In The 

Court of Appeals 

Seventh District of Texas at Amarillo

No. 07-13-00079-CR 

FABIAN FABELA, APPELLANT 

 

V. 

 

THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE 

 

On Appeal from the 287th District Court 

Parmer County, Texas 

Trial Court No. 3317, Honorable Gordon Houston Green, Presiding 

 

April 15, 2014 

 

OPINION 

 

Before CAMPBELL and HANCOCK and PIRTLE, JJ. 

Appellant, Fabian Fabela, was convicted of evading arrest or detention while 

using a motor vehicle1and sentenced to a term of confinement for five years in the 

Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (ID-TDCJ). Appellant 

has perfected his appeal and presents five issues. Three of the issues contend the trial 

court erred in various aspects of its charges to the jury, specifically relating to 1) the 

court’s error in defining a peace officer and said instruction being a comment on the 

 

1

See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 38.04(b)(2)(A) (West Supp. 2003).
2

weight of the evidence, 2) a supplemental charge in the punishment phase of the trial, 

and 3) the trial court’s failure to give the jury an instruction regarding the voluntariness 

of appellant’s statement. Appellant also contends that the trial court committed 

reversible error in admitting evidence before the jury. Finally, appellant contends that 

the evidence was insufficient to sustain the jury’s verdict. We will address the issues in

a different order than they appear in appellant’s brief. We will affirm the judgment 

entered by the trial court.

Factual and Procedural Background

On September 23, 2012, Kevin Fried loaned his gray GMC pickup, with the 

license plate number AC10169, to appellant. At approximately 1:00 a.m., appellant 

dropped Fried off at his work site on the outskirts of Muleshoe, Texas. Soon after that, 

Muleshoe Police attempted to stop the vehicle for a traffic offense. This began a car 

chase that lasted for more than two hours and stretched over four counties, two in New 

Mexico and two in Texas. 

During the first portion of the chase, Muleshoe police officer, Douglas Ruthardt, 

testified, there was only one occupant of the pickup and it appeared to be a Hispanic 

male with a shaved head. Eventually, the officer lost sight of the pickup. A call to be on 

the lookout for the gray pickup was broadcast over the police radio. Soon, an officer of 

the Farwell, Texas police department spotted a pickup that matched the description 

broadcast over the radio. Officer Jared Romero, of the Farwell police, was able to see 

the license plate and noted that the number was AC10169. The pickup sped away from 

the Farwell officer who then discontinued the chase due to officer safety concerns.
3

Subsequently, the pickup was spotted driving in the wrong lane by Curry County,

New Mexico Deputy Riley Lumas. Deputy Lumas attempted to stop the vehicle but 

soon lost sight of it. Lumas testified to the attempts made to stop the vehicle. He 

testified that he observed a lone Hispanic male driving the gray pickup. The efforts to 

stop the pickup were unsuccessful.

The gray pickup was then seen in Parmer County, Texas, by Chief Deputy Joe 

Orozco of the Parmer County Sheriff’s Department. Another chase ensued. Orozco 

testified that, at the time of the chase, he was driving his official sheriff’s vehicle that 

was marked as such and contained a full complement of emergency lights and sirens. 

Following this chase, the pickup was wrecked in Texico, New Mexico, just across the 

state line from Farwell, Texas. The driver of the pickup abandoned the truck and fled on 

foot. Orozco testified that the wrecked truck was the same one that he had pursued a 

short time earlier. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper later apprehended 

appellant. 

After appellant had been arrested, but before any Miranda2 warnings had been 

given him, appellant made several incriminating statements to Orozco. Appellant 

admitted fleeing from the police in the pickup. Further, appellant bragged to Orozco that 

he had been able to outrun the police because he was “drifting.” Appellant additionally 

made incriminating statements to another deputy, Jeremiah Murillo. These statements

were followed by an apology to the deputy.

 

2

See Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 471, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).
4

After appellant was arrested, he was transported to the Parmer County jail. 

