Court Opinion

ID: 9894260
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-01 07:08:54.133286+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:09:18.936242
License: Public Domain

AFFIRMED as MODIFIED and Opinion Filed October 26, 2023

                                    S  In The
                             Court of Appeals
                      Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
                                No. 05-22-00624-CR

                    DAVID WARREN JACKSON, Appellant
                                  V.
                      THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

               On Appeal from the 265th Judicial District Court
                            Dallas County, Texas
                    Trial Court Cause No. F21-00278-R

                         MEMORANDUM OPINION
                    Before Justices Carlyle, Smith, and Kennedy
                             Opinion by Justice Smith

      Appellant David Warren Jackson was convicted by a jury for the first-degree

felony offense of aggravated sexual assault.            See TEX. PENAL CODE §

22.021(a)(1)(A), (a)(2)(A)(ii), (e). The trial court assessed appellant’s punishment

at a term of life confinement in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department

of Criminal Justice. On appeal, appellant challenges his conviction in two issues.

First, he asserts that the trial court erred by considering evidence that it improperly

admitted during the punishment phase. Second, appellant argues that the trial court

erred by conducting a critical portion of the trial outside his presence. The State
argues in two cross-issues that the judgment should be modified to reflect the correct

name of the prosecutor and to reflect that appellant is required to register as a sex-

offender. We agree with the State and have also determined that the judgment and

bill of costs should be modified to reflect the proper amount of costs authorized in

this case. Because we conclude that appellant did not preserve his first issue for

appellate review and further conclude that appellant’s short absence outside of the

jury’s presence did not violate due process or affect his substantial rights, we affirm

as modified.

                       Admission of Punishment Evidence

      In his first issue, appellant argues that the trial court erred, during the

punishment phase, by taking judicial notice of testimony that was given outside the

presence of the jury during the guilt/innocence phase. The State responds that

appellant did not preserve this issue for our review. We agree.

      During the guilt/innocence phase, the State sought to introduce evidence of

extraneous offenses, specifically other sexual assaults, allegedly committed by

appellant. The trial court held a hearing outside the presence of the jury in which

the State argued that the evidence was admissible to rebut appellant’s attack on the

complainant’s credibility and whether she consented. The State also argued that the

evidence of appellant’s prior sexual assaults was admissible under the doctrine of

                                         –2–
chances because of how similar his prior assaults were to the sexual assault at issue.

The trial court deferred ruling on the motion until it could hear the witnesses’

testimony that the State wanted to admit.

      The State presented testimony, outside the jury’s presence, from two alleged

victims, A.R. and S.N., and the trial court heard further argument from both parties.

The trial court did not admit the evidence, explaining it had concerns that the prior

sexual assaults did not share enough similarities with the charged sexual assault and

that, with the DNA evidence linking appellant to the charged sexual assault, identity

was not at issue. The court reserved its right to change its ruling depending on what

other evidence was presented.

      During the punishment phase, which was tried to the court, the State asked the

trial court to take judicial notice of the prior testimony from A.R. and S.N. that was

heard outside the presence of the jury during the guilt/innocence phase. Defense

counsel stated, “No objection,” and the court granted the State’s request. Defense

counsel then stated that it would object to S.N.’s testimony because she was not

“given the Rule before she left.” The State responded that it admonished S.N., and

all its witnesses, of the Rule. See TEX. R. EVID. 614 (“At a party’s request, the court

must order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear other witnesses’

                                         –3–
testimony.”). The trial court advised defense counsel that his objection was noted

but did not make an express ruling.

         To preserve an issue for appellate review, a party must make a timely and

specific objection to the trial court, and the trial court must rule adversely, or refuse

to rule, on the objection. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a); Geuder v. State, 115 S.W.3d 11,

13 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). In addition, the issue on appeal “must comport with the

objection made at trial.” Wilson v. State, 71 S.W.3d 346, 349 (Tex. Crim. App.

