Roderick Payton v. State

ACCEPTED
03-17-00322-CR
21309556
THIRD COURT OF APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
12/14/2017 7:57 PM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
CLERK
FILED IN
3rd COURT OF APPEALS
CAUSE NO. 03-17-00322-CR AUSTIN, TEXAS
1/4/2018 8:00:00 AM
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS, JEFFREY D. KYLE
Clerk
THIRD SUPREME JUDICIAL DISTRICT
_____________________
RODERICK PAYTON
Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS
____________________
Cause No. D-1-DC-16-301681, Travis County, Texas, 147th Judicial
District Court, Honorable Clifford A. Brown, presiding
____________________
BRIEF FOR APPELLANT
Christopher P. Morgan
State Bar No. 14435325
3009 N. IH 35
Austin, Texas 78722
(512) 472-9717 // FAX: 472-9798
chrismorganlaw@cs.com
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
NAMES OF PARTIES/ATTORNEYS
Roderick Payton Appellant
Michael Watson Attorney for appellant at trial
SBOT#24060804
608 West 12th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
Christopher P. Morgan Attorney for appellant on appeal
SBOT#14435325
3009 N. IH 35
Austin, Texas 78722
chrismorganlaw@cs.com
Hon. Margaret Moore Attorney for the State
District Attorney
Travis County
Jeremy Sylestine Attorney for the State at trial
Assistant District Attorney
SBOT# 24046941
Travis Count Attorney’s Office
314 West 11th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
Jeremy Sylestine Attorney for the State at trial
Assistant District Attorney
SBOT# 24077152
Travis Count Attorney’s Office
314 West 11th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
I
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
NAMES OF PARTIES/COUNSEL i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES v
STATEMENT OF THE CASE 1
POINTS OF ERROR 2
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT 3
STATEMENT OF FACTS 4
ARGUMENTS AND AUTHORIES 5
POINT OF ERROR NO. 1: THE COURT COMMITTED
FUNDEMENTAL ERROR IN THE GUILT/INNOCENCE
JURY CHARGE BY FAILING TO APPLY THE LAW OF
PARTIES TO THE FACTS. 5
POINT OF ERROR NO. 2: THE COURT COMMITTED
FUNDEMENTAL ERROR IN THE GUILT/INNOCENCE
JURY CHARGE BY AUTHORIZING CONVICTION WITH-
OUT REQUIRING FINDING BEYOND A REASONABLE
DOUBT THAT APPELLANT POSSESSED THE SPECIFIC
INTENT TO CAUSE BODILY INJURY TO HARRIS. 5
POINT OF ERROR NO. 3: THE COURT COMMITTED
FUNDEMENTAL ERROR IN THE GUILT/INNOCENCE
JURY CHARGE BY AUTHORIZING CONVICTION WITH-
II
OUT REQUIRING A UNANIMOUS VERDICT ON ALL
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE CHARGED OFFENSE. 5
A. The errors in the charge. 6
1. The indictment. 6
2. The evidence. 7
a. Robin Harris. 7
b. Officer Venassa Jimenez. 13
c. Jennifer Mezei. 14
d. Babaji Jude Leonard. 15
e. APD Detective Rolando Gutierrez. 16
f. Leah Reese. 19
g. Appellant. 19
3. The jury charge as a relevant whole. 29
4. The charge erroneously failed to include any
reference to guilt as a party in the application
paragraph. 32
5. The charge erroneously failed to apply the law
of parties to the facts. 34
6. The charge erroneously authorized conviction
III
without any finding beyond a reasonable doubt on
the essential element that appellant possessed the
required specific intent of “caus[ing] bodily injury
to Robin Harris”. 34
7. The charge erroneously authorized conviction
without a unanimous finding beyond a reasonable
doubt on that essential element. 34
B. Egregious Harm. 40
1. The jury notes. 40
2. The entire jury charge. 42
3. The state of the evidence, including contested
issues. 42
4. Voir dire and arguments of counsel. 44
a. The voir dire of the venirepanel. 47
b. Opening arguments. 48
c. Closing arguments. 52
PRAYER FOR RELIEF 53
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 53
CERTIFICATE OF WORD COUNT 53
APPENDIX 54
IV
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES PAGE
Cases
Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157(Tex.Crim.App.1985)(On
reh’g) 6
Barrios v. State, 283 S.W.3d 348(Tex.Crim.App.2009) 6
Binyon v. State, 545 S.W.2d 448(Tex.Crim.App.1976) 39
Brown v. State, 716 S.W.2d 939(Tex.Crim.App.1986) 33
Brown v. State, 595 S.W.2d 550(Tex.Crim.App.1980) 36, 39
Bustamante v. State, 106 S.W.3d 738(Tex.Crim.App.2003) 36
Castillo-Fuentes v. State, 707 S.W.2d 559(Tex.Crim.App.1986)40, 42
Cienfuegos v. State, 113 S.W.3d 481(Tex. App.-Hou[1st]
2003, pet ref’d) 37, 39
Cooper v. State, 430 S.W.3d 426(Tex.Crim.App.2014) 34, 40
Crenshaw v. State, 378 S.W.3d 460(Tex.Crim.App.2012) 34
Ex parte Hawkins, 6 S.W.3d 554(Tex.Crim.App.1999) 35
Ferreira v. State, 514 S.W.3d 297(Tex.App.-Hou[14 ]2016,
th
no pet.) 32, 35
Garza v. State, 937 S.W.2d 569(Tex.App.-San Antonio 1996,
pet. ref'd) 36
Granados v. State, 843 S. W.2d 736(Tex.App.-Corpus
Christi1992, no pet.) 22
Green v. State, 840 S.W.2d 394(Tex.Crim.App.1992) 36
Griego v. State, 345 S.W.3d 742(Tex.App.-Amarillo2011, no
pet.) 22
Gross v. State, 380 S.W.2d 181(Tex.Crim.App.2012) 39
Jefferson v. State, 189 S.W.3d 305(Tex.Crim.App.2006) 40
King v. State, 157 S.W.3d 873(Tex.App.-Houston[14th Dist.]
2005, pet. ref'd) 36
Landrian v. State, 268 S.W.2d 532(Tex.Crim.App.2008) 34, 36, 40
Matlock v. State, 20 S.W.3d 57(Tex.App.-Texarkana2002, pet.
ref'd) 36
Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 234(Tex. Crim.App.1991) 32
V
Nava v. State, 415 S.W.3d 289(Tex.Crim.App.2013) 37, 39
Peraza v. State, 457 S.W.3d 134(Tex.App.-Hou[1st]2014),
rev’d on other grounds, 467 S.W.3d 508(Tex.Crim.
App.2015) 22
Pizzo v. State, 235 S.W.3d 711(Tex.Crim.App.2007) 40
Plata v. State, 926 S.W.2d 300(Tex. Crim.App.1996),
overruled on other grounds, Yzaguirre v. State, 394
S.W.3d 526(Tex.Crim.App.2013) 32, 35
Price v. State, 457 S.W.3d 437(Tex.Crim.App.2015) 36, 38
Purser v. State, 902 S.W.2d 641(Tex.App.-El Paso1995, pet.
ref'd) 36
Ruiz v. State, 753 S.W.2d 681(Tex. Crim.App.1988) 42
Solomon v. State, 49 S.W.3d 356(Tex.Crim.App.2001) 39
Stuhler v. State, 218 S.W.3d 706(Tex.Crim.App.2007) 40
Vasquez v. State, 389 S.W.3d 361(Tex.Crim.App.2012) 6, 32, 35
Wolfe v. State, 917 S.W.2d 270(Tex.Crim.App.1996) 36
Yarbrough v. State, 656 S.W. 2d 200(Tex.App.-Austin 1985,
no pet.) 36
Statutes and Rules
Tex.PenalCode, Sec. 7.02(a)(2) 36, 52
Sec. 7.02(b) 37, 52
Sec. 29.02(a)(1) 1, 35, 36
Sec. 29.03(a)(2) 39
Tex.R.Ev., Rule 201 22
VI
CAUSE NO. 03-17-00322-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD-SUPREME JUDICIAL
DISTRICT
_____________________
RODERICK PAYTON
Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS
____________________
Cause No. D-1-DC-16-301681, Travis County, Texas, 147th Judicial District
Court, Honorable Clifford A. Brown, presiding
____________________
BRIEF FOR APPELLANT
TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS:
COMES NOW, RODERICK PAYTON, appellant, by and through his under-
signed counsel, and presents his brief to the Court:
STATEMENT OF THE CASE.
On or about May 8, 2017, appellant, on plea of not guilty, was convict-
ed by jury of Aggravated Robbery, a 1st degree felony. Tex.PenalCode, Sec.
29.02(a)(1), 29.03(a)(2). The jury sentenced him to 10 years Texas Department
Criminal Justice- Institutional Division, no fine, recommending it be probated
for 10 years. The trial court purported to add condition of 180 days ‘shock pro-
bation’. (The written Judgment of Community Supervision on May 30, 2017,
incorrectly states jury was waived, plea of ‘guilty’ entered, Defendant convict-
ed and sentenced thereon.) On May 26, 2017, the Court re-sentenced appellant,
removing the ‘shock probation’ condition and releasing Defendant onto
1
probation. RR12(May 26, 2017).
Defendant’s original Notice of Appeal was filed May 8, 2017. An
Amended Notice of Appeal and Motion of time to file Notice of Appeal was
filed on June 29, 2017. That motion was granted on July 19, 2017. The
Clerk’s record was filed July 7, and the reporter’s record on July 12, 2017.
After extensions, this brief was due November 27, 2017. On December
13, 2017, appellant’s motion requesting extension to December 12, 2017, was
dismissed as moot and the appeal ordered abated for hearing by January 19,
2018. A motion to set aside that order, reinstate the appeal and extended the
time for filing this brief to this date is filed on the same date as this brief.
