IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

DALLAS, TEXAS ROBERT KIMBLE, § APPELLANT § § § § NO. 05-14-00724-CR V. § § § THE STATE OF TEXAS, § APPELLEE § APPEALED FROM CAUSE NUMBER F13-55104 IN THE 283 JUDICIAL rd DISTRICT COURT OF DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS; THE HONORABLE RICK MAGNIS, JUDGE PRESIDING. § § §



### STATE'S RESPONSE BRIEF

§ § §
SUSAN HAWK Criminal District Attorney Dallas County, Texas MICHAEL R. CASILLAS, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Appellate Division The privilege of presenting 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., LB 19 oral argument is respectfully Dallas, Texas 75207-4399 not requested. (214) 653-3600 FAX (214) 653-3643 State Bar No. 03967500 ACCEPTED 05-14-00724-CR FIFTH COURT OF APPEALS

DALLAS, TEXAS 1/15/2015 5:03:21 PM

LISA MATZ CLERKi TAB LE O F CO NTEN TS IN D E X O F A U T H O R I T I E S
.......................................... ii S U M M A R Y O F T H E C A S E
......................................... 1 S T A T E M E N T O F F A C T S
........................................... 1 S U M M A R Y O F S T A T E ' S R E S P O N S E S
............................... 4 ST A T E ' S R E P L Y T O A P P E L L A N T ’S S O L E P O IN T O F E R R O R
.......................................... 5 Review of

the r ec or d below i n acc or d wi th the appl i cable s tandar d f or as s es s i ng a clai m of

l egal s u f f i ci enc y r ev eal s the pr es enc e ther ei n of l egal l y s uf f i ci ent ev i denc e i n s uppor t of not onl y the j ur y’s ve r d i c tt hat Appel lant

was gui l t

y of the of f ens e c har

ged, but al

s o that Appel lant

had u s e d o rex h ib ite d

a d e a d ly w e a

p o n . A c c o r d in g ly , th e r e c o r d h e r e in is n o t o n e u p o n w h i c h th is C o u rt co u ld b a se a c o n c l u sio n th a t

A p p e l la n t ’s c o n v ic ti o n w a s ir r a ti o n a l o ru n s u p p o r te d b y th e e v id e n c e . L E G A L A U T H O R I T Y
........................................... 5 A P P L I C A T I O N
................................................. 8 C O N C L U S I O N A N D P R A Y E R
...................................... 15 CERT I F I CATE OF S ERVI CE AND COM PL I AN CE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16ii I ND EX O F AUTH O RI TI ES CA S ES PAG ES A d a me v. State , 6 9 S. W
. 3 d 5 8 1 (T ex. C ri m. A p p . 2 0 0 2 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13 A l l e n v . S t at e , 533 S
. W. 2d 352 ( T e x . C r i m . A p p . 1 9 7 6 )
....................................... 13 A l v ar ado v . S t at e , 912 S
. W. 2d 199 ( T e x . C r i m . A p p . 1 9 9 5 )
........................................ 6 B a l ta z a rv . S ta te , 3 3 1 S .W .3 d 6 ( T e x . A p p . – A ma ri l l o 2 0 1 0 , p et . re f ’d )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 10, 11, 13 B e th e lv . S ta te , 8 4 2 S .W .2 d 8 0 4 ( T e x . A p p . – H ouston [ 1 D i st. ] 1 9 9 2 , no p et . )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . st 10 Bi g n al lv . S t at e , 887 S
. W. 2d 21 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 1994)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 B r o o k s v . S ta te , 3 2 3 S .W .3 d 8 9 3 ( T e x . C r i m . A p p . 2 0 1 0 ) ( p lu r a l i tyo p . )
............................. 6, 6n , 7, 14 B u i v . S ta te , 9 6 4 S .W .2 d 3 3 5 ( T e x . A p p . – T e x a rk a n a 1 9 9 8 , p e t . r e f ’ d )
. ............................... 10 Bu r de n v . S t at e , 55 S
. W. 3d 608 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 2001)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 D a n ie l s v . S ta te , N o . 0 5
- 9 7
- 0 0 7 1 5
- C R , 1 9 9 8 T e x . A p p . L E X I S 7 5 2 0 (T ex. A p p . – D a l l a s D ecemb er 4 , 1 9 9 8 , no p et . )( notd esi gna t ed f or p ub l i c a t i on)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 D e n h am v . S t at e , 574 S
. W. 2d 129 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 1978)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Ex P art e El i z o n do , 947 S
. W. 2d 202 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 1996)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7iii

F r an ci s v . S t at e , N o . 07- 12- 0044- CR , 2012 Te x . A pp. L E X I S 9 8 4 7 (T ex. A p p . – A ma ri l l o N ovemb er 2 9 , 2 0 1 2 , p et . re f ’d )( notd esi gna t ed f or p ub l i c a t i on)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 14 G o s s v . S ta te , N o . 0 5
- 0 5
- 0 0 4 6 3
- C R , 2 0 0 6 T e x . A p p . LE X IS 2 7 4 7 ( T e x . A p p . – D a l l a s A p r il 6 , 2 0 0 6 , no p et . )( notd esi gna t ed f or p ub l i c a t i on)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 H e rn a n d e z v . S ta te , N o . 0 5
- 0 4
- 0 1 6 8 6
- C R , 2 0 0 5 T e x . A p p . L E X I S 1 0 0 7 6 (T ex. A p p . – D a l l a s D ecemb er 5 , 2 0 0 5 , no p et . )( notd esi gna t ed f or p ub l i c a t i on)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 12 H i l lv . S t at e , 913 S
. W. 2d 581 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 1996)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 J a c k son v. V i rgi ni a , 4 4 3 U
. S. 3 0 7 (1 9 7 9 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7, 12 J a m e s v . S ta te , N o s . 0 5
- 0 8
- 0 1 3 3 2

