Court Opinion

ID: 4291311
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-07-04 08:52:24.123258+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:37:52.662746
License: Public Domain

Affirmed and Opinion Filed July 3, 2018

                                           S   In The
                                  Court of Appeals
                           Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
                                        No. 05-17-01284-CV

                             IN THE MATTER OF K.M.D., a child

                       On Appeal from the 305th Judicial District Court
                                    Dallas County, Texas
                           Trial Court Cause No. JD-17-01047-X

                              MEMORANDUM OPINION
                           Before Justices Bridges, Myers, and Schenck
                                   Opinion by Justice Bridges
       The juvenile court certified KMD, a fourteen-year-old, to be tried as an adult and

transferred criminal proceedings to a criminal district court. On appeal, he argues the juvenile

court’s certification and transfer order was deficient and lacking in specificity to waive its original

jurisdiction. We affirm.

                                                Background

       On July 26, 2017, decedent and others were playing basketball in a Dallas city park when

several vehicles drove by. KMD drove the first vehicle, a red Chevrolet four-door Impala. BD

sat in the front passenger seat, and two others sat in the backseats. According to BD, “somebody”

had a “previous beef” with decedent.
          The Impala drove by the park again. Although KMD initially drove the car, he switched

seats at some point with BD. KMD fired a weapon twice out of the front passenger side window

striking decedent in the head.1 The car immediately left the scene.

          Based on a 9-1-1 call, officers located the Impala within minutes and a chase ensued. By

this time, KMD was again driving and BD was in the front passenger seat. During the chase, BD

exited the car and fled on foot while KMD continued to flee in the car.

          Officers caught BD and recovered a .380 semiautomatic weapon from his pants pocket.

KMD eventually ended the car chase, and officers took all four individuals into custody. KMD

denied shooting anyone, but admitted he evaded arrest because he did not have a driver’s license.

          Detective Cayce Shelton interviewed several witnesses to the crime. One witness on the

basketball court thought the shots came from the black car following the Impala. However, a

woman on her front porch heard gunshots and saw a person with his arm out the right front

passenger side window of the Impala. Two passengers in the Impala said KMD was the shooter

and the third passenger, KMD’s brother, would not identify KMD as the shooter but said “the shots

came from where he was sitting.” After interviewing the passengers in the Impala, the people in

the car following the Impala, neighbors, and those on the basketball court, Detective Shelton was

confident KMD was the shooter.

          KMD was charged with intentionally and knowingly causing the death of an individual by

shooting him with a firearm in violation of section 19.02 of the penal code.

          On August 3, 2017, the State filed its Petition for Discretionary Transfer to Criminal Court,

asking the juvenile court to waive its jurisdiction and transfer KMD’s case to adult criminal court.

See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 54.02 (West 2014). As required by family code section 54.02(d),

   1
       Decedent was eighteen years old.

                                                  –2–
the trial court ordered a complete diagnostic study, social evaluation, and full investigation of

KMD, his circumstances, and circumstances of the alleged offense.

           After the evaluations were completed, the juvenile court conducted a hearing regarding the

State’s motion to transfer. Two witnesses testified at the hearing: Detective Shelton, the lead

investigator, and Kendrick Smith, a juvenile probation officer.                                              Smith prepared the social

evaluation and investigative report. The juvenile court took judicial notice of the reports without

objection. Smith recommended the juvenile court grant the State’s petition for discretionary

transfer.

           At the conclusion of the hearing, the juvenile court made oral findings on the record. On

October 16, 2017, the court signed its waiver of jurisdiction and order of transfer to a criminal

district court. The order stated the court considered “all the testimony, diagnostic study, social

evaluation, and full investigation” and found “it is contrary to the best interest of the public to

retain jurisdiction.” This interlocutory appeal followed.2

                                                Standard of Review and Applicable Law

           To waive its jurisdiction and transfer KMD to adult criminal court, the juvenile court had

to find KMD was alleged to have committed a felony, he was fourteen years old or older at the

time he committed the alleged offense, after a full investigation and a hearing there was probable

cause to believe KMD committed the alleged offense, and the welfare of the community requires

criminal proceedings because of the alleged offense’s seriousness or KMD’s background. See

TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 54.02(a)(1)–(3).