POINTS OF ERROR
POINT OF ERROR NO. 1: THE COURT COMMITTED FUNDEMENT-
AL ERROR IN THE GUILT/INNOCENCE JURY CHARGE BY
FAILING TO APPLY THE LAW OF PARTIES TO THE FACTS.
POINT OF ERROR NO. 2: THE COURT COMMITTED FUNDEMENT-
AL ERROR IN THE GUILT/INNOCENCE JURY CHARGE BY
AUTHORIZING CONVICTION WITHOUT REQUIRING FINDING
BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT APPELLANT POSSESSED
THE SPECIFIC INTENT TO CAUSE BODILY INJURY TO HARRIS.
POINT OF ERROR NO. 3: THE COURT COMMITTED FUNDEMENT-
AL ERROR IN THE GUILT/INNOCENCE JURY CHARGE BY
AUTHORIZING CONVICTION WITHOUT REQUIRING A
UNANIMOUS VERDICT ON ALL ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE
CHARGED OFFENSE.
2
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
Appellant argues the guilt/innocent jury charge, taken as a relevant
whole, is fundamentally erroneous. It does not include any reference to parties
in the application paragraph, wholly fails to apply the law of parties to the
facts, does not require the jury find beyond a reasonable doubt that he possess-
ed the specific intent to cause bodily injury, an essential element of the indict-
ed offense, or require it find that essential element unanimously, and authorizes
conviction even if the jury did not so find or did so non-unanimously. This
caused “egregious harm” to appellant.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
At about 3 a.m. on March 25, 2016, Robin Harris was sitting in his car in
a parking lot in front of the credit union at 11th Street and the east frontage road
of IH35, in Austin, Texas, when appellant knocked on and opened his passen-
ger-side door and spoke to him. Some moments later, Herron opened the driv-
ers-side door and hit Harris in the left temple with his hand. A struggle ensued
between Harris and Herron, and at one point Harris saw Herron had a knife in
his hand. Herron told him to get out and get on the ground and Harris did so.
Appellant then came around to the driver’ side and searched the car
interior, while Herron stood by Harris with the knife held about level with
3
Harris’ head. After that, appellant came over to them, stood there. One of
went through Harris’ call phone, then asked for the passcode for his bank app.
He gave it to them. Herron demanded his wallet, and he gave it to him. Herron
then gave appellant a bank card from it.
Appellant walked over the credit union, where there appeared to be an
ATM. He did not return any money.
Harris said appellant then told Herron to start the car, and appellant had
the knife and was standing by the kneeling Harris while Herron tried to do so.
Herron could not started it, so appellant switched places with him and started it.
He then moved to the passenger seat and Herron got in the driver’s and tried to
drive the car away. However, it stalled and rolled back into a poll, whereupon
they left on foot. Harris then got into his car and drove away, flagging down a
police officer thereafter. He never recovered his phone, wallet (along with a
few dollars, some IDs and business cards) and a key fob for the car.
Harris testified that, after Herron got him out of the car, appellant came
around to the driver’s side and told Herron to “cut his throat” if he moved. He
also said that when they demanded his bank passcode, appellant told him “‘If
you give me the … wrong code, I’m going to kill you’”.
Appellant denied making either statement. He also denied he ever had
4
the knife, told Herron to start the car and the other things Harris said he did.
He also denied he intended to commit robbery, or be a party to one with
Herron, and did not know Herron would, or intend for him to, hit Harris or
cause him bodily injury.
Instead, he said he was walking to a girl’s house in east Austin and
Herron invited himself along. Herron had a ‘teardrop’ tattoo on his face, which
he understood to be a claim he had killed someone, and was a gangmember. At
one point, it looked like Herron used some drugs and thereafter seemed to be
‘tripping”.
When they walked east on the bridge over IH35 at 11th Street, a car
similar to Harris’ almost hit Herron. When they saw Harris’ car, Herron said
he was “going to check” it “out”, but appellant told him to wait there and went
to talk with Harris instead. When he began speaking to Harris, Herron came up
on the driver’s side and hit Harris. At that time, appellant saw that Herron had
a knife. He said his actions after that were because he was scared Herron stab,
beat up or otherwise injure him as he had Harris.
ARGUMENTS AND AUTHORIES
POINTS OF ERROR NOS. 1 TO 3.
Review of jury charge error is a two-step inquiry: 1) was it error; and 2)
5
if so, was it preserved? Barrios v. State, 283 S.W.3d 348, 350(Tex.Crim.App.
2009). If not objected-to or otherwise raised at trial, reversal is required only
for “egregious” harm. Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157(Tex.Crim.App.1985)
(On reh’g). Errors that deny a “fair and impartial trial”, “go to the very basis of
the case”, “deprive the defendant of a valuable right”, or “vitally affect [a]
defensive theory” cause egregious harm. Id., at 172. Whether egregious harm
occurred is a fact specific determination, based on 1) the entire jury charge, 2)
the state of the evidence, including contested issues, 3) arguments of counsel,
and 4) any other relevant information contained in the record as a whole. Id., at
171; Vasquez v. State, 389 S.W.3d 361, 371-372(Tex.Crim.App.2012).
A. The errors in the charge.
1. The indictment.
The indictment alleged relevantly that:
“RODERICK PAYTON, on or about the 25th day of March, 2016, and
before the presentment of this Indictment, in the County of Travis, and
State of Texas, did then and there, while in the course of committing theft
of property and with intent to obtain or maintain control of said property,
intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause bodily injury to Robin
Harris by striking Robin Harris with his fist and hand, and the said
RODERICK PAYTON did then and there use or exhibit a deadly
weapon, to-wit: a knife,…”
CR-13. Appellant was arraigned and pleaded not guilty at RR3-9.
6
2. The evidence.
a. Robin Harris.1
Around 2:30 p.m. on March 25, 2016, Harris parked his black 2015
Volkswagen Jetta in a parking lot in front of the credit union at east 11th street
and the east frontage road of Interstate 35, “facing toward the street, toward IH
35.” RR3-41, 43-44, 51.2 He was alone. RR3-51.
He testified on direct that the incident began thus:
“I was approached on the passenger side of the car, and a gentleman
opened the passenger’s side door, looked at me for a couple of seconds,
and then another person opened the driver’s side door. They - I fought
with him for a few seconds and then got out of the car. I was hit… in the
temple… I got out of the car. I – I was told to get on the ground and
hand over my wallet.”
RR3-49. He said he did not see them approach his car as he had his “phone in
his hand at that time”, and was “probably on the Internet.” RR3-81-82.
He ultimately identified the first man as appellant. RR3-71-73. He
described them as black men with “very distinctive” differences, and appellant
was significantly larger than Herron. RR3-52-53, 63.3
1/ Harris was actually the second witness, but is presented first for clarity of argument.
2/ Photos of the car were admitted as SX-3. RR3-44. A ‘Google Earth” image of the lot was
admitted as SX-68, and he described various features at RR3-47-48.
3/ He said neither tried to hide their face and he got a good look at both. RR3-61. He got “the
best look at the first guy, the bigger guy,… when he opened the door of the car.” RR3-61,
73. He “was larger…, had longer hair,” “down to about his shoulders or a little bit below,
braided hair”, “darker skin,… more heavy-set”, and “was wearing long pants and.. a T-shirt
that said ‘Two Men and a Truck’ on the back.” RR3-52-53, 62. On direct, he said he was
7
On direct, he testified appellant did not speak until after he got out of the
car and got on the ground as directed by Herron. RR3-53-54. But on cross, he
ultimately agreed that on the day of the incident he told police appellant did say
something when he opened the door, but he did not “remember what.” RR3-80-
81. He then claimed “they together tried to force me out of the car” after
Herron hit him and he saw the knife, “that’s when” Herron “said, ‘Get out of
the car.” RR3-82. He said Herron opened the door and immediately got
physical and punched him in the left temple (the side facing Herron). RR3-82-
83. When the State on redirect asked how appellant “tried to force” him out of
the car, he said (for the first time):
“As soon as my driver’s side door was opened, and he saw… his partner
there, he reached in and – and tried to start releasing my seatbelt, and the
other guy was grabbing me or trying to get me out of the car. And – and
at some point in there, that’s when the guy on the driver’s side hit me in
the head.”
RR3-87.
“pretty sure” he was “over 200 pounds”; on cross, he put it “probably closer to 6’5” and…
300 pounds”, and looked the same at trial.. RR3-62, 84. The second man “was a little bit
skinny, closer to” his size (5’8”, 185 pounds), “had shorter hair” and “little bit lighter skin”,
and was wearing a “hooded sweatshirt – or jacket.” RR3-52, 62.
Some months later, APD detectives told him they told him they “had fingerprint
matches from the car”, and asked him to do photo ‘lineups’. RR3-70. He said he had not
seen either before that night and there was no reason their prints should been on his car. RR3-
51, 70-71. He met with Gutierrez and viewed six photos for each suspect. RR3-71-72. He
identified appellant as the first/larger man with “95 percent” certainty. RR3-72-73.
8
He was explicit that Herron was the one who struck him in the head, and
that was the only time he was hit. RR3-54-55. He did not know if he was hit
with a hand or the knife, but “assume[d]” it was the knife. RR3-55, 83. He
didn’t realize he had been hit until he was kneeling on the ground and “there
was a puddle of blood.” RR3-83. See also, RR3-85.4
He then testified that, after he got on the ground, the one “who came up
to the car first said, ‘If he moves, cut his fucking throat.’” RR3-53-54. See also,
RR3-74. At that time, Herron was “standing there over [him] with a knife.”
RR3-54.
Appellant then searched his car, got his phone, and “came over to the
other side of the car and stood there over me going through my phone”, then
asked for the passcode for his bank app. RR3-56. Harris said he then “said, ‘If
you give me the wrong’—‘wrong code, I’m going to kill you’, so” he “gave
him the right number.” Id. On direct, he testified “one of them” asked for his
wallet “and they started going through [it] and took my bank card.” RR3-56-57.
