Court Opinion

ID: 4052871
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 02:15:52.932047+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:04:45.398657
License: Public Domain

PD-0036-15
                                                                               COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                                                                                                AUSTIN, TEXAS
                                                                             Transmitted 2/19/2015 9:46:08 PM
                                                                               Accepted 2/20/2015 8:41:44 AM
                                       No. PD-0036-15                                            ABEL ACOSTA
                                                                                                         CLERK
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                            IN THE

                                    COURT OF CRIMINAL

                                           APPEALS

                                           OF TEXAS
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                  ENRIQUE GONZALEZ, JR.,
                                                       Petitioner
                                               V.
                                    THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                                                       Respondent
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
                              Petition in Cause No. 12-CRD-36
                          From the 229th Judicial District Court of
                                  Duval County, Texas and

                                The Court of Appeals for the
                                   Fourth District of Texas
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

                        PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                 Charles L. Barrera
                                                 State Bar No. 01805500
                                                 700 E. Second Street
                                                 Alice, TX 78332
                                                 361-664-2153
                                                 EMAIL: barreralawfirm@aol.com
  February 20, 2015
                                                Marisol Carvajal-Garcia
                                                State Bar No. 24065014
                                                1600 E. Main, Ste. 227
                                                Alice, TX 78332
                                                361-668-4989
                                                EMAIL: marisolcarvajal@hotmail.com

                                                        ATTORNEYS FOR PETITIONER
ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
                            Identity of Parties and Counsel
       Appellant, pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 68.4(a), provides

the following list of all parties to the trial court's judgment and the names and

addresses of all trial and appellate counsel.

Hon. Ana Lisa Garza                 Presiding Judge, 229th Judicial District, Trial Judge

Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.                                           Appellant & Petitioner

Charles L. Barrera                                         Trial and Appellate Counsel
700 East Second Street
Alice, Texas 78332

Marisol Carvajal-Garcia                                    Trial and Appellate Counsel
1600 East Main, Ste. 227
Alice, Texas 78332

Omar Escobar                                 Trial and Appellate Counsel for the State
District Attorney for the 229 Judicial District
                             th

P. O. Drawer 1061
San Diego, TX 78384

Rumaldo Solis
Duval County Assistant District Attorney
P. O. Drawer 1061
San Diego, Texas 78384

Rodolfo V. Gutierrez
Duval County Assistant District Attorney
P. O. Drawer 1061
San Diego, Texas 78384

                                           ii
                     TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES………………………..………………………………………...………………….iv

STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT…………..……………………………………………2

STATEMENT OF THE CASE………………………………...…………………………………………………2

STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY…………...…………………………………………………2

REASONS FOR REVIEW………………..………………………………………………………………………3

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS…………………………………………………………………………………4

GROUND FOR REVIEW ONE………………………………………………………………………………….4

GROUND FOR REVIEW TWO…………………………………………………………………………………6

SUMMARY…………………………..……………………………………………………………………………….9

PRAYER FOR RELIEF…………………….……………………………………………………………………..9

                            iii
                         INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

CASE LAW:

Blue v. State,
        41 S.W.3d 129, (Tex. Crim. App. 2000)…………………………………...……………3, 4, 6
Green v. State,
        912 S.W.2d 189 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995)………………………………………………………7
Rabago v. State,
        75 S.W.3d 561 (Tex. App. – San Antonio, 2002)………………………………..…………6
Rickels v. State,
        108 S.W.3d 900 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003)………………………………………………..………8
Sharpe v. State,
        648 S.W.2d 705, 706 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983)……………………………………………..3
Webb v. State
        409 U.S. 95 (1972)…………………………………………………………………………………….6
Williamson v. State,
        771 S.W.2d 601 (Tex. App. – Dallas, 1989)……………………………………………..7, 8
Word v. State,
        206 S.W.3d 646 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006)……………………………………….………...……7

STATUTES:

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 36.27……………………………………………………………………….3, 6

Tex. Pen. Code Section 21.11………………………………………………………………………………..2

RULES:

Tex. R. Crim. Evid. Rule 103(d)…………………………………………………………………………4, 6

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS:

U. S. Const. Am. 6…………………………………………………………………………………………………8

                                   iv
                                            No. PD-0036-15
     _________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                 IN THE

                                         COURT OF CRIMINAL

                                                APPEALS

                                                OF TEXAS

     _________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                       ENRIQUE GONZALEZ, JR.,
                                                            Petitioner
                                                     V.
                                         THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                                                            Respondent
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                  Petition in Cause No. 12-CRD-36
                               From the 229th Judicial District Court of
                                      Duval County, Texas and

                                     The Court of Appeals for the
                                        Fourth District of Texas
     _________________________________________________________________________________________________

                              PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

     _________________________________________________________________________________________________

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS:

        ENRIQUE GONZALEZ, JR. petitions the Court to review the judgment affirming his

conviction for two counts of Indecency with a child in Cause No. 12-CRD-36.

                                                     1
                        STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT

       In the event this petition is granted, the Petitioner requests oral argument. Argument

would assist the Court because resolution of the grounds for review depends upon a detailed

exploration of the facts of these cases. Further, oral argument would provide this Court with

an opportunity to question the parties regarding their positions.

                                  STATEMENT OF THE CASE

       Appellant was charged by indictment with Indecency with a child in violation of TEX.

PENAL CODE Sec. 21.11. The indictment alleged that Appellant, on or about June 22, 2011, in

Duval County, Texas did then, with the intent to arouse or gratify his sexual desire,

intentionally or knowingly engage in sexual contact with a child younger than 17 years of age,

by touching her genitals and breast.

       It was further alleged that Appellant pled guilty to the offense of Aggravated Sexual

Assault on July 9, 1996. In that case, Appellant received a sentence of five (5) years

probation. (C.R. Vol. 1, Pages 90-91). A punishment of life imprisonment was assessed by the

Court because enhancing circumstances were found to be true.

                                   PROCEDURAL HISTORY

       The judgment of Petitioner’s conviction was entered on July 1, 2013. Petitioner’s

notice of appeal was timely filed. On December 10, 2014, the Fourth District Court of Appeals

issued an unpublished opinion by Chief Justice Catherine Stone affirming Petitioner’s

conviction. A motion for rehearing was not filed in this Cause.

