in the Interest of D.A.M., a Child ( 2009 )

IN THE

TENTH COURT OF APPEALS

 

No. 10-09-00075-CV

In the Interest of D.A.M., a Child

From the 18th District Court

Johnson County, Texas

Trial Court No. D200805086

MEMORANDUM  Opinion

            Following a bench trial, the trial court rendered judgment terminating the parental rights of D.A.M.’s mother and father.  Both timely perfected an appeal.  The mother contends in two points that: (1) the evidence is factually insufficient to support termination of her parental rights; and (2) her mental impairment is not a proper ground for termination.  The father presents two similar issues, contending: (1) the evidence is factually insufficient to support termination of his parental rights; and (2) his mental condition is not a proper ground for termination.  We will affirm.

            Because this case was instituted by the Department of Family and Protective Services, section 263.405 of the Family Code governs this appeal.  See In re S.T., 239 S.W.3d 452, 453 n.1 (Tex. App.—Waco 2007, order) (per curiam), disp. on merits, 263 S.W.3d 394 (Tex. App.—Waco 2008, pet. denied).  Section 263.405(i) provides:

            The appellate court may not consider any issue that was not specifically presented to the trial court in a timely filed statement of the points on which the party intends to appeal or in a statement combined with a motion for new trial.  For purposes of this subsection, a claim that a judicial decision is contrary to the evidence or that the evidence is factually or legally insufficient is not sufficiently specific to preserve an issue for appeal.

Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.405(i) (Vernon 2009).

            The Supreme Court recently held that an ineffective assistance of counsel complaint may be raised on appeal even if it was not included in a statement of points under section 263.405(i).  In re J.O.A., 283 S.W.3d 336, 339 (Tex. 2009).  The Court also held that this statute “is unconstitutional as applied when it precludes a parent from raising a meritorious complaint about the insufficiency of the evidence supporting the termination order.”  Id.

            This Court has construed J.O.A. to mean that we are authorized to consider issues not presented in a timely filed statement of points only if such issues “challenge the constitutionality of section 263.405(i) or complain that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a statement of points.”  In re Z.J.C., No. 10-09-00026-CV, 2009 WL 2179976, at *1 (Tex. App.—Waco July 22, 2009, no pet.); accord In re M.P., No. 04-08-00881-CV, 2009 WL 2413694, at *1 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Aug. 5, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.); Robinson v. Tex. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., No. 01-08-00479-CV, 2009 WL 1688179, at *2 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] May 18, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.); but see In re G.K., No. 09-08-00506-CV, 2009 WL 2616926, at *2-4 (Tex. App.—Beaumont Aug. 27, 2009, no pet. h.) (mem. op.) (reviewing record and finding no merit to appellants’ legal and factual insufficiency complaints even though those complaints were not presented in statement of points).

            Here, neither party filed a statement of points for appeal under section 263.405.  The father at best included such a statement in his motion for new trial, stating “There was insufficient evidence to terminate the parental rights of the Respondent.” This is not a sufficiently specific statement to preserve a complaint for appellate review.  See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.405(i); Lumpkin v. Dep’t of Family & Protective Servs., 260 S.W.3d 524, 527 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, no pet.); In re J.W.H., 222 S.W.3d 661, 662 (Tex. App.—Waco 2007, no pet.); In re A.H.L., 214 S.W.3d 45, 54 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2006, no pet.).

Because the mother did not file a statement of points and because the father did not file a sufficiently specific statement of points, they did not preserve the issues presented in their briefs for appellate review.  See J.W.H., 222 S.W.3d at 662; see also Z.J.C., 2009 WL 2179976, at *1.  Thus, we overrule the issues presented and affirm the judgment.

FELIPE REYNA

Justice

Before Chief Justice Gray,

Justice Reyna, and

Justice Davis

(Chief Justice Gray concurring with note)*

Affirmed

Opinion delivered and filed October 7, 2009

[CV06]

*           (Chief Justice Gray concurs in the judgment to the extent that it affirms the termination of parental rights in the trial court’s order.  A separate opinion will not issue.)

ver been convicted of a felony. The trial judge then granted the expunction of Stiles’ arrest record. The last hearing in the trial court occurred on August 6 when the parties discussed the terms of the order of expunction, which was signed by the trial judge on that date. At the request of the Ellis County District Attorney, the trial court also made findings of fact and conclusions of law.

