NUMBER 13-06-00398-CR

COURT OF APPEALS

THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG 

 

JESUS TRANQUILINO CORTEZ, JR.

A/K/A JESUS CORTEZ, JR., Appellant,

v.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee.

 

On appeal from the 319th District Court of Nueces County, Texas.

 

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Before Chief Justice Valdez and Justices Yañez and Benavides

Memorandum Opinion by Chief Justice Valdez

A jury convicted appellant, Jesus Tranquilino Cortez Jr., of three counts of

murder, see TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 19.02 (Vernon 2003), and one count of aggravated

assault with a deadly weapon, see id.§22.02(a)(2) (Vernon Supp. 2007). Punishment was

assessed at ninety-nine years for each murder offense and twenty years for the aggravated
2

assault offense, with the sentences set to run concurrently. Appellant asserts seven issues

on appeal. We affirm. 

I. BACKGROUND

On May 15, 2005, a Ford F-150 (“F-150”) slammed head-on into an Isuzu Rodeo

(“Rodeo”). The Rodeo carried four occupants, three of whom died instantly. The sole

survivor was Manuel Hernandez; the deceased were his wife and two daughters. Appellant

was the sole occupant of the F-150. On August 4, 2005, the State indicted appellant on

three counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Trial

commenced on June 13, 2006. 

A. The State’s Case 

The State’s first witness was Manuel Hernandez. Hernandez testified that he, his

wife, and his two daughters were driving home after attending a graduation party.

Hernandez occupied the front passenger seat; his wife and younger daughter were in the

backseat, and his elder daughter was driving. Hernandez stated that they were “relaxing

and just talking” when “out of the corner of his eye, [he] saw . . . two headlights right in front

of [them].” Hernandez stated that he was unsure if he “blacked out,” but that he could

remember hearing the “hissing noise of the motor.” Although in pain, Hernandez managed

to pull himself outside of the vehicle through the passenger side window. By this time,

other people had arrived and were attempting to assist him and his daughters. Emergency

personnel arrived shortly thereafter.

In testifying about his injuries, Hernandez stated that he suffered a cut over his

nose, several broken bones around his left eye, puncture holes on his left shin and elbow,
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and a dislocated knee, which required knee-reconstructive surgery. Hernandez also stated

that at no point did he ever see or feel his daughter drive out of her driving lane, and that

the last thing he saw was the truck’s headlights coming right at them. 

The State also called Jesus Cortez, Sr., appellant’s father, to the witness stand.

Cortez first testified that on the day in question, he called appellant at 6:39 p.m. and

inquired into his whereabouts. According to Cortez, appellant replied that he had taken

Cortez’s’s truck in order to get something to eat. Cortez added that approximately three

or four minutes later, he received a phone call from someone telling him that appellant had

been involved in an accident. Cortez also acknowledged that appellant had been involved

in a relationship with a girl named C.S. 

On cross-examination, Cortez described the road where the accident took place as

a “two-way” road with “nothing marking the center line of the road.” According to Cortez,

the road had been under construction for approximately a year and a half and was still

under construction at the time of the accident. Cortez also acknowledged that at no time

had he known appellant to try to harm himself in any way. Cortez finally stated that when

he talked to appellant at 6:39 p.m., he did not sound depressed or despondent. 

The State also presented the testimony of Jacquelin Garcia, Kathleen Westfall, and

Ricardo Ramon. Garcia testified that on the day in question, at approximately 6:30 p.m.,

she was traveling north on FM 1889 towards Calallen, Texas, when she saw a red vehicle

being passed by a truck traveling south at a high rate of speed. According to Garcia, the

truck had more than sufficient time to pass the red car and move back into the proper lane.