                                                2
                                    GROUNDS FOR REVIEW

                                 GROUND FOR REVIEW NO. 1

         THE APPELLATE COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT THE TRIAL COURT’S

         ADMONISHMENTS OF DEFENSE WITNESSES WERE NOT PROPERLY PRESERVED

         BECAUSE NO OBJECTION WAS MADE AT TRIAL.

                                 GROUND FOR REVIEW NO. 2

         THE APPELLATE COURT ERRED BY FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE MANDATORY

         PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 36.27 OF THE TEXAS CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

         REGARDING A NOTE FROM THE JURY STATING THAT THE JURY WAS

         DEADLOCKED BECAUSE OF APPELLANT’S FAILURE TO OBJECT.

                                        REASONS FOR REVIEW

         The Fourth Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction in this case on the grounds that

Appellant did not preserve error because of his failure to object at the time of trial. The

Fourth Court of Appeals did not discharge its duty to review and apply the law of Blue v. State,

41 S.W.3d 129 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) and Sharpe v. State, 648 S.W.2d 705, 706 (Tex. Crim.

App. 1983) to a fair consideration of all the evidence and the entirety of the comments made

by the trial court.

         Likewise, the Fourth Court of Appeals did not fairly evaluate nor comply with the

mandatory provisions of Article 36.27 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure regarding a

jury note citing the extent of the division of the juror’s vote and stating that the jury was

deadlocked and further that this error was not preserved because no objection was made at

trial.

                                                 3
                                   STATEMENT OF FACTS

       On June 22, 2011, Gonzalez visited the Rodriguez household for the purpose of picking

up a canine training collar that he ordered from the internet. Gonzalez and the complaining

witnesses’ grandfather trained their hunting dogs to search for deer and hogs using the

training collar. Complaining witness testified that Gonzalez entered the house and gathered

the training collar and on his way out stopped in her room. Complaining witness also claims

Gonzalez played with her small dog that was sitting on her lap and while doing so allegedly

touched her breast and made contact with her genitals.

       Gonzalez was arrest by the San Diego Police Department and was subjected to an

interrogation during which he consistently denied involvement with the complaining witness.

                             GROUND FOR REVIEW NO. 1, RESTATED

       THE APPELLATE COURT ERRED IN FINDING THAT THE TRIAL COURT’S

       ADMONISHMENTS OF DEFENSE WITNESSES WERE NOT PROPERLY PRESERVED

       BECAUSE NO OBJECTION WAS MADE AT TRIAL.

       In Blue v. State, supra, this Court held that pursuant to Texas Rules of Evidence 103(d),

“we are authorized to take notice of fundamental errors affecting substantial rights although

they were not brought to the attention of the court.”

The Appellate Court, in its unpublished opinion, stated that the “trial court admonished

Gonzalez’ wife, who testified as a defense witness because she hesitated before answering

very simple questions that would not be complicated for an average person to answer.” Also,

the record shows that the following conversation transpired while the jury was present and

could hear the conversation amongst the Court, Defense Counsel and this Witness:

The Court: I do not want her to perjure herself. (8 R.R. 30/12).
Ms. Garcia: Uh-huh. (8 R.R. 30/13).
The Court: So if you want to take her aside and tell her she needs to be honest. (8 R.R. 30/14-
15).
Ms. Garcia: Yes. (8 R.R. 30/16).
                                               4
The Court: Because there’s a record here and they will come after her for perjury, I’m sure. (8
R.R. 30/17-18).
Ms. Garcia: Yes. (8 R.R. 30/19).
The Court: So please…I just don’t want her to go there thinking she needs to protect him
thinking that everything is fine. (8 R.R. 30/20-22).
Ms. Garcia: Okay. (8 R.R. 30/23).
The Court: Because I don’t like that she’s hedging here. (8 R.R. 30/24-25).
Ms. Garcia: Do you want me to take her in the jury room? (8 R.R. 31/1-2).
The Court: Just over here to the side. Just take her to the side. Just take her to the side. Just
be honest. (8 R.R. 31/3-5).
Ms. Garcia: Yes, ma’am. (8 R.R. 31/6).
(At this point in time, the witness and defense attorneys left the courtroom, but the court and
jurors remained). (8 R.R. 31/7-9).
Outside of the presence of defense counsel and their witness and in front of the jury, the court
made the following comment:
The Court: Okay, someone needs to be there so that that’s the only thing that’s discussed. (A
deputy left the courtroom and went with the witness and the defense attorneys. When they
returned the trial resumed.) 8 R.R. 31/10-15.
The Court: I do have to remind you, ma’am that you are under oath. (8 R.R. 31/16-17).
The Witness: Okay. (8 R.R. 31/18).
The Court: And you are subject to the same penalties of perjury as everybody else that take
the stand. Okay? (8 R.R. 31/19-21).
The Witness: Okay. (8 R.R. 31/22).

       After the witness completed her testimony, the Defense called David Alvarado to the

stand. The following communications occurred between the court and Mr. Alvarado.

The Court: Call your next witness. (8 R.R. 39/11).
Ms. Garcia: David Alvarado. (8 R.R. 39/13).
The Court: Mr. Alvarado. (8 R.R. 39/13).
The Court: Mr. Alvarado stand up here. Is he in handcuffs (speaking to bailiff on the other
side of the courtroom)? (8 R.R. 39/16-17).
Mr. Alvarado: No. (8 R.R. 39/18).
The Court: Okay, I didn’t know why your hands were behind you like that. Okay raise your
right-hand. Raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God?
The Witness: Yes, ma’am. (8 R.R. 39/23).
The Court: State your name for the record. (8 R.R. 39/24).
The Witness: David Alvarado, Jr. (8 R.R. 39/25).
The Court: Mr. Alvarado, I do need to tell you as well as all the other witnesses that your
testimony is subject to perjury so you are taking an oath to tell the truth so please do. Have a
seat. Okay. You are going to have to talk into the mic. (8 R.R. 40/1-5).

       In this case, the trial court’s comments rise to the level of creating fundamental error

that affects substantial rights although they were not brought to the attention of the trial

court via objection. The majority opinion of the appellate court completely fails to address
                                                5
this issue in Blue, supra. In Blue, “a plurality of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals held that

the comments of the trial judge, which tainted appellant’s presumption of innocence in front

of the venire, were fundamental error of constitutional dimension and required no objection.”

Rabago v. State, 75 S.W.3d 561 (Tex. App. – San Antonio, 2002).