2002). Here, defense counsel’s objection to S.N.’s testimony on the basis that she

was not under the Rule does not comport with appellant’s complaint on appeal that

the trial court erred by taking judicial notice of A.R. and S.N.’s testimony.

Moreover, defense counsel expressly stated, “No objection,” to the State’s request

for the trial court to take judicial notice of the witnesses’ prior testimony. Therefore,

appellant did not preserve this issue for our review. We overrule appellant’s first

issue.

                      Appellant’s Absence from the Proceedings

         In his second issue, appellant contends that the trial court erred in conducting

a critical portion of the trial outside his presence. The code of criminal procedure

provides that “[i]n all prosecutions for felonies, the defendant must be personally

                                           –4–
present at the trial” unless “the defendant voluntarily absents himself . . . after the

jury has been selected.” TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 33.03.

      The record shows that, after the jury was selected but before it was sworn, the

trial court and the attorneys had a seven-minute discussion without appellant present

in the courtroom; the jury was also not present. The trial court advised the parties

that appellant would “be present, just as soon as he’s - - as he’s ready.” The trial

court informed the parties of the order of the proceedings and asked what matters

needed to be addressed before bringing in the jury. The State advised that it had

updated its proposed time clips of appellant’s interview that it would be offering for

admission, that it had notified defense counsel, and that defense counsel reviewed

the updated time clips. The parties and the court then briefly discussed one of the

State’s motions in limine, to which defense counsel agreed. When the State notified

the court that it had disclosed that one of the State’s potential witnesses had a felony

arrest but that no other witnesses had criminal history, the court asked defense

counsel, “[W]ould you be more comfortable with your client present?” Defense

counsel responded, “I believe it’s necessary, Your Honor.”            The court then

apologized for jumping ahead and stated, “[W]e’ll get him out here as soon as we

can before we go any further.” The bailiff advised appellant was “getting dressed.”

                                          –5–
        The trial court also asked whether there needed to be a 705 hearing1 and a

hearing regarding the admissibility of extraneous offenses. Defense counsel advised

that he did not believe a 705 hearing was necessary, and the State advised it needed

a hearing on the latter. The court and the parties then discussed the timing of such

hearing and agreed they would hold it during the lunch break.

        While continuing to wait on appellant, the State announced, “Before we go

off the record, I would like to offer, for record purposes, State’s Exhibit 29, which

are the specific - -.” The trial court interrupted, “Let’s wait until Mr. Jackson is in

the courtroom to do that, if we could.” The trial court further stated, “If it’s - - if

you have no objection, [defense counsel], when he comes out, I’m gonna tell him

we just talked about some scheduling and we didn’t want to take up anything of any

substance until he was present.” Defense counsel answered, “That’s fine.” The

court then recessed for five minutes and came back on the record with appellant

present. Once appellant was present, the court advised, “Mr. Jackson, the lawyers

and I, right before you came out, just talked about scheduling, but we didn’t want to

address anything that affected you until you were back in the courtroom. So we’re

about to start that now.” The court then heard and ruled on the State’s motions in

    1
     See TEX. R. EVID. 705 (rule governing expert testimony and the underlying facts or data of the expert’s
opinion).
                                                   –6–
limine, including the one to which defense counsel previously announced he agreed,

and admitted the State’s proposed time clips of appellant’s interview for record

purposes. The trial court later conducted hearings regarding the State’s extraneous

offenses, at which appellant was present.

       Both appellant and the State note in their briefs that appellant was present for

the remainder of the trial but that is not correct. The record shows that appellant was

also briefly absent for a discussion regarding “the Rule”2 during the first break of

trial and for the parties’ discussion of two jury notes and the trial court’s responses

during jury deliberations. Appellant also voluntarily absented himself for a brief

portion of the punishment phase in which the parties and the trial court discussed the

presentation of certain evidence, but no evidence was presented or admitted.