While in the sally port at the jail awaiting examination by EMS personnel, appellant 

made admissions to Sheriff Randy Geries that the police could not catch him because 

he was “drifting.” Further, appellant continued to brag to the Sheriff about how he could 

not be caught. 

The next day, appellant was interviewed by Orozco. Prior to beginning any 

questioning of appellant, appellant was given his statutory warnings. This interview was 

recorded. In the interview, appellant admits he was driving the pickup and that, at the 

time of chase, he was intoxicated. Appellant further stated he had been shot at and 

was scared. 

At trial, appellant testified that he had consumed a considerable amount of 

alcohol at a bar in Hereford, Texas. He further testified that he had not driven the

pickup during the chase. Instead, appellant insisted that the pickup was driven by a 

female with the first name of Crystal. 

At the conclusion of the testimony, the trial court presented a proposed court’s 

charge to counsel for the State and appellant. Appellant had no objections to the 

charge as presented. The jury subsequently returned a verdict of guilty. After 

considering the punishment evidence, that same jury returned a verdict of confinement 

in the ID-TDCJ for a term of five years.

Appellant now presents issues challenging the verdict and judgment the trial 

court issued. We will affirm.
5

Sufficiency of the Evidence

We will first consider appellant’s contention that the evidence was insufficient to 

sustain the jury’s finding of guilt.

Standard of Review

In assessing the sufficiency of the evidence, we review all the evidence in the 

light most favorable to the verdict to determine whether any rational trier of fact 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, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); Brooks v. State, 

323 S.W.3d 893, 912 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). “[O]nly that evidence which is sufficient in 

character, weight, and amount to justify a factfinder in concluding that every element of 

the offense has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt is adequate to support a 

conviction.” Brooks, 323 S.W.3d at 917 (Cochran, J., concurring). We remain mindful 

that “[t]here is no higher burden of proof in any trial, criminal or civil, and there is no 

higher standard of appellate review than the standard mandated by Jackson.” Id. 

When reviewing all of the evidence under the Jackson standard of review, the ultimate 

question is whether the jury’s finding of guilt was a rational finding. See id. at 906–07 

n.26 (discussing Judge Cochran’s dissenting opinion in Watson v. State, 204 S.W.3d 

404, 448–50 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006), as outlining the proper application of a single 

evidentiary standard of review). “[T]he reviewing court is required to defer to the jury’s 

credibility and weight determinations because the jury is the sole judge of the witnesses’ 

credibility and the weight to be given their testimony.” Id. at 899.
6

Analysis

Appellant’s contention regarding the sufficiency of the evidence is grounded on 

his contention that, because no officer involved in the chase could positively identify 

appellant as the driver of the pickup from their observations of the driver during the 

chase, this means that the evidence is insufficient. However, such an analysis fails on a 

number of levels. First, every officer who had an opportunity to observe the driver 

testified that the pickup was driven by a Hispanic male. One officer, Ruthard, testified 

that the driver was male with a shaved head or very short hair. Additionally, Lumas 

testified that the driver of the pickup was a Hispanic male and that he was alone in the 

pickup. The record further reflects that appellant was alone in the pickup when the 

owner, Fried, allowed appellant to borrow the pickup. 

Additionally, appellant made several statements to various Parmer County 

deputies and the Sheriff wherein appellant admitted to driving the pickup and bragged 

about the fact that the police could not catch him. Finally, even were we to discount the 

statements appellant volunteered, the day following his arrest, when interviewed by 

Orozco, appellant admitted to being the driver of the pickup when he came back into 

Texas and successfully outmaneuvered the deputy. 

When the evidence is reviewed in the light most favorable to the jury’s verdict, we 

view it as sufficient for a rational jury to find all essential elements of the charge beyond 

a reasonable doubt. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319; Brooks, 323 S.W.3d at 912. 

Accordingly, appellant’s issue to the contrary is overruled.
7

Evidentiary Issue

Appellant contends that the trial court erred in admitting the statements he made 

to various law enforcement officers prior to being given his statutory warnings.

