Leandre Vonzell Hill v. the State of Texas

NUMBER 13-20-00069-CR
COURT OF APPEALS
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI – EDINBURG
LEANDRE VONZELL HILL, Appellant,
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee.
On appeal from the 379th District Court
of Bexar County, Texas.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Chief Justice Contreras and Justices Longoria and Tijerina
Memorandum Opinion by Justice Longoria
Appellant Leandre Vonzell Hill was convicted of murder and sentenced to forty
years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. See TEX.
PENAL CODE ANN. § 19.02. In four issues, Hill argues that the trial court erred by: (1) failing
to dismiss pursuant to his right to a speedy trial; (2) overruling his Batson challenge; and
(3–4) admitting objected to evidence. We affirm.
I. BACKGROUND 1
On March 24, 2012, Randall Perkins was shot and killed while attending a party at
an apartment near the University of Texas at San Antonio. Hill was arrested on April 7,
2012, for the murder of Perkins. The case was pending until March 2014, when the State
dismissed the charge against Hill. Subsequently, Hill was re-indicted in December 2017
and arrested in January 2018. Prior to the commencement of trial, Hill filed a motion to
set aside the indictment on grounds that his constitutional right to speedy trial was
violated.
A. Speedy Trial
Hill’s motion alleged that there was a delay of over seven years, during which time
he was arrested and indicted, had the charge dismissed, and re-indicted and arrested on
the same charge. After detailing the procedural history of the case, Hill’s motion stated:
Leandre Hill has never waived the right for a speedy trial and has been
substantially prejudiced because of the failure of the State to afford a
speedy trial, in that he has suffered oppressive pretrial incarceration and
substantial anxiety and concern.
Additionally, Leandre Hill has lost contact with essential witnesses to his
defense as a direct result of the lapse of time attributable to the STATE’S
failure to exercise due diligence in bringing this case to trial.
At the hearing on Hill’s motion, he presented testimony from an investigator who
stated that he had difficulty locating and communicating with witnesses, specifically
indicating that there were approximately thirteen “important” witnesses that he was unable
to successfully contact. The investigator explained that some witnesses had moved out
1 This case is before this Court on transfer from the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio
pursuant to a docket-equalization order issued by the Supreme Court of Texas. See TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN.
§ 73.001.
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of the state or country, and he was unsure if the phone numbers were still current for
many of the witnesses. Hill’s trial counsel also proffered that there were essential
witnesses to the defense who could no longer be located given the period of delay from
the date of the incident to the date of the trial.
The State, on cross-examination, elicited testimony that the investigator had been
assigned to the case only a year before trial and that there was a possibility that some of
the witnesses were available but did not want to talk to him. The State explained that it
offered to assist in locating witnesses. Further, the State explained that the dismissal of
the first indictment was due to a missing witness. The State also presented information
regarding other outstanding charges and convictions leading to incarceration that were
pending during the course of the seven-year delay in proceeding with the murder trial.
Hill’s motion was denied. Trial commenced in October 2019.
B. Trial
At trial, the State elicited testimony from several people who attended the party
where the shooting occurred. The testimony established that there was a large party at a
student housing complex on March 23, 2012, that lasted into the early morning hours of
March 24, 2012. During the party, an unknown group of males arrived, and shortly
thereafter, a fight occurred. Two partygoers were shot, one fatally.
Per the testimony of several witnesses, the shooter was a black male, but the
descriptions given to the officers who investigated the shooting were vague. One witness,
Brandon Hardy, was able to identify Hill as the shooter from a photo lineup, but at the
time of trial, he stated he was not sure of his identification. Tyron Thomas, another
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eyewitness to the shooting, identified Hill as the shooter. He testified that he saw Hill with
the gun, saw the argument between Hill and Perkins, and heard the gunshot. Thomas
was also able to identify Hill because of Hill’s unique tattoos and provided a drawing of
the tattoos.
Hill was convicted and sentenced to forty years’ incarceration in the Institutional
Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This appeal followed.
II. SPEEDY TRIAL
By his first issue, Hill argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to set
aside the indictment for violation of his Constitutional right to a speedy trial.