On cross, he said Herron “was the one [he] handed [his] wallet to” and took the
4/He did not notice the knife until “after [he] struggled with” Herron “for a few seconds,
and… he had already hit me in the head”, when Herron “held it where” he “could see it,.…
looked like he was trying to show it to me and … that’s when I decided to go ahead and get
out of the car.” RR3-55. He did not feel the knife against his body any other time. Id. He
described it as “a folding knife”, “maybe four or five inches long, had a mental handle,” and
“a greenish color.” RR-55-56. He did not remember “exactly” if his injury was “throbbing”,
but it was painful. Id.
9
bank card out and gave it to appellant “eventually”. RR3-79.
Appellant “went over to the bank ATM.” RR3-57. Harris insisted he
“decided to go to the ATM on his own.” RR3-74-75. He testified on direct that
he returned “[a]fter two or three minutes”, but on cross agreed his March 25,
2016, statement to police said appellant was gone for only about a minute,
which he “would assume” was not long enough to get money. RR3-57, 75-76.
He agreed appellant never actually got any money from the ATM, despite
having the correct PIN. RR3-74, 76.
He testified on direct that appellant then told Herron “to get in the car
and… start it.” RR3-57. Herron “said he did not know how to drive”, and
appellant “said, ‘Just get in, and I’ll figure it out.’… so he got in” but “couldn’t
figure out how to start the car.” Id. According to him, appellant “was standing
next to” him during this and “they had traded the knife. Id. He said he held the
knife “[a]bout the same as the other guy”, across his body, blade open and
facing out, “about even with” Harris’ head when he was kneeling. RR3-58-59.
He was clear that Herron was the one “standing there next to” him, “holding
the knife on” him before that. RR3-57-58.
Appellant asked Harris how to start the car, and he told him but “they
still had trouble with it”, so
10
“they switched the knife again, and I – I moved – the bigger guy – well,
the smaller guy was trying to start the car. The bigger guy had me move
to the other side of the car and to the -- to the rear passenger side and stay
there. And the smaller guy couldn’t get the car started, and so they
switched again and – and the bigger guy got in the car and got it started.”
RR3-63, 65. He said appellant “was there the whole time watching” Herron try
to start and drive the car, but he did not “recall” him saying anything else
during that. RR3-65-66.
Appellant then “got out of the car, went around to the passenger side and
got in. And [Herron] got in and tried to drive the car.” RR3-64. See also, RR3-
86. Ultimately, the car rolled back and hit a pole by the bank, and “they gave
up on it and left.” RR3-64-65. The two walked south, “along the frontage
road”, but he did not see where they went after that. RR3-67.
Harris “left immediately” in his car and ended up flagging down officer
Jimenez. RR3-67-68. He was ultimately treated by EMS and Brackenridge
hospital, who put some gauze and glue on his wound. RR3-68-69. He said he
was not evaluated for a concussion and did not have one. RR3-69. He believed
he clearly remembered what happened. Id.
His phone, wallet and everything in it (“a few dollars, maybe $5”, ID,
driver’s license, military ID, and a few business cards) was taken. RR3-50, 66.
One of two key fobs for the car was also missing. RR3-67. No other property
11
was taken, and his bank and credit/debt cards were left in the car. RR3-50, 84-
85. See also, SX-30-37. His phone was not used after that. RR3-85.
The State also elicited that he was “scared” and thought “they were
serious about being willing to… kill” him. RR3-60. He testified the incident
from start to finish, “lasted between 10 and 15 minutes.” RR3-60.
According to Harris, “there seemed like they -- there was a very little
amount of planning” by them. RR3-80. But, there was nothing that made him
think they were not acting together, “they were talking to each other, and”
appellant “seemed to be in charge of the… whole thing”. RR3-60-61.
“He was doing most of the talking, telling the other guy what to do and…
the smaller guy didn’t seem to do anything without the other guy telling
him what to do.”
RR3-61-62. See also, RR3-73. He added later that he saw was no indication
that appellant was an “unwitting participant”, and he never said anything
indicating he was surprised by Herron’s acts or that there was a knife being
held near him, or told Herron to stop. RR3-88-89. He thought appellant was
directing most of it, encouraging it, and helping Herron. RR3-89-90.
The defense elicited that, instead of being able to see if appellant was
surprised Herron had a knife, Harris was focused on Herron and the knife. He
“resisted at first” when Herron grabbed him, and was trying to hit and defend
12
himself against him. RR3-89. He agreed his focus was on Herron, and then on
him and the knife once he saw it. RR3-90. “When I moved to get out of the
car, he backed up a little bit, so I didn’t have to be – have 100 percent of my
attention on the knife.” Id. 5
b. Officer Vanessa Jimenez.
Austin Police Department (hereafter ‘APD’) patrol officer Jimenez testi-
fied she was flagged down by Harris at 8th and Neches in the early morning of
March 25, 2016. RR3-22-23, 25, 27.6 He was “very bloody” and “agitated”.
RR3-28. He was on foot, but she saw he had a 4-door Volkswagen car. RR3-
28-29.
Harris described the incident and gave a description of the suspects.
RR3-28-29.7 She called for EMS, backup officers and detectives, and the
“CSU to process the scene”. RR3-30. EMS ultimately transported Harris to
Brackenridge hospital and she transported him back to the scene afterwards.
RR3-30. Digital photos of Harris from that night were admitted as SX-1 and 2,
5/ In addition, he first insisted he had been parked for “10 or 15 minutes” before appellant
approached, but shifted to not “recall[ing] exactly how long” when confronted with the
video’s timestamp showing it was 5 or 6 minutes. RR3-78. He did not remember the route
he took to the lot, but thought he had “probably” taken the IH35 frontage road from the UT
area, where his last fare was, then east on 11th over the bridge. RR3-78-79.
6/ She added that this was in Travis County, Texas. RR3-25.
7/ Objection to her relating that he told her “somebody had just robbed him” was sustained.
RR3-28.
13
and show blood on his shirt and face, and a laceration and bump on his left
temple. RR3-32-33.
The defense elicited that various parts of the “downtown area” were
“high-crime” areas, including the “ARCH”, a homeless shelter where “lots of
people congregate” and “lots of drugs” are available. RR3-33-35. That includ-
es “K2”, and a drug “similar to K2” consisting of a “cigarette or joint [] dipped
in embalming fluid” or nail polish. RR3-35. Its effects vary widely, from “very
agitated” to “really… slow”, acting “like they’re not even there, like they’re in
a completely different world”, “blank stares,… like they don’t know where they
are. RR3-35-36. “It’s pretty common” around the ARCH. RR3-36-37.
It also elicited that Harris had “a little more blood” on his face and blood
on his hands when they first spoke, but “already wiped some” when the photos
were taken. RR3-38-39. She was concerned he had a concussion, and opined a
concussion could affect memory “later on, like, kind of make their memory not
as accurate”, but “not at the time.” RR3-39-40.
c. Jennifer Mezei.
Mezei, a senior crime scene specialist with APD, photographed the
scene, Harris, the exterior and interior of his car, and processed various surfac-
es of the car and things in it for latent prints. RR3-92, 96-98, 104-109; SX-4-
14
45. She submitted 15 latent cards for testing. SX-4-46. Latents were obtained
from the exterior and interior driver door, interior driver door handle, exterior
front passenger door and window, interior front passenger side door, trim about
the exterior front passenger door, backside of the front passenger exterior door
handle, the front passenger interior door handle, exterior rear passenger door,
exterior rear passenger window, gear-shifter and the bottom of the Altoids box.
RR3-111. She also processed the front seatbelts and seatbelt buckle, but did
not obtain any prints. RR3-110-111.8
d. Babaji Jude Leonard.
Leonard, an emergency medical technician, treated Harris. RR3-113-116.
The injury was “hemorrhage”, “bleeding and swelling”, and he received the
“basic level of care” and was transported to Brackenridge hospital. RR3-118-
119.9 Harris told him he “was drug from an automobile and stuck in the head”
with fists. RR3-1120-121. Leonard agreed knives “in the way they are used”
8/ SX-13, 16, 25, 30, 35-39, 42-43, show damage on the car’s left rear where it struck the
pole, the glove box open with items on the passenger seat, and Harris’ temple injury after
treatment, RR3-99-104. SX-44 and 45 show some redness on his left shoulder, but there is
no evidence proving its cause.
She also swabbed of “some red stains” on the driver’s side interior that “appeared to
be blood to” her, but did not know if the they were tested. RR3-105. She swabbed various
parts of the interior for DNA: the gear shift, emergency brake, steering wheel, handle grip on
the passenger side, glove box latch and center console latch. RR3-104-105.
9/ He was dispatched at 3:21 a.m., and arrived at 3:49. RR3-118. His report was admitted as
SX-53. RR3-116-117.
15
are “sometimes deadly weapons”, and “can be used without a doubt to cause
serious bodily injury or death.” RR3-122.
He added on cross that some parts of downtown Austin, including the
ARCH, are “high crime areas” where he responded “many times”, “some” for
drugs, including K2. RR3-123-124. K2’s effects “range from passive lethargy
to excited delirium”, “certainly” can be dangerous to use, and is nothing like
marijuana. RR3-124.
e. APD Detective Rolando Gutierrez. 10
Gutierrez secured a copy of a surveillance video from the credit union
“camera facing the western portion” of the parking lot that borders the north-
bound IH35 frontage road. RR3-133-136; SX-54. He testified the cameras are
visible from outside, and he could tell they were security cameras when
walking to the building. RR3-143-144.11
The video is not “high-quality” and is “kind of jerky or … stop-motion”,
not “a continuous stream”, “like, every five or seven seconds and then will
stop, like, a pause and then continue recording”. RR3-134. There is no audio.
10/ He was in the burglary unit at time of trial, but was with the violent crimes division of the
robbery unit on March 25, 2016, RR3-126-127, 133.
11/ He opined that there was no other angles or cameras that provided any more detail or were
otherwise helpful. RR3-144.