– 3 3
- C R , 2 0 1 0 T e x . A p p . LE X IS 4 6 7 1 ( T e x . A p p . – D a l l a s J u n e 2 2 , 2 0 1 0 , no p et . )( notd esi gna t ed f or p ub l i c a t i on)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11 Jar am i l l o v . S t at e , N o . 07- 08- 0148, 2009 Te x . A pp. L E X I S 1 7 8 1 (T ex. A p p . – A ma ri l l o M a rch 1 3 , 2 0 0 9 , no p et . )( notd esi gna t ed f or p ub l i c a t i on)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 10 J o h n s o n v . S ta te , 8 7 1 S .W .2 d 1 8 3 ( T e x . C r im
. A p p . 1 9 9 3 ) , ce r t . deni ed , 5 1 1 U
. S
. 1 0 4 6 ( 1 9 9 4 )
..................... 8 J u d d v . S ta te , 9 2 3 S .W .2 d 1 3 5 ( T e x . A p p . – F o r tW o r th 1 9 9 6 , p e t . r e f ’ d )
. ............................... 9 Ku t z n e rv . S t at e , 994 S
. W. 2d 180 ( T e x . C r i m . A p p . 1 9 9 9 )
......................................... 8 L a ne v. State , 1 5 1 S. W
. 3 d 1 8 8 (T ex. C ri m. A p p . 2 0 0 4 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11iv

Led b e tt e rv . S ta te , N o . 0 5
- 0 9
- 0 1 3 1 3
- C R , 2 0 1 2 T e x . A p p . L E X I S 6 6 9 7 (T ex . A p p . – D a l l a s A u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 2 , p et . re f ’d )( notd esi gna t ed f or p ub l i c a t i on)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 M at s o n v . S t at e , 819 S
. W. 2d 839 ( T e x . C r i m . A p p . 1 9 9 1 )
.................................... 7, 13, 14 M oore v. State , 5 3 1 S. W
. 2 d 1 4 0 (T ex. C ri m. A p p . 1 9 7 6 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 M o r e n o v . S t at e , 755 S
. W. 2d 866 ( T e x . C r i m . A p p . 1 9 8 8 )
........................................ 6 M o s l e y v . S ta te , 9 8 3 S .W .2 d 2 4 9 ( T e x . C r im . A p p . 1 9 9 8 ) , ce r t . deni ed , 5 2 6 U
. S
. 1 0 7 0 ( 1 9 9 9 )
.......................... 6 O r t i z v . S t at e , 93 S
. W. 3d 79 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 2002)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Q u in c y v . S ta te , 3 0 4 S .W .3 d 4 8 9 ( T e x . A p p . – A m a r i l l o 2 0 0 9 , n o p e t . )
................................... 10 R o j a s v . S ta te , N o . 1 4
- 1 3
- 0 0 6 2 8
- C R , 2 0 1 4 T e x . A p p . L E X I S 9 6 8 7 (T ex. A p p . – H ouston [ 1 4 D i st. ] th A ugust 2 8 , 2 0 1 4 , p et . re f ’d )( notd esi gna t ed f or p ub l i c a t i on)
. . . . . . . . . . . 12 Tr ah an v . S t at e , 682 S
. W. 2d 597 ( Te x . A pp. – Be au m o n t1984, pe t . r e f’ d, u n t i m e l yfi l e d)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 T uc k erv. State , 2 7 4 S. W
. 3 d 6 8 8 (T ex. C ri m. A p p . 2 0 0 8 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 13 Tu rn e rv . S t at e , 664 S
. W. 2d 860 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 1983)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 U pt o n v . S t at e , 853 S
. W. 2d 548 ( T e x . C r i m . A p p . 1 9 9 3 )
....................................... 7, 13 V i ct o rv . S t at e , 874 S
. W. 2d 748 ( Te x . A pp. – H o u s t o n [ 1 D i s t . ] 1 9 9 4 , p e t . r e f ’ d )
...............................

st 12v

A R T IC L E S, C O D E S, R U L E S, a nd C O N ST IT U T IO N S: T e x . P e n . C o d e § 1
. 0 7 ( a ) ( 1 7 ) ( B )
........................................ 91

T O T H E H O N O R A B L E C O U R T O F A P P E A L S: T he i n s t an t br i e f i n r e s po n s e t o th e br i e f o f A ppe l l an t , Ro be r t Ki m bl e , i s f i l ed
on b e hal f of Susan H aw k , the C r i mi nalD i str i ctA t t orne yof D al l as C ou nty , T e xas.

SU M M A R Y O F T H E C A SE A p p e lla n t w a s c h a r g e d b y i n d i c tm e n t w i th h a v i n g c o m m i t t e d a g g r a v a t e d a s s a u lt
w i th a d ead l y w eap on. (C R : 8 ). T he i nd i c tmenta l l ege d tha tA p p el l a ntha d used ei ther h i s h a n d , a p i p e , o ra tr e e b r a n c h a s a d e a d lyw e a p o n i n th e c o m m i s s i o n o f th e a s s a u lt
a nd simi l a r l a ngua ge re ga rd i ng a l lthre e p oss i b l e d ead lyw eap ons a p p eared i n the jury
c ha rge . (C R : 8 , 4 6 ). W hi l e A p p el l a nt p l ed not gui l ty t o the of f ense cha rge d , the jury
c onvi c t ed A p p el l a ntof

the of f ense cha rge d
. (C R : 5 -7 , 5 0 -5 2 ; R R -3 : 1
- 1 2 , 1 6 7 ). W hi l e A p p el l a ntd eni ed the truth of the St a t e’ s enha nc eme nta l l egati on, the tri a lc ourt fo u n d the al l e g at i o n tru e an d s e n t e n ce d A ppe l l an tt o i m pr i s o n m e n tfo ra pe r i o d o f 25 y ears. (C R : 5 -7 , 5 1 -5 3 ; R R -4 : 4 2 -4 3 ). S TATEM ENT O F F AC TS A p p el l a nta nd D a vi d a W esl eyha d b ee n i n a d a t i ng re l a t i onship f or a p er i od of
a p p roxi ma t el y3 months on the d a t e of A p ril 2 1 , 2 0 1 3
. (R R -3 : 1 3 -1 6 , 5 8 -5 9 ). A f t er
s p e n d i n g s o m e t i m e a ta p a r tya tth e a p a r tm e n t o f a m a n i d e n t i f i e d i n th e r e c o r d o n ly
as “ Th o m as , ” W esl e yan d A ppe l l an te x i t e d th e apa r tm e n to f Th o m as . ( RR
- 3: 16- 17, 2 0 -2 1 , 2 4 -2 6 ). A f