A. Standard of Review and Applicable Law
We review the legal components of the trial court’s denial of Hill’s motion de novo
and the factual components for an abuse of discretion. See Cantu v. State, 253 S.W.3d
273, 282 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008); Zamorano v. State, 84 S.W.3d 643, 648 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2002). Because the trial court did not enter findings of fact or conclusions of law,
and none were requested, we presume that the trial court resolved any disputed fact
issues in the State’s favor and we must defer to such presumed findings. See State v.
Munoz, 991 S.W.2d 818, 821 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Our de novo review, however, is
governed by a well-established, four-factor balancing test that weighs (1) the length of the
delay, (2) the reason for the delay, (3) the defendant’s assertion of his speedy-trial right,
and (4) prejudice suffered by Hill as a result of the delay. See Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S.
514, 529 (1972); see also Johnson v. State, 954 S.W.2d 770, 771 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997)
(“The balancing test as a whole, however, is a purely legal question . . . reviewed de
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novo.”). No single factor is determinative of a speedy-trial violation, and both the State’s
and Hill’s conduct must be weighed. See Barker, 407 U.S. at 530; Dragoo v. State, 96
S.W.3d 308, 313 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003).
The State had the burden to justify the delay; Hill had the burden to prove his
assertion of the right and prejudice. See Barker, 407 U.S. at 531. Hill’s burden varies
inversely with the State’s degree of culpability for the delay. See Cantu, 253 S.W.3d at280–81.
B. Balancing Factors
1. Length of Delay
Although the length-of-delay factor is described as the first of the balancing test, it
actually operates as a gatekeeping factor: “Until there is some delay which is
presumptively prejudicial, there is no necessity for inquiry into the other factors that go
into the balance.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 530. In short, to trigger an analysis of the other
three factors, we must calculate the period of delay and determine if its length is
“presumptively prejudicial.” Id.; see Doggett v. United States, 505 U.S. 647, 651–52
(1992); Zamorano, 84 S.W.3d at 648. Our calculation begins at the time Hill was arrested
and ends at the time of trial. See Zamorano, 84 S.W.3d at 648–49; see also State v.
Page, No. 05-18-01391-CR, 2020 WL 1899453, at *4 (Tex. App.—Dallas Apr. 17, 2020,
no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication). Courts generally deem a delay
approaching one year to be unreasonable enough to trigger an analysis of the remaining
Barker factors. Balderas v. State, 517 S.W.3d 756, 768 (Tex. Crim. App. 2016).
5
The State concedes that the length of the delay—over seven years—is sufficient
to trigger an analysis of the remaining factors. We agree that this delay goes well beyond
the minimum to trigger the remainder of the balancing test, and we conclude that this
factor weighs against the State and in favor of finding a speedy-trial violation. See, e.g.,
Shaw v. State, 117 S.W.3d 883, 889 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Dragoo, 96 S.W.3d at 314;
see also Mendez v. State, 212 S.W.3d 382, 385 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006, pet. ref’d)
(substituted op.); Thames v. State, No. 02-17-00295-CR, 2019 WL 237556, at *6 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth Jan. 17, 2019, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication)
2. State’s Justification for the Delay
Our evaluation of the second factor uses a sliding scale by which we assign
different weights to different reasons for the delay. See Barker, 407 U.S. at 531; Balderas,
517 S.W.3d at 768. If the delay resulted from more neutral reasons—negligence or
overcrowded courts—this factor will weigh against the State but less heavily. Barker, 407
U.S. at 531; Balderas, 517 S.W.3d at 768. If the delay resulted from a valid reason, this
factor will not weigh against the State. Munoz, 991 S.W.2d at 822. Deliberate conduct by
the State will, of course, weigh heavily against the State. See Balderas, 517 S.W.3d at
768. In the absence of an assigned reason, we may not presume either that the State
acted deliberately to prejudice the defense or that there was a valid reason for the delay.
See id. But we do consider whether the State or Hill was more to blame for the delay. See
id. Again, the State bears the burden to show that the delay was justified. See Shaw, 117
S.W.3d at 889 n.3.