16
RR3-137. He thought the timestamp “possibly might” be “off by an hour”, e.g.
2 a.m. was actually 3. RR3-138. He added that it “doesn’t give [] details, but
its enough to corroborate” Harris’ “version of events.” RR3-140.
The relevant part is about 15 to 16 minutes. RR3-142. Harris’ car pulls
into the parking lot at about timestamp 2:51 a.m. RR3-138-139. At some point
after that it shows two people who “appeared to be [the] suspects”: “a shorter
thinner-built male, with short hair”, dressed in all black; and “a bigger, stockier
male with what appeared to be longer hair, possibly the dreadlocks as describ-
ed”, and a white shirt or jacket around his waist. RR3-140-142, 162. He opined
on cross that the first was Herron and the second appellant, but could not
recognize them from “the video alone”. RR3-161-162.
A person appears to walk by at timestamp “2:14 and about 30 seconds”,
“before walking on the sidewalk area”. RR3-140-141. He later identified him
as appellant. RR3-162. He appears to be walking back to the car at 2:14:35.
RR3-163. The video then jumps from 2:14:35 to 2:15:20, or about 45 seconds,
at which time Harris is on the ground by the tree with Herron standing over
him. Id. Appellant is not visible, and Gutierrez agreed he was probably in the
car then. Id.
“[A]round the 2:18 timestamp”, the men tried to drive the car but it
17
stalled and rolled back into a light post (“at 2:21”), and they “took off on foot
towards 11th Street.” RR3-141. Harris got into his car and drove away at 2:23.
RR3-141-142.
The State elicited that the ATM “is actually” on the “opposite side” of
the credit union from the parking lot, “through the drive through teller lanes”,
and the fixture on the parking lot side “appears to be a night deposit box” that
“at one time may have served as an ATM”. RR3-143.
When asked on cross about the apparent conflict between that 45
seconds showing appellant near the ‘ATM’ then jumping to Herron standing
over Harris and Harris’ claim that, during that time, appellant came back from
the ATM, got the knife from Herron. Spent some time standing over Harris and
then got back in the car, Gutierrez replied:
“Well, it could be that maybe at one point Herron had the knife and then
[] Payton went to the vehicle and handed the knife and -- in a situation
like that, it’s traumatic. Mr. Watson (sic) didn’t notice that Herron was
now holding the knife. The last person he saw holding it was [Payton].
All he knew is that these two suspects were passing back the knife, and
he that they were armed.”
RR3-172-173. He also testified Harris said appellant had “possibly” tried to
make calls with Harris’ phone. RR3-165, 169-170.12
12/He also agreed it “would have been helpful” to have the call records, but police did not
look for or get any. They did try to get tracking information “via its tracking application”,
but could not get any.
18
He did not think the robbery was planned, but was a “target of opportun-
ity” and “just random.” RR3-169.13
f. Leah Reese.
Reese, an APD latent print examiner, testified relevantly that “some”
latent prints in this case were identified as appellant’s: i.e., on the bottom of the
“Altoids box” found in the passenger seat of Harris’ car, the front passenger
interior door handle, the exterior front passenger window, and the exterior rear
passenger side door and window. RR3-174-178, 186-192, 194-197; SX-46-52,
62. Herron’s prints were identified on the interior driver’s door handle, the
trim above the exterior front passenger door, and the exterior front passenger
side door. See, SX-57-62, admitted at RR3-192-193. Neither was linked to the
prints from the gear shifter, interior driver’s door, exterior driver’s door or
interior front passenger side door. See, SX-62.
g. Appellant.
Appellant grew up in rural Mississippi, except for a year in Austin when
13/He also testified on the line-ups: On August 31, 2016, he learned hits were obtained for
appellant and Herron on the latent prints. RR3-147-148, 152, 160. He then composed two
photo line-ups, which Harris viewed on September 1, 2016. RR3-145-152, 164. He also
interviewed Harris at that time. RR3-164. Harris identified Herron with “75 percent
certainty” and appellant with “95 percent certainty”. RR3-152-153. The line-ups documents
were admitted and published as SX-55 (appellant) and 56 (Herron). RR3-153-160.
The DNA swabs taken by Mezie were never sent for analysis or processed. RR3-145-
146.
19
he was middle school. RR3-202-203. He moved back to Austin in 2012. Id.
He testified he was on 6th Street late in the night of March 24, 2016,
when he met an old girl friend, Ashley, who invited him to come over later to a
house on Rosewood that she shared with an female cousin, Jasmine. RR3-200-
205, 235, 237. Sometime later, he ran into Herron, who he knew from the area
where he lived. RR-205-208. Herron invited himself along when he told him
he was planning to walk over to Ashleys. RR3-208-209, 238.14
Appellant then stopped at the ARCH and spoke with an “old friend,
Paul”. RR3-209-210, 238. When he mentioned his plan to walk to Ashley’s,
Paul told him “he knew a quicker way” than walking down 7th Street, as he had
originally planned, “go to 10th Street, cross the bridge” and go from there. RR3-
209, 211. Appellant said that while he had been to Ashley’s before, he was
“not familiar with Austin”, so decided to follow Paul’s advise. RR3-206.
He testified that, during that time, Herron was “a good distance away”
talking to someone, and he saw him smoking something but couldn’t tell what.
RR3-210-211. See also, RR3-238-240.
After that, appellant walked up Trinity towards 10th Street, adding that
he “actually… tried to sneak off” without Herron, but he caught up with him.
14/ Appellant did not have a vehicle and took the bus to 6th street. RR3-201, 203-204, 209.
20
RR3-211-212. At that time, he saw Herron “blowing smoke” that smelled “like
fingernail polish”, and noticed that, thought usually “very talkative”, he was
quiet and had “this, like, real, real blank stare” and “this, like, agitated look on
his face”. RR3-212-213. He said he thought Herron was “on sherm, which is
mostly called dip”, which is “similar to K2.” RR3-213, 239
When they got to 10th Street, they found there was no bridge there, so
they “cut[] to 11th Street” and walked east on the bridge over IH 35. RR3-213-
214. According to appellant, while on the bridge, a “speeding black car almost
hit” Herron, then stopped and “him and” Herron “started arguing and exchang-
ing words.” RR3-214-215, 244-248. He said it wasn’t long, because when
Herron “got out of the way, he pulled off.” RR3-215, 243. On cross, he added
that he saw only that the driver was “a Caucasian on the phone, but [] didn’t see
much.” RR3-245.
They continued east on 11th until they “come across the parking lot” at
the credit union, and Herron “said “Is that that black car that almost hit us?”
and he was going to “go check that shit.” RR3-216. See, Appendix, Appeal
Exhibit 1.15 Appellant testified he did not “really know” what Herron meant,
15/That is a ‘Google earth’ view of the same area like SX-63, from further out, showing the
credit union parking lot on 11th Street, east across the bridge over IH 35, abutting the north-
bound IH35 frontage road on the west side and the sidewalk and 11th Street on the south,
21
but “knew it wasn’t nothing good”, because he could see he was under the
influence and thought “[h]e’s tripping”, “not in his right mind now”. RR3-217-
218. He continued: “I told him, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ He’s making the
situation bigger than he’s supposed to. ‘I got this. You chill right here.’” Id.
He was “thinking just to go talk to” the person in the car, and “told” Herron “to
stay where he was”, “by the bank, away from the car.” RR3-218-219.
Appellant said then he went up to the passenger side and “knock[ed] on
the window”, the driver asked “What’s up?”, and appellant “opened the door.”
RR3-218. He testified he “said, ‘Sir, do you know you almost—‘ – and [] was
trying to tell him that that was us he almost hit, but before” he “could finish the
sentence” Herron “opens the [driver’s side] door” “and told him to get out of
the car, and when he didn’t comply… hit him.” RR3-218-219.
Herron and Harris then struggled. RR3-219. Appellant said he “was
basically telling everybody to chill out, which is slang for ‘stop’, but they
weren’t listening”. Id. He testified he did not go around the car and grab
Herron
with the credit union building on the east end of the lot. Appellant asks this Court to judicial
notice of it. See, Tex.R.Ev., Rule 201; Peraza v. State, 457 S.W.3d 134, 142 n.2 (Tex.App.-
Hou[1st]2014), rev’d on other grounds, 467 S.W.3d 508(Tex.Crim.App.2015); Griego v.
State, 345 S.W.3d 742, 747 n.5(Tex.App.-Amarillo2011, no pet.); Granados v. State, 843 S.
W.2d 736, 738(Tex.App.-Corpus Christi1992, no pet.).
22
“[b]ecause I saw the knife in his hand after he hit him in the head. …
Q. [DEFENSE ATTORNEY]: How did you see the knife?
A. Well, when he hit him in the head, I saw his fist balled up and when I
looked to the side, I seen that handle. So when he told him – like, after
he hit him, the victim, like, he was doing this (indicating) you know,
covering up his face. So, I was, like, okay, he hit him in the head. So
[Herron] told him to get out of the car one more time, but he started, you
know what I’m saying, displaying the knife, you know, swinging it
around. So I’m like, ‘Coo (phonetic), that’s a knife.’ So I runs to the
other side and I ask him, ‘Bro, what are you doing?’”
RR3-219-220.
According to appellant, Harris was “still… holding his face, hurt, I
guess. So [Herron] told him, ‘I ain’t going to tell you another time. Get out of
the car.’” RR3-220. Harris got out and “stumbled a little bit, you know, like he
was dazed, then” Herron “told him to get on the ground”, which he did. Id.
Appellant said he asked Herron “what is he doing, and he was like,
‘Man, bro’ – and then he looked at the victim, then he looked at me, then he
said, ‘Bro, go check the car.” Id. Appellant said he did, “because of the knife”,
he “was scared of [Herron]. It was that knife. As cowardly as it sounds, like,
one person was already bleeding. I didn’t want to be next.” RR3-221. He ex-
plained Herron “has a tear drop on his eye”, which he understood meant “you
murdered somebody and” and “in a gang”, and, while he “didn’t know if he
really killed somebody or was [] trying to look tough”, he “didn’t want to
23
become tear drop number two. So when he said, ‘Check the car,’ I checked the
car.” Id.
