## NO. 12

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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

TYLER, TEXAS

§ APPEAL FROM THE THIRD IN THE INTEREST OF § JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT B.G.W., A CHILD § HENDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS

MEMORANDUM OPINION V.H. and B.W. appeal the termination of their parental rights. In five and four issues respectively, V.H. and B.W. challenge the order of termination. We affirm.

B ACKGROUND V.H. and B.W. are the parents of B.G.W., born August 5, 2002. On November 14, 2011, the Department of Family and Protective Services (the Department) filed an original petition for protection of the child, for conservatorship, and f or termination of Appellants’ parental rights. The Department was appointed B.G.W.’s temporary managing conservator and the parents were appointed temporary possessory conservators of the child, with limited rights, duties, and access to, and possession of , the child. After a trial, the jury found, by clear and convincing evidence, that V.A. had engaged in one or more of the acts or omissions necessary to support termination of her parental rights under Texas Family Code Section 161.001(1), subsections (D), (E), and (O), or more specifically, had

knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the child to remain in conditions or surroundings [ that ] endanger [ed] the physical or emotional well being of the child;
engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in conduct [ that ] endanger[ed] the physical or emotional well being of the child; or
failed to comply with the provisions of a court order that specifically established the actions necessary for the mother to obtain the return of the child who has been in the permanent or temporary managing2 conservatorship of the Department of Family and P rotective Services for not less than nine months as a result of the child’s removal fr o m the parent under Chapter 262 for the abuse or neglect of the child.

The jury also found that termination of the parent

- child relationship between V.H. and
B.G.W. was in the child’s best interest. Based on these findings, the trial court ordered that the parent

- child relationship between V.H. and B.G.W. be terminated. The jury also found, by clear and convincing evidence, that B.W. had engaged in one or
more of the acts or omissions necessary to support termination of his parental rights under Texas Family Code Section 161.001(1), subsections (D), (E), and (O), or more specifically, had

knowingly placed or knowingly allowed the child to remain in conditions or surro undings [ that ] endanger [ed] the physical or emotional well being of the child;
engaged in conduct or knowingly placed the child with persons who engaged in conduct [ that ] endanger[ed] the physical or emotional well being of the child; or failed to comply with the provisions of a court order that specifically established the actions necessary for the father to obtain the return of the child who has been in the permanent or temporary managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Servic es for not less than nine months as a result of the child’s removal fr o m the parent under Chapter 262 for the abuse or neglect of the child.

The jury also found that termination of the parent

- child relationship between B.W. and
B.G.W. was in the child’s best interest. Based on these findings, the trial court ordered that the parent

- child relationship between B.W. and B.G.W. be terminated. This appeal followed.

S UFFICIENCY OF THE E VIDENCE As part of her first, second, third, fourth, and fifth issues, V.H. contends that the evidence is legally insufficient to support the jury’s finding that her parental rights to B.G.W. should be terminated, and that termination of the parent

- child relationship was in B.G.W.’s best interest. In his
first and second issu es, B.W. also argues that the evidence is legally insufficient to support the jury’s finding that termination of the parent

- child relationship was in B.G.W.’s best interest.
A no evidence complaint is preserved through one of the following: (1) a motion f or instructed verdict; (2) a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict; (3) an objection to the submission of the issue to the jury; (4) a motion to disregard the jury's answer to a vital fact issue;3

or (5) a motion for new trial. T.O. Stanley Boot Co., Inc. v. Bank of El Paso , 847 S.W.2d 218, 220 (Tex. 1992); see also In re D.J.J. , 178 S.W.3d 424, 426

- 27 (Tex. App.

— Fort Worth 2005, no pet). V.H. and B.W. did not file a motion for instructed verdict regarding the evidence to support the jury’s findi ngs, a motion for new trial, or any of the other motions necessary to preserve their legal sufficiency challenges. Therefore, they have waived the right to complain about the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury’s findings. As part of he r first, second, third, fourth, and fifth issues, V.H. also contends that the evidence is factually insufficient to support the jury’s findings that her parental rights to B.G.W. should be terminated, and that termination of the parent

- child relationship w as in B.G.W.’s best
interest. In his first and second issues, B.W. argues that the evidence is factually insufficient to support the jury’s finding that termination of the parent

- child relationship was in B.G.W.’s best
interest. A point in a motion for n ew trial is a prerequisite to a complaint of factual insufficiency of the evidence to support a jury finding. In re A.J.L. , 136 S.W.3d 293, 301 (Tex. App.

