied). The evidence was legally sufficient to support
the jury’s finding. We overrule Robinson’s first issue.
C. Factual Sufficiency
In his second issue, Robinson argues he did not fit the criteria for anti-social
personality disorder. According to Robinson, he was not “above-average risk” for
reoffending, he had no sexual disciplinary infractions during his time of
incarceration, and years elapsed between his sexual crimes. He believes these facts
show the determination he was likely to reoffend is not supported by the evidence.
We disagree. Although Robinson takes issue with some of the testimony of
Dr. McGarrahan, the whole of the evidence supports the jury’s finding. The facts
Robinson challenges does not dispute Dr. McGarrahan’s finding that Robinson has
a behavioral abnormality. Any differing interpretations of Dr. McGarrahan’s
opinions are issues of credibility for the jury to determine. See In re Stoddard, 619
S.W.3d at 668. As a factfinder, it was within the province of the jury to weigh the
evidence, judge the credibility of the witnesses’ testimony, and resolve any conflicts
in the evidence. See In re Commitment of Williams, 539 S.W.3d 429, 440–41 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017, no pet.); see also Stoddard, 619 S.W.3d at 668
(stating that, in conducting factual sufficiency review in a sexually violent predator
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case, we “may not usurp the jury’s role of determining the credibility of the witnesses
and weight to be given their testimony.”). The jury was free to believe all, part, or
none of a witness’s testimony. In re Commitment of Mullens, 92 S.W.3d 881, 887
(Tex. App.—Beaumont 2002, pet. denied). We may not substitute our judgment for
that of the jury. See Stoddard, 619 S.W.3d at 677. We presume the jury resolved any
disputed evidence in favor of its finding that Robinson is a sexually violent predator.
We overrule Robinson’s second issue.
II. Collateral Estoppel
In his third issue, Robinson claims the trial court erred by sustaining the
State’s collateral estoppel objection regarding portions of his testimony.
We review the evidentiary rulings of the trial court under an abuse-of-
discretion standard. In re Commitment of Dunsmore, 562 S.W.3d 732, 739 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018, pet. ref’d). A trial court abuses its discretion when
it acts arbitrarily, without regard to any guiding rules or principles. Id. If we find
there was an abuse of discretion, we will reverse only if we also find the trial court’s
error probably caused an improper judgment. Id. In making this determination, we
are required to review the entire record. Id. The role that excluded evidence plays in
the context of the trial is important. Thus, the exclusion of evidence “is likely
harmless if the evidence was cumulative, or the rest of the evidence was so one-sided
that the error likely made no difference in the judgment.” Id. But if erroneously
excluded evidence was crucial to a key issue, then the error is likely harmful. Id.–14–
Robinson argues he should have been allowed to testify regarding why he
pleaded guilty to the sexual assault offenses even though he denied committing
them. At trial, The State objected to defense counsel’s questions on that issue and
argued the questions violated the motion in limine and were barred by collateral
estoppel. Robinson argued the State opened the door to the questioning. The trial
court sustained the State’s objection.
Robinson cannot challenge the facts of his final criminal conviction in his civil
commitment proceeding. See In re Commitment of Coles, No. 02-21-00173-CV,
2022 WL 14996544, at *7 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth May 12, 2022, no pet.); In re
Commitment of Eeds, 254 S.W.3d 555, 557–58 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2008, no
pet.) (holding a defendant in sexually violent predator proceeding could not attack
accuracy of statement in criminal judgment that conviction was for indecency by
contact, where that judgment had not been reversed, corrected, or set aside).
Evidence of the facts or details underlying sexual assault offenses may be admissible
in civil commitment proceedings “when such evidence would assist the jury in
understanding an expert’s opinion testimony that a respondent suffers from a
behavioral abnormality.” In re Dunsmore, 562 S.W.3d at 739–40.
