Opinion
No. 01-08-00175-CR
Opinion issued June 18, 2009. DO NOT PUBLISH. Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b).
On Appeal from the 230th District Court, Harris County, Texas, Trial Court Cause No. 1138812.
Panel consists of Justices KEYES, HANKS, and BLAND.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
A jury convicted appellant, Cedric Tyrone True, of aggravated robbery. The jury, having found the enhancement paragraph in the indictment true, sentenced appellant to 15 years in prison. In five points of error, appellant argues that (1), (2) the evidence presented at trial was legally and factually insufficient to sustain his conviction; (3) his trial counsel was ineffective; (4) the trial court erred in admitting evidence of a foreign prior conviction during the punishment phase; and (5) the trial court erred in admitting a firearm into evidence. We affirm.
See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 29.03 (Vernon 2003).
Background
On June 21, 2007, at approximately 7:00 p.m., appellant entered the Mobil Sandmark gas station located at 2221 Ella Boulevard in Houston, Texas. The complainant, Muhammed Khan, was working behind the counter of the gas station. Appellant was a frequent customer of the gas station. Appellant asked the complainant if he could purchase a beer. The complainant told appellant that he needed an identification card with a picture to buy alcohol. Appellant offered the complainant a birth certificate, and the complainant copied appellant's name, birth date, and state of origin on a separate piece of paper. The complainant asked appellant to present an additional form of identification with a picture. Appellant became angry and left the gas station without any merchandise. Appellant then threw a rock at the complainant's car, leaving a large dent in the driver's side door. The complainant called the police to report the damage to his car. Approximately 10 minutes later, appellant returned to the gas station. Appellant walked up to the counter and lifted his shirt. Upon lifting his shirt, appellant displayed a gun tucked into the left side of his waistband. Appellant then took one beer from the display in front of the counter and left the store. At trial, the complainant testified that appellant's actions placed him in fear of imminent bodily injury or death. When the State attempted to present a gun into evidence during the complainant's direct testimony, appellant questioned the complainant on voir dire about his personal knowledge of the gun. The complainant testified on voir dire that he "saw the handle part" of the gun and could not determine whether the gun was a revolver or an automatic weapon. On cross-examination, the complainant testified that the gas station had no video surveillance equipment. The complainant also testified that there was no other witness in the gas station at the time of the offense. The State also presented testimony from Houston Police Department ("HPD") Officer H. Jones. Officer Jones arrived at the gas station after appellant left the scene. He obtained appellant's birth certificate information from the complainant. The complainant told Officer Jones that appellant lived in the Skyline Apartments located directly behind the gas station. Officer Jones drove over to the Skyline Apartments to investigate appellant's whereabouts, but he could not find him. The State also presented testimony from HPD Sergeant J. Devereaux. On June 27, 2007, HPD assigned the case to Sergeant J. Devereaux. Sergeant Devereaux assembled a photo spread containing appellant's picture in the fifth position. Sergeant Devereaux went to the gas station to meet with the complainant and show him the photo spread. He gave the complainant admonishments against identifying anyone the complainant did not recognize as the perpetrator. After reviewing the photo spread for approximately 5 minutes, the complainant identified appellant as the perpetrator. The complainant then initialed and dated the photo spread. After obtaining the complainant's identification, Sergeant Devereaux sought an arrest warrant for appellant. Appellant presented no testimony during the guilt/innocence phase of the trial. The jury convicted appellant of aggravated robbery. During the punishment phase of the trial, appellant stipulated to the following evidence of prior convictions:On December 20, 1999, in the 314th District Court of Harris County, Texas, in Cause Number 1999-03687J, the Defendant was found to have engaged in delinquent conduct by committing the felony offense of Burglary of a Habitation.
On January 11, 2001, in the County Criminal Court at Law #8 of Harris County, Texas, in Cause Number 1039095, the Defendant was convicted of the misdemeanor offense of Criminal Trespass.
On June 25, 2002, in the 17th Circuit District Court of Broward County, Florida, in Cause Number 02-8889 the Defendant was convicted of the Felony offense of Burglary of a Dwelling.
On June 17, 2005, in the County Criminal Court at Law #15 of Harris County, Texas, in Cause Number 1309571 the Defendant was convicted of the misdemeanor offense of Trespass to Property.