He found two credit cars, and Herron told him “to bring them here.” Id.
Herron then gave him “another card and he told me to go get the money out of
the ATM.” Id. Appellant said he “told him, ‘Why are you trying to make me do
it? It ain’t like I can get it off anyway. I don’t have the PIN’, and he gave me
the PIN.” RR3-223. Appellant testified he was “surprised” and
“asked him, ‘Where’d you get the pin from?’ And he said he got it from
the victim, stop asking him questions.
So I said, ‘Bro, why you got me doing all this dumb crap? Like,
this man probably ain’t even got nothing.
So he’d said, ‘Come here,’ and he gave me [Harris’] phone and he
told me to check the balance.”
Id.
According to appellant, he “played like” he tried to use the ATM:
“I knew there wasn’t one in the front. And then he told me to check it in
the front. Like, I went over there, played like, you know what I’m
saying, I was attempting to. But I came back and told him, ‘There is no
ATM.”
RR3-222. He said he was gone for “[s]ixty seconds, not even enough time to
attempt”, and denied trying to get any money. Id.
Appellant testified Herron then “said, ‘Shit,’ and then he held his hand
24
out” and he give him Harris’ phone. Id. He said he “acted like” he made a
phone call, but denied actually making one. RR3-223.
According to appellant Harris or Herron remained where they had been
while he walked to and from the building/ATM, and Herron was still standing
“[r]ight there by” Harris at that time. RR3-224. He continued that he tried to
give Herron the cards, but he told him to “[h]old on to it.” Id. He told Herron,
“‘Bro, let’s go’”, Herron told him “No” and “[g]o check the car again” but he
refused. Id.
He said Herron then told him “to watch” Harris and “he would go check
the car.” Id. As Herron “was checking the car,” he was telling him “’Bro, let’s
go’”, but Herron “starts screaming at” Harris “because now” he “ is up trying to
flag people… for help”, and
“he starts screaming at me, like, ‘Bro, what you doing? You’re supposed
to be watching him. He’s going to get us caught.’
And I’m like, ‘It ain’t on us.’”
RR3-225.
He denied Herron gave him the knife. Id.
He testified Herron told him “to crank up the car,” but he lied and said
“that I didn’t know how to crank a car or drive.”. RR3-225-227. Herron then
25
tried but could not start the car, so he eventually got back in and started it,
“because he made me. Like, I don’t really want nothing to do with this, so I’m
trying to do less work as possible.” RR3-227-228. That was when he “threw”
the cards “back in the car”, “I didn’t want nothing to do with those cards.”
RR3-231-232.
Herron then got in the driver’s seat and started driving off, but it stalled
out, drifted back and hit the pole. RR3-228-229. Appellant said he was arguing
with Herron during that: “I’m telling him, like, ‘Why you got to take this man’s
car? This thing probably got a GPS. You’re stupid.” RR3-228.
Appellant then ran off “on the access road going south.” RR3-229. He
said he tried but was unable to get away from Herron because Herron was
faster. Id. He got on a bus, and Herron again followed him onto it. RR3-229-
230. Appellant fell asleep, and when he woke Herron was gone. Id. He testi-
fied he did not go to the police because Herron is “a gang-banger” and he
feared for his life, “snitching is not tolerated where I’m from. .. It’s the old
saying, ‘Snitches get stitches and end up in ditches.’” RR3-231.
He denied he ever hit Harris. RR3-232. He also denied that Herron ever
said he was going to “catch a lick”, “hit a lick”, do a crime or a robbery, and
said he had no idea what Herron was doing or that he had a knife that night
26
before he saw it. Id.
The State generally sought to impeach appellant, beginning with his
actions downtown and the claim Herron was almost hit by a car. RR3-233-242.
16 It elicited that he did “not really” recognize the car when he saw it parked:
“it was black. But, [he] wasn’t 100 percent sure,” though “sure enough” to
walk up to talk with him so Herron wouldn’t do something. RR3-245-246. He
acknowledged Harris did not testify he almost hit someone. RR3-246.
Using the video (SX-54), it questioned him on where he was and the
route he took from 11th to Harris’ car, trying to show they were behind the car.
RR3-250. It then elicited that he is 6’4” and around 260, while Herron is “5-
something”, at which point he added that Herron had the knife. RR3-251. He
insisted Herron had control of the situation. RR3-252. Confronted with
Harris’ claim that he appeared to be calling the shots, he replied: “most people
look at it: You’re the big guy, you’re in charge.” Id.
16/ For example, it expressed skepticism that he was in the downtown/6th Street area for about
5 hours (10 p.m. to around 3 a.m.), past when the bars closed, but insisted he did not drink
any alcohol or go into any bars, and his testimony that he only walked around and talked with
friends and acquaintances. RR3-233-238. It also elicited that Ashley’s house was on
Rosewood Street, and sought to show that going to 11th Street was not the faster route (the
State appear to be wrong on that: it was a different direction than appellant’s original planned
route, but he (correctly) explained 11th actually is a shorter route. RR3-240-242.. (Rosewood
begins at and runs northeast from 11th, and 11th goes straight to the south end of Rosewood,
while 7th goes southeast, away from Rosewood and actually appears to be a longer route. See,
Appendix, Appellant’s 2.) It did elicit that, by going to Trinity Street, he went one block in
the opposite direction, and that there was no bridge at 10th. RR3-242.
27
He denied saying “If he moves, cut his fucking throat.” Id.
He agreed the video did not show him trying to stop Herron, but said
“you can’t see much on that video. … its from a distance” and the “[t]imeline
skips very bad on that.” RR3-254. He acknowledged his fingerprints were on
the passenger side, and guessed his prints got on the Altoids box “when he told
me to check the car.” RR3-254-255. He explained he felt like he had to do it:
“I wouldn’t say -- I’ll put it like this: I did it to avoid harm. He told me
to do it. He’s the one with the knife. I thought that I was going to end up
like the victim if I didn’t comply, you know, like, bleeding and whatnot,
so I checked the car. And I guess he didn’t like the pace I was going
because he was actually telling me to hurry and telling me where to
check, ‘Check the glove compartment, check the armrest, check the
door,’ all that right there.”
RR3-255.
He agreed that at “one point” Herron told him to guard Harris, and then
Herron is not in the picture on the video. Id. But, he insisted he did not have
the knife. Id. Confronted with Harris saying he did at that time, he replied:
“Yes. But he also said after I came from the ATM he said that I handed
the knife to Christian and he said that I told Christian to check the door –
to what, start the car. But if you look at the video, Christian’s still out
there with him.”
RR3-256.
He acknowledged a lot of Harris’ testimony was accurate, and when the
28
State asked where they should start disbelieving Harris, replied:
“It’s, like, a combination. I mean, what he got against me, I don’t know.
I actually don’t know. But its about what remember or what he recall,
you know. Like, he don’t recall saying something, or he said something
that never actually happened. Like, you got to understand when he got
hit, he was dazed, because he stumbled when he got out of the car.”
RR3-256-257.
When it noted he was now testifying but said he didn’t say anything
before because he didn’t want to be a “snitch”, he replied that was because he
was facing very serious criminal charges and
“didn’t really know about the laws of parties. And I didn’t know that I
can get the same exact thing he got even though I didn’t do it…
.. like, if it looks – not necessarily is, if it looks like you tried to aid
in any way, you get the same thing as the person that put their marks on
him, as the person with – you know, the weapon, who originated the idea,
who directly carried it out.”
RR3-258. He acknowledged Harris had “nothing to gain” from testifying,
“[b]ut just because that’s what he thinks happened doesn’t mean it happened.”
RR3-261.
Both sides then rested and closed. RR3-262.
3. The jury charge as a relevant whole.
The guilt/innocence jury charge as a relevant whole read as follows:
“You are instructed that the law applicable to this case is as follows:
29
1.
A person commits the offense of Aggravated Robbery, if he commits the
offense of robbery as hereinafter defined, and he uses or exhibits a deadly
weapon.
2.
A person commits the offense of Robbery if in the course of committing
theft as hereinafter defined and with intent to obtain or maintain control
of the property he:
1. intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another;
or
2. intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of
imminent bodily injury or death.
3.
A person commits theft if he unlawfully appropriates property with intent
to deprive the owner of property.
4.
…
“In the course of committing theft” means conduct that occurs in an
attempt to commit, during the commission, or in immediate flight after
the attempt or commission of theft.
….
"Bodily injury" means physical pain, illness, or any impairment of
physical condition.
"Deadly weapon" means anything that in the manner of its use or
intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.
5.
A person acts intentionally, or with intent, with respect to the nature of
his conduct or to a result of his conduct when it is his conscious objective
or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result.
A person acts knowingly, or with knowledge, with respect to the nature
of his conduct or to circumstances surrounding his conduct when he is
30
aware of the nature of his conduct or that the circumstances exist. A
person acts knowingly, or with knowledge, with respect to a result of his
conduct when he is aware that his conduct is reasonably certain to cause
the result.
A person acts recklessly, or is reckless, with respect to circumstances
surrounding his conduct or the result of his conduct when he is aware of
but consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the
circumstances exist or that the result will occur. The risk must be of such
a nature and degree that its disregard constitutes a gross deviation from
the standard of care that an ordinary person would exercise under all the
circumstances as viewed from the
defendant's standpoint.
6.
All persons are parties to an offense who are guilty of acting together in
the commission of an offense. A person is criminally responsible as a
party to an offense if the offense is committed by his own conduct, by the
conduct of another for which he is criminally responsible, or by both.
A person is criminally responsible for an offense committed by the
conduct of another if, acting with intent to promote or assist the
commission of the offense, he solicits, encourages, directs, aids or
attempts to aid the other person to commit the offense. Mere presence
alone will not constitute one a party to an offense.