— Fort Worth 2004, no pet.); T EX

. R. C IV

. P. 324(b)(2) ; see also In re M.S. , 115 S.W.3d 534, 547 (Tex. 2003) (applying Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 324(b)(2) requiring a motion for new trial to preserve a complaint of factual sufficiency to support jury finding to parental termination cases)

. V.H. and
B.W. did not file motions for new trial. Therefore, t hey have waived the right to complain about the factual sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury’s findings. Accordingly, we overrule V.H.’s first, second, third, fourth, and fifth issues, and B.W.’s first
and second issues. 1

A DMISSION OF EVIDENCE In B.W.’s third issue, he argues that the trial court abused its discretion by admitting
evidence of voice mail recordings that were not produced under the discovery rules and were unduly prejudicial. The Department disagrees, contending that another wi tness testified as to the content of the voice mail recordings without objection.

1 There is no claim that failure to preserve error was unjustifiable or the result of ineffective assistance of counsel. See In re J.P.B. , 180 S.W.3d 570, 575 (Tex. 2005).4

Standard of Review We review a trial court's evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion. Owens

– Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Malone , 972 S.W.2d 35, 43 (Tex. 1998). A trial court abuses its discretion if it acts without reference to any guiding rules or principles or if its actions are arbitrary and
unreasonable. Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc. , 701 S.W.2d 238, 241

– 42 (Tex. 1985). We must uphold the trial court's eviden tiary ruling if there is any legitimate basis for the ruling. Owens

– Corning Fiberglas Corp. , 972 S.W.2d at 43. Applicable Law A party who fails to make, amend, or supplement a discovery response in a timely manner may not introduce in evidence the materia l or information that was not timely disclosed, unless the
court find s that (1) there was good cause for the failure to timely make, amend, or supplement the discovery response, or (2) the failure to timely make, amend, or supplement the discovery response will not unfairly surprise or unfairly prejudice the other parties

. T EX

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. P. 193.6(a). The
burden of establishing good cause or the lack of unfair surprise or unfair prejudice is on the party seeking to introduce the evidence. T EX

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. P. 193.6(b). A finding of good cause or of the lack of unfair surprise or unfair prejudice must be supported by the record. Id

. E rroneously admitting evidence ―will not result in reversal when other such evidence was received without objection, either befor e or after the complained

- of ruling.‖ Coble v. State , 330 S.W.3d 253, 282 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) (quoting Leday v. State , 983 S.W.2d 713, 71 8 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998)). In other words, an error in the admission of evidence is deemed harmless and is
waived if the objecting party permits the same or similar evidence to be introduced without objection. See Volkswagen of Am., Inc. v. Ramirez , 159 S.W.3d 897, 907 (Tex. 2004); Breof BNK Tex., L.P. v. D.H. Hill Advisors, Inc. , 370 S.W.3d 58, 67 (Tex. App.

— Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, no pet.). Therefore, ― counsel must object every time allegedly inadmissible evidence is offered.‖
Hudson v. State , 675 S.W.2d 507, 511 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984). No judgment may be reversed on appeal on the ground that the trial court made an error of law unless the reviewing court concludes that the error complain ed of (1) probably caused the rendition of an improper judgment or (2) probably prevented the appellant from proper l y presenting the case to the court of appeals. T EX

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. P. 44.1(a); Harris Cnty. v. Smith , 96 S.W.3d 230, 234

- 35 (Tex. 2002). A reviewing court must evaluate the entire case from voir dire to closing argument,5

considering the evidence as a whole, the strength or weakness of the case, and the verdict. U