On April 12, 2007, in the County Criminal Court at Law #1 of Harris County, Texas, in Cause Number 1426269, the Defendant was convicted of the misdemeanor offense of Failure to Identify to a Peace Officer.
On April 12, 2007, in the County Criminal Court at Law #1 of Harris County, Texas, in Cause Number 1446525, the Defendant was convicted of the misdemeanor offense of Failure to Identify to a Peace Officer.
On April 23, 2007, in the County Criminal Court at Law #3 of Harris County, Texas, in Cause Number 1447800, the Defendant was convicted of the misdemeanor offense of Failure to Identify to a Peace Officer.
On April 23, 2007, in the County Criminal Court at Law #3 of Harris County, Texas, in Cause Number 1447801, the Defendant was convicted of the misdemeanor offense of Criminal Trespass.The trial court gave appellant several admonishments regarding stipulating to evidence of prior convictions and waiving his right to confront witnesses about the prior convictions. Appellant then made the following plea:
[State]: [ reading from indictment] "Before the commission of the offense alleged above, on June 25, 2002, in Cause No. 02-8889, in the 17th Circuit District Court of Broward County, Florida, the Defendant was convicted of the Felony offense of Burglary of a Dwelling."
[Court]: [Appellant], to this enhancement paragraph, how do you plead, true or not true?
[Appellant]: True.At the end of the punishment phase, the jury sentenced appellant to 15 years in prison. Appellant did not file a motion for new trial. Appellant filed his notice of appeal on March 6, 2008.
Legal and Factual Sufficiency
In his first and second points of error, appellant argues that the evidence presented at trial was legally and factually insufficient to support his conviction for aggravated robbery because the State did not prove that appellant used a "firearm" during the offense.Standard of Review
To review the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and then determine whether a rational juror could have found the essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 2789 (1979). In conducting this review, we do not reevaluate the weight and credibility of the evidence, but act only to ensure that the jury reached a rational decision. Muniz v. State, 851 S.W.2d 238, 246 (Tex.Crim.App. 1993). But evidence that is legally sufficient to support a conviction may not be factually sufficient to support of conviction. Rollerson v. State, 227 S.W.3d 718, 724 (Tex.Crim.App. 2007). Evidence is factually insufficient to support the verdict if it is clearly wrong or manifestly unjust or against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence. Id. A factual sufficiency review involves three ground rules. Lancon v. State, 253 S.W.3d 699, 704 (Tex.Crim.App. 2008). First, we must recognize that a jury has already passed on the facts, and we must accord the jury the proper deference to avoid substituting our judgment for that of the jury. Id. at 704-05 (citing Clewis v. State, 922 S.W.2d 126 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996)). Second, where we find the facts determined by the jury to be insufficient to affirm a conviction, we must clearly lay out and explain how the evidence supporting the verdict is too weak on its own, or how contradicting evidence greatly outweighs evidence supporting the verdict. Id. at 705. Finally, we view all of the evidence in a neutral light when conducting this review. Id. We may only set aside a verdict where the evidence supporting the verdict is so weak as to render the verdict clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. Id. (citing Cain v. State, 958 S.W.2d 404, 406 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997)). Both legal and factual sufficiency standards require the reviewing court to consider all of the evidence. Rollerson, 227 S.W.3d at 724. "The difference between the two standards is that the former requires the reviewing court to defer to the jury's credibility and weight determinations while the latter permits the reviewing court to substitute its judgment for the jury's on these questions 'albeit to a very limited degree'." Id. (quoting Watson v. State, 204 S.W.3d 404, 416-17 (Tex.Crim.App. 2006)). In reality, a factual sufficiency review is barely distinguishable from a legal sufficiency review. Id. Unless the available record clearly reveals a different result is appropriate, an appellate court must defer to the jury's determination concerning what weight to give contradictory testimonial evidence because resolution often turns on a evaluation of credibility and demeanor, and those jurors were in attendance when the testimony was delivered. Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 8 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000).Aggravated Robbery