In a prosecution in which an actor's criminal responsibility is based on
the conduct of another, the actor may be convicted on proof of
commission of the offense and that he was a party to its commission, and
it is no defense that the person for whose conduct the actor is criminally
responsible has been acquitted, has not been prosecuted or convicted, has
been convicted of a different offense or of a different type or class of
offense, or is immune from prosecution.
7.
Now bearing in mind the foregoing instructions, if you believe from the
evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, RODERICK
PAYTON, on or about the 25th day of March, 2016, in the County of
31
Travis and State of Texas, did then and there, while in the course of
committing theft of property and with intent to obtain or maintain control
of said property, intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause bodily
injury to Robin Harris by striking Robin Harris with his fist or hand, and
the said RODERICK PAYTON did then and there use or exhibit a deadly
weapon, to wit: a knife, then you will find the defendant guilty of
Aggravated Robbery and so say by your verdict. But, if you do not so
believe, or if you have a reasonable doubt thereof, you will acquit the
defendant of the offense of Aggravated Robbery and so say by your
verdict not guilty.”
CR-89-91.
4. The charge erroneously failed to include any reference to
guilt as a party in the application paragraph.
The application paragraph contains no reference at all to commission “as
a party”. That is error because law of parties is included in the abstract part,
and the case was in fact tried under a parties theory. See, RR4-8-37(closing
arguments). See, Vasquez, 389 S.W.3d at 367-369; Ferreira v. State, 514 S.W.
3d 297, 302(Tex.App.-Hou[14th]2016, no pet.). It also was error because
appellant could not be convicted as a principal under this indictment. See, Plata
v. State, 926 S.W.2d 300, 303-304 (Tex. Crim.App.1996), overruled on other
grounds, Yzaguirre v. State, 394 S.W.3d 526(Tex.Crim.App.2013).17 It is un-
17/Yzaguiree holds Plata’s holding that such error requires reversal whenever evidence for
guilt as a principal is insufficient is no long valid in light of using a ‘hypothetically correct’
jury charge to measure sufficiency, as required by Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 234(Tex.
Crim.App.1991), if there is sufficient evidence as a party and some instruction on parties was
given, even if only in the abstract portion of the charge. But, it did not disavow the holding
that it is jury charge error.
32
disputed the only “bodily injury” to Harris was “cause[d]” by Herron hitting
him in the temple. Indeed, the State corrected appellant when he said Harris
had testified both hit him: “What he said was that Rico [Herron] hit him with
his hand.” RR3-253. There is no evidence appellant touched, let alone caused
him any injury. Thus, once “the acts and conduct of” Herron are “remove[d]
from consideration”, the evidence “shows, or raises an issue, that the conduct
of” appellant “is not sufficient, in and of itself, to sustain” this conviction, so
“the State’s case rests upon the law of principals [parties] and is
dependent, at least in part, upon the conduct of another. In such a case,
the law of principals [parties] must be submitted and made applicable to
the facts of the case.”
Brown v. State, 716 S.W.2d 939, 944(Tex.Crim.App.1986). Brown specific-
ally noted this charge is required “where the issue is raised or there is a ques-
tion or dispute as to whose activity cause the specific result, such as … whose
blow or kick hit the victim…” Id. at 945(quoting McClung, “Jury Charges for
Texas Criminal Practice” (rev.Ed.1985)).
Evidence appellant may have threatened Harris with bodily injury, if
he did, would not authorize the jury to convict him as a principle here. Para-
graph 2 does define robbery in the abstract as either “causes bodily injury to”
or “threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury…” But there
is no reference to the second in the indictment, application paragraph or the
33
remainder of the charge. An abstract charge on a theory of law that is not ap-
plied to the facts does not lawfully authorize the jury to convict upon that
theory. See, Crenshaw v. State, 378 S.W.3d 460, 466(Tex. Crim.App.2012).
Whether considered different offenses or alternative means, proof of “threatens
or places in fear” will not authorize a conviction for “causes bodily injury”.
See, Cooper v. State, 430 S.W.3d 426, 427-435 & 440-444(Tex.Crim.App.
2014)(opinion of court, Keller, P.J., joined by Johnson, J., concurring, and
Price, J., joined by Keasler and Hervey, JJ., dissenting); cf., Landrian v. State,
268 S.W.2d 532, 540(Tex.Crim.App.2008) and cases cited thereat.
5. The charge erroneously failed to apply the law of parties to
the facts.
6. The charge erroneously authorized conviction without any
finding beyond a reasonable doubt on the essential element
that appellant possessed the required specific intent of “caus-
[ing] bodily injury to Robin Harris”.
7. The charge erroneously authorized conviction without a
unanimous finding beyond a reasonable doubt on that essential
element.
The charge was erroneous for failing to apply the law of parties to the
offense as indicted and the facts. When the law of parties is part of the law of
the case in jury charge, the
34
“… charge is adequate for this purpose only if either contains an
application paragraph specifying all of the conditions to be met before a
conviction under such theory is authorized, or contains an application
paragraph authorizing a conviction under the conditions specified by
other paragraphs of the jury charge to which the application paragraph
necessarily and unambiguously refers, or contains some logically
consistent combination of such paragraphs.”
Plata, 926 S.W.2d at 304. See also, Vasquez, 389 S.W.3d at 367. Vasquez stat-
es that it is not error to fail to include language narrowing party liability to the
specific facts of the case when there is “a general reference to the law of parties
in the application paragraph” and no objection or request. Id., at 368;
Ferreira, 514 S.W.3d at 303. There was no reference at all to parties in this
application paragraph.
In addition, it erroneously authorized conviction under this indictment if
appellant lacked the specific intent to cause Harris bodily injury. The Texas
Penal Code relevantly defines “aggravated robbery” as commission of robbery
and use or exhibition of a deadly weapon. Texas Penal Code, Sec. 29.03(a)(2).
It relevantly defines ‘robbery’ as
“in the course of committing theft as defined in Chapter 31 and with
intent to obtain or maintain control over the property, he: 1. intentionally,
knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; ...”
Id., Sec. 29.02(a). The gravamen of robbery is the assault, not theft or attempt-
ed theft. See, Ex parte Hawkins, 6 S.W.3d 554, 560(Tex.Crim.App.1999);
35
Green v. State, 840 S.W.2d 394, 401(Tex.Crim.App.1992); Matlock v. State,
20 S.W.3d 57, 63 (Tex.App.-Texarkana2002, pet. ref'd); Purser v. State, 902
S.W.2d 641, 647(Tex.App.-El Paso1995, pet. ref'd).18
The indictment alleged only sec. 29.02(a)(1), i.e., “causes bodily injury
to” Robin Harris. Thus, the robbery offense in this case was a result-, not
conduct-, offense, i.e., conviction required proof appellant specifically intended
to cause bodily injury as alleged:
“’What matters is that the conduct (whatever it may be) is done with the
required culpability to effect the result the Legislature has specified.”
Landrian, 268 S.W.2d 532, at 540(quoting Alvarado v. State, 704 S.W.2d 36,
39(Tex.Crim.App.1985))(emphasis in original). See and cf., Price v. State, 457
S.W.3d 437, 442(Tex.Crim.App.2015); Brown v. State, 595 S.W.2d 550, 551-
552(Tex.Crim.App.1980).
Further, the abstract (and only) party charge actually given invoked only
Sec. 7.02(a)(1). That also “clearly means, at a minimum, that a defendant must
act intentionally with respect to the result elements of a result oriented
18/Thus, actual commission of theft is not a prerequisite of robbery. See, King v. State, 157
S.W.3d 873, 874(Tex.App.-Houston[14th]2005, pet. ref'd); Garza v. State, 937 S.W.2d 569,
570 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 1996, pet. ref'd); Yarbrough v. State, 656 S.W.2d 200, 201(Tex.
App.-Austin 1985, no pet.). Proof of a completed theft is not required, robbery includes
those instances in which bodily injury is inflicted in an attempt to commit theft. See,
Bustamante v. State, 106 S.W.3d 738, 740(Tex.Crim.App.2003); Wolfe v. State, 917 S.W.2d
270, 275(Tex.Crim.App.1996).
36
offense.” Nava v. State, 415 S.W.3d 289, 298-299(Tex.Crim.App.2013). In
other words, the proof must show he aided “the entire offense, that is, both the
theft and assaultive component of the aggravated robbery”. Wooden, 101 S.W.
3d at 547. There was no charge under Sec. 7.02(b), i.e. party by conspiracy.
As a result, the jury could not lawfully convict by finding instead that he con-
spired with Herron, and Herron’s causing bodily injury was “in furtherance of
the unlawful purpose and… should have been anticipated as a result of the
carrying out of the conspiracy.” Wooden, 101 S.W.3d at 547. Compare,
Cienfuegos v. State, 113 S.W.3d 481, 492-494(Tex. App.-Hou[1st]2003, pet
ref’d). A proper charge would have required proof beyond a reasonable doubt
of “an intent to promote or assist, not only the commission of the underlying”
theft “but also the result” of Herron causing bodily injury to Harris. See, Nava,
415 S.W.3d at 299-300.
But, this charge nowhere informs the jury that in order to convict it must
first find appellant had the specific intent to cause the result of bodily injury to
Harris. Instead, paragraph 5 defines the mens rea in the disjunctive as conduct-
oriented or result-oriented:
“… when it is his conscious objective or desire to engage in the conduct
or cause the result.
37
… when he is aware of the nature of his conduct or that the
circumstances exist… [or] when he is aware that his conduct is
reasonably certain to cause the result.
… when he is aware of but consciously disregards a substantial and
unjustifiable risk that the circumstances exist or that the result will occur.