t erha vi ng exi t ed the ap a rtmentof T homa s, W esl eyre a c hed herha nd2

b a c k to tak e hol d of

A p p el l a nt ’s ha nd , onl yt o f ee lA p p el l a nt ’s f

i st hi thera c ross her f a c e . ( R R
- 3 : 2 5
- 2 6 )
. A c c ord i ng t o W esl ey , the ne xtthi ng she k new , A p p el l a nt“gr a b b ed [he r] a nd he j u s ts t art e d w ai l i n g [ o n h e r ]
. ” ( RR
- 3: 25)
. We s l e y e s t abl i s h e d th atA ppe l l an tj u s tke pt h i t t i n g h e ran d e v e n “ starte d d o i n g uppe rcu t s . ” ( RR
- 3: 26)
. We s l e ye x pl ai n e d th at A p p el l a n t h a d f

ir s thi the ri n h e rf

ac e and the n i n the si d e of he rhe ad and had al so
re p eate d l yhi theri n herf a c e. (R R -3 : 2 6 ). A c c ord i ng t o the f i rst of f i c er on the sc ene , We s l e yh ad c l ai m e d th atA ppe l l an th ad u s e d o n l yh i s h an ds t o i n fl i ctth e i n j u r i e s th at W esl eysuf

f er ed
. (R R -3 : 1 2 1 ). T he f i rstof f i c era n d th e i nvest i ga t i ng d et ecti ve w er e i n agr e e me nt r e gar d i ng ho w a p e r son ’ s hands orf i st s coul d const i tut e d e ad l yw e ap on s. (R R -3 : 1 2 7 -2 8 , 1 3 8 ). W esl eyre c a l l ed tha tthe onl yt i me A p p el l a ntstop p ed b eati ng herw a s w hen she ha d “b l a c k ed out , ” w hi c h ha d l a ste d onl y “f or a sec ond
. ” (R R -3 : 2 8 ). W hi l e W esl ey ad mi t t e d thatshe had t ol d the p arame d i cs t hatshe had ne ve rl ostc o n s c iou sne ss, W e sl e yhad t ol d the i nv e st i gat i ng d e t e ct i ve ab ou tho w she had l ostconscio u sne ss du r i n g A ppe l l an t ’ s att ac k. ( RR
- 3: 45, 67, 144 , 1 4 6 ). W e s l e ym ade cl e arth at A p p el l a nt ’s b l ow s ha d c a used p a i n. (R R -3 : 5 6 -5 8 ). We s l e ye s t abl i s h e d th atA ppe l l an th ad a l so hi t h e rw i th w h ats h e th o u g h tw as ei thera tre e b ranc h or a p i p e tha t ha d b ee n p a rt of a b a rb eq ue gri l l
. (R R -3 : 2 8 -2 9 , 7 7 ).3

W esl eya d mi t t ed tha therd a ught er , w ho r e tu r n ed t o the sc ene of the cri me l a t era nd t o o k pi ctu r e s o f th e r e m ai n s o f a ba rbe qu e g r i l l , w as th e pe r s o n w h o h ad s t at e d th at W e sl e ymi gh thave b e e n stru c k w ith a p ip e d ur i ng the at t ac k
. ( R R
- 3 : 8 8 )
. T he f i r st
o ffi ce ro n th e s ce n e an d t he i n v e s t i g at i n g de t e ct i v e ag r e e d th ata br an ch an d a pi pe
c o u l d b o th b e d e a d l y w e a p o n s . ( R R
- 3 : 1 2 8
- 2 9 , 1 3 7
- 3 8 )
. A tsome p oi nt , A p p el l a ntthre w W esl ey t o the gr ound a nd f l ed the sc ene of

the
c ri me. (R R -3 : 2 9 -3 0 , 5 0 , 8 6 -8 7 ). W esl eyt est i f i ed tha t , 2 d a ys a f

te r ha vi ng b ee n
a t t a c k ed , she l ook ed l i k e a “monste r. ” (R R -3 : 3 3 ). W esl eya l so te sti f i ed tha tthe pi ctu r e s th at w e r e adm i t t e d as S t at e ’ s Ex h i bi t s 3 th r o u g h 8 de pi ct e d h o w h e rfac e h ad l ook ed i n the i mmed i a t e a f t erma th of A p p el l a nt ’s a ss a ul t i ve a c t s. (R R -3 : 3 2 -3 4 , 4 0 ). W esl eyexp l a i ned tha ta l lthe sw el l i ng tha t w a s d ep i c t ed i n State ’s E xhi b i t s 3 through 8 ha d b ee n the r esul tof

A p p el l a nt ’s b l ow s to herb od y . (R R -3 : 3 6 ). W esl eyshow ed the juror s the k not s on her head tha t w er e d ep i c t ed i n the p hot ograp hs. (R R -3 : 3 5 -3 6 ). W esl eynot ed tha ta l most a ye a r ha d el a p sed b etw ee n the t i me she had b ee n
a ss a u l te d a n d the t i me she w a s te sti f y i ng. (R R -3 : 7 6 ). W esl eyexp l a i ned tha tther e
w er e t i mes d uri ng the ni ghttha therja w w o u l d in volunt a ri l yshive r. (R R -3 : 5 6 ). Simi l a rly , W esl ey exp l a i ned tha t her a rm ha d neve r b ee n the sa me si nc e the t i me of the
as s au l tan d th ath e rt e e th h ad r att l e d i n h e r m o u th fo r a l o n g t i m e aft e rth e as s au l th ad b ee n c ommi t t ed
. (R R -3 : 5 6 ). W esl eyi nf orme d the jury tha t she ha d w ond er ed d uri ng4

the as sa ul ti f A p p el l a nt w a s goi ng t o t a k e he r l i f e. (R R -3 : 2 7 ). W esl eya l so inf orme d the jurytha tshe ha d a sk ed h e r s e l f how she c oul d ha ve b ee n i n a situa t i on w her e she
c o u l d h a v e a l m o s t d ie d . ( R R
- 3 : 8 8 )
.