Appellant was tried under the following indictment:The duly organized Grand Jury of Harris County, Texas, presents in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, that in Harris County, Texas, [appellant], hereafter styled as the Defendant, heretofore on or about June 21, 2007, did then and there unlawfully, while in the course of committing theft of property owned by [the complainant] with the intent to obtain and maintain control of the property, intentionally and knowingly threaten and place [the complainant] in fear of imminent bodily injury and death, and the Defendant did then and there use and exhibit a deadly weapon, to-wit: A FIREARM.Under the Texas Penal Code, a person commits robbery if he commits theft and "with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, he intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death." Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 29.02(a)(2) (Vernon 2003). A person commits aggravated robbery if, during the commission of a robbery, he "uses or exhibits a deadly weapon." Id. § 29.03(a)(2); Price v. State, 227 S.W.3d 264, 266 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, pet. dism'd). When the State specifically alleges that a firearm was used, it assumes the additional burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that appellant employed such a weapon in the commission of the offense. Price, 227 S.W.3d at 266 (citing Gomez v. State, 685 S.W.2d 333, 336 (Tex.Crim.App. 1985)). The Penal Code defines a deadly weapon as "a firearm or anything manifestly designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death or serious bodily injury" or "anything that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury." Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 1.07(a)(17) (Vernon Supp. 2008); Price, 227 S.W.3d at 266. By definition, therefore, a firearm is a deadly weapon. Price, 227 S.W.3d at 266 (citing Ex parte Huskins, 176 S.W.3d 818, 820 (Tex.Crim.App. 2005)). Section 46.01 of the Penal Code defines a firearm as "any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device readily convertible to that use." Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 46.01(3) (Vernon Supp. 2008); Price, 227 S.W.3d at 266 . We recognize that the term "gun" may be a broader term than "firearm"and may include such nonlethal instruments as BB guns, blow guns, pop guns, and grease guns. Price, 227 S.W.3d at 266 (citing Davis v. State, 180 S.W.3d 277, 286 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2005, no pet.)). The fact finder, however, is free to draw reasonable inferences and make reasonable deductions from the evidence as presented within the context of the crime. Id. Thus, absent any specific indication to the contrary at trial, the jury may draw the reasonable inference or make the reasonable deduction that the "gun" used in the commission of a crime was a firearm. Id. A complainant's uncontroverted testimony regarding the defendant's use and exhibition of a gun is legally and factually sufficient to sustain a conviction for aggravated robbery. Ford v. State, 152 S.W.3d 752, 755-56 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, pet. ref'd.). At trial, the State presented testimony from the complainant regarding the gun used in the course of the offense. The complainant testified that appellant entered the gas station initially to purchase a beer, but left after the complainant told him he could not buy alcohol without an identification card with a picture. However, appellant showed the complainant his birth certificate from which the complainant copied appellant's name, birth date, and state of origin. The complainant testified that appellant returned 5 to 10 minutes later. Appellant walked to the counter and lifted his shirt. The complainant testified that he could see "the handle part" of a gun, which placed the complainant in imminent fear of bodily injury or death. Appellant took one beer from the beer display in front of the counter and walked out of the gas station. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, a rational jury could find, beyond a reasonable doubt, that appellant committed aggravated robbery using a firearm. Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319, 99 S. Ct. at 2790; Price, 227 S.W.3d at 266; Ford, 152 S.W.3d at 755-56. Appellant presented no evidence at the guilt/innocence phase of the trial. The complainant's testimony was not disputed. Therefore, the evidence presented regarding appellant's commission of aggravated robbery is not so weak as to render the verdict clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. Lancon, 253 S.W.3d at 704; Ford, 152 S.W.3d at 755-56. We overrule appellant's first and second points of error.
Admission of Demonstrative Evidence
In his fifth point of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred in admitting a firearm into evidence because the State failed to prove that the firearm used at trial was the same firearm used during the course of the offense. The weapon with which a crime was committed or alleged to have been committed is admissible in evidence. Foster v. State, 779 S.W.2d 845, 861 (Tex.Crim.App. 1989). An object, such as a weapon, offered in evidence should not be rejected "solely because it is not positively identified as the exact object that was connected with the crime." Id. "It is within the trial court's discretion to admit into evidence a weapon or instrument similar to the type used in the commission of an offense." Simmons v. State, 622 S.W.2d 111, 113 (Tex.Crim.App. 1981); Fletcher v. State, 902 S.W.2d 165, 166 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1995, pet. ref'd); Risley v. State, No. 01-04-00732-CR, 2005 WL 1365134, at *4 (Tex. App — Houston [1st Dist.] June 9, 2005, pet. ref'd). "The lack of positive identification of a weapon or instrumentality used during the commission of a crime affects its weight rather than its admissibility." Fletcher, 902 S.W.2d at166-67. "The introduction of a weapon submitted as 'the same as,' 'like,' or 'comparable to' is admissible as demonstrative evidence to aid the jury in understanding oral testimony adduced at trial." Id. at 167. Here, the State and the complainant had the following exchange prior to the admission of the gun into evidence:[State]: [Complainant], I am going to show you State's exhibit No. 16 and ask you: Does State's No. 16 look like the weapon that you saw on June 21st, 2007?