…”
Doing so was also error, because the offense actually tried was a result offense:
“A trial court errs when it fails to limit the language in regard to the
applicable culpable mental states to the appropriate conduct element. …
If the gravamen of an offense is the result of conduct, the jury
charge on culpable mental state should be tailored to the result of conduct
… If the offense has multiple gravamania, and one gravamen is the
result of conduct and the other is the nature of conduct, the jury charge
on culpable mental states must be tailored to both the result of conduct
and the nature of conduct,”
Price, 457 S.W.3d at 441(discussing cases).
This error was compounded by the others, so that taken as a whole this
charge authorized conviction without finding appellant himself specifically
intended bodily injury be caused to Harris, or even if he in fact did not intend
it. Instead, reading it authorized conviction if the jury found only that
1) Herron intended to commit theft and caused bodily injury to Harris by
striking him with his fist or hand,
2) appellant’s conduct aided or assisted Herron in some way,
3) appellant had a “conscious objective or desire to engage in” the
“conduct” that aided or assisted Herron, but did not intend that
Herron cause the result of bodily injury to Harris, and
38
4) one of them “exhibited” (but did not “use”) a deadly weapon at some
point.
It also authorized conviction if they found: 3) appellant intended to commit
theft, but not cause bodily injury to Harris. Further, given para. 2 reciting in
the abstract the law of Sec. 29.02(a)(2), it might even be read to authorize
conviction if: 3) appellant in fact only intended to “threaten or place” Harris in
fear “of imminent bodily injury”, if he did, but not to cause him bodily injury.
Authorizing conviction without requiring a finding that he possessed
specific intent to cause bodily injury to Harris was error. See and compare,
Nava, 415 S.W.3d at 298-301; cf., Gross v. State, 380 S.W.2d 181, 186-189
(Tex.Crim.App.2012); Brown, 595 S.W.2d at 551-552; Cienfuegos, 113 S.W.
3d at 493. Indeed, the charge authorized conviction even if the jury found the
bodily injury was the result of Herron’s independent impulse, which in fact
would require acquittal. See, Binyon v. State, 545 S.W.2d 448, 451 n.2(Tex.
Crim.App.1976); cf., Solomon v. State, 49 S.W.3d 356, 368(Tex.Crim.App.
2001).19
Finally, by doing so, it also authorized a non-unanimous verdict: i.e.,
where some jurors found he had the specific intent, while others found he did
19/Solomon reaffirmed that conviction could not be had under that circumstance, but held
defendant was not entitled to a separate jury charge on independent impulse.
39
not but convicted under one of the other readings of the charge that did not
require that. Whether treated as alternate offenses or manner and means,
“cause bodily injury” and “threat or place in fear” are essential elements. See,
Cooper, 430 S.W.3d at 427-435 & 440-444. Juror unanimity is required on
elemental issues. See, Pizzo v. State, 235 S.W.3d 711, 718-719(Tex.Crim.App.
2007). A charge that allows conviction without unanimous finding on all
elements is error. See and cf., Landrian, 268 S.W.3d at 540; Stuhler v. State,
218 S.W.3d 706, 717-719(Tex.Crim.App.2007); Jefferson v. State, 189 S.W.3d
305, 312-313(Tex.Crim.App.2006).
B. Egregious Harm.
1. The jury notes.
The jury sent two notes out during deliberation. They provide important
evidence on egregious harm because, in short, they seem direct evidence the
errors actually affected deliberations and probably, at least, adversely impacted
their verdict in a way the cases holding them error sought to prevent, and which
would deny a “fair and impartial trial”, “go to the very basis of the case”, “de-
prive the defendant of a valuable right”, or “vitally affect [a] defensive theory”.
See, Castillo-Fuentes v. State, 707 S.W.2d 559, 563 n.2(Tex.Crim.App.1986)
(jury note is direct evidence).
40
The first stated:
“Question:
Does ‘effective consent’ apply to the law of parties?
So, does it matter whether or not we think Mr. Payton is being coerced
for the law of parties to apply?”
CR-76-77; RR4-37-38.
The second read:
“Does the charge in section 7 where it states “by striking Robin Harris
with his fist or hand’ mean that Roderick Payton, himself, did the
striking? Did he do the hitting?
Or does this imply by law of parties, he hit Robin Harris?”
CR-78-79; RR4-38-39.
The first seems direct evidence that they actually adversely affected his
defensive theory that he did not intend to commit the aggravated robbery and
acted out of fear of Herron (“coerced”), at least. There would be no reason to
ask the second part unless some juror(s) had a reasonable doubt on that.
The second shows the jury was confused about what the law required on
“causing bodily injury” and focused on the wrong issue: i.e., whether he him-
self had to hit Harris or was “implied” to if they found him to be a party, rather
than having to unanimously determine whether he specifically intended to
cause bodily injury to Harris, whoever hit him, in order to find he was a
41
party. As stated in Castillo-Fuentes of an similar situation, albeit a different
charge error: the jury’s questions “strikingly shows… in a non-theoretical, real-
life situation” the problems cases holdings these are charge errors sought to
prevent: “it shows the jury was confused and mislead” to reject find guilt with-
out unanimously finding he acted with the required specific intent. 707 S.W.2d
at 563. See also, Ruiz v. State, 753 S.W.2d 681, 687(Tex. Crim.App.1988).
In both instances, the court responded by merely directing jurors back to
the original, erroneous charge. As was said of a similar response in Castillo-
Fuentes:
“The court in directing the jury [back to the charge] as a response to their
confusion merely compounds the original error… The court did not
resolve this issue by redirecting the jury to consider the charge as
originally misstated.”
707 S.W.2d at 563.
2. The entire jury charge.
Taken as whole, the jury charge does not lessen the problems here but
instead aggravates them. See, (A)(5 - 7), supra.
3. The state of the evidence, including contested issues.
The critical contested issue in this trial were whether the State proved
beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant acted with the required intent, i.e.,
42
intending to commit the aggravated robbery as alleged in this indictment and
set forth in this application paragraph, including specific intent to cause bodily
injury to Harris. If the jury had a reasonable doubt whether he acted because
he was coerced by or out of fear of Herron, or otherwise lacked the required
intent, it should have been obligated to acquit.
It is undisputed appellant did not strike Harris or otherwise cause him
bodily injury. There is no evidence that he knew Herron would do that, or that
he told or wanted him to before Herron did so. Indeed, as both Harris and
Gutierrez said, the offense seems to have been spur of the moment, not plan-
ned, as opposed to the inferences the State argued. The only evidence contra-
dicting appellant’s testimony that he only went to the passenger door to talk is
Harris’ saying he “reached in… and tried to start releasing my seatbelt”. But
he did not mention that until redirect, after the defense already pressed him on
the lack of obvious culpable acts to that point by appellant. It apparently was
not in any of his prior statements. Appellant denied doing it. It appears to be a
classic witness “swearing match”.
That seems to also be the case with the rest of the evidence the State
argued disproved his defensive theory, such as Harris’ testimony that appellant
told Herron or threatened to “cut his throat” if he moved - was denied by
43
appellant classic “swearing match”. The video appears to conflict with critical
portions of Harris testimony about appellant’s actions, e.g., the 45 seconds in
which he said he walked from the ATM, exchanged the knife with Herron, then
Herron got into and tried to but could not start the car, so he returned to
appellant, took the knife back and stood over Harris again while appellant got
back into to and started the car; and Harris’ claim he was gone to the ATM for
3 minutes instead of the less than 1 minute appellant said he “played” at going
to ATM simply to satisfy Herron’s demand. The jury notes seem to indicate at
least some jurors did not find the evidence “overwhelming” for the State.
4. Voir dire and arguments of counsel.
a. The voir dire of the venirepanel.
The State’s voir dire is some 90 pages. RR2-32-122. Noteable here are
the parts covering the law of aggravated robbery, deadly weapons and parties.
In short, the State spent considerable time discussing how robbery could be by
“threatening bodily injury”, a weapon could be deadly merely by use in a
threat, and party liability, with only a single passing reference to “caused
bodily injury to the victim,” (and only as to not serious bodily injury).
It began saying it was “the law that we expect is going to apply to this
case.” RR2-35. Discussion of aggravated robbery begins at RR2-44, and
44
repeatedly defines it as (or agrees with veniremembers who say it is), theft plus
either bodily injury or threatening same. RR2-46-51. See also, RR2-52.20
A page later it turned to that “aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon”.
RR2-53-63. Of note there is emphasis on the fact a deadly weapon could be
anything and the important fact is not how it is used but “intended” use, and a
veniremembers summing it up as “[i]f it’s used to threaten or coerce, then it
becomes a deadly weapon”, to which the State replies, “Good.” RR2-63. It
then agreed with another veniremember that it could be “even if he didn’t pull
it out of his pocket, if he knew – had the intention…” Id.
A page later the State stated it had “to prove” appellant inter alia “caus-
ed bodily injury to the victim,” Harris, “by striking him with his fist and his
hand, and he used or exhibited a deadly weapon, a knife.” RR2-64. But, it then
explained it is “not serious bodily injury, and doing it with a deadly weapon,
okay? You all with me? Good.” RR2-65. Absent is any disavowal of “threat-
20/Thus, it twice states “robbery equals theft plus this idea of bodily injury or the threat of
bodily injury or death.” RR2-46. It then elicits agreement from a veniremember that “even a
threat during the course of taking” of property is robbery. RR2-47. It then says “[s]o if I
threaten her even after I’ve gotten away with the property itself. That’s a good one.” RR2-
48. When a veniremember states robbery was theft “and you either committed bodily injury
with this person or said that you were going to…”, the State replied “Right.” Id. It then
repeated its example: a person “say[s], ‘Give me you glasses’, and I’ve threatened her or I
hurt her somehow…”, eliciting veniremembers agreement that that was a robbery. RR2-49.
A few moments later it again repeated “robbery” is theft plus bodily injury --… or the threat
of imminent bodily injury”, and becomes “aggravated robbery” with e.g. “use or exhibit a
deadly weapon”. RR2-51.
45
en” or statement that appellant himself must intend the bodily injury.