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Hill was first arrested for the murder in April 2012. Almost two years later, in March
2014, on the morning of trial, the State dismissed the indictment without prejudice. The
State’s reasoning for the dismissal was a missing witness. The State offers no reason for
the delay between the arrest in 2012 and the original trial date in 2014.
Subsequently, over three years later, the State re-indicted Hill on the same charge.
The State argues that during the three years, it was continuing to investigate the case,
including meeting with additional potential witnesses. The State contends that the
complexity of the case, involving “many, many potential witnesses,” caused a “longer than
usual” investigation before it was able to re-indict Hill. Hill was then re-indicted in 2018
and tried in 2019.
While the State presented some reasoning for part of the delay, the State did not
provide a reason for why there was a nearly two-year delay before the dismissal, nor did
the State provide much reasoning for the over three-year delay between the dismissal
and the re-indictment. The burden of excusing the delay rests with the State, and in light
of a silent record or one containing reasons insufficient to excuse the delay, we must
presume that no valid reason for the delay existed. See Turner v. State, 545 S.W.2d 133,
137–38 (Tex. Crim. App. 1976). The amount of time that passed from the initial arrest and
trial was unreasonable. However, no evidence was presented that the delay was
intentional or deliberate. This factor weighs against the State, but not heavily. See Barker,
407 U.S. at 531 (holding that absent evidence of intent, we will not weigh the factor so
heavily as we would were there evidence of intentional conduct on the State’s part).
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3. Assertion of Right to Speedy Trial
Under Barker, a defendant is responsible for asserting or demanding his right to a
speedy trial. See Barker, 407 U.S. at 528–29. Although a defendant’s failure to assert his
speedy trial right does not amount to a waiver of that right, “failure to assert the
right . . . make[s] it difficult for a defendant to prove he was denied a speedy trial.” Dragoo,
96 S.W.3d at 314. This is because a defendant’s lack of a timely demand for a speedy
trial indicates strongly that he did not really want a speedy trial and that he was not
prejudiced by a lack thereof. See id. Furthermore, the longer the delay, the more likely it
becomes that a defendant would take some action to obtain a speedy trial. See id. Thus,
inaction weighs more heavily against a violation the longer the delay becomes. Id.Hill contends that he asserted his right to a speedy trial through the filing of a pro
se motion to dismiss the indictment in June 2019 “due to unreasonable delay” as well as
through his motion to set aside the indictment filed by counsel two days before trial was
set to begin. The State responds that when Hill filed his pro se motion, he was represented
by counsel and had “no right to hybrid representation,” and the trial court was “free to
disregard any pro se filed motions.” Furthermore, the State argues that Hill never actually
requested a speedy trial, but rather only sought a dismissal, which supports the inference
that he did not truly wish to have a speedy trial. We agree.
“Filing for a dismissal instead of a speedy trial will generally weaken a speedy-trial
claim because it shows a desire to have no trial instead of a speedy one.” Cantu, 253
S.W.3d at 283. “If a defendant fails to first seek a speedy trial before seeking dismissal of
the charges, he should provide cogent reasons for this failure.” Id. “Repeated requests
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for a speedy trial weigh heavily in favor of the defendant, while the failure to make such
requests supports an inference that the defendant does not really want a trial, he wants
only a dismissal.” Id.Here, Hill sought dismissal of the charge against him, rather than a speedy trial.
On the eve of trial, Hill filed a motion to set aside the indictment, again requesting the
indictment be set aside with prejudice, rather than requesting a speedy trial. Although it
is the State’s duty to bring a defendant to trial in a timely manner, it is the defendant’s
burden to assert the right if violated. See id. at 282. And Hill’s arguable assertion of the
right actually sought dismissal of the indictment, which weakens his speedy-trial claim
“because it shows a desire to have no trial instead of a speedy one.” Id. at 283; see
Balderas, 517 S.W.3d at 771. This factor weighs against Hill.
4. Prejudice to Hill
Prejudice to Hill must be assayed in light of the dangers the speedy-trial right was
designed to prevent: (1) oppressive pretrial incarceration, (2) increased anxiety and
concern for the accused, and (3) impairment of the accused’s defense. See Dragoo, 96
S.W.3d at 315 (citing Barker, 407 U.S. at 532).