However, Garcia stated that the truck kept traveling directly towards her, that she began

honking, and that she was forced to swerve to her right onto some gravel. Garcia added
4

that the truck missed hitting her by approximately half a car length, that she was scared,

was shaking, and when she got home, she could barely stand because her legs were

shaking so much. Garcia further stated that based on her observations, it appeared that

the truck was traveling towards her in a purposeful manner. Finally, Garcia testified that

when she saw on the news that an accident had occurred on FM 1889, she recognized the

truck as the same truck that had almost hit her. 

On cross-examination, Garcia testified that she could not recall whether the road

was under construction at that time, but she acknowledged that the road was only “twolanes wide” and that there were no shoulder lanes on either side. 

Kathleen Westfall testified to a similar account. According to Westfall, she and her

boyfriend, Ricardo Ramon, were traveling south on FM 1889 when she saw a grey F-150,

traveling north, right in front of them. According to Westfall, the F-150 was only a couple

of car lengths away when it forced them to pull off to the side of the road. Westfall added

that the F-150 neither slowed down or took any sort of evasive action as it approached

them. 

Ricardo Ramon testified to the same incident. Ramon added, however, that he first

saw the F-150 when it attempted to pass another vehicle that was traveling in their

direction. Ramon stated that it seemed like the driver of the truck saw them because it

swerved back behind the vehicle it attempted to pass. According to Ramon, as he got to

within 30 or 40 feet of the oncoming vehicle, the F-150 again pulled into his lane causing

him to swerve to his right onto some gravel. Ramon stated that had he not swerved, the

truck would have hit them head-on, and that he felt the whole incident could have been

avoided if the truck had simply waited to pass the vehicle. Ramon further testified that he
5

later heard that a major accident had occurred on FM 1889 and that a truck fitting the

description of the F-150 that almost hit him was involved. He finally testified that he

recognized appellant as the person who was driving the F-150.

The State also called State Troopers Manuel Castro Jr. and Cesar Villarreal Jr.

Trooper Castro testified that he was notified of an accident involving a truck and a SUV at

approximately 7:00 p.m. He arrived at the scene minutes later. Testifying from a scaled

diagram of the collision that was admitted as evidence, Castro stated that he first observed

“shadow skid marks” that emanated from the Rodeo, which, according to Castro, meant

that an attempt to apply the brakes was made before impact. Castro added, however, that

no such skid marks were created by the F-150, and that the only skid mark left by the truck

was a “post-accident” “thick black tire mark.” Castro also stated that the area where the

collision occurred was a “well-marked construction zone” with “nothing . . . in the road way

to make someone . . . take evasive action and get out the way.” Castro placed the time

of the accident at 6:48 p.m., and noted that the truck’s speedometer was locked at 76 miles

per hour. Castro concluded that the collision occurred because appellant was driving on

the wrong side of the roadway and again noted that there was no indication that appellant

ever applied the F-150’s brakes before collision. 

Trooper Villarreal, a “level 6” accident reconstructionist and forensic-mapping

specialist, testified as an expert witness for the State. Villarreal first noted that he created

the diagram of the collision that had been previously introduced into evidence. Testifying

from the diagram, Villarreal stated he first observed the “shadow skid marks” left by the

Isuzu Rodeo, which meant that there was, at the very least, “initial hard braking.” Villarreal

also noted that there was no indication that the F-150 ever attempted to apply its brakes,
 Trooper Villarreal described a “yaw mark” as 1

 “a tire mark left by a rolling tire. If you’re driving down the roadway and you turn the vehicle

pretty sharp, your tire is going to continue to roll. However, you’re going to see a wider skid

mark that starts thin, goes wide, then goes back thin again. This skid mark is characterized

by striations. That’s basically–striations are caused by the grooves of the tire. You expect

to see that, a loop going . . . back into his lane of travel, the F-150’s.” 

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nor was there any evidence that appellant took any sort of evasive action to avoid the

collision. Villarreal added that if appellant had taken evasive action he would have

expected to see “yaw marks”on the road. 

1

Forensic Pathologist, Ray Fernandez, M.D., next testified on the State’s behalf.