[Complainant]: Yes.
[State]: Does it appear to be the same size and color as the weapon you saw?
[Complainant]: Yes.
[State]: At this time the State would offer No. 16 into evidence. I will tender to the defense.
[Appellant]: May I take the witness on voir dire?
[Court]: Yes, ma'am.On voir dire, appellant's counsel and the complainant had the following exchange:
[Appellant]: [Complainant], did, you know [ sic], get a full look at this weapon that he had in his waistband? Did you?
[Complainant]: No.
[Appellant]: No. And how far away was this person from you when you say you saw this gun?
[Complainant]: About from here to let's say where you are sitting.
[Appellant]: Okay. And this person just left [ sic] his shirt —
[Complainant]: Yes.
[Appellant]: — correct? You didn't touch the weapon?
[Complainant]: No.
[Appellant]: He didn't pull it out?
[Complainant] He didn't pull it out.
[Appellant]: You don't get to see if it was — what kind of gun it was, did you? Was it a revolver or an automatic?
[Complainant]: No. I don't know. I mean, it was — you know, I saw the handle part and a little bit of the other side of it.At the end of his voir dire questioning, appellant's counsel objected to the admission of the gun because the complainant "didn't have personal knowledge to identify this particular weapon as being the one that the perpetrator had on him." Over appellant's objection, the trial court admitted the gun into evidence. The State argues that it introduced the gun into evidence for demonstrative purposes only. In the State's exchange with the complainant, the State did not ask the complainant if the gun used at trial was the same gun used in the offense. The complainant did not testify that the gun used at trial was the gun used during the offense. Instead, the State asked the complainant to compare the features of the gun displayed at trial with the features of the gun used during the offense. After the gun was admitted into evidence, the State asked the complainant to demonstrate for the jury how appellant carried the gun and displayed the gun during the course of the offense. Even though the gun used at trial was not identified as the gun used in the offense, we conclude that the trial court was within its discretion to admit the gun into evidence for demonstrative purposes. See Simmons, 622 S.W.2d at 113; Fletcher, 902 S.W.2d at166-67. We overrule appellant's fifth point of error.
Foreign Conviction Used for Enhancement
In his fourth point of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred in admitting his Florida felony conviction into evidence at the punishment phase for purposes of sentence enhancement in Texas.Analysis
The State establishes proof of a prior conviction by introducing copies of the judgment and sentence in each case used for enhancement and connecting them with the defendant. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.42 (Vernon Supp. 2008); Johnson v. State, 725 S.W.2d 245, 247 (Tex.Crim.App. 1987). Once the State properly introduces a judgment and sentence and identifies the defendant with them, the burden shifts to the defendant to affirmatively show a defect which would prove that the prior conviction was void. Johnson, 725 S.W.2d at 247. When a foreign conviction is involved, in absence of proof of the laws of the other state, this Court will presume that its law is the same as that of the State of Texas. Langston v. State 776 S.W.2d 586, 587 (Tex. Crim .App. 1989). A plea of "true" by a defendant to an enhancement paragraph is sufficient to satisfy the State's burden of proof as to the convictions alleged for enhancement purposes. Simmons v. State, 493 S.W.2d 937, 940 (Tex.Crim.App. 1973); Cook v. State, 256 S.W.3d 846, 851 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2008, no pet.). Here, appellant stipulated to the following evidence:On June 25, 2002, in the 17th Circuit District Court of Broward County, Florida, in Cause Number 02-8889 the Defendant was convicted of the Felony offense of Burglary of a Dwelling.He also pled true to the Florida felony conviction after the trial court admonished him repeatedly about waiving his right of confrontation prior to and after his plea. Because appellant pled true to the conviction, the State satisfied its burden to use the Florida felony conviction for enhancement purposes. See Simmons, 493 S.W.2d at 940; Cook, 256 S.W.3d at 851. We overrule appellant's fourth point of error.