Court Opinion

ID: 2865859
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-06 01:00:33.138303+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:34:50.499480
License: Public Domain

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

                                       NO. 03-01-00169-CR

                                     Mario Romo, Appellant

                                                  v.

                                   The State of Texas, Appellee

     FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 331ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
            NO. 00-2162, HONORABLE BOB PERKINS, JUDGE PRESIDING

               A jury found appellant guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. See Tex.

Pen. Code Ann. §§ 22.02(a)(2), 22.01(a)(2) (West 1994). After appellant pleaded true to the

punishment enhancement paragraph alleged in the indictment, the jury assessed punishment at twenty-

five years in prison. Appellant contends (1) the evidence was insufficient to support the conviction;

(2) the court erred by denying him a hearing on his motion for new trial; and (3) the court erred by

allowing the State to argue that the jury could consider parole when assessing appellant’s punishment.

We will affirm the conviction.

                                            Background

               On February 17, 2000, the complainant, Norman Barnette, arrived home from work

in the evening and found several dogs roaming unattended in his yard. Barnette had a longstanding
problem with dogs roaming in his yard. He shooed the dogs away, and the dogs ran through the

neighborhood creek back towards their house. Shortly thereafter, Barnette noticed another dog

roaming in his yard and also shooed that dog towards the creek. Barnette followed the dog back to

the creek and came upon appellant, who was standing in the creek. Appellant’s left arm was resting

on a railroad tie standing on its end and his right hand was behind his back. According to Barnette,

appellant said, “What the f--- you doing to my dogs?” Barnette told appellant to keep his dogs

penned in his backyard so that they would stay out of his yard and trash. Appellant responded

stating, “You leave my m----- f------ dogs alone. If you don’t I’ll shoot your m----- f------ a--.”

While the two men were exchanging words, Barnette noticed three boys walking towards him, one

of whom was Barnette’s next door neighbor, fifteen-year-old Gabriel Munoz. As Barnette turned

away and started to walk across the street toward his home, he heard two gunshots in rapid

succession, he heard the boys yell, “gunshot,” and he quickly ducked behind a parked car. He

thought he could hear appellant running through the creek toward his own home. Barnette called 911

from his cell phone and police officers arrived about five minutes later.

               Munoz testified that appellant’s dogs often ran loose in the neighborhood. Munoz saw

appellant arguing with Barnette and then saw appellant shoot at Barnette as he walked away. Munoz

saw the projectile ricochet off the sidewalk, and he and his two friends ran in the opposite direction.

Munoz identified appellant in a police photo lineup and in court as the person who shot at Barnette.

Andrew Chavarria was one of the other boys with Munoz. He saw Barnette chase some dogs toward

appellant. He then heard Barnette and appellant arguing. He testified that Barnette did not threaten

appellant but told him that he did not want the dogs in his yard. Chavarria then heard appellant

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threaten to shoot Barnette. Chavarria saw appellant raise a small handgun and fire it at Barnette as

his back was turned.

               Austin police officer Anthony Hipolito was dispatched to respond to Barnette’s 911

call. Barnette was excited, shaken up and scared when he flagged down Hipolito and told him that

he had argued with a neighbor about dogs roaming in his yard and that the neighbor had fired a gun

at him. Barnette showed Officer Hipolito where appellant lived. Officer Hipolito found appellant

watering the grass in his front yard. It appeared that appellant had not been watering for very long

because the ground was not very wet or muddy. Officer Hipolito drove appellant in the back of his

squad car to Barnette’s house where Barnette identified appellant as the person who threatened him.

Other police officers arrived, spoke with witnesses, and obtained consent to search appellant’s house.

The officers searched the house for about ten to fifteen minutes but found no gun. Officer Hipolito

arrested appellant and conducted an atomic absorption test on his hands which revealed significant

levels of barium and lead, two components of gunshot powder residue.

                                             Discussion

Sufficiency of the evidence

               To convict appellant of aggravated assault, the jury was required to find that he

intentionally or knowingly threatened Barnette with imminent bodily injury and either used or

exhibited a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault. See Tex. Pen. Code Ann.

§§ 22.01(a)(2), 22.02(a)(2) (West 1994). Appellant contends that the evidence was legally

insufficient to show that he threatened Barnette with imminent bodily injury.

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               In reviewing appellant’s legal sufficiency challenge, we must view the evidence in the

light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found

the essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307

(1979); Jones v. State, 944 S.W.2d 642, 647 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). The trier of fact is the

exclusive judge of the credibility of the witnesses and of the weight to be given their testimony.

Jones, 944 S.W.2d at 647.

