Opinion
No. 13-02-550-CR
Memorandum opinion delivered and filed August 19, 2004. DO NOT PUBLISH. Tex.R.App.P. 47.2(b).
On appeal from the 138th District Court of Cameron County, Texas.
Before Justices YAÑEZ, RODRIGUEZ, and GARZA.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
A jury convicted appellant, Raymond Bera Olivarez, of aggravated robbery. He now appeals the trial judge's denial of his motion for a directed verdict of acquittal. Appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury finding that the knife used in the robbery qualified as a deadly weapon. We affirm. The trial court has certified that this is not a plea bargain case and the defendant has a right to appeal. See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(a)(2). As this is a memorandum opinion not designated for publication and the parties are familiar with the facts, we will not recite them except as necessary to advise the parties of the court's decision and the basic reasons for it. See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.4.
See TEX. PEN. CODE ANN. § 29.03 (Vernon 2003).
Standard of Review
A challenge to the trial court's denial of motion for a directed verdict is, in essence, a challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence. Williams v. State, 937 S.W.2d 479, 482 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996); Hime v. State, 998 S.W.2d 893, 896 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1999, pet. ref'd). In reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court examines all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution and determines whether any rational jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt, based on the evidence and reasonable inferences from it, the essential elements of the offense. Burden v. State, 55 S.W.3d 608, 612 (Tex.Crim.App. 2001). We do not reweigh the evidence, but act as a final due-process safeguard ensuring only the rationality of the fact finder. Collier v. State, 999 S.W.2d 779, 788 (Tex.Crim.App. 1999); Williams, 937 S.W.2d at 483. A verdict will not be overturned unless it is irrational or unsupported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Matson v. State, 819 S.W.2d 839, 846 (Tex.Crim. App. 1991). The fact finder is the sole judge as to the weight and credibility given to witnesses testimony, Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 6-7 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000), and the jury may believe or disbelieve the testimony of any witness. Penagraph v. State, 623 S.W.2d 341, 343 (Tex.Crim.App. 1981). On appeal, we measure the legal sufficiency of the evidence by the elements of the offense as defined by a hypothetically correct jury charge. Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex.Crim. App. 1997). Such a charge accurately sets out the law, is authorized by the indictment, does not unnecessarily increase the State's burden of proof or unnecessarily restrict the State's theories of liability, and adequately describes the particular offense for which the defendant is being tried. Id.The Knife as a Deadly Weapon
In his sole issue, appellant argues that the State did not present sufficient evidence to satisfy its burden of proving that the knife used in the robbery was a deadly weapon. He contends specifically that the knife used in the robbery was not introduced into evidence and claims that the record contains no evidence regarding the physical characteristics of the knife. The Texas Penal Code defines a deadly weapon as "anything that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury." TEX. PEN. CODE ANN. § 1.07(a)(17)(B) (Vernon 2004). Knives are not deadly weapons per se, and the State carries the burden of proving a knife used in an offense was a deadly weapon. Tisdale v. State, 686 S.W.2d 110, 111 (Tex.Crim.App. 1984). In determining the deadliness of a knife, a jury may consider all the facts of a case, including: (1) words spoken by the appellant; (2) appellant's threats and gestures; (3) whether appellant inflicted any injuries; (4) physical proximity of the parties; (5) size, shape, and sharpness of the knife; (6) manner of its use or intended use; and (7) its capacity to cause serious bodily injury or death. Brown v. State, 716 S.W.2d 939, 946-47 (Tex.Crim.App. 1986). No single factor is determinative. Bailey v. State, 46 S.W.3d 487, 491 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2001, pet. ref'd). The jury may determine a weapon is deadly even if the weapon is not in evidence. Brown, 716 S.W.2d at 946; Bailey, 46 S.W.3d at 492. In reviewing the record, we consider whether a rational trier of fact could find beyond a reasonable doubt — based on the testimony and evidence — that the manner in which appellant used the knife, or intended to use the knife, was capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 1.07(a)(17)(B) (Vernon 2004); Tisdale, 686 S.W.2d at 114. Here, the victim, Omar Navarro, testified at trial that appellant ran toward his truck, pried the door open as Navarro tried to close it, and pulled a knife. While brandishing the knife, appellant told Navarro, "Give me your `F' money now." On cross-examination, Navarro testified that appellant pointed the knife at him between six inches and two feet from his person while Navarro was seatbelted in his truck. Navarro's testimony regarding the knife was as follows:Q. Okay. Were you fearful at that time?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What were you scared of?
A. That he was going to use it on me, first of all.
Q. Okay. Did you think that he might injure you?
A. Oh, yeah. He was so close — and waving a knife at me — things run into your mind.
. . .
Q. All right. Can you describe the knife to the jury?
A. He had it — he had it with his right hand, it was — it was a stainless steel knife. I don't remember the handle of it, because he had it wrapped around his hand but it was a pretty big knife.The jury was free to believe Navarro's testimony regarding appellant's aggressive intrusion into Navarro's vehicle, appellant's language and demand for Navarro's money, the physical proximity of Navarro to the knife, and Navarro's fear of the knife's capacity to harm him. Tisdale, 686 S.W.2d at 115. In light of this testimony, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence for a jury to find that the manner of the knife's use or intended use was capable of causing death or serious injury. See TEX. PEN. CODE ANN. § 1.07(a)(17)(B) (Vernon 2004); Tisdale, 686 S.W.2d at 115. As such, the trial court's denial of appellant's motion for directed verdict was appropriate. We affirm the trial court's judgment.