- Haul
In t’l , Inc. v. Waldrip , 380 S.W.3d 118, 136 (Tex. 2012). A successful challenge to evidentiary rulings usually requires the comp laining party to demonstrate that the judgment turns on the particular evidence admitted. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. v. Armstrong , 145 S.W.3d 131, 144 (Tex. 2004) ; City of Brownsville v. Alvarado , 897 S.W.2d 750 , 753

- 54 (Tex. 1995)

. Whether the erroneous admission of evidence is harmful is more a matter of judgment than precise measurement.
Nissan Motor Co. , 145 S.W.3d at 144. In making t hat judgment, appellate courts look to the role the evidence played in the context of the trial and the efforts made by counsel to emphasize the erroneous evidence, as well as whether there was contrary evidence that the improperly admitted
evidence was ca lculated to overcome. U

– Haul Int’ l, Inc. , 380 S.W.3d at 136. Objections and Testimony Before trial, the Department requested that recordings of voice mail s left by B.W. for V.H.
be admitted at trial. According to the Department, these voice mail s were ma de after B.W. attempted to strangle V.H., but before his trial on that assault, and were threatening. Further, the Department’s counsel stated that the recordings were relevant to the best interest of the child and, potentially, would be used for impeachm ent. B.W.’s counsel objected, arguing that these recordings were not provided to him until the day before trial and, thus, were not admissible. The Department’s counsel stated that these recordings were not provided previously in response to discovery b ecause the Department did not have these recordings in its possession or control. According to the Department, these recordings were in the possession of the district attorney’s office and the Department was not aware of the recordings until B.W.’s crimin al trial. At that point, the trial court did not decide whether the voice
mail s should be admitted, although it allowed the Department to discuss the recordings in its opening statement. At trial, B.W. testified that he left several voice mail s for V.H and admitted that these recordings were played at his criminal trial. He admitted that these recordings were ―pretty bad‖
and that he ―wish [ ed ] [he] hadn’t of said them.‖ B.W. testified that he was mad when he left the
voice mail s, but he did not threaten to kill anyone, ―[he didn’t ] think.‖ He admitted that he said whatever was contained in the recordings. B.W.’s attorney did not object to this testimony regarding the voice mail recordings.6

During trial, the Department requested the voice mail r ecordings be admitted. The trial court determined that it would allow the recordings to be admitted if the proper foundations were
laid. B.W.’s counsel objected because copies of the recordings had not been provided to him thirty days before the hearing. Therefore, B.W.’s counsel argued, these recordings were inadmissible under the discovery rules. Moreover, he stated that the recordings were unduly prejudicial because B.W. admitted leaving the voice mail s and admitted that they were threatening. Thus, B.W.’s counsel stated, playing the recordings would be ―theater and theater alone.‖ The Department’s counsel agreed that B.W. admitted to making the recordings but contended that B.W. ―danced around‖ admitting that the voice mail s were threatening, stati ng instead that ―he said he was mad.‖
The trial court admitted the voice mail recordings. At trial, Jessica Halbert, an investigator for the Henderson County Sheriff’s office, stated that she was working on a criminal case involving B.W.’s alleged strangu lation of V.H. She testified that while she was investigating the case, V.H. informed her that multiple messages from B.W. had been left on her cellular telephone. According to Halbert, she recorded the messages by having V.H. play them on speakerphone i n front of a recording device. Halbert identified the recording and stated that it was a fair and accurate copy of the voice mail s. The Department requested that the voice mail s be admitted, and B.W.’s counsel objected. The trial court overruled
counsel’ s objections, and the Department published the voice mail s before the jury.
After the voice mail s were published, Halbert testified that in the first recording, B.W. said ―bring it on
, ‖ ―that’s what I’m doing tomorrow‖ and ―you f****d up.‖ She also stated that on the second recording, he said ―I’m coming after you, going to light it up.‖ Halbert testified further that on the third recording, B.W. said ―I deserve what I get, call the law b***h,‖ and on the fourth recording, he said ―the ligh ts are on, doors are open, come on in.‖ She agreed that in the fifth recording, B.W. said ―I can’t wait m*****f****r.‖ Halbert believed that these recordings were threatening, considering all of the circumstances. B.W.’s counsel did not object to any of Halbert’s testimony regarding the content of the voice mail recordings. Analysis
Even if we assume the voice mail recordings were inadmissible, an error in the admission of evidence is harmless if substantially the same evidence is admitted elsewhere with out objection.
See Volkswagen of Am., Inc. , 159 S.W.3d at 907; Breof BNK Tex., L.P. , 370 S.W.3d at 67.7