               Appellant contends that the evidence did not prove a threat of imminent bodily injury,

but merely showed a conditional threat to kill Barnette at some time in the future if Barnette bothered

appellant’s dogs. Appellant contends that his threat was conditioned upon a future occurrence and

a condition precedent. In aggravated assault cases, “imminent” has been interpreted as meaning “on

the verge of happening.” See Hill v. State, 844 S.W.2d 937, 938 (Tex. App.—Eastland 1992, no

pet.) (citing Devine v. State, 786 S.W.2d 268, 270 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989)).

               Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, the evidence showed

that appellant, in a face-to-face confrontation with his right hand held behind his back, threatened to

shoot Barnette if he did not leave appellant’s dogs alone. Munoz and Chavarria saw appellant raise

a handgun and shoot at Barnette. Appellant’s overt act in shooting at Barnette showed that his threat

of bodily injury was near at hand and not a threat of harm at some unknown time in the future. Based

on appellant’s gunshots, the threat of bodily injury was indeed on the verge of happening. We hold

that the evidence was sufficient to show that appellant threatened Barnette with imminent bodily

injury and that he committed aggravated assault. Appellant’s first issue is overruled.

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Denial of a hearing on motion for new trial

                Appellant contends that the trial court erred when it failed to hold a hearing on his

motion for new trial which raised issues that were not determinable from the record and instead

overruled his motion by operation of law. Appellant contends on appeal, as he did in his motion for

new trial and the attached affidavit from his trial counsel, that (1) he was not a native English speaker,

he had difficulty understanding the trial proceedings, and he did not have the aid of a translator; and

(2) that after trial, defense counsel learned that the State failed to disclose written witness statements

containing possible exculpatory or impeachment evidence.

                The State responds that although appellant timely filed his motion for new trial,

appellant waived this issue because he failed to properly present his motion for new trial to the trial

court as required by Rule 21.6. See Tex. R. App. P. 21.6. Additionally, the State argues that even

if appellant properly presented his motion for new trial, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by

failing to hold a hearing because neither the motion for new trial nor the supporting affidavit

presented matters that were not determinable from the record.

                If a defendant desires a hearing on a motion for new trial, it is incumbent upon the

defendant to present the motion to the trial court within ten days of filing the motion in order to put

the trial court on actual notice that he desires the trial court to take some action on the motion for

new trial. See Tex. R. App. P. 21.6; Carranza v. State, 960 S.W.2d 76, 78 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998).

When a defendant properly presents a motion for new trial raising matters not determinable from the

record, upon which he could be entitled to relief, the trial court abuses its discretion in failing to hold

a hearing. Tex. R. App. P. 21.7; see also Reyes v. State, 849 S.W.2d 812, 816 (Tex. Crim. App.

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1993) (decided under former Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 31(d) which is essentially the same

as current Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 21.7). The term “present” means the record must show

that the movant for a new trial actually delivered the motion for new trial to the trial court or

otherwise brought the motion to the attention of the trial court. Carranza, 960 S.W.2d at 79. Thus,

the mere filing of a motion for new trial alone is not sufficient to show presentment. Id. at 80; see

Reyes, 849 S.W.2d at 815. “Presentment must result in actual notice to the trial court and may be

evidenced by the judge’s signature or notation on a proposed order or by a hearing date set on the

docket.” Carranza, 960 S.W.2d at 79-80. It has been held that actual notice to the court coordinator

is effective to satisfy the presentment requirement. Butler v. State, 6 S.W.3d 636, 641 (Tex.

App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, pet. ref’d).

               In this case, the only evidence of presentment is a document attached to appellant’s

motion for new trial titled “Certificate of Presentation” which was signed by his attorney. The

certificate provides, “I hereby certify that on November 17th, 2000, I have presented / attempted to

present the foregoing motion for new trial to the District Court within 10 days of filing as required

by law.” The word “presented” appears to be circled on the certificate. There is no file stamp or

notation on the certificate from either the judge or the court coordinator that indicates that either of

them reviewed the certificate. See Butler, 6 S.W.2d at 641 n.7; Carranza, 960 S.W.2d at 81.

Further, there is no entry on the docket sheet indicating that the motion for new trial was received

by the court coordinator or the trial judge. Moreover, other than the certificate of presentation, there

is no indication in the record that defense counsel ever requested a hearing on the motion for new

trial. A self-serving statement by a defense counsel, without more, has been held to be insufficient

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evidence of presentment to the trial court. See Owens v. State, 832 S.W.2d 109, 111 (Tex.

App.—Dallas 1992, no pet.) (document styled “certification of presentment” and signed by defense

counsel is insufficient evidence of presentment). Under the facts of this case, as there was no notation

or indication in the record by the court coordinator or the trial judge that appellant brought the

motion for new trial to the attention of either of them, we hold that appellant failed to show that the

motion for new trial was properly presented as required by appellate procedure rule 21.6.