It then immediately turned to the law of parties:
“MR. HENSCHKE [No. 55]: Is that basically saying, like, if the other
person has the knife, like, he’s still guilty by association?
[PROSECUTOR]: I think what it’s saying is –
MR. JENSCHKE (sic): That’s acting as a party?
[PROSECUTOR]: Yeah. What – well, how does that look to you?
MR. JENSCHKE: You’re part of the offense.
[PROSECUTOR]: Right. So you’re saying that someone is –
MR. JENSCHKE: Because you’re committed to the conduct of the other
person, you’re in on it.
[PROSECUTOR]: Yeah.”
RR2-65-66.
A few moments later, it explains that being a party is “not just that you
are there”, “you have to solicit, encourage, direct, aid or attempt to aid, right?”
RR2-67. After some discussion of various examples, e.g., the ‘getaway driver’,
the State addresses intent thus: “So it is with an intent to commit a crime that
we’re talking about. … Its the intent to do what is agreed upon to be done.”
RR2-70. After discussing other examples - none of which is like this case - a
veniremember asked what “if somebody’s being blackmailed to do something”.
46
RR2-76. The State replied “You must intend to cause that result, ‘I have an
intent to make this thing happen,’” but then explained “But we’re just – we’re
talking about just the behavior itself right now.” RR2-76. It then discussed
how one could be a party for acts committed only “after the fact, right? It
doesn’t have to be during, necessarily.” Id.
The State then turned to other unrelated topics. RR2-77-122. The only
thing noteable there are two brief anodyne statements on jury unanimity: “but
its is a unanimous decision. So at the end of the case, it’s the 12 together as
one expressing guilty or not guilty, right?”, RR2-84; “Everything has to be
unanimous”, RR2-107.
The defense voir dire covered issues of e.g, possible problems with
witness perception and memory, reasonable doubt, the reality of the dangers of
‘snitching’, and punishment philosophy. RR2-130-167.
b. Opening arguments.
The State’s opening characterized them as “Payton and his accomplice”,
and at one point claimed appellant “was the one kind of directing the whole
operation”. RR3-11. It mostly did not differentiate between him and Herron,
instead treating them rhetorically as a whole: i.e. they “approached the vehicle
from behind and accosted [] Harris”, “they punched him in the head”, causing
47
the laceration, “and he was held at knife point while they went through his car,
took his wallet,” and phone, and eventually unsuccessfully tried to drive off in
his car before walking away. RR3-10-11. However, it did assert that “at some
point in time” appellant “had the knife in his hand as well, guarding [] Harris
while the other defendant was going through the car”. RR3-11.
Defendant’s opening began by asserting he “never hit” Harris, “never
pulled the knife on” him, “didn’t have the knife and didn’t know what was
going on”. RR3-13-14. It conceded there had been a robbery but, noting “the
law of parties”, argued the issue the jury would “have to decide” was
appellant’s “intent.” RR3-14, 19, 21. It claimed it “wasn’t a planned robbery”,
and Herron “is the one who committed this robbery”. RR3-14-15. It set forth
the defensive theory it ultimately argued and asserted facts in support it ex-
pected to be shown. RR3-18- 21.
c. Closing arguments.
The State’s first close does not address specifically whether appellant
intended to case bodily injury to Harris. Rather, it seems to be he was guilty
because he participated in the theft and threatened or placed Harris in fear, so
he was “involved, if not the ringleader”. Whether deliberate or not, it seems to
exploit rather than correct the errors in the charge.
48
It began by “highlight[ing]… important parts” of the charge, noteably
that the definition of “robbery” includes “… intentionally, knowingly, or
recklessly causes bodily injury, intentionally places someone in fear.” RR4-8.
“You have the theft. There’s been no dispute about that. You have
bodily injury. … And there’s a deadly weapon, the knife. Nobody’s
disputing that.
So all the elements are there for an aggravated robbery. So now
we need to switch to, “How do we know that the Defendant participated
in that aggravated robbery?’ Why is he just as guilty as his Codefendant
– as the other person charged?…”
RR3-9.
It then argued he participated in the theft, and “we’re talking about the
law of parties here, so it doesn’t really matter that he did not hit [] Harris”
because he “helped”. RR4-9-11.21 It said he “tried to take” Harris’ “seatbelt off
to help [Herron] get him out of the car”, and “guarded him while” Herron “was
in the car. RR4-11-12. It argued Harris’ testimony he threatened him was
enough by itself:
“He held the knife at the victim… That right there is proof in and of
itself that he committed, much less helping [Herron]. But the two big
21/He “didn’t stand there passively hiding his head saying, ‘Oh what am I part of this?”, he
“rifled through the glove box, took the cards and went to the ATM (disputing “he was just
faking it”), appellant looked through Harris’ cell phone and got the passcode, “[h]e tried to
take the car” and “kept the keys”. RR3-9-11.
49
ones—and I want you to remember this, ‘If he moves, cut his fucking
throat.’ That what [] Harris said [appellant] said to [Herron].
.. He was participating at the bare minimum, probably more likely
was the one in charge. …
… [] Harris said he told him, ‘If you give me the wrong code, I’ll
kill you.’ Not a scared patsy, an active participant, the ringleader.”
RR4-12-13.
It then asserted all the elements were proved inter alia “[w]e know there
was a theft”, and “Harris was injured… hit with a fist holding that knife.” RR4-
13. It claimed “[t]he only thing that’s being challenged here today is intention-
ally, knowingly, or recklessly.” Id. To answer that it argued that he “was, at
least, involved, if not the ringleader…. Either way, he’s guilty.” RR4-14.
The defense close began by discussing reasons for reasonable doubt on
important parts of Harris’ testimony (e.g. that appellant seemed to in “in
charge”, tried to open his seatbelt at one point, ever had the knife), and corro-
boration of important parts of appellant’s. RR4-14-22.22 It argued “Herron did
22/Thus, he argued the 45 seconds the video proved was insufficient for appellant to do the
things Harris said he did after going to the ‘ATM’, and specifically rebutted the claim that
he was given the knife by Herron and stood guard on Harris; that Harris’ testimony he was at
the ATM 3 minutes was disproved by the video showing it was about 1 minute,; and his
testimony he was parked for 15 minutes before appellant and Herron is disproved by the
video showing only 6 or 7 minutes. RR4-17-18. It argued parts of Harris testimony, the
video, and the fingerprint evidence corroborated appellant on e.g. the time between the car
almost hitting Herron and their being in the parking lot (thus supporting that), that he faked
using the ATM, left the bank cards in the car rather than wanting to use them, and the lack of
fingerprints on the seatbelt buckle. RR4-18-23.
50
it all”, appellant was not “part of this robbery” and never hit Harris, RR4-18,
22, and
“… There’s obviously doubt, because he’s telling you a different story.
The question is: Is it reasonable? Is it a reasonable doubt? Is it a
reasonable doubt that he didn’t have anything to do with it?
Gone through his – what he’s done, things that you know, uncon-
troverted evidence. His mere presence alone is not sufficient. Did he –
was he actively participating? He never punched him. He never had the
knife. And he never used those credit card and those ATMs [sic], and he
actually dropped them and left them on the floor there.”
RR4-23-24.
Like its first close, the State’s surrebuttal does not appear to address the
issue of specific intent to injure Harris. Instead, it argued that all of Harris’s
testimony should be believed while calling appellant’s “a fabrication”. RR4-24-
32. It then argued that under the law of parties:
“… when you’re in for a penny, you’re in for a pound. And what that
means is once you cast your lot with somebody, once you say, ‘This is
something that were going to do together’ … you’re in. All in. And you
don’t get to decide how responsible you are. You’re responsible for
everything that happens from then on.”
RR4-33. It said appellant was “actively involved in this robbery”, “rifles
through the glove box”, “look[]s through the phone and get[s] that bank infor-
mation”, “walks up to the ATM to see if that’s something he can get away with.
And after even all of that, he tried to get away in the vehicle.” Id.
51
“If you believe [Harris’] testimony then you believe that [appellant] was
in control of this situation, that [he] at one point held that knife as well
and threatened to cut his throat, and told Herron to cut his throat if he
moves. If you believe [] Harris, then you believe [appellant] is guilty of
aggravated robbery.
If you believe any of this, you know that, regardless of the fact that
it was Herron who made this happen, who caused this wound to occur on
[] Harris, you know that [appellant] is also responsible. In for a penny, in
for a pound. You don’t get to decide how responsible you are once you
cast your lot with somebody.”
RR4-34.
This appears to be an argument for convicting appellant based on
participating without regard to whether jurors unanimously believed he
possessed specific intent to cause bodily injury to Harris or not. But, that is not
sufficient for conviction on this indictment and charge.23 Whether deliberate or
not, it too seems to exploit rather than correct the errors in the charge.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
For the reasons stated, appellant asks the conviction and sentence be set
aside and the case remanded for retrial consistent with the judgment and
opinion of the Court, and such other relief to which he is entitled.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
23/ In addition, there was no evidence of an agreement between appellant and Herron before
he hit Harris and, as at least two witnesses testified, this did not seem to be a planned offense.
This is a case under Tex.PenalCode, Sec. 7.02(b) (conspiracy), not under 7.02(a)(1), conspir-
acy was not alleged in the indictment or included in the charge.
52
/s/ Christopher P. Morgan
Christopher P. Morgan
State Bar No. 14435325
3009 N. IH 35
Austin, Texas 78722
(512) 472-9717 // FAX: 472-9798
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE: I, Christopher P. Morgan, hereby certi-
fy a true copy of this Brief has been served on the Office of the District
Attorney for Travis County, Texas on December 15, 2017, by hand.
/s/ Christopher P. Morgan
Christopher P. Morgan
CERTIFICATE OF WORD COUNT: I, Christopher P. Morgan, hereby
certify the word count is 12,891, excluding matters in Tex.R.App.Proc.,
Rule 9.4(I)(1)).
/s/ Christopher P. Morgan
Christopher P. Morgan
53
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