       Pursuant to Rule 103(d) this Court, even though there was no objection, is authorized

to review the trial judge’s statements because they constituted fundamental error of

constitutional magnitude. In this case, the trial court attempted to rationalize her

admonishments to Defense witnesses Briones and Alvarado by stating that she did admonish

the victim when she was on the stand. However, the admonishments to the victim were kind

and gentle compared to the harsh and accusatory admonishments of Appellant’s witnesses.

(7 R.R. 22/9-25), (7 R.R. 23/1-3), (7 R.R. 101/3-6), (7 R.R. 106/18-20).

       Additionally, the United States Supreme Court in Webb v. State held that once a

witness swears to give truthful answers, there are no requirements to warn him not to

commit perjury of conversely to direct him to tell the truth. It would render the sanctity of

the oath quite meaningless to require admonition to adhere to it. Webb v. State, 409 U.S. 95

(1972).

                          GROUND FOR REVIEW NO. 2, RESTATED

       THE APPELLATE COURT ERRED BY FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE MANDATORY

       PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 36.27 OF THE TEXAS CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

       REGARDING A NOTE FROM THE JURY STATING THAT THE JURY WAS

       DEADLOCKED BECAUSE OF APPELLANT’S FAILURE TO OBJECT.

       The Appellate Court did not address the applicability of Article 36.27 to the facts of the

case now before the Court because it peremptorily ruled that Gonzalez failed to preserve

error because he did not object.       Counsel for Gonzalez was never presented with an

opportunity to object because the jury note declaring an 8 to 4 deadlock was never presented
                                                6
to counsel. To prove this point, Gonzalez would show that at 7:45p.m. the trial court

responded to a jury note asking how long Gonzalez was allegedly in the victim’s room. (8 R.R.

206/1-25, 207/16). The note, along with the testimony, was returned to the jury by the

bailiff. The jury resumed deliberations and later the proceedings resumed. (8 R.R. 207/12-

16). Unlike the communication that was transcribed between the trial court, counsel for the

State and counsel for Gonzalez (8 R.R. 202/4 – 8 R.R. 207/15). The record in this case is

completely silent as to what occurred between 7:45 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. This can only mean

that the trial judge filed the note with the clerk’s office and immediately went back on the

record and started instructing the jury via the Allen Charge. Because counsel for Gonzalez

had no idea about the existence of the jury note indicating an 8 to 4 deadlock, Appellant had

no opportunity to file an objection.

       It is incumbent upon a trial court to follow what is on its face the simple clear and

direct mandate of the statute to require the written instructions or answer to a jury’s

communication to be read in open court in the presence of the Defendant or his counsel

unless expressly waived by the Defendant, and to require the court reporter to prescribe such

proceedings so that they may become part of the record. Williamson v. State, 771 S.W.2d 601

(Tex. App. – Dallas, 1989). The Appellate Court held that the record presented contained no

reference to the procedures the trial court followed in responding to the jury’s note that they

were deadlocked. It further stated that the record is also silent on when Gonzalez or the State

of Texas became aware that the trial court received the communication from the jury. The

reviewing court went on to say that when the record is silent, a reviewing court must

presume that the trial court’s response to a jury note was in open court and in the Appellant’s

presence, giving him the opportunity to object, citing Green v. State, 912 S.W.2d 189, 192 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1995). It is the “appealing party’s burden to present a record showing properly

preserved reversible error.” Word v. State, 206 S.W.3d 646, 651-52 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).
                                                7
The present case is distinguishable from the aforementioned cases because counsel for

Gonzalez was never presented with a note that the jury was deadlocked.

       The Appellate Court erred in its opinion that Appellant had an opportunity to object to

the trial Court’s failure to present the note to them prior to instructing the jury. In

Williamson, the Court noted that there was nothing transcribed by the Court Reporter in the

record about a jury communication and the Court’s response. In the case now before this

Court, the record clearly states the following: “I’ve been advised, uh, by the bailiff that you all

are stating you are deadlocked.” (8 RR 207/19-22). The Court makes no reference to a

written note that had been delivered to the her specifically stating the jurors were

deadlocked at 8 to 4. In fact, the record is abundantly clear that the communication by the

Bailiff stated that the jury was deadlocked. Appellant cannot object to a note that was never

disclosed to counsel.

       In Rickels, this Court considered a prior opinion holding that a Defendant must

complain at trial to the conditions he finds objectionable. Rickels v. State, 108 S.W.3d 900 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2003). By failing to object to the terms and conditions of probation at trial, a

Defendant affirmatively waives any complaints he may have had. The court went on to say

that the court modified the terms of Rickels probation without a hearing, and Rickels had no

opportunity to object. (emphasis ours).

       We can make a favorable comparison to the case now before this court. Gonzalez had

no opportunity to object to the court’s response to the jury’s 8 to 4 note. The trial court never

disclosed the existence of this note, thus depriving him of his constitutional right to Counsel.

(U. S. Const. Am. 6).

                                                 8
                                           SUMMARY

       The justices of the Court of Appeals based their decision in this case on the grounds

that Appellant did not preserve error because of his failure to object at the time of trial.

Likewise, the Fourth Court of Appeals did not fairly evaluate nor comply with the mandatory

provisions of Article 36.27 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure regarding a jury note

citing the extent of the division of the juror’s vote and stating that the jury was deadlocked

and further that this error was not preserved because no objection was made at trial.

                                      PRAYER FOR RELIEF

       For the reasons stated, the Petitioner was denied a fair trial in Cause No. 12-CRD-36.

Therefore, Appellant prays that this Court grand his petition for discretionary review and

upon reviewing the judgment entered below, reverse this Cause and dismiss the prosecution

or remand it for a new trial.

                                                     Respectfully submitted,

                                                     /s/ Charles L. Barrera

                                                     CHARLES L. BARRERA
                                                     700 East Second Street
                                                     Alice, TX 78332
                                                     (361) 664-2153
                                                     Attorney for Appellant
                                                     State Bar No. 01805500

                                                     /s/ Marisol Carvajal-Garcia
                                                     MARISOL CARVAJAL-GARCIA
                                                     1600 E. Main, Ste. 227
                                                     Alice, TX 78332
                                                     (361) 668-4989
                                                     Attorney for Appellant
                                                     State Bar No. 24065014

                                                 9
                                 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

      I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Petition for Discretionary

Review has been served, via email at duval229da@yahoo.com to the Duval District Attorney’s

on the 19th day of February, 2015.

