Court Opinion

ID: 2892710
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-07 21:56:19.081309+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:25:24.986029
License: Public Domain

NO. 07-02-0095-CV

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

AT AMARILLO

PANEL E

FEBRUARY 24, 2005

______________________________

JOHN J. HINDERA, APPELLANT

V.

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY, ET AL., APPELLEES

_________________________________

FROM THE 237TH DISTRICT COURT OF LUBBOCK COUNTY;

NO. 2000-509,053; HONORABLE SAM MEDINA, JUDGE

_______________________________

Before REAVIS and CAMPBELL, JJ. and BOYD, S.J. (1)
MEMORANDUM OPINION

	By order dated January 20, 2005, this Court reinstated this appeal and notified
appellant John J. Hindera that failure to take action within ten days would result in dismissal
of the appeal for want of prosecution.  Tex. R. App. P. 42.3(b).  Hindera did not respond. 
Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal.
						Don H. Reavis	
						    Justice
1. John T. Boyd, Chief Justice (Ret.), Seventh Court of Appeals, sitting by assignment.

at in the manner of its use or intended use is
capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. . . ."  Tex. Pen. Code Ann. §1.07(a)(17)(A)
& (B) (Vernon Supp. 2005).  And, while a fireplace poker may not be a deadly weapon per
se, it may be shown to be so via evidence of its size, shape, manner of use or intended
use, and capacity to produce death or serious injury.  Additionally, evidence of the physical
proximity between the victim and the object, threats or words used by the assailant, the
size and shape of the weapon, the weapon's ability to inflict death or serious bodily injury,
and the manner in which the defendant used the weapon are indicia susceptible of
consideration.  Nash v. State, 175 S.W.3d 427, 430 (Tex. App.-Texarkana 2005, pet. ref'd);
Bailey v. State, 46 S.W.3d 487, 491 (Tex. App.- Corpus Christi 2001, pet. ref'd).  Finally,
while expert testimony regarding the deadly nature of an object may be offered, it is not
required.  English v. State, 647 S.W.2d 667, 668-69 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983).   
	Here, the record shows that the fireplace poker used by appellant against his wife
Cynthia, although not described in the record, was introduced into evidence.  Additionally,
Cynthia testified that appellant stabbed and hit her with it about her arms, breasts, throat
and face.  And, while stabbing her, one thrust pierced her cheek, "went all the way through
[her] mouth, . . .  came out this side . . . ." and broke a partial plate holding various false
teeth.  During this time, appellant also stated that he was going to kill her, and Cynthia was
afraid he was.  Pictures of the various wounds suffered by  the victim were also admitted
into evidence. 
	 Admittedly, no description of the weapon appears in the record.  Nor did an expert
testify as to the poker's deadly nature.  However, the jury had the actual poker.  So too did
it hear testimony and see pictures depicting the force with which it was used and the nature
of the wounds it was capable of inflicting.  Given this, a jury could have rationally inferred
beyond reasonable doubt that the poker was capable of causing death or serious bodily
injury. Moreover, the finding is not manifestly unjust.  Nor does it undermine our confidence
in the proceeding when tested against the evidence of record.  Consequently, that portion
of the verdict equating the poker to a deadly weapon is supported by both legally and
factually sufficient evidence.  
	The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.  

							Brian Quinn 
						          Chief Justice
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