II. Points of Error

      In its first point of error, the Ellis County District Attorney contends that the trial judge abused his discretion when he granted Stiles’ motion to reopen the record and receive additional testimony. Under the Rules of Civil Procedure, in a non-jury case a trial judge is permitted to receive additional evidence at any time “[w]hen it clearly appears to be necessary to the due administration of justice.” Tex. R. Civ. P. 270. The test for determining whether the trial judge abused his discretion in reopening the evidence is if the judge acted without reference to guiding rules or principles such that the action was arbitrary and unreasonable. Mercedes-Benz Credit Corp. v. Rhyne, 925 S.W.2d 664, 666 (Tex. 1996); Apresa v. Montfort Ins. Co., 932 S.W.2d 246, 249 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1996, no writ); Wilemon v. Wilemon, 930 S.W.2d 290, 294 (Tex. App.—Waco 1996, no writ). A judge’s discretion to reopen the evidence should be exercised liberally to allow both parties to fully present their case. Apresa, 932 S.W.2d at 249; McCarthy v. George, 623 S.W.2d 772, 776 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1981, writ ref’d n.r.e.).

      The Ellis County District Attorney argues that Stiles’ motion should not have been granted because Stiles was not diligent in seeking to present evidence that he had not been convicted of a felony in the five years before his arrest. The diligence of a party in presenting its evidence is one factor the trial judge may consider in deciding whether to exercise his discretion and reopen the evidence. See In re Marriage of Murphy, 561 S.W.2d 592, 593 (Tex. Civ. App.—Amarillo 1978, no writ); Smart v. Missouri-Kansas-Texas R.R. Co., 560 S.W.2d 216, 217-18 (Tex. Civ. App.—Tyler 1977, writ ref’d n.r.e.). But, in addition to looking at a party’s diligence, other factors that the trial judge may properly consider in deciding whether to reopen the evidence are: (1) whether the evidence to be introduced is decisive, (2) whether reopening the record will cause undue delay, and (3) whether granting the motion to reopen the evidence “will cause an injustice.” In re A.F., 895 S.W.2d 481, 484 (Tex. App.—Austin 1995, no writ); see Word of Faith World Outreach Ctr. Church v. Oechsner, 669 S.W.2d 364, 367 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1984, no writ).

      In the instant case the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in granting Stiles’ motion to reopen the evidence. The evidence Stiles introduced after the record was reopened was decisive on the issue of expunction, did not cause undue delay to present, and allowing the reopening caused no injustice. See id. While it is true that Stiles could have been called to testify as a witness during the April 24th expunction hearing, it did not cause undue delay in the proceedings to have another short hearing establishing that Stiles had not been convicted of a felony during the previous five years. Also, the evidence that Stiles had not been convicted of a felony was decisive on the issue of expunction because the trial judge’s letter to the parties indicates that this lack of evidence was the reason for his denying Stiles’ request for an expunction. Moreover, no injustice was caused by reopening the evidence and allowing Stiles to testify about his criminal record. Appellant’s first point is overruled.

      In its second point of error, the Ellis County District Attorney challenges two of the trial court’s findings of fact for legal sufficiency and four of the findings for factual sufficiency. A trial judge’s findings of fact may be reviewed for legal and factual sufficiency using the same standards which are employed to review a jury’s answers to questions in the charge. Westech Eng’g Inc. v. Clearwater Constructors Inc., 835 S.W.2d 190, 195 (Tex. App.—Austin 1992, no writ).

      Appellate courts review a legal sufficiency challenge by considering only the evidence and inferences supporting the trial judge’s findings, while disregarding contrary evidence. Continental Coffee Prods. Co. v. Cazarez, 937 S.W.2d 444, 450 (Tex. 1996); Niswanger v. State, 875 S.W.2d 796, 798 (Tex. App.—Waco 1994, no writ). A finding of fact will be upheld on appeal as legally sufficient if there is more than a scintilla of evidence supporting the finding. Id.

      In reviewing a factual sufficiency point, this court looks at all the evidence in the record to determine if the trial court’s finding was so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust. Ortiz v. Jones, 917 S.W.2d 770, 772 (Tex. 1996); Niswanger, 875 S.W.2d at 799. In Ortiz the Texas Supreme Court cautioned appellate courts not to substitute their judgment for that of the fact-finder by disregarding evidence supporting the trial court’s findings and choosing “to believe witnesses that the fact-finder below found unpersuasive.” Ortiz, 917 S.W.2d at 772.