                                                  /s/ Charles L. Barrera

                                                  ____________________________________

                                                  CHARLES L. BARRERA

                                                  /s/ Marisol Carvajal-Garcia

                                                  ________________________________________

                                                  MARISOL CARVAJAL-GARCIA

                              CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

      I hereby certify that this Petition conforms to the requirements of TRAP 9, and

consists of words 3022 per TRAP 9.4(i)(2)(D).

                                                  /s/ Marisol Carvajal-Garcia

                                                  ________________________________________

                                                  MARISOL CARVAJAL-GARCIA

                                             10
                                            No. PD-0036-15
     _________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                 IN THE

                                         COURT OF CRIMINAL

                                                APPEALS

                                                OF TEXAS
     _________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                      ENRIQUE GONZALEZ, JR.,
                                                     Petitioner
                                               V.
                                       THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                                                     Respondent

     _________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                        APPENDIX ----
                             PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

     _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Index:

1–9            Court of Appeals Opinion Dated December 10, 2014

10 – 11        8 RR 30 – 31

12 – 13        8 RR 39 – 40

14 – 15        7 RR 22 – 23

16             7 RR 101

17             7 RR 106

18 – 23        8 RR 202 – 207

                                                    11
                               Fourth Court of Appeals
                                      San Antonio, Texas
                                 MEMORANDUM OPINION
                                         No. 04-13-00708-CR

                                      Enrique GONZALEZ, Jr.,
                                              Appellant

                                                   v.

                                        The STATE of Texas,
                                              Appellee

                     From the 229th Judicial District Court, Duval County, Texas
                                    Trial Court No. 12-CRD-36
                            Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, Judge Presiding

Opinion by:       Catherine Stone, Chief Justice

Sitting:          Catherine Stone, Chief Justice
                  Karen Angelini, Justice
                  Rebeca C. Martinez, Justice

Delivered and Filed: December 10, 2014

AFFIRMED

           Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. was convicted by a jury of two counts of indecency with a child. On

appeal, Gonzalez raises four issues asserting the trial court erred by: (1) allowing his motion for

new trial alleging juror misconduct to be overruled by operation of law; (2) commenting on the

weight of the evidence; (3) failing to submit a jury note to defense counsel before instructing the

jury regarding the note; and (4) using a probationary sentence to enhance punishment in violation

of the prohibition against ex post facto laws.

                                                   1
                                                                                       04-13-00708-CR

                                           BACKGROUND

       Gonzalez pled not guilty to two counts of indecency with a child. A jury found him guilty

of engaging in sexual contact with C.R., a child younger than 17 years of age, by touching her

genitals and breast. Gonzalez’s sentence was enhanced to life in prison based on a 1996 conviction

of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Gonzalez appeals.

                                     MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL

       In his first issue, Gonzalez contends the trial court erred in allowing his motion for new

trial to be overruled by operation of law. In his motion for new trial, Gonzalez asserted that jury

misconduct during deliberations deprived him of a fair and impartial trial.

A.     Standard of Review

       “It is well established that granting or denying a motion for new trial lies within the trial

court’s discretion.” Lewis v. State, 911 S.W.2d 1, 7 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995). Therefore, the

standard of review for a trial court’s ruling on a motion for new trial is abuse of discretion. State

v. Gonzalez, 855 S.W.2d 692, 696 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). An appellate court will reverse a trial

court’s ruling only when the decision to grant or deny the new trial was so clearly wrong it was

outside the zone within which reasonable persons might agree. Id. at 695 n. 4. In the absence of

contrary evidence, it is presumed that the trial court properly exercised its discretion. Beard v.

State, 385 S.W.2d 855, 856 (Tex. Crim. App. 1965).

       When jurors testify as to jury misconduct, the trial court is the sole judge of the jurors’

credibility. Salazar v. State, 38 S.W.3d 141, 148 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001), Fairley v. State, 90
S.W.3d 903, 906 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2002, no pet.). “Where there is conflicting evidence

on an issue of fact as to jury misconduct, the trial judge determines the issue, and there is no abuse

of discretion in overruling the motion for new trial.” Salazar, 38 S.W.3d at 148; Fairley, 90
S.W.3d at 906.
                                                 -2-
                                                                                      04-13-00708-CR

B.     Conflicting Evidence

        Gonzalez supported his motion for new trial with two affidavits from jurors who stated that

an unnamed juror made a statement about Gonzalez being listed on the internet as a registered sex

 offender. At the hearing on the motion for new trial, one juror, Meliza Kipple, testified on the

 stand and in her affidavit that it was a male juror who made the statement. The other affidavit

offered by Gonzalez was from a male juror who stated it was a female juror who made the

statement. The State offered five affidavits from jurors who stated they did not hear this statement.

       Gonzalez objected to the admission of the State’s affidavits based on their timeliness.

Gonzalez stated he did not receive copies of the affidavits until the day of the hearing. The State

countered Gonzalez’s objection by showing it just received the affidavits. The record shows that

two of the State’s affidavits were dated August 15, 2013 which was five days prior to the hearing,

and three of the State’s affidavits were dated August 19, 2013 which was only one day prior to the

hearing. The trial court conditionally admitted the affidavits into evidence until it had time to

review the cases presented by Gonzalez, and stated it would withdraw them as exhibits if needed.

The State then requested that the affidavits be read into the record. The trial court allowed the

State to read the affidavits into the record with no objection from Gonzalez. The record does not

contain any order by the trial court withdrawing the affidavits.

       Because the trial court conditionally admitted the State’s affidavits and the record does not

establish that the trial court ever withdrew them from evidence, the record contains conflicting

evidence about whether a statement was made that Gonzalez was a registered sex offender.

Because the record contains conflicting evidence, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in

allowing the motion for new trial to be overruled by operation of law. Salazar, 38 S.W.3d at 148;

Fairley, 90 S.W.3d at 906.

                                                -3-
                                                                                     04-13-00708-CR

                          COMMENTING ON THE WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE

       In Gonzalez’s second issue, he contends the trial court commented on the weight of the

evidence, thus depriving him of due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. Specifically,

Gonzalez asserts the trial court’s comments to the State’s witnesses were more respectable and

accommodating than the comments to his witnesses. He maintains that all State’s witnesses were

offered water, tissue, and help by the trial court and were given common courtesies such as being

thanked for their testimony. Gonzalez contends that his witnesses were never offered any of these

courtesies, but rather admonished before the jury about perjuring themselves. Gonzalez maintains

that the trial court admonished each of his witnesses about being under oath and “subject to the

penalties of perjury as everybody else that takes the stand,” while saying nothing about being under

oath or the penalties of perjury to the State’s witnesses.