Hill contends that prejudice to his defense may be presumed here based solely on
the length of the delay. But this argument conflates the first and fourth Barker factors.
Presumptive prejudice arises in the context of the first gatekeeper factor and dictates
whether the remaining three factors must be considered. Barker, 407 U.S. at 530; see
also Fuller v. State, No. 02-20-00101-CR, 2021 WL 1685956, at *8 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth Apr. 29, 2021, no pet. h.) (mem. op., not designated for publication). If the delay is
9
close to a year or more, prejudice is presumed such that the remaining factors must be
considered, including prejudice to the defense. See Doggett, 505 U.S. at 652 n.1. Even if
presumptive prejudice is found based on the length of the delay, the defendant still must
establish prejudice to his defense in the fourth factor. See id. (“We note that, as the term
is used in this threshold context, ‘presumptive prejudice’ does not necessarily indicate a
statistical probability of prejudice; it simply marks the point at which courts deem the delay
unreasonable enough to trigger the Barker enquiry.”). Here, even though the seven-year
delay is presumptively prejudicial, necessitating a review of the remaining Barker factors,
Hill must show specific prejudice to his defense arising from this presumptively prejudicial
delay. Id.Hill argues that even if there is no presumption of prejudice, he established
prejudice by stating he suffered anxiety and concern during his pretrial incarceration, and
further, he presented testimony that favorable witnesses were unavailable for trial due to
the delay. The State responds that Hill was not incarcerated on this charge for the full
length of the delay, specifically stating that for nearly three years after the initial dismissal,
there were no murder charges pending against Hill arising from this case. The State also
argues that Hill had been in and out of legal trouble during the pendency of this matter
and had been arrested and incarcerated on unrelated charges. Furthermore, the State
contends that Hill did not present any “game-changer” testimony that the alleged missing
witnesses would have provided, nor did Hill present any testimony of his alleged anxiety.
Limiting the impairment of a defense is the most serious interest protected by the
right to a speedy trial. Barker, 407 U.S. at 531. If witnesses become unavailable during a
10
delay or are unable to recall events, prejudice is obvious. Id. at 532. At the hearing on his
motion, Hill claimed that there were witnesses who were now unavailable, either due to
the witness leaving the jurisdiction or residing in places unknown, and whose testimony
“would be necessary for a proper and fair trial.” These witnesses included several
attendees of the party where the shooting occurred, some who may have seen the
shooting and others who may have had information related to a potential different
suspect.
“[C]onsideration of prejudice is not limited to the specifically demonstrable,
and . . . affirmative proof of particularized prejudice is not essential to every speedy-trial
claim.” Doggett, 505 U.S. at 655. Hill had the burden, however, to make a prima facie
showing of prejudice. Dokter v. State, 281 S.W.3d 152, 159 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009,
no pet.). A defendant must offer more than mere speculation of faded memories to show
prejudice. State v. Munoz, 991 S.W.2d 818, 829 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Here, Hill
presented testimony from an investigator that he was unable to locate several witnesses
and Hill’s counsel proffered that these witnesses had information, “much of which [would
be] exculpatory for Mr. Hill,” but did not assert where this information came from. 2 “In
assessing the evidence at a speedy-trial hearing, the trial judge may completely disregard
a witness’s testimony . . . , even if that testimony is uncontroverted.” Cantu, 253 S.W.3d
at 282. Giving deference to the trial court’s factual findings, we conclude that impairment
to the defense, the most important consideration under this factor, was not shown. Barker,
407 U.S. at 532.
2 Hill’s counsel offered limited potential testimony for the unavailable witnesses from the
“prosecution guide.”