The Trial Court’s Third Finding of Fact

      The Ellis County District Attorney claims that the third finding of fact made by the trial court is not supported by legally and factually sufficient evidence. This finding of fact is:

Following Petitioner’s arrest, the County Attorney discovered evidence previously unknown to the County Attorney or the indicting Grand Jury regarding the alleged victim’s promiscuity. The County Attorney further determined that evidence regarding the alleged victim’s psychiatric condition which was not presented to the indicting Grand Jury because of irrelevancy had become relevant to the case.

In order to determine whether this finding is supported by the evidence, we must review the relevant testimony of Mary Lou Shipley, who had been the district attorney for Ellis County when Stiles was indicted. Shipley testified that after the original grand jury returned an indictment charging Stiles with sexual assault and indecency with a child, she learned additional information about the complainant’s previous sexual conduct. Shipley stated that this information provided a defense for Stiles which would result in his acquittal, and it had not been presented to the first grand jury. Furthermore, Shipley testified that she was aware that the complainant had been receiving psychiatric care or was institutionalized, but she could not recall exactly when this information came to her knowledge, except she believed it was before the case was presented to the grand jury. Shipley also did not recall whether the psychiatric information was presented to the grand jury at the time of the original indictment, but she stated that it might not have been presented because she did not believe it was relevant information.

      It is undisputed that Shipley learned information, which had not been presented to the grand jury, about the alleged victim’s past sexual conduct which would have given Stiles a defense to the charges against him. However, the term “promiscuity” was never used during the expunction hearing, and the appellant claims there is insufficient evidence that the alleged victim engaged in promiscuous conduct. Prior to the 1993 amendments to the Penal Code, in both sexual assault and indecency with a child cases, the law provided a defense to these offenses if the alleged victim was over 14 and had indiscriminately engaged in various sexual activities. Connally v. State, 838 S.W.2d 646, 647 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1992, no writ); see Act of May 27, 1983, 68th Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 977, § 3, 1983 Tex. Gen. Laws 5311, 5314, repealed by, Act of May 29, 1993, 73rd Leg., R.S., ch. 900, § 1.01, 1993 Tex. Gen. Laws 3586, 3618 (sexual assault); Act of May 24, 1973, 63rd Leg., R.S., ch. 399, § 1, 1973 Tex. Gen. Laws 883, 918, repealed by, Act of May 29, 1993, 73rd Leg., R.S., ch. 900, §1.01, 1993 Tex. Gen. Laws 3586, 3616 (indecency with a child). The record does not detail what type of sexual activities the complainant engaged in, but if Stiles proved at trial that these acts reached the level of “promiscuity” this would be a defense to both charged offenses. We find that Shipley’s statements provide legally and factually sufficient evidence to allow the trial judge to reasonably infer that “promiscuity” was the defense referred to by Shipley which was created by the alleged victim’s past sexual conduct. The trial judge could easily determine that evidence about the victim’s past sexual behavior would not be relevant to the other defenses created by the Penal Code.

      Furthermore, we find there is legally and factually sufficient evidence supporting the trial court’s finding that information regarding the complainant’s psychiatric condition was not presented to the original grand jury because it was believed irrelevant, but it was later deemed relevant. Shipley testified that she could not recall exactly when she learned about the alleged victim’s psychiatric history but stated that this information may not have been presented to the original grand jury because she believed it was irrelevant. The trial judge, in weighing the credibility of the witness, could reasonably infer from Shipley’s statements that the original grand jury had not been told about the complainant’s psychiatric history because of Shipley’s belief that it was irrelevant. The record does not directly reflect that the district attorney later determined that this evidence was relevant, but this finding can reasonably be inferred from the evidence. Stiles’ ability to impeach the victim’s credibility at trial with information about her past mental health problems would have to be relevant information to be considered by the district attorney in deciding whether to dismiss the indictment or proceed to trial.

The Trial Court’s Fifth and Seventh Findings of Fact

      The Ellis County District Attorney contends that the trial court’s fifth and seventh findings of fact are not supported by factually sufficient evidence. These findings are:

5. The County Attorney opined that, with the additional evidence, the Petitioner would be acquitted of the charges.

. . . .

7. The County Attorney then moved to dismiss the February 21, 1990 indictment for “insufficient evidence” and because a trial would result in an acquittal. The Court dismissed the indictment on June 19, 1990.