Standard of Review

We review a trial court’s decision to admit or exclude evidence for abuse of 

discretion. See Casey v. State, 215 S.W.3d 870, 879 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). A trial 

court does not abuse its discretion if its decision is within the zone of reasonable 

disagreement. See Walters v. State, 247 S.W.3d 204, 217 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) (en 

banc); Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) (op. on 

reh’g). We will sustain the trial court’s decision if that decision is correct on any theory 

of law applicable to the case. Romero v. State, 800 S.W.2d 539, 543 (Tex. Crim. App. 

1990) (en banc).

Analysis

Appellant’s complaint about the statements he made to the various law 

enforcement officials on the night of his arrest is based upon the fact that he had not 

received his statutory warnings. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. arts. 15.17, 38.22 §§

2(a), 3(a) (West Supp. 2013);3 Miranda, 384 U.S. at 471. At the time the testimony was 

offered at trial, appellant’s singular objection was that the statements were hearsay. 

The trial court overruled that objection. Appellant now contends on appeal that the 

admissions were admitted in violation of various statutory provisions of the Texas Code 

of Criminal Procedure. These objections were not presented to the trial court and, 

 

3

Further reference to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure will be by reference to “art. ____.”
8

accordingly, have not been preserved for appeal. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(1)(A). 

Further, the complaint appellant now makes before this Court is different than the 

objection lodged in the trial court. “An objection stating one legal basis may not be used 

to support a different legal theory on appeal.” Rezac v. State, 782 S.W.2d 869, 870

(Tex. Crim. App. 1990) (en banc). For these reasons, nothing has been preserved for 

appeal regarding the issue of the oral statements made to the various law enforcement 

officials on the night of his arrest. See id. at 871. 

Even were we to assume, for purposes of argument, that the issue of the 

admission of this evidence was properly before this Court, appellant would still not 

prevail. This is so because none of appellant’s statements were the result of any 

custodial interrogation. See art. 38.22 §§ 2(a), 3(a); Miranda, 384 U.S. at 471. Each of 

these referenced sections of Article 38.22 and Miranda apply to either written 

statements or oral statements that are the result of custodial interrogation. See art. 

38.22 §§ 2(a), 3(a); Miranda 384 U.S. at 471. Appellant was surely in custody; 

however, he was not being interrogated when he decided to brag about his prowess as 

a driver of the pickup. See Alford v. State, 358 S.W.3d 647, 653 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) 

(holding that the term “interrogation” refers to (1) express questioning and (2) any words 

or actions on the part of police that police should know are reasonably likely to elicit an 

incriminating response from the subject.) The record reveals that appellant was not 

asked any questions and that he volunteered the admissions that he now complains 

about. Accordingly, there was no error in the admission of the statements. 

When reviewing appellant’s complaint about Article 15.17, we note that this 

provision provides, among other things, that an arrested individual should be taken 
9

before a magistrate as expeditiously as possible, but in not later than 48 hours after 

arrest. See art. 15.17(a). The complained of statements were made within a matter of 

an hour or two of appellant’s arrest. Accordingly, they did not violate that provision of 

the statute. To the extent Article 15.17 additionally provides for the statutory warnings 

prior to any interrogation of an arrested person, we are again faced with the record that 

demonstrates that appellant was not being interrogated. See Alford, 358 S.W.3d at 

652-53.

Charge Issues

Appellant brings forth three different issues complaining about various aspects of 

the court’s charge. Two issues concern the court’s charge at the guilt/innocence phase

and a third issue complains about the court’s supplemental charge during the 

punishment phase of the trial. We will address the issues regarding the guilt/innocence 

charge first.

Standard of Review

Appellate review of alleged jury charge error is a two-step process. Kirsch v. 