       Appellant does not complain on appeal about his absences during the first

break, during jury deliberations, or during the punishment phase.                        In fact, in

appellant’s brief, after he addresses his absence during the seven-minute hearing

before the jury was sworn, he states: “Appellant was at this point brought into the

courtroom for all other proceedings. No other critical portion of the trial was

conducted outside the presence of appellant.” Therefore, we will only address the

   2
     See TEX. R. EVID. 614 (“At a party’s request, the court must order witnesses excluded so that they
cannot hear other witnesses’ testimony.”).
                                                 –7–
absence appellant complains about on appeal—the seven-minute absence in which

the record reflects appellant was getting ready and the presentation of evidence had

not yet begun.

      Appellant argues that he had the absolute right to be present while the various

matters were resolved and that he did not waive such right. He references article

33.03, as well as the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment and the Due

Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.

      “Although the right to be present at trial is rooted to a large extent in the right

to confrontation, when the defendant is not confronting witnesses or evidence, the

right to presence is rooted in due process.” Sandoval v. State, 665 S.W.3d 496, 510

(Tex. Crim. App. 2022) (citing United States v. Gagnon, 470 U.S. 522, 526 (1985)

(per curiam)), petition for cert. filed, No. 23-5618 (U.S. Sept. 20, 2023). “A

defendant has a due process right to be present ‘whenever his presence has a relation,

reasonably substantial, to the fulness of his opportunity to defend against the

charge.’” Id. (quoting Gagnon, 470 U.S. at 526). “[T]he presence of the defendant

is a condition of due process to the extent that a fair and just hearing would be

thwarted by his absence, and to that extent only.” Adanandus v. State, 866 S.W.2d

210, 219 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993) (quoting Snyder v. Massachusetts, 291 U.S. 97,

107–08 (1934), overruled on other grounds by Malloy v. Hogan, 378 U.S. 1 (1964)).

                                          –8–
      Because trial counsel and the court did not discuss the substance of any

pending motions before the court and the court did not make any rulings, there was

nothing appellant could have provided to counsel during such discussions to further

his defense. The trial court specifically waited for appellant until it heard the State’s

motions in limine and until it discussed the extraneous offense evidence the State

sought to admit. Therefore, we conclude that appellant’s presence would not have

furthered his defense and, thus, his due process rights were not violated when he was

absent during the seven-minute discussion.

      Although appellant’s absence did not violate his constitutional right to be

present, we must also determine whether his absence violated his statutory right to

be present under article 33.03, which affords greater protection than the Constitution.

See, e.g., Jones v. State, No. 10-19-00350-CR, 2021 WL 4198452, at *2 (Tex.

App.—Waco, Sept. 15, 2021, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication).

We agree with appellant that his absence violated article 33.03. He was not

personally present and did not waive his right to be present by voluntarily absenting

himself during the seven-minute discussion. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 33.03.

However, we conclude that any error in discussing the various matters outside of

appellant’s presence was harmless.        Because the error was statutory, and not

constitutional, we may not reverse unless we determine the error affected appellant’s

                                          –9–
substantial rights. See TEX. R. APP. P. 44.2(b); Cook v. State, 665 S.W.3d 595, 599

(Tex. Crim. App. 2023); Tracy v. State, 14 S.W.3d 820, 827 (Tex. App.—Dallas

2000, pet. ref’d) (applying non-constitutional harm analysis under rule 44.2(b) to

article 33.03 violation).    A substantial right is affected when the error has a

substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury’s verdict. Cook,

665 S.W.3d at 599. If, after reviewing the entire record, we determine the error did

not influence, or had but a slight affect, on the trial’s outcome, the error is harmless.

Motilla v. State, 78 S.W.3d 352, 356 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002).

      Here, trial counsel and the court had a seven-minute discussion regarding the

order of presentation at trial and the remaining motions pending before the court.

The trial court did not rule on any of the motions outside of appellant’s presence,

nor did trial counsel and the court substantively discuss any motion or evidence.