According to Dr. Fernandez, the deceased persons suffered various severe injuries,

ranging from multiple abrasions; skeletal fractures, such as cervical spine, spinal column

and skull fractures; and internal bleeding. Dr. Fernandez concluded that the cause of

death for each victim was multiple blunt-force injuries. 

The State’s final witness was C.S. C.S. testified that she dated appellant for a

month and a half. She remembered that, while they were dating, appellant would

occasionally comment that he “wished he wasn’t alive.” C.S. stated that she broke up with

appellant approximately one week before the collision, that he became “sad” after the

break-up, and that each time appellant would call her, he would tell her that he wanted her

back. On the day of the collision, C.S. testified that she received two phone calls from

appellant, one at 6:27 p.m. and the second at 6:47 p.m. According to C.S., the first phone

call lasted approximately three minutes, and appellant had merely inquired what she had

done that day. She stated that he sounded normal. C.S. stated, however, that when she

received the second phone call, appellant sounded angry, that he said that “[this] was

going to [be] the last time [she] talked to him,” and then simply hung up. C.S. stated that
7

she did not get a chance to talk to him or ask what he meant by that comment. C.S. also

acknowledged that appellant was involved in the collision shortly after the second phone

call. 

On cross-examination, C.S. testified that she had never known appellant to try to

harm himself and that she didn’t believe that appellant was going to harm himself even

after she received the second phone call.

B. The Defense’s Case 

Appellant’s first witness was Robstown High School principal, Roel Lara. Lara

testified that while appellant was attending high school, he never knew appellant to be

suicidal or mentally unstable. 

John Orobio, appellant’s cousin, next testified on appellant’s behalf. According to

Orobio, three days after the collision took place, he drove to the impound lot where the F150 was located and took various pictures of the vehicle. Two particular pictures taken by

Orobio showed appellant’s right tennis shoe lodged between the vehicle’s brake pedal and

the bottom portion of the dashboard. 

On cross-examination, Orobio stated that he went to the impound lot with the intent

to take pictures of the vehicle. Orobio also acknowledged that it may have been possible

that the truck was tampered with between the time of the wreck and the time that he took

the pictures at the impound lot. 

Appellant’s next witness was Ezequiel Rodriguez, mental health coordinator for the

Nueces County Sheriff’s Department. Rodriguez first described the procedures used by

prison officials to determine whether a prisoner is mentally unstable or suicidal. According

to Rodriguez, appellant never showed any signs that he was suicidal. On cross-
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examination, Rodriguez acknowledged that “no system is perfect,” and stated that it is

possible for a prisoner to pass the initial mental health screen but later commit suicide.

 Adolfo Lopez, a friend of appellant’s family, testified that moments before the

collision occurred, as he was driving north on FM 1889, he saw appellant driving the F-150.

Lopez testified that he waved at appellant and that appellant waved back with a smile on

his face. 

C. The State’s Rebuttal 

After the defense rested, the State called Trooper Castro as a rebuttal witness.

Trooper Castro testified that he thoroughly examined the inside and outside of the F-150

and did not see anything that looked like a red tennis shoe. Trooper Castro was also

shown photographs of the F-150 that were taken at the scene of the collision and

compared them to the photographs that were taken by Orobio three days later at the

impound lot. Trooper Castro noted that the inside of the truck was not the same, and that

usually after an investigation of a car accident is completed, the common practice is to pick

up any debris at the scene and place it in the vehicles. On cross-examination, Trooper

Castro stated that he had no evidence that the shoe was intentionally placed on the brake

pedal and also noted that a shoe lodged between a brake pedal and a dashboard is not

indicative of a person attempting to apply the brakes. 

II. LEGAL AND FACTUAL SUFFICIENCY 

By his first and second issues, appellant contends the evidence is legally and

factually insufficient to support his murder and aggravated assault convictions. 