       The State contends Gonzalez did not preserve error since he did not timely object to the

trial court’s comments and actions. Because Gonzalez did not timely object, the State contends

the trial court was not afforded an opportunity to correct any possible error.

A.     Preservation of Error

       “The purpose of a timely objection is to give the trial judge the opportunity to cure error.”

Hollins v. State, 805 S.W.2d 475, 476 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991); In re J.G., 195 S.W.3d 161, 177

(Tex. App.—San Antonio 2006, no pet.). In order for an objection to be considered timely, it must

be made as soon as the grounds for the objection become apparent, i.e., as soon as the defense

knows or should know that an error has occurred. Hollins, 805 S.W.2d at 476. A timely objection

promotes the prevention and correction of errors. Young v. State, 137 S.W.3d 65, 69 (Tex. Crim.

App. 2004). “Because an objection informs the judge and opposing counsel of the potential for

error, an objection conserves judicial resources by prompting the prevention of foreseeable,

harmful events.” Id. In order for an appellant to present a complaint for appellate review, “the

                                                 -4-
                                                                                      04-13-00708-CR

record must show that the complaint was made to the trial court in a timely request, objection or

motion.” TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(1).

       Here, Gonzalez did not object when the trial court made the admonishments about which

he now complains. The record reflects that Gonzalez had ample opportunity to object during both

of his witnesses’ testimony, but failed to do so.

B.     Motion for Mistrial

       Although Gonzalez did not timely object at trial, before the defense rested he did file a

motion for mistrial complaining of the trial court’s admonishments given to his witnesses. In his

motion, Gonzalez complained that the trial court inappropriately admonished his witnesses about

telling the truth and the penalties of perjury. He presented case law that discussed how such

admonishments could: (1) diminish the credibility of the defense’s approach to the case; (2) be

calculated to benefit the State or prejudice the Defendant; and (3) imply to the jury the possibility

that the witnesses might commit perjury and therefore it was necessary to warn them not to commit

perjury.

       The trial court responded by stating that it did in fact admonish the victim herself when she

got on the stand. The trial court admonished Gonzalez’s wife, who testified as a defense witness,

because she hesitated before answering very simple questions that would not be complicated for

an average person to answer. As to Gonzalez’s last witness, the trial court stated that the

admonishment was given because the trial court did not want the witness to be untruthful in the

event he was upset with Gonzalez for having him subpoenaed to testify. The trial court denied the

request for mistrial, but instructed the jury that statements made by the trial court with reference

to any of the witnesses were not to be construed by the jury as an indication that the trial court

wanted the jury to either convict or acquit the defendant. The trial court instructed the jury that

they were the judges of the facts and of the witnesses and their credibility.
                                                    -5-
                                                                                      04-13-00708-CR

        “A mistrial is a device used to halt trial proceedings when error is so prejudicial that

expenditure of further time and expense would be wasteful and futile.” Ladd v. State, 3 S.W.3d
547, 567 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). If an impartial verdict cannot be reached, a trial court may

exercise its discretion to declare a mistrial. Sewell v. State, 696 S.W.2d 559, 560 (Tex. Crim. App.

1983). In most cases, any harm can be cured by an instruction to disregard any improper questions

or comments and a mistrial would not be warranted. Ladd, 3 S.W.3d at 567.

        Here, the trial court denied the mistrial and instructed the jury not to consider any

statements made by the trial court with reference to any of the witnesses. It must be presumed that

the jury followed this instruction in reaching its verdict. Wesbrook v. State, 29 S.W.3d 103, 116

(Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Because the trial court instructed the jury to not consider its comments,

the trial court did not err in overruling the motion for mistrial.

                 FAILING TO PRESENT THE JURY’S NOTE TO DEFENSE COUNSEL

        Gonzalez contends the trial court failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of article

36.27 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure regarding a note from the jury stating the jury was

deadlocked. Article 36.27 provides that a trial court shall respond in writing to a deliberating

jury’s communication. TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 36.27 (West 2013). Before answering

a jury’s communication the judge “shall use reasonable diligence to secure the presence of the

defendant and his counsel,” and shall submit to defendant and his counsel the jury’s

communication and the trial court’s proposed response. Id. Gonzalez maintains the trial court

failed to present him with the note so that he could offer an adequate response, and failed to submit

to him the court’s proposed response before giving the response to the jury. The State contends

Gonzalez waived any possible error when he did not make appropriate objections on the record.

        The record presented to this court contains no reference to the procedures the trial court

followed in preparing to respond to the jury’s note that they were deadlocked. The record is also
                                                   6
                                                                                        04-13-00708-CR

silent on when Gonzalez or the State became aware that the trial court received the communication

from the jury. When the record is silent, a reviewing court must presume the trial court’s response

to a jury note was in open court and in appellant’s presence, giving him the opportunity to object.

Green v. State, 912 S.W.2d 189, 192 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995). It is the “appealing parties’ burden

to present a record showing properly preserved, reversible error.” Word v. State, 206 S.W.3d 646,

651-52 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006) (holding appellant failed to preserve error when the record: was

silent on procedures followed by trial court; contained no reference to trial court’s response to jury

communication; did not reflect any objections by appellant; and failed to reveal when appellant

became aware of jury’s communication).

           Here, the trial court received a note from the jury indicating they were deadlocked, and

went on the record stating “. . . I’ve been advised, uh, by the bailiff that you all are stating you are

deadlocked.” At this point, it is presumed Gonzalez and his attorneys were in the courtroom and

had the opportunity to object to the trial court’s failure to present the note to them prior to

instructing the jury. Green, 912 S.W.2d at 192. We need not employ a presumption, however,

because at oral argument counsel conceded they were present when the trial court responded to the

jury’s note. When the trial court announced in open court that it was aware of the deadlock and

then proceeded to further instruct the jury with an Allen charge,1 Gonzalez failed to take any steps

to notify the court of his concerns. At no point did Gonzalez ask if the jury had submitted a

question, seek clarification about the court’s decision to provide an Allen charge, or lodge any

objection. A timely objection must be made in order to preserve error. Hollins, 805 S.W.2d at

476. Because no objection was made after the statement regarding the note, Gonzalez did not

preserve this issue for this court to review.