Additionally, as we concluded above, appellant’s due process rights were not

violated because his presence during this time would not have furthered his defense.

See Adanandus, 866 S.W.2d at 219–20 (applying “reasonably substantial

relationship test” in addition to harm analysis when determining whether appellant’s

absence from pretrial proceedings was harmful). Furthermore, the jury was not

present during the seven-minute discussion and, thus, its verdict could not have been

affected or influenced by the discussion during appellant’s absence. And, because

                                         –10–
no rulings were made, nothing occurred during appellant’s absence that could have

later impacted the trial or its outcome. Therefore, we conclude that any error in

discussing the various matters outside of appellant’s presence was harmless. We

overrule appellant’s second issue.

                            Modification of Judgment

      In two cross issues, the State asserts that the judgment should be modified to

reflect that the attorney for the State was Michael Leighton D’Antoni, not Loren

Collins, and that appellant is required to register as a sex-offender. We agree with

the State that the judgment should be modified as requested. We also conclude that

the judgment should be further modified and that the bill of costs should be modified

to reflect the proper amount of costs authorized against appellant in this case.

       This Court has the power to modify a judgment to speak the truth when we

have the necessary information to do so. See TEX. R. APP. P. 43.2(b); Bigley v. State,

865 S.W.2d 26, 27–28 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993); Asberry v. State, 813 S.W.2d 526,

529 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1991, pet. ref’d) (en banc). Throughout the reporter’s

record in this case, the attorney for the State is listed as “Michael Leighton

D’Antoni.” However, in the judgment, the attorney for the State is listed as “Loren

Collins.” The name Loren Collins does not appear in the record in this case.

Therefore, in the section titled, “Attorney for State,” the name “Loren Collins”

                                        –11–
should be deleted and replaced with “Michael Leighton D’Antoni.” In addition,

because appellant was convicted of aggravated sexual assault, he is required to

register as a sex offender and, thus, the box indicating “Defendant is required to

register as sex offender in accordance with Chapter 62, CCP” should be checked.

See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. arts. 62.001(5)(A), 62.051(a).

      We next turn to the assessment of costs. The bill of costs assesses the

following costs against appellant:

      Clerk’s Fee               40.00
      Jury Fee                  1.00
      Court House Sec Fee       10.00
      Cons State Fees           185.00
      County Records Mgt        25.00
      Specialty Court           25.00

      Initial Amount Due        286.00

The judgment lists Court Costs at $ 00.

      The imposition of certain court costs is mandatory upon conviction and should

be reflected in the judgment. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 42.16. However, a

cost cannot be imposed for a service not performed or for a service for which a cost

is not expressly provided by law. Id. art. 103.002. As we explained in Shuler v.

State, several cost related statutes were amended by the legislature in 2019. 650

S.W.3d 683, 687–91 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2022, no pet.); see also Contreras v. State,

Nos. 05-20-00185, 00186-CR, 2021 WL 6071640, at *5–9 (Tex. App.—Dallas Dec.

                                          –12–
23, 2021, no pet.) (mem. op. on reh’g, not designated for publication). The new cost

structure, set forth in the amended statutes, became effective on January 1, 2020, and

applies only to offenses committed on or after that date. Shuler, 650 S.W.3d at 687–

91; Contreras, 2021 WL 6071640, at *5–9. Here, the complainant testified that the

offense occurred on October 1, 2005. Thus, the changes that became effective on

January 1, 2020, do not apply to appellant’s conviction.

      The Jury Fee and Specialty Court Fee were among the 2019 (effective January

1, 2020) legislative changes and, thus, do not apply to this 2005 offense and should

be deleted. See Shuler, 650 S.W.3d at 687; Contreras, 2021 WL 6071640, at *9 n.7.

The Court House Security Fee was authorized by former article 102.017 in an

amount of $5, and thus should be reduced from $10 to $5 here. See FORMER TEX.

CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 102.017(a) (effective Sept. 1, 2005, through Aug. 31, 2007);

see also Contreras, 2021 WL 6071640, at *9 n.7. The State Consolidated Fee was

authorized by former section 133.102 of the local government code in an amount of

$133, not $185. See FORMER TEX. LOC. GOV’T CODE § 133.102(a)(1) (effective Jan.

1, 2004, through Aug. 31, 2011); see also Shuler, 650 S.W.3d at 691; Contreras,

2021 WL 6071640, at *9. The remainder of the costs are supported by statutes in

effect at the time of the October 1, 2005 offense. See FORMER TEX. CODE CRIM.

PROC. arts. 102.005(a) (Clerk’s Fee, effective June 17, 2005, to December 31, 2019),

                                        –13–
102.005(f) (County Records Management Fee, effective June 17, 2005, through Dec.

31, 2019). Therefore, the total costs assessed against appellant should be $203.

                                     Conclusion

      The judgment is modified as follows:

           In the section titled, “Attorney for State,” the name, “Loren Collins” is
            deleted and replaced with “Michael Leighton D’Antoni”;

           The box that is currently unchecked before “Defendant is required to
            register as sex offender in accordance with Chapter 62, CCP” is
            modified to include a check mark; and

           “Court Costs: $ 00” is modified to read “Court Costs: $ 203.”

      The bill of costs is also modified as follows:

           “Jury Fee                   1.00” is deleted;

           “Court House Sec Fee        10.00” is modified to read
            “Court House Sec Fee        5.00”;

           “Cons State Fees            185.00” is modified to read
            “Cons State Fees            133.00”;

           “Specialty Court            25.00” is deleted; and

           “Initial Amount Due: $ 286.00” is modified to read
            “Initial Amount Due: $ 203.00”.

Therefore, the bill of costs is modified to read:

      Clerk’s Fee                40.00
      Court House Sec Fee        5.00
      Cons State Fees            133.00
      County Records Mgt         25.00
                                          –14–
      Initial Amount Due:     $ 203.00

      As modified, we affirm the judgment of conviction. The trial court is directed

to prepare a corrected judgment and bill of costs that reflect the modifications made

in this Court’s opinion and judgment. See Shumate v. State, 649 S.W.3d 240, 245–

46 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2021, no pet.).

                                           /Craig Smith/
                                           CRAIG SMITH
                                           JUSTICE

Do Not Publish
TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b)
220624F.U05

                                         –15–
                                  S
                           Court of Appeals
                    Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
                                 JUDGMENT

DAVID WARREN JACKSON,                         On Appeal from the 265th Judicial
Appellant                                     District Court, Dallas County, Texas
                                              Trial Court Cause No. F21-00278-R.
No. 05-22-00624-CR          V.                Opinion delivered by Justice Smith.
                                              Justices Carlyle and Kennedy
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee                  participating.

   Based on the Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is
MODIFIED as follows:

          “Loren Collins” is deleted from the section entitled “Attorney for State”
           and is modified to read “Michael Leighton D’Antoni”;

          The box that is currently unchecked before “Defendant is required to
           register as sex offender in accordance with Chapter 62, CCP” is
           modified to include a check mark; and

          “Court Costs: $ 00” is modified to read “Court Costs: $ 203.”

      Additionally, the bill of costs is MODIFIED as follows:

          “Jury Fee                  1.00” is deleted;

          “Court House Sec Fee       10.00” is modified to read
           “Court House Sec Fee       5.00”;

                                       –16–
          “Cons State Fees          185.00” is modified to read
           “Cons State Fees          133.00”;
          “Specialty Court          25.00” is deleted; and

          “Initial Amount Due: $ 286.00” is modified to read
           “Initial Amount Due: $ 203.00.”

As REFORMED, the judgment is AFFIRMED.

       We DIRECT the trial court to prepare a corrected judgment and bill of costs
that reflect these modifications.

Judgment entered this 26th day of October 2023.

                                      –17–