      2
        Although juvenile certification cases are on an accelerated 180-day deadline for this Court, this case was delayed by actions outside the
Court’s control. See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 56.01(h-1) (West Supp. 2017). The notice of appeal was filed on November 6, 2017. Appellant’s
deadline for filing his brief began to run on January 4, 2018. Appellant did not file a brief on the January 24, 2018 deadline. The Court, on its own
action, issued two separate orders ultimately resulting in an abatement of the appeal until the trial court held a hearing to determine whether appellant
desired to continue the appeal. On March 28, 2018, the trial court held a hearing. The trial court filed its findings in this Court on April 13, 2018.
Appellant’s brief was filed on April 27, 2018, and the State’s response brief was filed on May 31, 2018.

                                                                         –3–
       In making the determination required in subsection (a), the juvenile court had to consider,

among other matters: (1) whether the alleged offense was against person or property, with greater

weight in favor of transfer given to offenses against the person; (2) KMD’s sophistication and

maturity; (3) KMD’s record and previous history; and (4) the prospects of adequate protection of

the public and the likelihood of KMD’s rehabilitation by use of procedures, services, and facilities

currently available to the juvenile court. See id. § 54.02(f). These are nonexclusive factors that

serve to facilitate the juvenile court’s balancing of the potential danger to the public posed by the

particular juvenile offender with his amenability to treatment. Moon v. State, 451 S.W.3d 28, 38

(Tex. Crim. App. 2014) (citing Hidalgo v. State, 983 S.W.2d 746, 754 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999)).

Family code section 54.02(h) requires that if the juvenile court waives jurisdiction, “it shall state

specifically in the order its reasons for waiver and certify its action, including the written order

and findings of the court.” TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 54.02(h); Moon, 451 S.W.3d at 38.

       With regard to our review of that order, the court of criminal appeals has instructed us as

follows:

               [I]n evaluating a juvenile court’s decision to waive its jurisdiction,
               an appellate court should first review the juvenile court’s specific
               findings of fact regarding the Section 54.02(f) factors under
               “traditional sufficiency of the evidence review.” But it should then
               review the juvenile court’s ultimate waiver decision under an abuse
               of discretion standard. That is to say, in deciding whether the
               juvenile court erred to conclude that the seriousness of the offense
               alleged and/or the background of the juvenile called for criminal
               proceedings for the welfare of the community, the appellate court
               should simply ask, in light of its own analysis of the sufficiency of
               the evidence to support the Section 54.02(f) factors and any other
               relevant evidence, whether the juvenile court acted without
               reference to guiding rules or principles. In other words, was its
               transfer decision essentially arbitrary, given the evidence upon
               which it was based, or did it represent a reasonably principled
               application of the legislative criteria? And, of course, reviewing
               courts should bear in mind that not every Section 54.02(f) factor
               must weigh in favor of transfer to justify the juvenile court’s
               discretionary decision to waive its jurisdiction.

                                                –4–
Moon, 451 S.W.3d at 47. Further, a reviewing court should measure sufficiency of the evidence

to support the juvenile court’s stated reasons for transfer by considering the sufficiency of the

evidence to support the facts as they are expressly found by the juvenile court in its certified order.

In re G.B., 524 S.W.3d 906, 914–15 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2017, no pet.). The appellate court

should not be made to rummage through the record for facts that the juvenile court might have

found, given the evidence developed at the transfer hearing, but did not include in its written

transfer order. Id. Thus, in conducting a sufficiency review of the evidence to establish the facts

relevant to section 54.02(f) factors and any other relevant historical facts, which are meant to

inform the juvenile court’s discretion whether the seriousness of the offense alleged or the

background of the juvenile warrants transfer for the welfare of the community, the appellate court

must limit its sufficiency review to the facts that the juvenile court expressly relied upon, as

required to be explicitly set out in the juvenile court’s transfer order under Section 54.02(h). Id.

       However, while the order must show the juvenile court considered the four factors in

section 54.02(h), the court “need make no particular findings of fact with respect to those factors.”