In Dunsmore, defense counsel made a bill of review regarding the testimony
they sought to admit. See id. at 739. In this case, the trial court was willing to allow
Robinson to present testimony in the form of an offer of proof, but Robinson
declined and presented no additional testimony regarding why he pleaded guilty to
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the sexual offenses. Because Robinson chose not to present evidence under a bill of
review, the trial court did not have additional information on which to base its ruling.
Based on the record before us, without knowing what proposed evidence Robinson
now wishes to have introduced, the objected-to testimony was properly excluded
and the trial court did not err by sustaining the State’s objection and limiting
Robinson’s cross-examination testimony. We overrule his third issue.
IV. Directed Verdict
The trial court granted the State’s directed verdict and ruled Robinson was a
repeat sexually violent offender. By his fourth issue, Robinson argues the trial court
abused its discretion by modifying the jury charge to inform the jury of the directed
verdict against him. The jury charge included the following instructions:
You are instructed that a person is a “Sexually Violent Predator” for the
purposes of Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code if the
person:
1. is a repeat sexually violent offender; and
2. suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes the person
likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence.
A person is a “repeat sexually violent offender” for the purposes of
Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code if the person is
convicted of more than one sexually violent offense and a sentence is
imposed for at least one of those offenses.
....
DIRECTED VERDICT GRANTED BY THE COURT
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The Court has granted a directed verdict that WILLARD JOEL
ROBINSON has been convicted of more than one sexually violent
offense and a sentence was imposed for at least one of those offenses.
Therefore, he is a “repeat sexually violent offender” under the law.
Robinson alleges, for the first time on appeal, the wording of the jury
instruction “may have confused the jury regarding what they were supposed to be
determining.” The State maintains Robinson did not make proper objections to the
jury charge, and any error was harmless due to the multiple instructions to the jury
regarding what they were required to determine. Specifically, the State argues the
instruction was harmless because the jury was told throughout the trial that the only
issue they would be deciding was if Robinson was a sexually violent predator and
the charge clearly set out the factors necessary for the jury to make that
determination: (1) is Robinson a repeat sexually violent offender and (2) does
Robinson have a behavioral abnormality.
We conclude the trial court committed no error by including the directed
verdict instruction in the charge. Although a defendant has an absolute right to a jury
trial in sexually violent predator commitment cases, when there is undisputed
evidence establishing a defendant has been convicted of more than one sexually
violent offense and a sentence was imposed for one of those convictions, a person’s
status as a sexually violent predator is a legal determination appropriate for a partial
directed verdict. In re Commitment of Perdue, 530 S.W.3d 750, 754 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth 2017, pet. denied) (holding the trial court did not err by granting directed
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verdict on repeat sexually violent offender element); In re Commitment of Shelton,
No. 02-19-00033-CV, 2020 WL 1887722, at *12 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth April 16,
2020, no pet.) (same). Here, the evidence was undisputed that Robinson had been
convicted of more than one sexually violent offense and a sentence was imposed for
one of those convictions. The trial court, therefore, did not err by granting the
directed verdict. Further, we conclude the trial court did not err by including the
instruction in the charge. We overrule Robinson’s fourth issue.
CONCLUSION
Based on this record, we find the evidence was legally and factually sufficient
to support Robinson’s civil commitment. Additionally, the trial court did not err by
sustaining the State’s collateral estoppel objection or by including information
regarding the directed verdict in the jury charge. We overrule Robinson’s issues and
affirm the judgment of the trial court.
/Robbie Partida-Kipness/
ROBBIE PARTIDA-KIPNESS
JUSTICE
210795F.P05
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S
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
JUDGMENT
IN RE: THE COMMITMENT OF On Appeal from the Criminal District
WILLIARD JOEL ROBINSON, Court No. 6, Dallas County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. CV-2070008.
No. 05-21-00795-CV Opinion delivered by Justice Partida-
Kipness. Justices Molberg and
Carlyle participating.
In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial
court is AFFIRMED.
Judgment entered this 23rd day of February 2023.
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