1
Allen v. U.S., 164 U.S. 492 (1896).

                                                   7
                                                                                      04-13-00708-CR

                 PROBATIONARY SENTENCE USED TO ENHANCE PUNISHMENT

       In his final issue, Gonzalez contends the trial court violated the prohibition against ex post

facto laws when it allowed a prior felony conviction to be used to enhance punishment. Gonzalez

asserts that because he was given probation for his prior conviction, which he successfully

completed, there is no final conviction to enhance his punishment. Gonzalez also contends the

enhancement statute in effect at the time of his prior conviction required two prior felony

convictions to trigger the automatic life enhancement instead of one, which is all the current

enhancement statute requires.

A.     Probationary Sentence

       Gonzalez argues that his prior conviction should not have been used to enhance his

punishment since it was a probated sentence and not a final conviction. It has long been the general

rule in Texas that a probated sentence is not a final conviction for enhancement purposes unless it

has been revoked. Jordon v. State, 36 S.W.3d 871, 873 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). However, the

court in Comeaux v. State determined that a “successfully completed and subsequently discharged

‘regular’ community supervision can be used to enhance punishments for later offenses when the

provision permitting enhancement did not exist at the time the ‘regular’ community supervision

was imposed in lieu of incarceration.” 151 S.W.3d 710, 713 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2004, no

pet.). Furthermore, section 12.42(g)(1) of the Texas Penal Code provides that a defendant has

been “previously convicted” of an offense listed under section 12.42(c)(2)(B), if he either was

adjudged guilty or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in return for a grant of a deferred

adjudication, “regardless of whether the sentence for the offense was ever imposed or whether the

sentence was probated and the defendant was subsequently discharged from community

supervision[.]” TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 12.42 (West 2013); see also Ex parte White, 211 S.W.3d
316, 319 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). Gonzalez’s prior sentence was probated in lieu of incarceration,
                                                 8
and the prior offense is listed under section 12.42(c)(2)(B) of the current

enhancement statute. Therefore, the prior conviction can be used to enhance his current

conviction.

B.     Ex Post Facto Violation

       A conviction which occurred prior to the enactment of an enhancement statute

that provides for an increased punishment for a subsequent conviction may be used for

enhancement purposes under the statute. Barnes v. State, 70 S.W.3d 294, 302 (Tex.

App.—Fort Worth 2002, pet. ref’d). The use of the prior conviction is not an ex post

facto violation. Id. Both the United States Supreme Court and the Texas Court of

Criminal Appeals have held that enhancement statutes do not violate the prohibition

against ex post facto laws because these statutes penalize the criminal offense being

enhanced rather than the prior offense used for enhancement. McDonald v.

Massachusetts, 180 U.S. 311, 313 (1901); White, 211 S.W.3d at 320. Gonzalez argues

that because the enhancement statute in effect at the time of his first conviction was

amended, the use of the current enhancement statute is an ex post facto violation.

Because the current enhancement statute was used to enhance the punishment of the

current conviction, not the prior conviction, there is no ex post facto violation in this

case. White, 211 S.W.3d at 320.

                                     CONCLUSION

       The trial court’s judgment is affirmed.

                                                 Catherine Stone, Chief Justice

DO NOT PUBLISH

                                           9
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 30

1 THE COURT: Okay, do the parties want to go ahead
2 and approach here?
3 (At the bench, on the record.)
4 MS. GARCIA: Your Honor --
5 THE COURT: Okay. Hold on. Obviously there's a
6 record here --
7 MS. GARCIA: Uh-huh.
8 THE COURT: -- of when that relationship started.
9 MS. GARCIA: Uh-huh.
10 THE COURT: Sexually.
11 MS. GARCIA: Yes.
12 THE COURT: I do not want her to purjure herself.
13 MS. GARCIA: Uh-huh.
14 THE COURT: So if you want to take her aside and
15 tell her she needs to be honest --
16 MS. GARCIA: Yes.
17 THE COURT: -- because there's a record here and
18 they will come after her for perjury, I'm sure.
19 MS. GARCIA: Yes.
20 THE COURT: So please I just don't want her to go
21 there thinking she needs to protect him thinking that
22 everything is fine.
23 MS. GARCIA: Okay.
24 THE COURT: Because I don't like that she's
25 hedging, here.

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               10
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 31

1 MS. GARCIA: Do you want me to take her in the
2 jury room?
3 THE COURT: Just over here to the side. Just
4 take her to the side. Just take her to the side. Just be
5 honest.
6 MS. GARCIA: Yes, ma'am.
7 (At this time the witness and
8 the defense attorneys left the
9 courtroom.)
10 THE COURT: Okay, someone needs to be there so
11 that that's the only thing that's discussed.
12 (A deputy left the courtroom and
13 went with the witness and the
14 defense attorneys. When they
15 returned the trial resumed.)
16 THE COURT: I do have to remind you, ma'am, that
17 you are under oath.
18 THE WITNESS: Okay.
19 THE COURT: And you are subject to the same
20 penalties of perjury as everybody else that takes the
21 stand. Okay?
22 THE WITNESS: Okay.
23 THE COURT: Just answer the questions as best you
24 can.
25 THE WITNESS: Okay.

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               11
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 39

1 testimony?
2 THE COURT: Do you think --
3 MR. SOLIZ: Your Honor, the only problem I would
4 have, Your Honor, is because I believe the State would
5 have -- will be entitled to possibly recall this witness
6 based on testimony of other witnesses and we would hate for
7 her to have that testimony based on --
8 THE COURT: Okay. Just wait outside, ma'am.
9 THE WITNESS: Okay.
10 MR. BARRERA: Yes, ma'am.
11 THE COURT: Call your next witness.
12 MS. GARCIA: Call David Alvarado.
13 THE COURT: Mr. Alvarado.
14 MS. GARCIA: Your Honor, let me just set up my
15 chart. Okay?
16 THE COURT: Mr. Alvarado stand up here. Is he in
17 handcuffs?
18 MR. ALVARADO: No.
19 THE COURT: Okay, I didn't know why your hands
20 were behind you like that. Okay raise your right-hand.
21 Raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the
22 whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
23 THE WITNESS: Yes, ma'am.
24 THE COURT: State your name for the record.
25 THE WITNESS: David Alvarado Jr.