S UM M AR Y O F S TATE' S RES PO NS ES S t at e' s R ep l y t o A p p el l an t ' s S ol e Poi n t of Error : Rev i ew of

the r ec or d below i n acc or d wi th the appl i cable s tandar d f oras s es s i ng a clai m of

l egal s uf f i ci enc y r ev eal s the pr es enc e ther ei n of l egal l y s uf f i ci ent ev i denc e i n su p p o rt o f n o t o n l y th e j u ry’s ve rd i ct th a t A p p el la n t w a s g u i l ty o

f th e o ff en se char ged, but al s o that Appel lant

had us ed orex hi bi t ed a de adl y weapon. Acc or di ngl

y, the re c o rd her ei n is not one upon whi ch this Court could bas e a
conc l us i on that

Appel lant ’s conv i ct i on was i r r at i onal oruns uppor t ed by the e vi denc e.5 ST A T E ' S R E P L Y T O A P P E L L A N T ’ S S OLE P OI NT OF E RR OR: A ppel l a nt ’ s co nt enti o ns: I n h i s s o l e po i n t o f e rr o r , A ppe l l an t co n t e n ds th at th e e v i de n ce pr e s e n t e d attr i al
w a s insuf

f i c i entt o sup p orthi s c onvi c t i on f or the of f ense cha rge d
. (A p p el l a nt ’s B ri ef
a t p p . iii, 2 , 9 , 1 2 -1 7 ). S p ec if ic a l l y, A p p el l a n t c o n ten d s th a t th e e v id en c e is in s u f f ic ie n t r e g a r d in g th e S ta te ’ s d e a d l y w e a p o n a l l e g a ti o n . ( Id .)
. St a t e’s respo nses: R evi ew of

the r ecord b el ow i n a c c ord w i th the ap p l i c a b l e st a nd a rd f or as sess i ng
a c l ai m o f l e g als u ffi ci e n cyr e v e al s th e pr e s e n ce th e r e i n o f l e g al l ys u ffi ci e n te v i de n ce i n sup p ortof noton l ythe jury ’ s ve r d i ctthatA p p e l l antw as guil ty o f the off e nse
c h a r g e d , b u t a l s o th a t A p p e l l a n t h a d u s e d o re x h ib it e d a d e a d l y w e a p o n . A c c o r d in g l y, th e r e c ord here i n i s n o to n e upo n w h i ch th i s Co u r tco u l d bas e a c o n clu s i o n th at A p p e l l a n t’ s c o n v ic ti o n w a s ir r a ti o n a lo ru n s up p o r te d b y th e e v id e n c e . LEG AL A UTH O RI TY I n re vi ew i ng the l egal suf f i c ie n c y of

the e vi d ence t o sup p orta c onvi c t i on, the
a p p el l a t e courtmust vi ew the e vi d ence in the l i ghtmost f a vorab l e t o the ve rd i c ta nd
m a y rev er s e th e c o n v ic tio n o n l y if th a t re v iew re v ea l s th a t no r a t i o n a l tr i e ro f f a c tc o u ld h a v e f o u n d th e e s s e n ti a le l e m e n ts o f th e o f f e n s e b e yo n d a r e a s o n a b l e d o ub t. SeeW hile the l ea d opinion in B rooks rec eiv ed a tota l of only four votes, Judg e Womack, who 1 did no t jo in t

he lead op ini on , did j oin

the co ncurri ng

op ini on of Judg e Co chr an, which

lit eral ly conc luded with lang

uag e stati ng

thatthe t ime had arrived “ to consign the c ivil- law conc ept of fac tual s ufficie ncy

review in c rimina l ca s es to the dustbin of histor y .” B rooks , 322 S.W .3d at 926 (Cochran, J ., conc urring

joine d by W omac k, J .).

6 Jacks o n v . V i r g i n i a, 443 U
. S
. 307, 319 ( 1979) ; A l v ar ado v . S t a t e, 9 12 S
. W. 2d 199, 2 0 7 (T ex. C ri m. A p p . 1 9 9 5 ). T he a p p el l a t e court , how eve r, i s not t o d i sregard , re a l i gn
or w ei gh evi d ence b eca use th e f a c t f i nd er– w hose excl usive re a l m i nc lud es the
r e c o n c ilia ti o n o f

a n y e v id e n ti a ry c o n f

l ic ts

– h a s a l r e a d y e n g a g e d in s u c h e x e r c is e s . See M o s l e y v . S ta te , 9 8 3 S .W .2 d 2 4 9 , 2 5 4
- 5 5 ( T e x . C r im . A p p . 1 9 9 8 ) , ce r t . deni ed , 526 U
. S. 1 0 7 0 (1 9 9 9 ); M ore no v. State , 7 5 5 S. W
. 2 d 8 6 6 , 8 6 7 (T ex. C ri m. A p p . 1 9 8 8 ). Wh i l e appe l l at e co u r t s fo rm e r l y h ad th e po w e rt o co n du cta fa ctu als u ffi ci e n cy
re v iew u n d e r a d if

f er en t s ta n d a rd , the C o u rt o f C rim in a lA p p ea l s re c en tl y ma d e it tr an s par e n t l ycl e arth at , “ [T ]he J a c k so n v . V i r g i n i a s t an dar d i s th e o n l ys t an dar d th at
a re v iew in g c o u rt s h o u l d a p p l y in d ete rm i n i n g w h e th erth e e v id en c e is s u f f ic ien t to sup p orteac h el eme ntof a c ri mi na lof

f ense tha tthe St a t e i s req ui re d t o p rove b ey ond
a r e as o n abl e do ubt
. ” Br o o ks v . S t at e , 323 S
. W. 3d 893, 912 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 2 0 1 0 )( p lural i tyop . ). T he B rook s c ourtexp l a i ned the p rop er a p p l i c a t i on of the 1 J a c k s o n v . V i r g i n i a s t a n d a r d b yw r i t i n g th a t : V i ew i ng the e vi d ence “i n the l i ghtmost f a vorab l e t o the ve r d i c t ” und er a l eg a l -s u f

f ic ien c y s ta n d a rd m ea n s th a t th e r ev iew in g c o u rt is re q u ire d to d ef ert o the jury ’s c re d i b i l i ty a nd w ei ght d et ermi na t i ons b eca use the jury7

i s the s o le jud ge of

the w i tnesses’ c re d i b i l i tya nd the w ei ghtt o b e gi ven to th e irte s ti m o n y. Id . a t 8 9 9 ( e m p h a s is in o r ig in a l )
. T he exp l a na t i on of