Moon, 451 S.W.3d at 41–42; see also In re D.L.C., No. 06-16-00058-CV, 2017 WL 1055680, at

*6 (Tex. App.—Texarkana Mar. 21, 2017, no pet.) (mem. op.) (recognizing that “there may be no

reversible error even when the juvenile court’s order seemingly restates the factors contained in

section 54.02, as long as the enumerated reasons were supported by evidence”). Further, the court

may order a transfer on the strength of any combination of the criteria listed in section 54.02(f).

Hidalgo, 983 S.W.2d at 754 n.16.

                                                 Discussion

       KMD challenges the trial court’s failure to “show its work” as required by Moon. He

argues the transfer order does not include specific, concrete facts supporting (1) KMD’s “refusal

to remain away from associates who habitually violate the law,” (2) his “actions and conduct as a

                                                 –5–
principal or party in the commission of the offense,” (3) his “sophistication and maturity is

excessive for his age,” and (4) his “likelihood of reasonable rehabilitation . . . is remote” and

“contrary to the best interest of the public.” We interpret KMD’s arguments as challenging only

the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support the juvenile court’s findings.

       We begin by analyzing the trial court’s order for its specific findings. The relevant portion

of the order states as follows:

                       The Court finds that said offense is a felony under the penal
               law of the State of Texas. The Court finds that the alleged offense
               was against a person; and the Court finds that there is probable cause
               to believe that the Respondent committed the offense alleged in the
               State’s Petition for Discretionary Transfer.

                       The Court finds the Respondent is of excessive
               sophistication and the Respondent’s level of maturity is excessive to
               be tried as an adult and to aid an attorney in his defense. After
               considering all the testimony, diagnostic study, social evaluation,
               and full investigation, the Court finds it is contrary to the best
               interest of the public to retain jurisdiction.

                      The Court finds for the welfare of the community, the
               seriousness of the alleged offense and the background of the
               Respondent, that criminal proceedings are required.

Thus, the order indicates the juvenile court concluded the welfare of the community required

criminal proceedings because of both the seriousness of the offense and KMD’s background.

       We first consider the seriousness of the offense. In Moon, the court concluded the juvenile

court abused its discretion by waiving jurisdiction when the transfer order found only that “because

of the seriousness of the OFFENSE, the welfare of the community requires criminal proceedings”

without any specific findings about the murder except that it was committed against another

person. 451 S.W.3d at 48. The order at issue in the present case does not suffer from the same

fatal flaw. Rather, the court’s order provides “the reasons for this disposition are that: . . . the

Respondent’s conduct was willful and violent; a deadly weapon, to wit: a firearm, was used during

the course of the offense; [and] death resulted to the victim.” Thus, the court “showed its work”

                                                –6–
and provided specific facts regarding its finding that transfer was appropriate because of the

seriousness of the offense.

           Our review of the record likewise indicates the evidence is legally sufficient to support the

trial court’s specific finding regarding the seriousness of the offense. The court heard testimony

that KMD circled the park twice before shooting decedent twice in the head killing him. He then

fled the scene. When officers were in pursuit, he continued to drive away until he finally ended

the chase and was captured. Smith, the probation officer, testified the offense was committed in

“an aggressive, violent, and premeditated manner.” Thus, there is more than a scintilla of evidence

supporting the court’s determination that the circumstances of this particular murder was “willful

and violent.” See Moon, 451 S.W.3d at 48 (distinguishing between generic findings related to the

“category of crime alleged” and findings concerning “the specifics of a particular offense”).

           We now consider the juvenile court’s finding that criminal proceedings are required

because of KMD’s background. In its order, the court explained “the reasons for its disposition”

were in part because of KMD’s “refus[al] to remain away from associates in the community who

habitually violate the law; the sophistication of the child is excessive for his age; and his level of

maturity is excessive; . . . and the previous history of the Respondent.”

           The court heard and reviewed the following testimony regarding KMD’s background.

KMD’s parents had extensive criminal histories and substance abuse issues. After their parental

rights were terminated, KMD was raised by his paternal grandmother. She described his behavior

as “fair to poor.” He had little regard for her authority and instead was influenced by negative

peers to engage in delinquent behavior. KMD told Smith that some of his peers used drugs, had

criminal histories,3 and were affiliated with gangs. He also admitted he was not responsive to

Grandmother’s supervision.

   3
       BD, one of the occupants in the car during the shooting, had five referrals to the Dallas County juvenile department.