State, 357 S.W.3d 645, 649 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012). Initially, the reviewing court must 

determine if the charge was erroneous. Id. If we find that error occurred, we must then 

analyze the error for harm. Id. After we analyze the error for harm, we must review the 

record to determine whether appellant objected to the charge at issue. See Middleton 

v. State, 125 S.W.3d 450, 453 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003) (en banc). The degree of harm 

necessary for reversal depends upon whether error was preserved. Id. (quoting Hutch 

v. State, 922 S.W.2d 166, 171 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996) (en banc)). If appellant properly 
10

objected to the charge, “the standard of harm is whether ‘the error appearing from the 

record was calculated to injure the rights of [appellant]’ which we have construed as 

‘some harm.’” Celis v. State, 416 S.W.3d 419, 423 n.3 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013) (quoting 

Article 36.19 and Trevino v. State, 100 S.W.3d 232, 242 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003) (per 

curiam)). “Conversely, unpreserved charge error warrants reversal only when the error 

resulted in egregious harm.” Id. (citing Pickens v. State, 165 S.W.3d 675, 680 (Tex. 

Crim. App. 2005) (en banc)). 

First Alleged Charge Error

Appellant’s initial complaint is actually two complaints. Initially, appellant’s issue 

complains that the trial court erred in its definitional instruction of the term “peace 

officer.” Appellant’s contention is that the definition given was incomplete. Paragraph 

III of the court’s charge contained the following definition: “‘Peace officer’ means a 

person elected, employed, or appointed as a peace officer under Art. 2.12 of the Code 

of Criminal Procedure or other law.” There is no explanation of what the requirements 

of Article 2.12 are. A review of the cited article reveals that there are 36 subparagraphs 

of persons and positions defined as peace officers. See art. 2.12 (West 2007). In 

subparagraph (1), the following are listed as peace officers: “sheriffs, their deputies, and 

those reserve deputies who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under 

Chapter 1701, Occupation Code.” See id. A trial court is statutorily obligated to instruct 

the jury on the law applicable to the case. See art. 36.14 (West 2007). In connection 

with that obligation, the trial court is required to communicate to the jury each statutory 

definition that affects the meaning of an element of the offense. See Villarreal v. State, 
11

286 S.W.3d 321, 329 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). Thus, the definition of “peace officer” was 

incomplete and, accordingly, was in error.

We next turn to appellant’s second complaint contained within the first issue. By 

this complaint, appellant contends that the trial court committed error by commenting on 

the evidence as to an element of the offense. Specifically, the trial court’s Paragraph III 

contained the following instruction to the jury: “You are instructed that Chief Deputy Joe 

Orozco is a peace officer.” Orozco’s status as a peace officer is an element of the 

offense. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 38.04(b)(2)(A). Accordingly, such a fact was one 

that belonged exclusively in the province of the jury to decide. See art. 36.13 (West 

2007); Kirsch, 357 S.W.3d at 652. Because the court’s instruction addressed an issue 

left to the province of the jury, such instruction was a comment on the evidence and in 

error. See Kirsch, 357 S.W.3d at 652.

Having found that the trial court erred in its definition and instruction regarding 

the term “peace officer,” we now turn to address the question of harm. As a preliminary 

matter, we note that there was no objection to the court’s charge. Therefore, we are 

addressing harm when the objection now lodged to the court’s charge was not 

preserved for appeal. See Middleton, 125 S.W.3d at 453. Accordingly, we now review 

the issue of harm for egregious error. See Celis, 416 S.W.3d at 423 n.3. 

In reviewing the record for egregious harm, we are to determine whether the 

harm purveyed by the error “create[d] such harm that it deprive[d] the accused of a fair 

and impartial trial.” Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157, 172 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985) (en 

banc). As a reviewing court, we must examine the entire jury charge, the state of the 
12

evidence, including the contested issues and weight of the probative evidence, the 

arguments of counsel, and any other relevant information revealed by the record of the 

trial as a whole. Warner v. State, 245 S.W.3d 458, 461 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).

A review of the entire court’s charge reveals that, aside from the two complaints 

appellant now makes upon appeal, the balance of the charge properly sets forth the 

elements of the offense and squarely places the burden of proof upon the State. 

Further, the application paragraph is legally correct in its application of the law to the 

facts of the case.