               Regardless of the presentment issue, however, even if we assume that the motion for

new trial was properly presented, we would still hold the trial court did not abuse its discretion in

failing to order a hearing on the motion for new trial. A defendant does not have an absolute right

to a hearing on a motion for new trial. Reyes, 849 S.W.2d at 815; Bruno v. State, 916 S.W.2d 4, 8

(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1995, no pet.). A trial court abuses its discretion in failing to hold

a hearing when the defendant asserts reasonable grounds—not determinable from the record—for

granting a new trial. Reyes, 849 S.W.2d at 816.

                Appellant argues that while the record disclosed that he had some working knowledge

of the English language, it was unclear the extent to which his knowledge of the language rendered

him legally competent to be tried in English. Appellant contends that the record is unclear whether

he could adequately follow the proceedings in English or whether he could meaningfully consult with

his counsel during the proceedings, and that it was incumbent upon the trial court to grant a hearing

on the motion for new trial and provide him an opportunity to develop the record in this regard.

Additionally, appellant contends that a hearing was required to determine whether the State withheld

from appellant witness statements that contained exculpatory or impeachment evidence.

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                First, regarding appellant’s alleged difficulty in understanding the court proceedings

in English due to his lack of proficiency in the English language, the record reflects that appellant’s

threats to Barnette were in English. During his arraignment, appellant stated in English that he

understood the allegations in the indictment, had timely received a copy of the indictment, and waived

the reading of the indictment. Before trial, the judge engaged appellant in a discussion in English

regarding the State’s plea bargain offer during which appellant refused to plead guilty to aggravated

assault but stated, “non-aggravated, I’ll take that right away.” Appellant’s trial counsel requested an

interpreter for appellant’s wife when she testified but did not request an interpreter for appellant. It

may be inferred from this that appellant’s trial counsel determined that appellant did not require an

interpreter to understand the court proceedings and the trial testimony. Further, the record shows

that appellant and his counsel discussed a punishment offer by the State in the event the jury returned

with a guilty verdict. Additionally, appellant pleaded true to the punishment enhancement allegation

stating, “They found me guilty, sir. I guess it’s true.” Finally, appellant had a prior conviction in

1982 for aggravated robbery and, therefore, had prior experience with courtroom proceedings and

a jury trial.

                We hold that a hearing on the motion for new trial was not required as regards

appellant’s English language issue as it was determinable from the record that appellant spoke and

understood the English language, understood the courtroom proceedings, and communicated

effectively with his counsel about the proceedings.

                Second, we address appellant’s allegation that the State failed to disclose witness

statements that may contain exculpatory and impeachment evidence until after trial. In the motion

                                                   8
for new trial and the supporting affidavit, appellant failed to identify the witnesses in question or

describe the alleged exculpatory evidence. Moreover, the trial record reflects that appellant did not

ask for the written statements of any of the State’s witnesses except for Officer Hipolito, of whom

appellant requested and received his offense report from the State. See Tex. R. Evid. 615(a) (after

witness testifies, trial court shall, on defendant’s motion, order State’s attorney to produce for

defendant’s examination and use any statement of witness in its possession). Finally, appellant failed

to allege how the undisclosed evidence would have affected the jury’s verdict. We hold that a hearing

on the motion for new trial was not required regarding appellant’s contention that the State failed to

timely disclose witness statements. Having concluded that appellant has failed to show that the trial

court erred by failing to conduct a hearing on appellant’s motion for new trial, appellant’s second

issue is overruled.

Jury Argument

               Finally, appellant contends that the trial court erroneously allowed the prosecutor to

make improper jury arguments during the punishment phase of trial by inviting the jury to consider

parole when assessing appellant’s sentence. The State responds that the prosecutor did not invite the

jury to consider or apply the parole law in assessing appellant’s punishment but that the prosecutor

explained or paraphrased the portion of the court’s jury charge about parole law.

               The trial court instructed the jury about parole as follows:

       It is possible that the length of time for which the defendant will be imprisoned might
       be reduced by the award of parole.

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       It cannot be predicted how the parole law . . . might be applied to this defendant if he
       is sentenced to imprisonment, because the application of [the law] will depend upon
       decisions made by prison and parole authorities.

       You may consider the existence of the parole law. . . . You are not to consider the
       manner in which the parole law may be applied to this particular defendant.

       Under the law applicable in this case, if the defendant is sentenced to a term of
       imprisonment, he will not become eligible for parole until the actual time served
       equals one-half of the sentence imposed or 30 years, whichever is less, without
       consideration of any good conduct time he may earn. Eligibility for parole does not
       guarantee that parole will be granted.