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Though “actual prejudice” need not be proven, a defendant has a burden to show
some prejudice due to the delay of his or her trial. Harris v. State, 489 S.W.2d 303, 308
(Tex. Crim. App. 1973); Courtney v. State, 472 S.W.2d 151, 154 (Tex. Crim. App. 1971);
Marquez v. State, 165 S.W.3d 741, 749 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2005, pet. ref’d). Where
a defendant claims that witnesses became unavailable because of the delay, he must
make a showing that “the witnesses are unavailable, that their testimony might be material
and relevant to his case, and that he has exercised due diligence in his attempt to find
them and produce them for trial.” Harris, 489 S.W.2d at 308; see Phipps v. State, 630
S.W.2d 942, 947 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982) (“Even if it be conceded that the testimony of the
missing witnesses was material to the instant case, the appellant has not shown diligence
in procuring the witnesses as the record fails to indicate that the witnesses were
subpoenaed.”); Marquez, 165 S.W.3d at 750.
Here, Hill claims that witnesses are unavailable. Hill presented an investigator who
stated that he attempted to contact the witnesses but was largely unsuccessful. The
investigator also determined that several witnesses had relocated. The investigator,
however, also testified that he had only just began looking for the witnesses within the
year prior to trial and that he forgot to bring his notes to the hearing, so he could not
provide any detail of his attempts to contact the witnesses. And, while Hill speculates
about what those witnesses might have testified to, that is just speculation in this record,
which fails to demonstrate that Hill’s ability to defend himself was prejudiced by the delay.
See Phipps, 630 S.W.2d at 947; Harris, 489 S.W.2d at 309.
As to the “oppressive pretrial incarceration” subfactor, the “dispositive
12
consideration” is the impairment of a defendant’s liberty with its effects upon the
defendant. See Barker, 407 U.S. at 532–33; see also United States v. Loud Hawk, 474
U.S. 302 (1986) (speedy trial guarantee designed to minimize possibility of lengthy
incarceration before trial, to reduce the lesser impairment of liberty imposed on accused
while released on bail and to shorten disruption of life caused by arrest and presence of
unresolved criminal charges); Doggett, 505 U.S. at 661 (core concern of Speedy Trial
Clause is impairment of liberty and “delay-related prejudice to a defendant’s liberty”);
Munoz, 991 S.W.2d at 828 (concluding defendant’s seventeen month incarceration
implied finding that he was scared and anxious beyond what would be expected from
ordinary and inevitable pretrial incarceration). Hill’s nearly four year pre-trial incarceration
period was not minimal, and likely created substantial anxiety and stress. See Munoz,
991 S.W.2d at 828.
We accordingly conclude that this fourth factor weighs slightly in favor of dismissal.
5. Balancing Conclusion
A balancing of the Barker factors demonstrates that the trial court did not err in
denying Hill’s motion to set aside the indictment. We balance the Barker factors with
“common sense and sensitivity to ensure that charges are dismissed only when the
evidence shows that a defendant’s actual and asserted interest in a speedy trial has been
infringed.” Cantu, 253 S.W.3d at 281. Comparing the facts of this case to Barker’s facts,
we conclude the State did not violate appellee’s right to a speedy trial. See Barker, 407
U.S. at 533–37 (no speedy trial violation where delay exceeded five years with more than
four years of the delay unexcused, defendant did not assert right to speedy trial, and
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prejudice was “minimal”). Because the trial court did not err in denying Hill’s motion to set
aside the indictment, we overrule his first issue.
III. BATSON CHALLENGE
By his second issue, Hill argues it was error for the trial court to overrule his Batson
challenge, specifically contending that the State “struck every black juror on the panel
and then failed to provide an adequate race-neutral justification for striking them.” See
Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 89 (1986).
Using a peremptory challenge to strike a potential juror because of race violates
the equal protection guarantee of the United States Constitution as well as article 35.261
of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. See id.; TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art.
35.261. In the face of perceived purposeful discrimination, the defendant may request a
Batson hearing. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 35.261(a). A defendant’s Batson
challenge to a peremptory strike is a three-step process. Purkett v. Elem, 514 U.S. 765,
767–68 (1995); Simpson v. State, 119 S.W.3d 262, 268 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). The
defendant must first make a prima facie case of racial discrimination, based on the totality
of relevant facts about the prosecutor’s conduct during the trial. Miller–El v. Dretke, 545
U.S. 231, 239 (2005); Purkett, 514 U.S. at 767; Simpson, 119 S.W.3d at 268; see TEX.
CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 35.261. If the defendant makes a prima facie case, the burden
of production shifts to the State to present a race-neutral reason for its challenged strike—
i.e., “a clear and reasonably specific explanation of [the] legitimate reasons” for exercising
its strike. Miller–El, 545 U.S. at 239; see TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 35.261(a) (“If
the defendant establishes a prima facie case, the burden then shifts to the attorney
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representing the State to give a racially neutral explanation for the challenges.”). A reason
is deemed race neutral if no discriminatory intent is inherent in the prosecutor’s
explanation. Purkett, 514 U.S. at 768; Thomas v. State, 209 S.W.3d 268, 270 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.). When the prosecutor responds by offering a
race-neutral explanation, the inquiry whether the defendant has made a prima facie case
becomes moot, and the defendant may rebut the State’s explanation. Simpson, 119
S.W.3d at 268; Jasper v. State, 61 S.W.3d 413, 421 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). In the third
and final step, the trial court must decide whether the defendant carried the burden to
establish purposeful discrimination. Miller–El, 545 U.S. at 239; Purkett, 514 U.S. at 768;
Simpson, 119 S.W.3d at 268. The trial court’s inquiry addresses whether the neutral
reasons provided by the prosecutor for the peremptory challenge were contrived in order
to conceal racially discriminatory intent. Jasper, 61 S.W.3d at 421.
Throughout the challenge, the burden of persuasion remains with the defendant,
who may continue to rebut the prosecutor’s explanations before the trial court decides the
Batson challenge. TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 35.261(a); Purkett, 514 U.S. at 768;
Simpson, 119 S.W.3d at 268; see Thomas, 209 S.W.3d at 270.
A. Standard of Review and Applicable Law
A reviewing court examines jury selection from a cold record. Satterwhite v. State,
858 S.W.2d 412, 415 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). In other words, it is the trial court who has
the opportunity to view each venireperson’s demeanor and to evaluate his or her
credibility and, ultimately, is in the better position to pass on the challenges for cause
presented. Id. at 415 (citing Smith v. State, 676 S.W.2d 379, 387 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984)).
15
Consequently, we cannot reverse a trial court’s ruling on a Batson challenge unless it is
clearly erroneous. See Gibson v. State, 144 S.W.3d 530, 534 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). To
hold that a trial court clearly erred, we must have a “definite and firm conviction that a
mistake has been committed.” Goldberg v. State, 95 S.W.3d 345, 385 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, pet. ref’d). We may not substitute our opinion for the trial court’s
factual assessment of the neutrality of the prosecutor’s explanation for exercising strikes,
and we focus on the genuineness, rather than the reasonableness, of the prosecutor’s
asserted nonracial motive. Gibson, 144 S.W.3d at 534 n. 5 (citing Purkett, 514 U.S. at
765). We give great deference to the trial court’s determination, and we view the evidence
in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling. Id. at 534 n. 6 (citing Guzman v. State,
955 S.W.2d 85, 89 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997)); Jasper, 61 S.W.3d at 422.
B. Analysis
In response to the State’s exercise of its strikes, Hill’s trial counsel asserted a
Batson challenge, contending that the State had struck two venire members based solely
on their race—the only two venire members who were African-American. The State
offered race-neutral reasons for striking each venire member. We review each
peremptory strike and the explanation offered by the State for each. See Harper v. State,
930 S.W.2d 625, 634 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, no pet.).
Venire member number 20 indicated that she was a “1” when asked her personal
opinion of law enforcement. A “1” meant “I don’t trust them. I don’t think they’re doing a
good job.” The State argues that venire member number 20, the only juror to respond as
a “1,” was struck based on her explicit distrust of law enforcement. Hill argues that distrust
16
of law enforcement is not a viable reason to strike a juror in this case because the case
was based on eyewitness testimony, not on law enforcement. However, the State
responds that the charge and arrest of Hill only came after significant police investigation
and interviews. The State’s case, therefore, involved police interaction and a distrust of
police could impact the State’s ability to present its case.