Further, B.W. must have object ed every time the allegedly inadmissible evidence was offered or he has waived any complaint about the admission of the evidence

. See Lagrone v. State , 942 S.W.2d 602, 618 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997) ; Hudson , 675 S.W.2d at 511. From our review of the record, we
conclude that B.W. failed to make all of the required objections

. B.W. admitted that he left the voice mail s for V.H. , that he was mad, and that he said whatever was in the recordings. Although he testified that the voice mail s were ―pretty bad,‖ he did not ―think‖ he threatened to kill anyone. Halbert testified that the voice mail s were threatening
under the circumsta nces, having previously noted that B.W. was being investigated for allegedly strangling V.H. She also testified regarding the specific contents of each voice mail message that had been published to the jury. B.W. did not object to any of this testimony. Because the evidence that B.W. left threatening voice mail s for V.H. was admitted without objection, and Halbert
described the contents of the voice mail recordings without objection , any error admitting the voice
mail recordings is harmless. See Volkswag en of Am., Inc. , 159 S.W.3d at 907; Breof BNK Tex.,
L.P. , 370 S.W.3d at 67.
We overrule B.W.’s third issue.

M OTION FOR C ONTINUANCE In his fourth issue, B.W. argues that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to grant
his motion for continuance after he announced ―not ready‖ for trial. The denial of a motion for
continuance is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. Garner v. Fidelity Bank, N.A. , 244 S.W.3d 855, 858 (Tex. App.

— Dallas 2008, no pet.). The denial will be reversed only if the trial court’s action was arbitrary, unreasonable, or without reference to any guiding rules and principles.
Id . (citing BMC Software Belg. N.V. v. Marchand , 83 S.W.3d 789, 800 (Tex. 2002)). If a motion for continuance is not made in writing and veri fied, it will be presumed that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying the motion. Villegas v. Carter , 711 S.W.2d 624, 626 (Tex. 1986). Further, a motion for continuance must include an affidavit stating sufficient cause. T EX

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. P. 251. Generally, when a movant fails to comply with Rule 251’s requirement that the motion for continuance be ―supported by affidavit,‖ an appellate court must presume that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion. Villegas , 711 S.W.2d at 626. In other words, if a8

motion for continuance is not verified or supported by affidavit, we will presume the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion. Garner , 244 S.W.3d at 858. Here, B.W.’s counsel orally requested a c ontinuance on the day before trial, contending that he was ―not ready‖ for trial because B.W. had been arrested for violating a protective order in favor of V.H. and counsel had just been given voice mail recordings that B.W. left for V.H. A motion for

con tinuance must be made in writing and verified. See Villegas , 711 S.W.2d at 626. However, B.W. admitted that his motion was not in writing. Further, when he renewed his objections regarding being ―ready‖ on the day of trial, he did not present a written v erified motion for continuance with a supporting affidavit. Because B.W.’s motion for continuance was not in writing, verified, or supported by an affidavit, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying
the motion. See Villegas , 711 S.W.2d at 626; Garner , 244 S.W.3d at 858. Accordingly, B.W.’s
fourth issue is overruled.

D ISPOSITION Having overruled V.H.’s five issues and B.W.’s four issues, we affirm the judgment of the
trial court.

___ 

### B RIAN 

### H OYL E



### __ Justice
Opinion delivered June 2 5 , 2013. Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.

(PUBLISH)9 

## COURT OF APPEALS TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS

JUDGMENT

JUNE 25 , 20 13

NO. 12

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IN THE INTEREST OF B.G.W., A CHILD

Appeal from the 3rd Judicial District Court
of Henderson County, Texas. (Tr.Ct.No. 2009

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- 017 )

THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no error in the judgment. It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment of
the court below be in all things affirmed , and that this decision be certified to the court below for
observance. Brian Hoyle , Justice. Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.