A. Standards of Review
9

In reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction, we view

all the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution in order to determine whether

any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a

reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979); Clayton v. State, 235

S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). This standard gives full play to the responsibility

of the trier of fact to resolve conflicts in the testimony, to weigh the evidence, and to draw

reasonable inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts. Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319;

Clayton, 235 S.W.3d at 778. 

The trier of fact is the sole judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence. See

TEX.CODE CRIM.PROC.ANN.art. 38.04 (Vernon 1979); Margraves v. State, 34 S.W.3d 912,

919 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Thus, when performing a legal sufficiency review, we may not

re-evaluate the weight and credibility of the evidence and substitute our judgment for that

of the fact-finder. Dewberry v. State, 4 S.W.3d 735, 740 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Instead,

we “determine whether the necessary inferences are reasonable based upon the combined

and cumulative force of all the evidence when viewed in the light most favorable to the

verdict.” Hopper v. State, 214 S.W.3d 9, 16-17 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). We must presume

that the fact-finder resolved any conflicting inferences in favor of the prosecution and defer

to that resolution. Jackson, 443 U.S. at 326; Clayton, 235 S.W.3d at 778. 

When reviewing the factual sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction, we

view all the evidence in a neutral light, favoring neither party. Watson v. State, 204 S.W.3d

404, 414 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). We then ask whether the evidence supporting the

conviction, although legally sufficient, is nevertheless so weak that the fact-finder’s
10

determination is clearly wrong and manifestly unjust or whether conflicting evidence so

greatly outweighs the evidence supporting the conviction that the fact-finder’s

determination is manifestly unjust. Watson, 204 S.W.4d at 414-15; Johnson v. State, 23

S.W.3d 1, 11 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). To reverse under the second ground, we must

determine, with some objective basis in the record, that the great weight and

preponderance of all the evidence, though legally sufficient, contradicts the verdict.

Watson, 204 S.W.3d at 417. 

B. Legally and Factually Sufficient Evidence of Murder

A person commits murder if he (1) intends to cause serious bodily injury and (2)

commits an act clearly dangerous to human life that (3) causes the death of an individual.

TEX. PENAL CODE ANN § 19.02(b)(2). Intent to kill is not required to commit murder under

section 19.02(b)(2). Ramirez v. State, 229 S.W.3d 725, 729 (Tex. App.–SanAntonio 2007,

no pet.). Rather, there must be an intent to cause serious bodily injury to the individual

whose death results from an act clearly dangerous to human life. Id.; see also Ortiz v.

State, 651 S.W.2d 764 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983). Here, the State’s indictment alleged that

appellant, with the intent to cause serious bodily injury to himself, drove a motor vehicle on

the wrong side of the roadway, causing a collision that was clearly dangerous to human

life, that caused the deaths of Josefina, Maricella, and Melinda Hernandez. 

Appellant’s argument challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to support his

murder conviction is limited to whether he had the requisite intent to cause serious bodily

injury to himself and, in turn, intentionally caused the collision. 

In his brief, appellant contends the following evidence negates any intent on his part
11

to harm himself: (1) C.S. testified that she did not believe appellant was going to harm

himself even after she received the second phone call from appellant; (2) Adolfo Lopez

testified that he saw appellant wave at him and smile moments before the collision

occurred; and (3) once appellant was pulled out of the truck, his first question was “what

did I hit?” 

The following evidence, however, pointed towards appellant’s intent to harm himself:

(1) at approximately 6:10 p.m., Kathleen Westfall and Ricardo Ramon saw appellant pull

into their lane and force them off the road; (2) at approximately 6:30 p.m., Jacquelin Garcia

saw appellant’s truck coming directly towards her and was also forced off the road; (3)

Westfall, Ramon, and Garcia each testified that they believed that appellant drove towards

them in a purposeful manner and that if they had not pulled off to the side of the road, they

would have been hit head-on by appellant; (4) C.S. testified that she dated appellant for

a month and a half and that, during their relationship she would on occasion hear appellant

say that “he wished he wasn’t alive;” (5) C.S. broke up with appellant one week before the

accident; (6) at 6:47 p.m., C.S. received a phone call from appellant wherein he stated that

“it was going to [be] the last time [she] talked to him;” (7) appellant hit the Hernandez’s

vehicle head-on at 6:48 p.m.; and (8) the investigation of the collision showed that at no

point did appellant apply the F-150’s brakes, nor were there any signs that appellant took

evasive action to avoid the collision. 