From our review of Shipley’s testimony, it seems evident that the these findings are not contrary to the great weight and preponderance of the evidence. On direct examination Shipley was asked if she believed the new information obtained after the indictment would result in an acquittal of the original indictment, and she responded “Yes. Because of the defenses that it would allow.” Then in response to a follow-up question Shipley stated: “I did believe that the new information would result--or could result in an acquittal.” From these two statements the trial judge could easily conclude that Shipley believed the new information would result in Stiles’ acquittal. Furthermore, the record reflects that the trial court dismissed the February 21, 1990 indictment on June 19, 1990 for the stated reason that there was insufficient evidence to proceed, as found in the seventh finding of fact.

The Trial Court’s Sixth Finding of Fact

      The Ellis County District Attorney attacks the trial court’s sixth finding on both legal and factual sufficiency grounds. The sixth finding held that:

The County Attorney then presented all evidence, including the additional evidence of the alleged victim’s promiscuity and psychiatric condition, to the Grand Jury on two subsequent occasions. Each time a “No Bill” was returned.

We hold that there is legally and factually sufficient evidence supporting this finding. Shipley stated that after the original indictment was returned she presented to the second grand jury “other information” in seeking an indictment on different charges, but the grand jury refused to indict. When Shipley went before the grand jury for a third time to seek an indictment on different charges, the grand jury again refused to indict.

      The Ellis County District Attorney disputes that there is sufficient evidence showing what “other information” was presented to both of these grand juries. We find that the trial judge could reasonably infer that evidence about the complainant’s past sexual conduct was presented to both subsequent grand juries. Shipley stated that she did not learn of this information until after the original indictment was returned and that the nature of this evidence caused her to return to the grand jury to seek a new indictment. She remembered that information about the complainant’s past sexual conduct was presented to the last grand jury, but never directly stated whether she remembered it being presented to the second grand jury. However, the trial judge could logically infer from the evidence that both grand juries would have been informed of this important, new information which motivated Shipley to seek a new indictment. Similarly, the trial judge could reasonably infer that the “other information” presented to the second and third grand juries included information about the complainant’s psychiatric history. Shipley did not recall exactly when this information became known to her or whether it had been presented to the first grand jury, but the trial judge obviously inferred from the relevant nature of this information that it was indeed part of the “other information” which had been presented to the second and third grand juries in attempting to secure a new indictment.

      Appellant’s second point is overruled because the trial court’s findings are supported by legally and factually sufficient evidence.

      The Ellis County District Attorney complains in its third point of error that the trial court erred in granting an expunction because the trial court’s first conclusion of law is incorrect as a matter of law. Conclusions of law are reviewed on appeal for correctness and will “not be reversed . . . unless erroneous as a matter of law.” Sammons v. Elder, 940 S.W.2d 276, 280 (Tex. App.—Waco 1997, writ filed); Koch Oil Co. v. Wilber, 895 S.W.2d 854, 862 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1995, writ denied). Conclusions of law cannot be attacked on grounds that there is insufficient evidence to support the conclusion. Arthur M. Deck & Assocs. v. Crispin, 888 S.W.2d 56, 60 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, writ denied); NCNB Texas Nat’l Bank v. Anderson, 812 S.W.2d 441, 446 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1991, no writ). If there is sufficient evidence to support the trial court’s findings of fact, then the conclusion of law drawn from the factual findings will be sustained so long as the findings support a judgment on a correct legal theory. Truck Ins. Exchange v. Musick, 902 S.W.2d 68, 69 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1995, writ denied); NCNB Texas Nat’l Bank, 812 S.W.2d at 446.

      The trial court’s first conclusion of law is:

An indictment charging Petitioner with commission of a felony was presented, it has been dismissed and the Court finds that it was dismissed because the presentment had been made because of mistake, false information, or other similar reason indicating absence of probable cause at the time of the dismissal to believe the person committed the offense.

This conclusion is not erroneous as a matter of law. The trial court found that the district attorney moved to dismiss the indictment against Stiles because a trial on these charges would result in an acquittal. This factual finding supports the trial judge’s conclusion that there was an absence of probable cause to believe Stiles committed the charged offense at the time the indictment was dismissed. Appellant’s third point is overruled.

      The trial court’s order of expunction is affirmed.

                                                BOBBY L. CUMMINGS

                                                Justice

Before Chief Justice Davis,

          Justice Cummings, and

          Justice Vance

Affirmed

Opinion delivered and filed August 6, 1997

Publish

[WITHDRAWN 10-8-97]