the B rook s c ourtw a s in comp l et e harmonyw i th a n earl i er exp l a na t i on of

the p rop er a p p l i c a t i on of the l egal suf

f i c i encystand a rd i n w hi c h the Co u r to f Cr i m i na l A p p eal s h ad m ade cl e arth at , i n appl y i n g th e l e g als u ffi ci e n cy stand a rd , the ap p el l a t e courti s not t o c onc ern i t sel f w i th w hether i t b el i eve s the St a t e’ s evi d ence o rth atth e de fe n s e ’ s e v i de n ce o u tw e i g h s th atpr e s e n t e d byth e S t at e , as t he
a p p el l a te c o u rt d o es n o t “a s s es s th e c re d ib il ity o f th e w itn es s es o n ea c h s id e.” E x P a rte E l i zond o, 9 4 7 S. W
. 2 d 2 0 2 , 2 0 5 (T ex. C ri m. A p p . 1 9 9 6 ). B yre q ui ri ng a p p el l a t e court de fe r e n ce t o th e res o lu t i o n s o f th e fac tfi n de r , th e l e g als u ffi ci e n cys t an dar d ac co r ds p r o p e rr e s p e c t to th e f

a c t f in d e r ’ s e x c lu s iv e d u ty to r e s o l v e c o n f l ic ts in th e te s ti m o n y, t o w ei gh the e vi d ence, t o a c c ep t or re jec t a ny or a l lof

the e vi d ence p re sent ed b yei ther
s id e , a n d to d r a w r e a s o n a b l e in f e r e n c e s f r o m b a s ic f

a c ts to u l ti m a te f

a c ts . See J a c k son, 4 43 U. S
. a t 31 9; Upt o n v . S t a t e , 85 3 S
. W. 2d 54 8, 55 2 ( Te x . Cr i m . Ap p . 1 9 9 3 ); M a ts o n v . S ta te, 8 1 9 S .W .2 d 8 3 9 , 8 4 3 (T ex . C rim . A p p . 1 9 9 1 ). Fin a l l y, th e a p p el l a te
co u r tm ay r e v e r s e th e fac tfi n de r ’ s g u i l tyv e r di ctbas e d o n l e g al l yi n s u ffi ci e n te v i de n ce
o n l y if th e g u ilty v e r d ic t i s ir r a ti o n a lo ru n s up p o r te d b y th e e v id e n c e . See M at s o n , 819 S .W .2 d a t 8 4 3 ; s ee al

s o Br o o ks , 323 S
. W. 3d at907.8

T hi s a f ore ment i oned stand a rd a p p l i es t o c l a i ms of l egal i nsuf

f i c i encyw hether th e e v id e n c e s up p o r ti n g th e c o n v ic ti o n is d ir e c t o rc ir c u m s ta n ti a lin n a tu r e . See B urd en
v . S t at e , 55 S
. W. 3d 608, 613 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 2001) ; K ut z n e rv . S t at e , 994 S
. W. 2d 1 8 0 , 1 8 4 (T ex. C ri m. A p p . 1 9 9 9 ). A d d i t io n a l l y, “I n a c i rcums t a nt i a levi d ence c a se, i ti s not ne c essa rytha teve ryf a c tp oi ntd ir e c tly a nd i nd ep end ent l yt o the gui l tof the
a c c used ; rathe r, i ti s enough i f the c onc lusion [ of gui l t ] i s w a rr a nt ed b ythe comb i ned
an d cu m u l at i v e fo r ce of a l l th e i n cr i m i n at i n g ci r cu m s t an ce s . ” Jo h n s o n v . S t at e , 871 S .W .2 d 1 8 3 , 1 8 6 ( T e x . C r im . A p p . 1 9 9 3 ) , c e r t . d e ni ed , 5 1 1 U .S
. 1 0 4 6 (1 9 9 4 ). Fi n a l l y, “ U s e o f a d e a d l y w e a p o n m a y b e p r o v e d b y c ir c u m s ta n ti a le v id e n c e .” L ed b ett erv. State , N o . 0 5 -0 9 -0 1 3 1 3 -C R , 2 0 1 2 T ex. A p p . L E X I S 6 6 9 7 , a t* 7 (T ex. A p p . – D a l l a s A u g u s t 1 0 , 2 0 1 2 , p e t. r e f ’ d ) ( n o t d e s ig n a te d f o rp ub l ic a ti o n ) , ci t i ng : M o o r e v . S t at e , 531 S
. W. 2d 140, 142 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 1976) an d Tr ah an v . S t at e , 682 S .W .2 d 5 9 7 , 5 9 8 ( T e x . A p p . – B e a u m o n t 1 9 8 4 , p e t. r e f ’ d , u n ti m e l y f iled )
. A P P L I C A T I ON I n h i s s o l e po i n t o f e rr o r , A ppe l l an t co n t e n ds th at th e e v i de n ce pr e s e n t e d attr i al
w a s i nsuf

f i c i ent t o sup p orthi s c onvi c t i on f or the of f ense cha rge d
. (A p p el l a nt ’s B ri ef
a t p p . i i i , 2 , 9 , 1 2 -1 7 ). S p ec if ic a l l y, A p p el l a n t c o n ten d s th a t th e e v id en c e is in s u f f ic ien t re g a rd in g th e S ta te’ s d ea d l y w ea p o n a l l eg a t i o n . (I d .). T h e S ta te
re sp ectf ul l y d i sa gre es b eca use re vi ew of the re c ord i n the l i ght most f a vorab l e to the9

v e r d i c tr e v e a ls th e p r e s e n c e th e r e i n o f le g a lly s u f

f i c i e n t e v i d e n c e i n s up p o r t o f n o to n ly th e j u ry ’ s v e r di ctth atA ppe l l an tw as g u i l tyo f th e of f ense c h ar g e d, bu tal s o th at A p p el l a n t h a d u s ed o r e x h ib ited a d ea d l y w e a p o n . A c c o rd in g l y, th e r ec o rd h er ein is
n o to n e upo n w h i ch th i s Co u r tco u l d bas e a co n clu s i o n th atA ppe l l an t ’ s co n v i ct i o n w as i rr a t i ona lor unsup p ort ed b ythe e vi d enc e. T h e in d ic tm en t a n d th e j u ry c h a rg e b o th a l leg ed th a t A p p el l a n t h a d u s ed h is hand, a t r e e b r anch, and a p i p e as a d e ad l yw e ap on . ( C R : 8 , 4 6 )
. W hi l e no ne of t ho se
a f ore ment i oned ob