Intent is a question of fact and, therefore, within the sole purview of the jury, for

which the jury may rely on its collective common sense and apply common knowledge and

experience. Brown v. State, 122 S.W.3d 794, 800 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Ramirez v.

State, 229 S.W.3d 725, 729 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 2007, no pet.). Additionally, intent
12

may be inferred from the circumstantial evidence surrounding the incident including the

acts, words, and conduct of the accused. Patrick v. State, 906 S.W.2d 481, 487 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1995); Ramirez, 229 S.W.3d at 729. Assuming, without deciding, that the

evidence appellant points to lends support to his argument that he never intended to hurt

himself, that, as noted above, was not the only evidence that the jury heard. Due

deference must be accorded to the jury regarding the weight and credibility of the

evidence. See Jones v. State, 944 S.W.2d 642, 649 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Because

there was some evidence to support the jury’s finding that appellant had the required

mental state, we conclude that the evidence was legally sufficient to support the conviction

under section 19.02(b)(2). Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319; Jones, 944 S.W.2d at 649; see also

Ramirez, 229 S.W.3d at 730. Further, viewing all the evidence in a neutral light, favoring

neither party, we hold that the evidence is factually sufficient to support appellant’s murder

conviction. See Watson, 204 S.W.3d at 414. Appellant’s first issue is overruled. 

C. Aggravated Assault 

Appellant also contends the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to prove his

aggravated assault conviction. 

A person commits an assault if the person “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly

causes bodily injury to another.” TEX.PENAL CODE ANN.§22.01(a)(1) (Vernon Supp. 2007).

To prove aggravated assault, the State must prove that the actor committed an assault as

defined in section 22.01 and the person (1) caused serious bodily injury to another,

including the person’s spouse; or (2) used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the

commission of the assault. Id. § 22.02(a) (Vernon Supp. 2007). Here, the State alleged
13

that appellant used a deadly weapon during the commission of his assault. As such, the

State was required only to prove that Hernandez sustained “bodily injury” as opposed to

“serious bodily injury.” See id. § 22.02(a)(2). 

“Bodily injury” means “physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical

condition.” Id. § 1.07(a)(8) (Vernon Supp. 2007). “This definition appears to be

purposefully broad and seems to encompass even relatively minor physical contacts so

long as they constitute more than mere offensive touching.” Lane v. State, 763 S.W.2d

785, 786 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989). 

Appellant contends that the evidence is insufficient to prove that Manuel Hernandez

sustained bodily injury because, at trial, the State introduced into evidence medical records

that belonged to someone other than Manuel Hernandez. Nonetheless, the State also

elicited testimony from Manuel Hernandez. Hernandez testified that he suffered a cut over

his nose, several broken bones around his left eye, puncture holes on his left shin and

elbow, a dislocated knee, and permanent disfiguring scars. Hernandez further testified that

he was in the hospital for eight days and walks with a limp because of his knee injury. We

find that Hernandez supplied sufficient testimony to prove that he sustained bodily injury

as a result of the collision. See Allen v. State, 533 S.W.2d 352, 354 (Tex. Crim. App.

1976) (recognizing that testimony from the victim that she suffered physical pain is

generally sufficient to prove bodily injury); Letson v. State, 805 S.W.2d 801, 806-07 (Tex.