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               12
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 40

1 THE COURT: Mr. Alvarado, I do need to tell you
2 as well as all the other witnesses that your testimony is
3 subject to perjury so you are taking an oath to tell the
4 truth so please do. Have a seat. Okay. You are going to
5 have to talk into the mic.
6 THE WITNESS: Can you hear me?
7 THE COURT: Yes, I can hear you, sir. So just
8 hold on until they start asking you questions.
9 THE WITNESS: Okay yes, ma'am.
10 THE COURT: Okay? Got it?
11 THE WITNESS: Yes, ma'am.
12 DAVID ALVARADO
13 was called as a witness, and after having been first duly
14 sworn, testified as follows:
15 DIRECT EXAMINATION
16 BY MS. GARCIA:
17 Q Can you state your full name for the record, sir?
18 A David Alvarado, Jr.
19 Q David, how old are you?
20 A 23.
21 Q Do you work?
22 A Yes, ma'am.
23 Q Where do you work?
24 A Roughneck Services.
25 Q What is that? Where is that out of?

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               13
No. 12-CRD-36, The State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.
Jury Trial, June 18, 2013, Volume 7 of 11 Page 22

1 to publish them to the jury but I would also like to hand
2 an exact copy to the witness that way she could, uh, you
3 know, follow along and answer my questions so the jury can
4 see what it is that she's talking about.
5 THE COURT: Did you all look at the photographs?
6 MS. GARCIA: Yes, Your Honor, let me just make
7 sure that we have all of them, not that I don't trust
8 Mr. Soliz. (pause).
9 THE COURT: Okay. Hello, Chastity. Go ahead and
10 have a seat. And Chastity, when you were here awhile ago,
11 you already took the oath to tell the truth and do you know
12 the difference between telling the truth and telling a lie?
13 THE WITNESS: (Nodding.)
14 THE COURT: So you know that you've, uh, sworn to
15 tell the truth. Right?
16 THE WITNESS: Yes.
17 THE COURT: And what happens to people when they
18 don't say the truth in Court?
19 THE WITNESS: You get punished.
20 THE COURT: Okay. You understand that.
21 THE WITNESS: Yes.
22 THE COURT: Do you have any questions?
23 THE WITNESS: No.
24 THE COURT: Do you need some water there where
25 you are sitting?

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               14
No. 12-CRD-36, The State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.
Jury Trial, June 18, 2013, Volume 7 of 11 Page 23

1 THE WITNESS: No, ma'am.
2 THE COURT: If you need water or you feel
3 uncomfortable you just tell me and I am going to help you.
4 There's a microphone there, Nelly. You need to speak into
5 that mic.
6 THE WITNESS: Okay.
7 THE COURT: Thank you.
8 MR. SOLIZ: Your Honor, uh, first time trying a
9 case in this Court with you, would you prefer that I just
10 sat down or asked my questions from here or can I stand up
11 and move around.
12 THE COURT: It's up to you.
13 MR. SOLIZ: Okay.
14 THE COURT: Whatever makes you feel comfortable.
15 MR. SOLIZ: Maybe to make her feel comfortable I
16 am going to approach and stand a little closer.
17 THE COURT: That's not a problem.
18 CHASTITY RODRIGUEZ
19 was called as a witness, and after having been first duly
20 sworn, testified as follows:
21 DIRECT EXAMINATION
22 BY MR. SOLIZ:
23 Q Please state your name for the record.
24 A Chastity Rodriguez.
25 Q How old are you?

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               15
No. 12-CRD-36, The State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.
Jury Trial, June 18, 2013, Volume 7 of 11 Page 101

1 and I am going to approach the witness at this time to make
2 sure she feels a little more comfortable.
3 THE COURT: Are you okay?
4 THE WITNESS: Yes.
5 THE COURT: You don't need water?
6 THE WITNESS: No.
7 REDIRECT EXAMINATION
8 BY MR. SOLIZ:
9 Q Chastity, I heard you mention right now you had
10 already told me you used a computer. Correct? To look up
11 the --
12 A Yes.
13 Q -- that phone number for the boys town national
14 hot line?
15 A Yes.
16 Q The computer you mentioned is in your room?
17 A Yes.
18 Q Did you get on your computer pretty often?
19 A Yes.
20 Q What kind of things would you do on the computer?
21 A I don't remember.
22 Q Look up different things?
23 A Yeah.
24 Q All right. All right. Now, you also mentioned,
25 uh, uh, more than one shock collar.

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               16
No. 12-CRD-36, The State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.
Jury Trial, June 18, 2013, Volume 7 of 11 Page 106

1 he?
2 A No.
3 Q You have no reason to make this up do you?
4 A No.
5 Q Today as you are sitting here is everything you
6 just told these people right here, that you told the people
7 sitting right here and I would ask, uh, everything you told
8 these people today about what this defendant did to you, is
9 that the truth or is that a lie?
10 A The truth.
11 Q Do you have any reason to make this up?
12 A Why would I? He was a family friend.
13 MR. SOLIZ: I pass the witness, Your Honor.
14 MS. GARCIA: No further questions from the
15 defense, Your Honor. I would like to use my diagram for
16 another witness that I have. May I please put it in the,
17 uh, corner where it was?
18 THE COURT: Yes. Chastity, thank you very much
19 we really appreciate it. Do you want some water or
20 anything?
21 THE WITNESS: No.
22 THE COURT: You can go ahead and step down. If
23 you would like to, you can sit in the courtroom or you can
24 go outside with your grandma and grandpa but, Chastity,
25 hold on honey. You can't talk about your testimony with

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               17
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 202

1 you need to do. No problem.
2 (Jury went into jury room and
3 began deliberations.)
4 THE COORDINATOR: We have a note from the jury.
5 THE COURT: The time is 5:36 in cause number
6 12-CRD-36 State of Texas versus Enrique Gonzalez Jr., the
7 State has -- I mean the jury has sent a note, I am going to
8 go ahead and open the note and I am going to read that on
9 the record. The note says, "May we see the advocacy
10 statement and how long did C. R. say Enrique was in the
11 room from her testimony." Okay. For the question number 1
12 obviously the answer would be no.
13 MR. SOLIS: Yes. That was not made as evidence.
14 THE COURT: Do you all agree that it should say
15 no, it was not in evidence?
16 MS. GARCIA: Yes.
17 MR. BARRERA: Yes.
18 THE COURT: And to the second question, how long
19 did C. R. say Enrique was in the room from her testimony,
20 uh, did she say?
21 MR. BARRERA: Yes she did, Your Honor, but I
22 think that the note ought to be try your best to recollect
23 the evidence from the witness stand because if we say what
24 the minutes were and that might be a comment on the weight
25 of the evidence.