j e c ts a re a d ead l yw eap on p er se , a n yo ra l lo f th e m c o u l d q u a l i fy
a s a d ead l yw eap on i f i t w a s show n b y the e vi d ence tha ti n the manner of thei r use or i nt e nded use the y w e r e ca p ab l e of ca usi ng d e at h or se r i ou s b odi l y i nju ry. S e e, e. g. , H erna nd ez v. State , N o. 0 5 -0 4 -0 1 6 8 6 -C R , 2 0 0 5 T ex. A p p . LE X I S 1 0 0 7 6 , a t* 3 -4 ( T e x . A p p . – D a l l a s D e c e m b e r 5 , 2 0 0 5 , n o p e t.) ( n o t d e s ig n a te d f o rp ub l ic a ti o n ) , ci t i ng : T ex. P en. C od e § 1
. 0 7 (a)(1 7 ) (B ) and T urne r v. State , 6 6 4 S. W
. 2 d 8 6 , 9 0 (T ex. C ri m. A pp. 1983) an d Ju dd v
. S t a t e , 923 S
. W. 2d 135, 140 ( Te x . A pp. – F o r tWo r th 1996, p e t. r e f ’ d )
. U nd erthe l a w , the e vi d e n c e r e g a r d i ng the natur e of the i njuri es A p p el l a nt i n f li c t e d up o n W e s le yc a n p r o v i d e s u f f i c i e n t p r o o f

o f A p p e lla n t ’ s u s e o f

a d e a d ly
w e a p o n d u r in g th e c o m m is s io n o f th e o f f e n s e . See Bal t az arv . S t at e , 331 S
. W. 3d 6, 8 ( T e x . A p p . – A m a r ill o 2 0 1 0 , p e t. r e f ’ d ) , ci t i ngJar am i l l o v . S t at e , N o . 07- 08- 0148,10

2 0 0 9 T ex. A p p . L E X I S 1 7 8 1 , a t* 7 (T ex. A p p . – A m a r ill o M a r c h 1 3 , 2 0 0 9 , no p et . )( n o t d e s igna t ed f

or p ub l i c a t i on). I tw a s not ne c essa ry , how eve r, f or the St a t e’ s evi d ence t o show tha tW esl eya c tua l l ysu f f e r e d s e r i ous b od i l yi njurya s a re sul tof A p p e l l a n t’ s h a v in g b e a te n h e rw it h h is h a n d s , th e tr e e b r a n c h , o rt h e p i p e . See , e. g. , F r an ci s v . S t at e , N o . 07- 12- 0044- CR , 2012 Te x . A pp. L EX I S 9847, at* 3 ( Te x . A pp.

– A m a r ill o N o v e m b e r 2 9 , 2 0 1 2 , p e t. r e f ’ d ) ( n o t d e s ig n a te d f o r p u b li c a ti o n ) , ci t i ng : Q ui nc yv. Sta te , 3 0 4 S. W
. 3 d 4 8 9 , 5 0 0 (T ex. A p p . – A ma ri l l o 2 0 0 9 , no p et . ) and Bal t az ar , 331 S
. W. 3d at8; D an i e l s v . S t at e , N o . 05- 97 -0 0 7 1 5
- CR , 1998 Te x . A pp. L E X I S 7 5 2 0 , a t* 2 2 -2 3 (T ex. A p p . – D a l l a s D ecemb er4 , 1 9 9 8 , no p et . )( notd esi gna t ed f o rp ub l ic a ti o n ) , ci t i ng : H i l lv . S t at e , 9 1 3 S
. W
. 2 d 581, 591 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 1996)
a n d B ui v. State , 9 6 4 S. W
. 2 d 3 3 5 , 3 4 2 (T ex. A p p . – T exark a na 1 9 9 8 , p et . re f ’d ). A d d i t i ona l l y , a nyt est i mo nyf rom W esl eyre ga rd i ng w ha tshe end ure d a nd a ny t est i monyre ga rd i ng how a nyof the w eap ons c oul d ha ve b ee n used a s a d ead l yw eap on
c onsti tut ed evi d ence tha tw a s c a p a b l e of p rovi d i ng l egal l ysuf

f i c i entevi d ence regard i ng A p p e ll a n t ’ s u s e o f

a d e a d l y w e a p o n d u r in g th e c o m m is s io n o f th e o f f e n s e . See , e. g. , J a mes v. State , N os. 0 5 -0 8 -0 1 3 3 2

– 3 3 -C R , 2 0 1 0 T ex. A p p . L E X I S 4 6 7 1 , a t* 6 (T ex. A p p . – D a l l a s J u n e 2 2 , 2 0 1 0 , n o p e t.) ( n o t d e s ig n a te d f o rp ub l ic a ti o n ) , ci t i ng : D e n h am
v . S t at e , 574 S
. W. 2d 129, 130 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 1978) an d B ui , 9 6 4 S
. W. 2d at343
a nd B e th e lv. State , 8 4 2 S. W
. 2 d 8 0 4 , 8 0 7 (T ex. A p p . – H ouston [ 1 D i st. ] 1 9 9 2 , no st11

p e t.)
. T he r ecord i s und i sp ut ed re ga r d in g h o w the f i rstof f i c eron the sc ene a nd the i n v e s t i g at i n g de t e ct i v e ag r e e d th ath an ds an d fi s t s an d a br an ch an d a pi pe co u l d al lbe d ead l yw eap ons. (R R -3 : 1 2 7 -2 9 , 1 3 7 -3 8 ). T he t est i monyf rom the trai n e d a nd
ex p er ien c ed f

irs t o f f ic ero n th e s c en e a n d f

ro m th e in v es tig a tin g d ete c tiv e is m u c h a k in t o e x p e r tt e s t i m o n yth a t s up p o r t s th e j u ry ’ s v e r d i c tth a ti tw a s b e y o n d a r e a s o n a b le d oub ttha tA p p el l a nt ha d c ommi t t ed the of f ense c ha rge d a nd ha d used a d ead l yw eap on in th e c o m m is s io n o f