App.–Houston [14th. Dist.] 1990, no pet.) (same). We conclude that the evidence is legally

and factually sufficient to support appellant’s aggravated assault conviction. See Jackson,

443 U.S. at 319; Watson, 204 S.W.3d at 414. Appellant’s second issue is overruled. 
14

III. LESSER-INCLUDED OFFENSE 

By his third issue, appellant contends that the trial court erred in refusing to charge

the jury on the lesser-included offense of assault. 

A defendant is entitled to an instruction on a lesser-included offense if (1) the lesser

offense is a lesser-included offense of the charged offense, and (2) there is some evidence

in the record that would permit a jury rationally to find that if the defendant is guilty, he is

guilty only of the lesser offense. Guzman v. State, 188 S.W.3d 185, 188 (Tex. Crim. App.

2006). 

Under prong one, we compare the elements of the charged offense, as modified by

the indictment, with elements of the lesser offense that might be added to the jury charge.

Id. “We compare the elements of both offenses to determine whether, in proving the

offense as charged, the State necessarily had to prove all the elements of the lesser

offense, plus something more.” Id. at 189 & n.7 (applying article 37.09 of the Texas Code

of Criminal Procedure). If prong one is met, we then consider, under prong two, whether

there is some evidence from which a jury rationally could find that, if the defendant is guilty,

he is guilty only of the lesser offense. Id. At this step of the analysis, “the evidence must

establish the lesser-included offense as a valid, rational alternative to the charged offense.”

Hall v. State, 225 S.W.3d 524, 536 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). 

Here, the parties agree that under the circumstances of this case, assault was a

lesser-included offense of aggravated assault. The key distinction between the two

offenses, as raised by appellant, is that the aggravated assault charge required the State

to show that appellant used a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault,
15

whereas the simple assault charge did not. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. §§ 22.01(a)(2),

22.02(a)(2), 22.02(b)(2). Accordingly, in order for appellant to have been entitled to the

simple assault charge, there must have been some evidence presented that would have

permitted a rational jury to find that appellant did not use a deadly weapon in committing

the assault. More specifically, there must be some evidence upon which the jury could

have determined that appellant did not use his vehicle in a manner capable of causing

death or serious bodily injury. See Garcia v. State 92, S.W.3d 574, 576 (Tex. App.–Austin

2002, no pet.) (“To be entitled to an instruction on simple assault, it was necessary that

there be some evidence that would rationally warrant the jury in finding that the appellant

did not use his truck as a deadly weapon. It is not enough that the jury might simply

disbelieve crucial evidence; there must be some evidence that the truck was not a deadly

weapon in the manner of its use.”). 

In his brief, appellant argues that “the jury could have found him guilty of assault

causing bodily injury if the jury did not believe that the vehicle was intentionally used a

deadly weapon to harm himself.” First, we note that an intent to achieve a specific purpose

is not necessary to support a finding that an object was a deadly weapon in the manner

of its use. See id. at 575-576. Instead, we look to the manner in which an object is

actually used. Id. We have already determined that sufficient evidence exists to support

a finding that appellant intentionally drove the F-150 into the Hernandez vehicle. As such,

we further conclude that there is no evidence that would rationally support a finding that

appellant assaulted Hernandez but did not use a deadly weapon in doing so. Appellant’s

third issue is overruled. 
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IV. ADMISSION OF PHOTOGRAPHS 

By his fourth issue, appellant complains the trial court abused its discretion in

admitting nine autopsy/crime scene photographs of the deceased, exhibits 15, 16, 17, in

violation of Texas Rules of Evidence 401 and 403. Specifically, appellant argues that the

photographs “were not material to any issue in the case” and were “highly inflammatory.”

The admissibility of a photograph is within the sound discretion of the trial judge.