Venire member number 36 indicated that she was an “R-2” in response to the
State’s question regarding whether there should be punishment or rehabilitation for the
offense of murder. An “R-2” indicates that venire member number 36 believed
rehabilitation was the appropriate course of action and that the defendant’s criminal
history was most important in determining punishment. Additionally, venire member
number 36 answered in the affirmative when asked if she ever “had a really bad
experience with a police officer that would be in [her] mind if [she] saw a police officer.”
Venire member number 36 also indicated she was a “2” on the same question as venire
member number 20, indicating a level of distrust of police. The State argues that venire
member number 36’s belief that a convicted murderer should be rehabilitated instead of
punished was the reason for striking her. The only other juror to respond as an “R-2” was
venire member number 50, and venire member number 50 was outside of the strike zone.
Hill argues “[p]ersonal preference of rehabilitation over punishment has nothing to
do with electing to convict the accused and a view that the purpose of the criminal justice
system is to rehabilitate does not speak to whether someone would not choose to send
someone to prison.” However, a venire member’s preference for rehabilitation has been
held to be a race-neutral reason for a peremptory strike. See Adanandus v. State, 866
17
S.W.2d 210, 224–25 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993).
The race-neutral explanation does not have to be “persuasive, or even plausible.”
Purkett, 514 U.S. at 768. Rather, “the issue is the facial validity of the [State]’s
explanation. Unless a discriminatory intent is inherent in the [State]’s explanation, the
reason offered will be deemed race neutral.” Id. Here, there is sufficient evidence to
support the trial court’s finding of no purposeful discrimination. Having viewed the record
in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling, we conclude that the denial of the
Batson challenge was not clearly erroneous as to either of the peremptory strikes. Hill’s
second issue is overruled.
IV. ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE
In his third and fourth issues, Hill argues that the trial court erred in admitting
certain evidence, namely a photo of Hill “without a shirt on but in a white prison uniform”
(issue three) and a drawing of Hill’s tattoos done by Thomas (issue four).
A. Standard of Review
The standard of review for the admissibility of evidence is an abuse-of-discretion
standard. See Weatherred v. State, 15 S.W.3d 540, 542 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). A trial
court abuses its discretion when its decision lies outside the zone of reasonable
disagreement. Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). In
determining whether the trial court abused its discretion, we consider whether the court
acted without reference to guiding rules or principles; that is, whether the court acted
arbitrarily or unreasonably. Id at 380.
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B. Photograph of Hill
In his third issue, Hill contends that the admission of a photograph of him pictured
“without a shirt, standing in front of a white wall, wearing white pants, and his arms are
slightly elevated to his sides” was error as the photograph was unfairly prejudicial. Hill
argues that it was “apparent that the photograph depicts [him] while he was an
inmate . . ., thus infringing on his fundamental right to the presumption of innocence.”
Relying in part on this Court’s analysis in Alexander v. State, 88 S.W.3d 772 (Tex.
App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg 2002, pet. ref’d), Hill contends that the admission of the
photograph was reversible error. In Alexander, we found that the use of a mug shot for
the sole purpose of showing that appellant owned a black leather jacket was reversible
error. Id. at 780. “The mug shot photograph had nothing to do with any fact of
consequence, merely showing that nearly two years before the commission of the murder
that [appellant] had a black leather jacket, without any showing that it was the same
leather jacket left by the assailant in this case.” Id. We further held that it was clear that
the photograph was indeed a mug shot. Id. at 782. The State responds that the
photograph in this case was used to show the jury Hill’s tattoos, which were heavily
discussed in trial testimony. Furthermore, the State argues that it is not apparent that Hill
is in prison in the photograph.
The trial court conducted a Rule 403 balancing test to determine the admissibility
of the exhibit. See TEX. R. EVID. 403 (stating that the court may exclude relevant evidence
“if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of . . . unfair prejudice”).
When a trial court balances the probative value of the evidence against its danger of unfair
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prejudice, a presumption exists that the evidence will be more probative than prejudicial.
Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 389.