th e o f f e n s e c h a r g e d
. See B a l ta z a r , 3 3 1 S .W .3 d a t 8 , ci t i ng T uc k erv. State , 2 7 4 S. W
. 3 d 6 8 8 , 6 9 2 (T ex. C ri m. A p p . 2 0 0 8 ). A d d i t i on al l y , W e sl e y t e st i f i e d that she had “ b l ac k e d ou t ” orl ostconsci ou sne ss
a t s ome p oi ntd uri ng A p p el l a nt ’s ha vi ng b eate n herw i th hi s f i sts. (R R -3 : 2 8 ). We s l e y ’ s h av i n g l o s t co n s ci o u s n e s s s uppo r t s th e j u ry ’ s b ey on d- a- r e as o n abl e - do ubt
c o n c lu s i o n s th a t A p p e l l a n t h a d b e e n g u i ltyo f th e o f f e n s e a n d h a d u s e d a d e a d ly
w e a p o n in th e c o m m is s io n o f th e o f f e n s e . Se e , e . g. , L an e v . S t at e , 151 S
. W. 3d 188, 1 9 1 (T ex . C rim . A p p . 2 0 0 4 ); B a l ta za r, 3 3 1 S .W .3 d a t 8 ; s ee al s o, e. g. , J ame s, N os. 05- 08- 01332– 33- CR , 2010 Te x . A pp. L EX I S 4671, at* 7. Th e r e co r d w as al s o u n di s pu t e d r e g ar di n g h o w We s l e yh ad l i t e r al l yfe ar e d th at
s h e w a s g o in g t o d i e at the hand s of A p p el l a nt . (R R -3 : 2 7 , 8 8 ). W esl ey ’s t est i mony
r e g ar di n g h e rfe arth atA ppe l l an tw as g o i n g t o k i l lh e rpr o v i de s m o r e e v i de n ce th at12

s uppo r t s th e j u ry ’ s h av i n g c onc l ud e d be y o n d a r e as o n abl e do ubtn o to n l yth at A p p e lla n tw a s g u i ltyo f

th e c r i m e c h a r g e d , b u ta ls o th a tA p p e lla n th a d u s e d a d e a d ly
w e a p o n in c o m m it ti n g th e c r im e c h a r g e d
. See , e. g. , Ro j as v . S t at e , N o . 14- 13- 00628- CR , 2014 Te x . A pp. L EX I S 9687, at * 5 ( Te x . A pp. – H o u s t o n [ 14 D i s t . ] A u g u s t28, th 2 0 1 4 , p e t . r e f ’ d ) ( n o t d e s ig n a te d f o rp ub l ic a ti o n ) , ci t i ngV i ct o rv . S t at e , 874 S
. W. 2d 7 4 8 , 7 5 1 (T ex . A p p . – H o u s to n [1 D is t.] 1 9 9 4 , p et. re f ’d ); s ee al s o, e. g. , Goss v. st S t at e , N o . 05- 05- 00463- CR , 2006 Te x . A pp. L EX I S 2747, at* 5 ( Te x . A pp. – D al l as A pr i l 6, 2006, n o pe t . ) ( n o t de s i g n at e d fo r publ i ca t i o n ) ; H e rn an de z , N o . 05- 04- 01686- CR , 2005 Te x . A pp. L EX I S 10076, at* 5- 11. W es l ey tes tif

ied a s w el lth a t a l lo f

th e in j u rie s d ep ic ted to h er in S ta te’ s E x h ib its 3 th r o u g h 8 h ad be e n th e r e s u l to f A ppe l l an t ’ s cr i m i n alac t s o f be at i n g h e r . ( RR
- 3: 35- 3 6 ). State ’s E xhi b i t 4 show s a b l ood yc ontusion d i re c t l yb el ow W esl ey ’s l ef tey e. T he j u r o r s , as s o l e tr i e r s o f fact , w e r e e n t i t l e d t o co n clu de be y o n d a r e as o n abl e do ubtth at A p p el l an t h ad u s e d a de adl y w e apo n be ca u s e th e j u r o r s co u l d h av e i n fe rr e d th a t t he f orce of the b l ow or b l ow s that h a d c a used the b l ood yc ontusion w oul d ha ve b ee n
c a p a b l e of

c a using ser i ous b od i l yi njuryt o the sof t t i ss ue of

W esl ey ’s ey e had the b l ow
or b l ow s i mp a c t ed W esl ey ’s f a c e a t a l eve l jus t sl i ght l y hi ghertha n w her e the b l ow or b l o w s a c tu a l l y l a n d e d
. See Jacks o n , 443 U
. S
. at 319; O r t i z v . S t at e , 93 S
. W. 3d 79, 88 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 2002) ; A dame v. S t at e , 69 S
. W. 3d 581, 582 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp.13

2002) ; Bi g n al lv . S t a t e , 887 S
. W. 2d 21, 24 ( Te x . Cr i m . A pp. 1994) ; U pt o n , 853 S. W
. 2 d a t5 5 2 ; M a t son, 8 1 9 S. W
. 2 d a t 8 4 3 ; A l l en v. State , 5 3 3 S. W
. 2 d 3 5 2 , 3 5 4 (T ex. C rim . A p p . 1 9 7 6 ). Fu rth er m o re , the f a c t t h a t W es l ey s o m eh o w m a n a g ed to a v o id ha vi ng herey e i t sel f

a c tua l l yi njured b y A p p e l l a nt ’s b l ow or b l ow s that ca used the b l ood yc ontusion d ep i c t ed i n State ’s E xhi b i t4 d oes not re nd er the e vi d ence i nsuf f i c i ent
r e g ar di n g A ppe l l an t ’ s h av i n g u s e d an o bj e ct th at co n s t i tu t e d a de adl yw e apo n t o i n fl i ct th e d a m a g e r e f