Shuffield v. State, 189 S.W.3d 782, 786 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). A photograph is relevant

if it has “any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the

determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the

evidence.” TEX. R. EVID. 401. Here, the photographs depicted the victim’s bodies at the

scene of the collision and as they were received at the morgue. The State offered the

photographs during the testimony of medical examiner Dr. Ray Fernandez, and as the

photographs were shown to Dr. Fernandez, the State inquired whether the victim depicted

was the person he performed the autopsy on. The photographs were therefore utilized to

identify the state of the victims’ bodies prior to the autopsy. We find that the photographs

were relevant during the guilt phase of trial. See Shuffield, 189 S.W.3d at 787

(photographs showing location of body, crime scene, and wounds that caused victim’s

death were relevant, even though issue of cause of death was presented by other evidence

and was not in dispute). 

Even relevant evidence, however, may be excluded if its probative value is

substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect. TEX. R. EVID. 403. Rule 403 favors the

admission of relevant evidence and carries a presumption that relevant evidence will be
17

more probative than prejudicial. Id. at 787. A rule 403 analysis should include, but is not

limited to, (1) how probative the evidence is; (2) the potential of the evidence to impress

the jury in some irrational, but nevertheless indelible way; (3) the time the proponent needs

to develop the evidence; and (4) the proponent’s need for the evidence. Id. In the context

of the trial court’s admitting photographs, we consider the number and size of the

photographs, whether they are in color or black and white, whether they are gruesome,

whether the body is naked or clothed, and whether the body has been altered by autopsy.

Id.; Frank v. State, 183 S.W.3d 63, 77 (Tex. App.–Fort Worth 2005, pet. ref’d). 

Exhibits 15, 16, and 17 contain a set of three photographs per exhibit. Each set

contains a photograph of a victim at the scene of the accident, and two photographs of the

same victims’ body as it was received by the Nueces County Medical Examiner. Each set

depicts a different victim. The photographs show the victims from their waist up, with their

bodies situated on top of “body bags.” Only minor injuries are apparent, and as the photos

were taken before the autopsy, no alterations are shown. The photographs are probative

in that they were utilized for identification purposes, and, without question, aided the jury’s

understanding of the reality and general nature of the crime.

Turning to the other relevant factors, all nine photographs at issue are roughly three

by three and a half inches or smaller, were presumably in color, and were not especially

gruesome. None depict any mutilation caused by an autopsy and each photograph depicts

the victim fully clothed. Lastly, we note that the State utilized little time to develop the

evidence. After considering the appropriate factors, we conclude the trial court did not

abuse its discretion in finding the relevance of the photographs was not substantially

outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. See Sierra v. State, 157 S.W.3d 52, 62
18

(Tex. App.–Fort Worth 2004), aff’d, 218 S.W.3d 85 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). Appellant’s

fourth issue is overruled. 

V. JURY INSTRUCTION 

By his fifth issue, appellant argues that the trial court’s instruction to the jury, that

appellant’s sentences would run concurrently, constitutes reversible error. The trial court,

however, does not err in giving such an instruction. McGowan v. State, 664 S.W.2d 355,

358-59 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984); Haliburton v. State, 578 S.W.2d 726 (Tex. Crim. App.

[Panel Op.] 1979); Strong v. State, 138 S.W.3d 546, 557 (Tex. App.–Corpus Christi 2004,

no pet.). Appellant urges us to depart from Haliburton; we again decline to do so. See

Strong 138 S.W.3d at 557. Appellant’s fifth issue is overruled

VI. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL 

By his sixth and seventh issues, appellant argues that his trial counsel was

ineffective because he failed to call “invaluable” witnesses to mitigate punishment, and

because he rejected a plea bargain proposed by the State without adequately explaining

the offer and its consequences to appellant.

A. Standard of Review 

To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, appellant must prove by

a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) counsel’s performance fell below the standard

of prevailing professional norms; and (2) there is a reasonable probability that, but for

counsel’s deficiency, the result of the trial could have been different. See Strickland v.

Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984); Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 812 (Tex. Crim.

App. 1999). A reasonable probability is one sufficient to undermine confidence in the
19

outcome of the proceedings. Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 812. Allegations of ineffective

assistance of counsel must be firmly founded in the record, and the record must

affirmatively demonstrate the alleged ineffectiveness. Id. at 813.