The evidence at trial reveals that Orozco testified that he had been a certified 

peace officer for 21 years. On the night in question, he was employed as the chief 

deputy in Parmer County. Orozco testified about the events that led him to chase the 

gray pickup truck in Parmer County. During Orozco’s entire testimony, appellant never 

attempted to cross-examine him regarding whether he was a peace officer. Further, a 

review of appellant’s testimony reveals that appellant’s defense was based upon his 

assertion that it was not appellant who was driving the gray pickup. Instead, appellant 

asserted that the pickup was being driven by someone known only as Crystal. The 

issue of the status of Orozco as a peace officer was never a contested issue in the trial.

Finally, we look at the final arguments presented by the State and appellant’s 

attorney. The State did mention the instruction given by the trial court regarding 

Orozco’s status as a peace officer during its opening. However, this was mentioned 

only the one time and consisted of no more than one sentence. The bulk of the 

argument regarding Orozco’s status as a peace officer was centered on the evidence 
13

that reflected he was in a police car. The State additionally argued that the police car in 

question was clearly marked and contained emergency lights and a siren. Appellant’s 

final argument focused on the perceived contested issue of whether appellant was, in 

fact, driving the pickup truck during the chase. The State’s closing argument never 

mentioned Orozco or his status as a peace officer. 

When the review of the record is completed, we find that the evidence of guilt 

was substantial. The only contested issues at the trial did not involve the status of 

Orozco as a peace officer. The State did nothing to emphasize the erroneous 

instruction. At the end of this analysis, the error in the two charge issues complained of 

by appellant at the guilt/innocence stage was harmless, as the trial court’s error did not 

deny appellant a fair and impartial trial. See Almanza, 686 S.W.2d at 172. Appellant’s 

first charge issue is overruled.

Second Charge Issue

In what appellant denoted as his Issue 5, he contends that the trial court 

committed reversible error in failing to give the jury an instruction concerning the 

voluntariness of his oral statements. The oral statements at issue are the ones 

appellant made to Orozco and Murillo, shortly after his arrest. Appellant’s complaint is 

couched in terms of Article 38.22(6). That is, because he was under the influence of 

alcohol and drugs at the time he made the oral statements, such statements were 

involuntary. See art. 38.22 § 6. This is known as the “general” voluntariness question. 

See Oursbourn v. State, 259 S.W.3d 159, 181. (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). Under 

applicable case law, Section 6 of Article 38.22 apply to both custodial and non-custodial 
14

interrogation. See id at 171. However, that is not the end of the inquiry. The facts of 

our case show that appellant was in custody at the time he made the oral statements of 

which he complains. However, the record further demonstrates that appellant’s 

statements were not the result of interrogation. Rather, these were statements simply 

made by appellant in the heat of the moment to proclaim his driving prowess. These 

statements were more akin to a res gestae statement. See Hood v. State, 490 S.W.2d 

549, 550 (Tex. Crim. App. 1973) (holding that Article 38.22 does not preclude the 

admission of a res gestae statement). Section 5 of Article 38.22 provides, in relevant 

portions:

Nothing in this article precludes the admission of a statement made by the 

accused in open court at his trial, before a grand jury, or at an examining 

trial in compliance with Articles 16.03 and 16.04 of this code, or of a 

statement that is res gestae of the arrest or of the offense, or of a 

statement that does not stem from custodial interrogation . . . .

art. 38.22 § 5.

Under our fact scenario, appellant’s statements to Orozco and Murillo were not 

subject to the requirements of Article 38.22 § 6 for the reasons outlined above. See 

Santiago v. State, Nos. 05-10-01082-CR, 05-10-01083-CR, 2012 Tex. App. LEXIS 

6739, at *8 (Tex. App.—Dallas Aug. 13, 2012, no pet.) (not designated for publication); 

Badall v. State, 216 S.W.3d 865, 870 n.2 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2007, pet. ref’d); 

Villarreal v. State, 61 S.W.3d 673, 680 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2001, pet. ref’d). 