l e c te d in S ta te ’ s E x h ib it4
. See B a l ta z a r , 3 3 1 S .W .3 d a t 8 , ci t i ng Tu cke r , 274 S
. W. 3d at692. S t at e ’ s Ex h i bi t3 an d S t at e ’ s Ex h i bi t8 bo th s h o w th e s w e l l i n g t o We s l e y ’ s fac e thatw as t he r e sul tof A p p e l l ant ’ s b l ow orb l ow s. ( R R
- 3 : 3 5
- 3 6 )
. E ve n tho ug h al mo st
a y ear ha d p a ss ed since the t i me of the as sa ul t , W esl eyexp l a i ned t o th e j u r y h ow her j a w w o u l d s ti l ls o m e ti m e s s h iv e ra t n ig h t. ( R R
- 3 : 5 6 , 7 6 )
. Simi l a rl y , State ’s E xhi b i t 6 show s the w el t s tha t A p p el l a nti nf l i c t ed t o W esl ey ’s
r ig h t arm . ( R R
- 3 : 3 5
- 3 6 )
. A compa r i son of tho se w e l t s w i th the p i p e s d e p i cte d in S ta te’ s E x h ib it 1 1 , S ta te’ s E x h ib it 1 3 , a n d S ta te’ s E x h ib it 1 4 re v ea ls t h a t t h o s e w el ts
c oul d w el lha ve b ee n the re sul tof A p p el l a nt ’s ha vi ng b eate n W esl eyw i th a tl eas tone
o f th e p ip e s ( o ra p ip e s im ila rto th e p ip e s d e p ic te d )
. D e sp i t e the f

ac tthatal mo sta y e ar h ad e l ap se d f r omthe t i me of t he a s s a u l t, W esl e ym ade cl e aratth e t i m e o f th e tr i alth ath e rarm h ad n o tr e tu rn e d t o i t s pre-14

a ss a ul t status. (R R -3 : 5 6 , 7 6 ). T he jurors

– a s tri er s of f a c t

– w er e entit l e d to in f er f rom W e s l ey ’s a f

ore ment i oned t est i monya b outthe on- goi ng p hy sica lc onseq uences
w i th w hi c h she ha d t o c ont end tha tA p p el l a nt ’s a c t s of b eati ng W esl ey ha d c a used the p r o tr a c te d l o s s o rim p a ir m e n t o f th e f u n c ti o n o f a b o d ily m e m b e ro ro r g a n . See , e. g. , Fr a n c is , N o . 0 7
- 1 2
- 0 0 4 4
- C R , 2 0 1 2 T e x . A p p . LE X IS 9 8 4 7 , a t *5
. F or a l l the a f

ore ment i oned re a sons , the r ecord – w hen r evi ew ed p rop er l yund er th e appl i ca bl e s t an dar d fo r co n du ct i n g a l e g al s u ffi ci e n cy an al y s i s – co n t ai n s e v i de n ce
o f a s u f f i c i e n t n a tu r e a n d q u a li tys u c h th a tn e i th e rth e j u ry ’ s g u i ltyv e r d i c ti n g e n e r a l, nor the jury ’s c onc lusion tha tA p p el l a n t w a s guil tyb ey ond a re a sona b l e d oub tof h av i n g u s e d a de adl yw e apo n i n th e co m m i s s i o n o f t he c ri me ag ai n s tWe s l e yca n
a c c u r a te l y b e c h a r a c t e r iz e d a s b e in g ir r a ti o n a lo ru n s up p o r te d b y th e e v id e n c e . See M a ts o n , 8 1 9 S .W .2 d a t 8 4 3 ; s e e als o B r o o k s , 3 2 3 S .W .3 d a t 9 0 7 . A c c o r d in g l y, A p p e l l a n t’ s s o l e p o in t o f e rr o rs h o u l d b e o v e rru l e d
.15 CO NC LUS I O N A ND PRAY ER S in c e t h e r ec o rd c o n ta in s ev id en c e in s up p o rt o f A p p el l a n t’s c o n v ic tio n th a t is
o f a l eg a l l y s u f

f ic ien t n a tu re a n d q u a l ity re l a tiv e to A p p el l a n t’s h a v in g u s e d a d e a d ly
w e a p o n i n th e c o m m i s s i o n o f th e c r i m e c h a r g e d , th e S t a t e p r a y s th a tth i s C o u r tw i ll
ove rru l e A ppe l l an t ’ s s o l e po i n t o f e rr o r an d affi rm th e tr i al co u r t ’ s j u dg mentof
c o n v ic ti o n in it s e n ti r e ty. Re s pe ct fu l l ys ubm i t t e d, S U S A N H A WK, C ri mi na lD i str i c tA t t orne y D al l as Co u n ty , Te x as

______________________________ M I C H A E L R
. C A SI L L A S, A ss i stant C r im in a lD is tr ic t A tt o rn e y, A p p el l a t e D i vi sion 133 N
. Ri v e r fr o n tBl v d. , L B 19 D al l as , Te x as 75207- 4399 ( 214) 653- 3600; F A X ( 214) 653- 3643 S t at e BarN o . 0396750016 CE RT I F I CA T E OF S E RV I CE AN D C OM P L I AN CE I h e r e byce r t i fyth at– n o l at e rth an th e 23 dayo f Jan u ary2015 – a tru e co py rd
o f th e i n s t an t S t at e ’ s Re s po n s e Br i e f w as de l i v e r e d byh an d t o th e O ffi ce o f th e D al l as C o u n ty P ub l ic D e f

e n d e ra n d a tru e , e l e c tr o n ic a l l y- f o rm a tt e d c o p y o f th e in s ta n t S ta te 's R e sp o nse B r i e f

has b e e n se rve d on A p p e l l ant ’ s coun se l , the H on . J ul i e W oo d s, As s i s t a n tDal l a s Co u n tyPu bl i c De fe n de r , 13 3 N. Ri v e r fr o n t Bl v d. , L B- 2, Dal l a s , TX 7 5 2 0 7 , b yuse of

the e l ectr oni c servi c e f unc t i on tha ta c c omp a ni es the f i l i ng of the i n s t an tS t at e ’ s R esp ons e Br i e f w i th th i s Co u r tth r o u g h th e e l e ctr o n i c fi l i n g s e rv i ce p r o v id e rto w h ic h th e S ta te s ub s c r ib e s . A d d i t i ona l l y , I a l so here b yc ert i f y– b a sed on th e w o rd -count f unc t i on of

the W ord P er f

ect, w ord -p rocess i ng sof tw a re w i th w hi c h the i nstant State ’s R esp onse B ri ef
w as d r af t e d – thatthe i nst antSt at e ’ s R e sp on se B r i e f cont ai ns 3, 1 2 9 w or d s.

___________________________________ MI C HA E L R
. C AS I L L AS