Moreover, an appellate court’s review of the defense counsel’s representation is

highly deferential, and we presume that counsel’s action fell within the wide range of

reasonable and professional assistance. Ex parte Chandler, 182 S.W.3d 350, 354 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2005); Bone v. State, 77 S.W.3d 828, 833 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). 

B. Mitigation

By his sixth issue, appellant argues that trial counsel failed to present mitigating

evidence at the punishment stage of trial. Appellant points to various affidavits attached

to his motion for new trial, wherein three Robstown police officers, a teacher, and a school

administrator indicated their willingness to testify to appellant’s character. Each affidavit

contains a general statement that appellant was a good, respectful, young man; who only

began to change after his parents divorce, when he started to hang out with the wrong

crowd and got involved with drugs. 

A claim for ineffective assistance of counsel may not be predicated upon a failure

to call witnesses unless appellant shows that such witnesses were available and that their

testimony would have benefited the appellant. See King v. State, 649 S.W.2d 42, 44 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1983). Additionally, proffered evidence must be more than cumulative of other

evidence at trial to raise a specter of ineffective assistance. Holland v. State, 761 S.W.2d

307, 319 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988); Ketchum v. State, 199 S.W.3d 581, 597 (Tex.

App.–Corpus Christi 2006, pet. ref’d). 
20

At the punishment hearing, appellant called his mother, Ida Cortez, and aunt, Maria

Orobio, to testify on his behalf. Each witness testified to appellant’s character, noting that

appellant had changed since his parents’ divorce, that they saw a change in the friends he

chose to hang out with, and that he was a different person when he used drugs. Ida

Cortez detailed the problems appellant had with drugs and school, and she stated that she

raised him in a “good, respectful, manner.” Under Holland, proffered testimony must be

more than cumulative of other testimony at trial. Holland, 761 S.W.2d at 319. Here, the

proffered testimony provided in each affidavit was clearly cumulative of comparable

testimony provided by appellant’s aunt and mother. Appellant’s sixth issue is overruled.

C. Plea Bargain

By his seventh issue, appellant argues that his trial counsel failed to advise him

adequately on accepting the State’s plea bargain offer. Appellant argues that “counsel’s

failure to fully explain the offer effectively denied appellant the opportunity to make an

informed decision about whether to accept or reject the offer.” 

Generally, the record on direct appeal is not sufficient to show trial counsel’s tactical

or strategic reasons for his trial decisions; thus it is usually insufficient to overcome the

presumption of reasonable and professional conduct. See Bone, 77 S.W.3d at 833. It is

incumbent on appellant to present a record on appeal that shows a lack of plausible trial

strategy. See Jackson v. State, 877 S.W.2d 768, 771 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). In the face

of a record silent as to counsel’s trial strategy, an appellate court should not speculate

about counsel’s tactics or reasons for taking or not taking certain actions. See Bone, 77

S.W.3d at 833-35. 
21

First, we note that appellant failed to allege that his trial attorney was ineffective with

regard to the plea offer in his motion for new trial. Second, the record does not reflect trial

counsel’s reasoning behind his tactical or strategic decisions, and we may not speculate

that no plausible professionalreasons exist. See id. at 836. Because defense counsel has

not been given an opportunity to explain his actions, he may not, on this record, be

condemned as unprofessional and incompetent. See id. 

We conclude appellant has failed to present a sufficient record to rebut the

presumption of reasonable and professional conduct by trial counsel. See Scheanette v.

State, 144 S.W.3d 503, 510 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004) (rejecting ineffective assistance claim

for insufficient record). We overrule appellant’s seventh and final issue. 

VII. CONCLUSION

We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

 

ROGELIO VALDEZ

Chief Justice

Do not publish. TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).

Memorandum Opinion delivered and filed

this the 27 day of August, 2008. th