                                                                       –7–
       KMD’s psychological evaluation indicated a severe level of depression and the profile of

an individual who is unhappy, emotionally labile, and quite angry. He admitted to using guns,

stealing food, and setting fires. He believed he was antisocial and struggled to manage his

behavior. KMD admitted difficulty with anger and explained his outbursts “may” cause him to

“black out” sometimes. He never hurt anyone during these episodes, but recalled hurting his hands

by punching a wall during a “black out” and holding a knife to his throat during another episode.

       Although Grandmother denied that KMD physically assaulted her, she admitted he had a

history of violence and aggression in the home. Grandmother tried her best to keep KMD enrolled

in school, but he regularly left campus after she dropped him off. A school resource officer

reported KMD attended school under the influence of marijuana and smoked on campus. KMD

told Smith he began smoking marijuana when he was seven and had used it to some extent ever

since then. He tested positive for marijuana and Xanax the day of the offense.

       Smith described KMD as having a level of sophistication higher than those similar to other

fourteen-year-olds. Smith described the offense as “extremely sophisticated in nature” and

“reflective of an individual much older than himself,” who “demonstrates a lack of respect for

authority and a person’s life.” Smith ultimately concluded, in part, the following:

               Due to the subject’s pending offense, his current age, his drug
               history, and his association with older and negative peers who have
               criminal histories, who use drugs, and who have gang affiliations,
               rehabilitation of the subject within the Juvenile Justice System is
               remote. Due to the aggressive, violent, and deadly-nature of the
               pending offense, which resulted in loss of human life, this case
               warrants transfer to the Adult Criminal Court.

Thus, there is more than a scintilla of evidence supporting the court’s determination that KMD’s

background supported transfer to criminal court. See, e.g., In re S.G.R., 496 S.W.3d 235, 241–42

(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2016, no pet.) (juvenile’s admission to criminal activity and

                                               –8–
frequent possession and use of drugs weighed in favor of waiver of jurisdiction and transfer to

criminal district court).

        Finally, the trial juvenile court determined the likelihood of reasonable rehabilitation was

remote and retaining jurisdiction was contrary to the best interests of the public. KMD admitted

to anger issues, drug use, and associating with negative influences. Because of these issues, Smith

testified KMD’s likelihood of rehabilitation with the services available through the juvenile system

was remote. Thus, there is more than a scintilla of evidence supporting transfer to criminal court

because rehabilitation was remote and retaining jurisdiction was contrary to the best interests of

the public.

        The juvenile court considered each of the section 54.02(f) factors and stated specific

reasons and findings in support of its decision to waive its jurisdiction and transfer KMD for trial

as an adult. Its findings are supported by legally sufficient evidence. The court of criminal appeals

has advised that “the juvenile court that shows its work should rarely be reversed.” Moon, 451

S.W.3d at 49. “As long as the appellate court can determine that the juvenile court’s judgment

was based upon facts that are supported by the record, it should refrain from interfering with that

judgment absent a scenario in which the facts in the transfer order, based on evidence produced at

the transfer hearing . . . bear no rational relation to the specific reasons the order gives” to justify

transfer. Id. at 46. Given the juvenile court’s board discretion, we hold that this is not the rare

case in which reversal is warranted in spite of the juvenile court’s adherence to the statutory

criteria. In light of the juvenile court’s findings and our review of the record, which supports those

findings, we conclude the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion by waiving jurisdiction and

transferring KMD for trial as an adult. We overrule KMD’s sole issue.

                                                 –9–
                                          Conclusion

      The juvenile court’s certification and transfer order is affirmed.

                                                 /David L. Bridges/
                                                 DAVID L. BRIDGES
                                                 JUSTICE

171284F.P05

                                              –10–
                                         S
                               Court of Appeals
                        Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
                                       JUDGMENT

 IN THE MATTER OF K.M.D., a child                    On Appeal from the 305th Judicial District
                                                     Court, Dallas County, Texas
 No. 05-17-01284-CV                                  Trial Court Cause No. JD-17-01047-X.
                                                     Opinion delivered by Justice Bridges.
                                                     Justices Myers and Schenck participating.

     In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is
AFFIRMED.

Judgment entered July 3, 2018.

                                              –11–