During closing argument at the punishment phase, the prosecutor argued:

       When you’re looking at this let me tell you a couple of things that might help you in
       your deliberation. [Ninety-nine] or life, really we don’t want you to get bogged down
       on that. There’s not a lot of difference. There’s no difference, in fact. If you look
       at the charge under paragraph I the Court specifically told you if the defendant is
       sentenced to a term of imprisonment he will not become eligible for parole until the
       actual time served equals one-half of the sentence imposed or 30 years, whichever is
       less. That is why I have written this number up here, 60. Because really that is the
       maximum amount you can realistically give this man before he is eligible for parole.
       In other words, half of 60 would be 30. For example, if you gave 40, that half would
       be 20, and so whichever is less would govern. The 20 would government [sic] if you
       gave that 40.

Appellant objected and asserted:

       [The State was] making an argument as to the eligibility of parole and disregarding
       further instructions in the charge that the eligibility for parole is not a fixed mandate
       for release. And she’s making an appeal to the jurors that by giving him 60 or more
       they’re going to keep him in there, that 60 is what he’s going to get, no matter what.

The court disagreed and overruled the objection. The State continued its argument:

                                                  10
        Ladies and gentlemen, I’m telling you things so you won’t get bogged down on some
        of the numbers. Life and 99, there would be no difference because basically under the
        law that the Judge has given you the defendant is eligible for parole at 30 years or
        one-half of the sentence imposed, whichever is less. And that’s how the 60 is a magic
        number. Okay. And you can look at that back there. We don’t [sic] you to get hung
        up on some of these things.

                Prosecutors must exercise caution when arguing parole eligibility to a jury. Article

37.07, section (4)(a) explicitly prohibits a jury from considering parole eligibility with respect to the

defendant on trial. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 37.07 § (4)(a) (Vernon Supp. 1995). Instead,

a jury may only consider the concept of parole eligibility in general. Id. Consequently, when

attempting to explain the existence of parole law as set forth in the trial court's charge, a prosecutor

must avoid applying the law to the defendant on trial. Kearney v. State, 630 S.W.2d 934, 935 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1982) (quoting Clanton v. State, 528 S.W.2d 250, 252 (Tex. Crim. App. 1975)); Clark

v. State, 643 S.W.2d 723, 724 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982); Clay v. State, 741 S.W.2d 209, 211 (Tex.

App.—Dallas 1987, pet. ref’d). A prosecutor may, however, quote or paraphrase the jury charge so

long as the prosecutor does not misstate the law or present a statement of law contrary to that

presented in the charge. Whiting v. State, 797 S.W.2d 45, 48 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990) (citing Jones

v. State, 641 S.W.2d 545, 550 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982), Burke v. State, 652 S.W.2d 788, 790 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1983)); see also Sandlin v. State, 477 870, 873 (Tex. Crim. App. 1972).

                Here, comparing the charge and the complained of portions of the argument, the

prosecutor did not assert a legal proposition contrary to the court’s charge to the jury, misstate the

law, encourage the jury to consider the existence of the parole law in assessing punishment, or

suggest a punishment to offset the parole law’s application or effect. Cf. Clay, 741 S.W.2d at 210-11

                                                   11
(jury argument "[this defendant] if he behaves well, . . . may get out when he's supposed to. If he

doesn't, they may keep him there a little longer;” improper because prosecutor intermixed specifics

about defendant's potential for parole eligibility with general discussion of parole law); Jones v. State,

725 S.W.2d 770, 771-72 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1987, pet. ref’d) (jury argument, “In this particular

case, because it is an aggravated robbery, any sentence that you give will be cut by effect of the parole

laws. . . . So, I'm asking for a twenty year sentence, calendar time in the penitentiary. In order to

accomplish that, you must give at least a sixty-year sentence in order to keep him in the penitentiary

for twenty calendar years. Okay?”; improper because urged jury to act contrary to charge

instructions by applying parole laws to defendant and was misstatement of law because implied only

way defendant could possibly serve twenty calendar years was if jury assessed sixty-year sentence).

                The prosecutor’s remarks regarding parole were an attempt to explain the parole law

charge and to demonstrate that there was no practical difference between a 99-year sentence and a

life sentence for example. While the prosecutor mentioned “this man” during the argument, the

prosecutor did not apply the parole law to appellant nor did the prosecutor encourage the jury to

consider the effect of the parole law when they assessed appellant’s punishment. In fact, the

prosecutor encouraged the jury to not get “bogged down” with the numbers or to get “hung up” with

how the parole law worked. The prosecutor told the jury that the lead attorney for the State would

discuss in his portion of closing argument what the State thought would be an appropriate punishment

for appellant. Also, we note that the State later suggested that the appropriate punishment began at

eleven years which was one year more than appellant received for his prior aggravated robbery

conviction. Comparing the charge with the prosecutor’s argument, we hold that the complained of

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argument does not go beyond explaining or paraphrasing the parole portion of the jury charge.

Appellant’s third issue is overruled. We affirm the judgment.

                                             David Puryear, Justice

Before Chief Justice Aboussie, Justices B. A. Smith and Puryear

Affirmed

Filed: February 22, 2002

Do Not Publish

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