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               18
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 203

1 THE COURT: The only thing that I could do would
2 be read back, have the, uh, court reporter, uh, type up
3 that portion and, uh, send it back into the jury room or we
4 could read it back in the jury room or I can, uh, send a
5 letter saying try to best recollect what that testimony was
6 and then see if they send out another note saying we
7 want -- because remember that the instructions do say if
8 you want any portion of the evidence read back we would
9 read it back.
10 MR. BARRERA: Yes.
11 THE COURT: Uh, so I don't know how you all
12 prefer that we handle this.
13 MS. GARCIA: Your Honor, is it asking for us to
14 read it back or what is the correct question?
15 THE COURT: It just says, "How long did C. R. say
16 Enrique was in the room from her testimony." It doesn't
17 say, we want you to read this back from the transcript.
18 MR. SOLIS: Your Honor, I agree with Mr. Barrera
19 suggesting just simply state do your best to try to
20 recollect. If at that point they send another note asking,
21 then I guess we could read it back to them at that point.
22 But I think we would need for them to specifically ask that
23 it be read back.
24 THE COURT: It's going to be "Do your best to try
25 to recollect the testimony." Should I add, if you cannot

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               19
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 204

1 recollect the testimony, we can read it back?
2 MR. SOLIS: I would assume that they would
3 probably at this point return a note asking to get it read
4 back, Your Honor.
5 THE COURT: So then you all are satisfied with
6 "Just do your best to recollect"?
7 MS. GARCIA: Yes, Your Honor.
8 THE COURT: Okay.
9 THE COURT: Back on the record in cause number
10 12-CR-36, State of Texas versus Enrique Gonzalez Jr. We
11 got a note and it's 15 till 8:00. Testimony page 3 of 9.
12 Oh I think they are referring to the jury charge. So it
13 says number 1 "request testimony" -- ha, ha, ha, as they
14 are throwing that back at us -- and it does say that they
15 can request testimony. 2, "disagreement about how long
16 Defendant was in room with C. R." 3. "C. R. needs -- C.
17 R. made statement in testimony" and it's signed by the
18 foreman. So, I think that at this point we do need to
19 provide that testimony because it is in the record.
20 MR. BARRERA: Yes, ma'am.
21 MR. SOLIS: Yes.
22 THE COURT: So, uh, if the court reporter --
23 THE COURT REPORTER: Judge, I printed out a
24 transcript of the testimony of Chastity, so if they can
25 look at it and agree which part they want to be read back.

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               20
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 205

1 MR. BARRERA: Yes.
2 THE COURT: Do you have a copy of the testimony
3 as well?
4 MR. SOLIS: We do, Your Honor.
5 MR. BARRERA: We ordered a copy of it, of her
6 entire testimony.
7 THE COURT: Okay. I am going to put this: "We
8 will provide relevant and requested portion of transcript."
9 Now they know they need to make formal requests in writing
10 about exactly what they are looking for.
11 MS. GARCIA: Your Honor, I have it, it's 86
12 pages.
13 THE COURT: Right, but if you'll lend me the
14 transcript, let me look for the portion of the questions.
15 I am not going to send in the whole transcript.
16 MS. GARCIA: Oh -- Your Honor, I tagged it, I
17 looked through it earlier.
18 THE COURT: What do you mean you typed it?
19 MS. GARCIA: I tagged it where --
20 THE COURT: Oh you tagged it.
21 MS. GARCIA: -- it answered, uh -- is there a
22 doggy tag on there?
23 THE COURT: At the top?
24 MS. GARCIA: Maybe on my other copy.
25 THE COURT: I don't see a dog ear.

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               21
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 206

1 MS. GARCIA: They were asking how long Chastity
2 that the, uh, that Chastity said Enrique was in the room.
3 Correct? Is that what they are asking.
4 THE COURT: Yes.
5 MS. GARCIA: Okay. This is it, it's on page 27.
6 THE COURT: "How long would you say this took
7 place? About five or ten minutes." And then it says, "I'm
8 sure it seemed like a long time didn't it? Yes but it was
9 probably just a few minutes. Right? Yes, sir." So, I am
10 going to highlight "How long would you say that took place,
11 about five or ten minutes." Then I am going to highlight
12 that "It was probably just a few minutes you say. Right?
13 Yes, sir." Do you all agree that this is the portion?
14 MR. BARRERA: Yes.
15 THE COURT: Do you want to look at it and see if
16 there's anything other --
17 MR. SOLIS: I don't have any problem with that,
18 Your Honor.
19 THE COURT: You are all in agreement, okay, then
20 we are going to, for purposes of the record, I am going to
21 staple the note to the portion of the transcript which is
22 page 27 line 8 question, "How long would you say that took
23 place?" Answer, "About five or ten minutes." Then
24 highlighted number 12, "But it was probably just a few
25 minutes you say, right?" Answer, "Yes, sir." Is everyone

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               22
NO. 12-CRD-36 State of Texas v. Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.,
Jury Trial, June 19, 2013, Volume 8 of 11 Page 207

1 in agreement that this is what I should send back?
2 MR. BARRERA: Yes.
3 MR. SOLIS: With the portion about that "it
4 seemed like that long."
5 THE COURT: Okay I can add it, "But I'm sure it
6 seemed like a long time didn't it?" That's line 10 answer,
7 "Yes." Seems like those are the references to time. I am
8 going to fold the transcript and send it back.
9 MS. GARCIA: Your Honor, can I have my copy back?
10 THE COURT: Sure. I will tag it for you so you
11 can know that that's where the testimony was taken out.
12 (The note with the testimony was
13 returned to the jury by the
14 bailiff. The jury resumed
15 deliberations, then later the
16 proceedings resumed.)
17 THE COURT: Okay, bring the jury out.
18 (Jury returned into the courtroom.)
19 THE COURT: You all may be seated. Ladies and
20 gentlemen of the jury, I've been advised, uh, by the
21 bailiff that you all are stating that you all are
22 deadlocked. So I am going to give you a further charge as
23 required by law. Members of the jury. I am going to ask
24 that you continue your deliberations in an effort to reach
25 an agreement upon a verdict and dispose of this case and I

     Heard By The Honorable Ana Lisa Garza, District Judge
229th Judicial District: Starr, Duval & Jim Hogg Counties, Texas

                               23