The Villarreal court held that if either “custodial” or “interrogation” predicates are not 

met, then Article 38.22 does not apply. See Villarreal, 61 S.W.3d at 680 (citing Little v. 

State, 853 S.W.2d 179, 183 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1993, no pet.)). We agree with 

the Corpus Christi court and, accordingly, the trial court did not err in failing to give a 
15

jury instruction on the voluntariness of appellant’s oral statements. Therefore, 

appellant’s issue to the contrary is overruled.

Third Charge Issue

Appellant’s third issue regarding the court’s charge is directed to a supplemental 

charge the trial court gave, after the jury began its deliberations, on the issue of 

punishment. According to the record, approximately an hour after the jury began 

deliberating punishment, the trial court received a written communication from the jury. 

The written communication consisted of three expressed questions and two statements 

that the trial court apparently construed to be questions. Our concern is with the second 

item on the list. To better illustrate the record, we list the five items in the written 

communications:

(1) Will he receive treatment in prison?

(2) Time served apply toward sentence.

(3) Is treatment mandated by the court already—or do we decide?

(4) How old was he in 2006 when he broke probation or tested positive.

(5) If he breaks community supervision does he serve[s] the rest of his 

term in prison?

From this listing, it is easily determinable that the jury was in fact asking questions of the

trial court. Some questions the trial court could not, and did not, answer. As a result of 

the questions from the jury, the trial court prepared a supplemental charge on 

punishment. It is the trial court’s answer to item two of which appellant now complains. 

The trial court gave the following additional instruction regarding item two.
16

Regarding Question No. 2, if the jury does not recommend that the 

imposition of sentence as to confinement be suspended, the defendant 

will be granted credit on the sentence for the time he has been in jail on 

this charge.

After preparing the supplemental charge, the trial court gave both the State and 

appellant copies of the proposed supplement. After reciting what the supplemental 

charge answered as to item 2, appellant voiced the following objection:

I don’t know if it’s proper for them to know that. As I said off the record 

before, I don’t have any authority. I don’t have the wherewithal right now 

to look it up. But I do want that objection made on the record. I don’t 

believe it’s proper for them to know because that is going to figure into 

their calculation, much as parole—you know, taking into account parole, 

which isn’t proper, something like that, is how I see it. They’re going to 

give him a longer sentence knowing that what he has is going to count 

against that sentence. And that’s why I’m objecting. That’s why I think it’s 

improper.

Appellant lodges three separate complaints to the supplemental charge. First, 

appellant contends that the communication from the jury was not a question and 

therefore, the instruction was improper. Second, the instruction supplied could not be 

characterized as the “law of the case” as required by the Texas Code of Criminal 

Procedure Article 36.14. See art. 3614. Finally, appellant asserts that the supplemental 

instruction was not given for one of the statutory reasons provided in Texas Code of 

Criminal Procedure Article 36.16. See art. 36.16 (West 2006). Turning aside from the 

State’s argument that the issue is multifarious and should be rejected on that basis 

alone, we have to look at the objection lodged with the trial court.
17

In reading and trying to interpret the objection lodged by trial counsel, it is 

apparent to the Court that trial counsel’s objection was directed at the effect the 

proposed supplemental instruction would have on the jury’s subsequent punishment 

verdict. In short, it appears the objection would be that the supplemental instruction 

was a comment on the evidence that would result in a harsher sentence.

Whether we are correct or in error about how we perceive appellant’s trial 

counsel’s objection to the supplemental charge, the objection lodged cannot be said to 

encompass the three areas appellant now attempts to bring forth. Accordingly, the 

complaint made at trial does not comport with the issue(s) that are now presented for 

our consideration. See Rezac, 782 S.W.2d at 871. Therefore, nothing is presented for 

appellate review. Id. Accordingly, appellant’s issue regarding the supplemental charge 

is overruled.

Conclusion

Having overruled each of appellant’s issues, we affirm the judgment of the trial 

court.

Mackey K. Hancock

 Justice

Publish.