[A] trial court, when undertaking a Rule 403 analysis, must balance (1) the
inherent probative force of the proffered evidence along with (2) the
proponent’s need for that evidence against (3) any tendency of the evidence
to suggest decision on an improper basis, (4) any tendency of the evidence
to confuse or distract the jury from the main issues, (5) any tendency of the
evidence to be given undue weight by a jury that has not been equipped to
evaluate the probative force of the evidence, and (6) the likelihood that
presentation of the evidence will consume an inordinate amount of time or
merely repeat evidence already admitted. Of course, these factors may well
blend together in practice.
Newton v. State, 301 S.W.3d 315, 319 (Tex. App.—Waco 2009, pet. ref’d) (quoting
Gigliobianco v. State, 210 S.W.3d 637, 641–42 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006) (footnote
omitted)).
In balancing the factors as enumerated in Gigliobianco, it is clear that the
photograph clearly depicts Hill’s tattoos, a topic that was repeatedly discussed in trial
testimony. Hill argues that there was another photograph admitted that depicted his
tattoos as they were on the night of the murder, and the prison photograph was
unnecessary. However, in the photograph on the night of the murder, Hill is wearing a
backpack which covers some of his tattoos and does not fully depict his chest, as the
State intended to do through use of the complained-of photograph. There was a probative
value to the admitted photograph, and the State, therefore, had a need for the photograph
to accurately depict Hill’s tattoos. See Gigliobianco, 210 S.W.3d at 641–42.
While Hill contends that this case is similar to Alexander, we disagree. The
photograph at issue here does not clearly indicate that Hill was incarcerated. There are
no handcuffs or prison identification markers present in the photo. A plain white
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background and the top of a pair of white pants is not enough to determine that this photo
must have been taken in a prison. See Huerta v. State, 390 S.W.2d 770, 772 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1965). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the photograph
because the danger of unfair prejudice did not substantially outweigh the probative value
of the photograph. See TEX. R. EVID. 403; Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 391. We overrule
Hill’s third issue.
C. Tattoo Drawing
In his fourth issue, Hill argues that the trial court erred in admitting a drawing done
by Thomas of Hill’s tattoos. Hill objected to the admission of the drawing as irrelevant and
prejudicial. See TEX. R. EVID. 401, 403. He argues that the State used the drawing “for the
proposition that [Thomas] was able to draw, in detail and allegedly from memory, the
shooter’s tattoos to identify [Hill] as the shooter.” He further contends that the drawing,
which was done three years after the shooting, was not based on Thomas’s memory from
the evening of the shooting, but rather was created after Thomas had seen photographs
of Hill which depicted his tattoos. Because Thomas “had already identified [Hill] as the
shooter,” Hill argues that the State had no need for the drawing to be admitted as
evidence to prove identity. Lastly, Hill contends that the drawing impermissibly bolstered
Thomas’s credibility.
The State argues that Hill’s contentions regarding when the picture was drawn go
to the weight the jury should give the evidence, not to its admissibility. The State sought
to admit the drawing for the purpose of proving identity, as Thomas identified Hill as the
shooter in part because of Hill’s tattoos. Under a Rule 403 analysis, the drawing had
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relevance and probative value as it depicted Thomas’s memory of the tattoos of the
shooter where identity was the main issue at trial. The fact that Thomas had already
identified Hill as the shooter does not decrease the probative value of the drawing.
Thomas testified that his drawing was based on his memory from the night of the shooting,
as opposed to the photos he had seen. Hill was able to cross-examine Thomas and to
put forth his argument that Thomas’s drawing was based on his viewing of photos rather
than his memory of the shooter.
A photograph is generally admissible if verbal testimony about the matters
depicted in the photograph is also admissible. Paredes v. State, 129 S.W.3d 530, 539
(Tex. Crim. App. 2004). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the drawing
because it was relevant and the danger of unfair prejudice did not substantially outweigh
its probative value. See TEX. R. EVID. 401, 403; Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 391. Hill’s
fourth issue is overruled.
V. CONCLUSION
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
NORA L. LONGORIA
Justice
Do not publish.
TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).
Delivered and filed on the
17th day of June, 2021.
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