Court Opinion

ID: 2953135
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 23:07:43.892513+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:41:51.138227
License: Public Domain

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

                                         NO. 03-11-00013-CR
                                         NO. 03-11-00016-CR

                                    The State of Texas, Appellant

                                                    v.

                                   Daniel Joe Hernandez, Appellee

       FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 167TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. D-1-DC-09-301898 & D-1-DC-09-301900, HONORABLE MICHAEL LYNCH, JUDGE PRESIDING

                                             OPINION

                 This is an appeal from a trial court order granting appellee Daniel Joe Hernandez’s

  motion for new trial based on juror bias arising from an in-court altercation between Hernandez and

  a witness. The jury found Hernandez guilty of murder and aggravated assault. See Tex. Penal Code

  Ann. §§ 19.02, 22.02 (West 2011). The court granted the motion for new trial after sentencing

  Hernandez to thirty-five years and fifteen years for the convictions, respectively. On appeal, the

  State argues that the trial court erred in granting the new trial because it incorrectly concluded that

  a sitting juror must be removed when the juror expresses bias against the defendant. Because we

  conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in granting the motion for new trial based on an

  incorrect legal standard, and the trial court’s findings do not support any other valid grounds for

  granting a new trial, we reverse the trial court’s order and remand this case for further proceedings.
                                         BACKGROUND

               On August 20, 2009, Francisco Iruegas, known as Pancho, was socializing with his

friends, including George Lopez and Kristopher Rivera, underneath a streetlight outside of his

mother’s home. Around 2:00 a.m., a silver Honda drove up the street where the friends were

congregating and came to a stop. Pancho approached the vehicle, mistakenly believing that it was

another friend. The driver of the vehicle rolled down his window, fired three shots at Pancho, and

then drove slightly forward and fired again. Pancho was shot three times, Lopez was shot once in

the foot, and a bystander was also hit. After being transported to Brackenridge Hospital, Pancho died

a few hours later. Rivera and Lopez identified Hernandez as the driver of the silver Honda, and

officers with the Austin Police Department arrested Hernandez at his home. He was indicted for

murder and aggravated assault on November 19, 2009. Trial began on September 14, 2010.

The courtroom incident

               On the first day of trial, the State called Rivera as a witness.1 After testifying, a

deputy escorted Rivera from the stand. Passing by the defense table, Rivera managed to get free of

the deputy’s grip and attempted to jump over the defense table to attack Hernandez. Rivera managed

to strike Hernandez in the face with a closed fist. Hernandez stood up and fought back immediately.

After the deputy and others present were able to restrain Rivera, Ricky Zapata, a friend of

Hernandez’s who was observing from the audience, jumped over the courtroom divider and

attempted to attack Rivera. Zapata was restrained before he was able to reach Rivera. The court

       1
         The events surrounding this courtroom incident are described in the affidavits of several
witnesses, which were admitted at the hearing on the motion for new trial.

                                                 2
ordered Hernandez to the center of the courtroom in order to distance him from Rivera, Zapata, and

the now irate audience.

                During this disturbance, but prior to its conclusion, the jury was removed from the

courtroom. However, the jury witnessed Rivera’s initial attack and Hernandez’s reaction. Once

Rivera and Zapata were removed and order was restored, the court brought the jury back to the

courtroom and then recessed for the day.

The court’s initial conversation with Juror Taylor

                The following morning, Juror Jessica Mitchell gave the trial court a note which stated

that she felt she could no longer be fair and impartial and that she was very afraid. The court called

Juror Mitchell into chambers for a brief in-camera interview.2 During the interview, the following

exchange took place:

       Court:          I have to say that. You say in your note here that yesterday’s events
                       do two things. One, they put you in fear, and two, that you are not
                       sure you can be fair. Does not being fair mean you don’t think given
                       those that you can base your decision just on the facts of the case?

       Mitchell:       Correct.

The court subsequently declared Juror Mitchell disabled and dismissed her from the jury without

objection. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 36.29(a) (West 2011) (granting trial court authority

to declare juror “disabled from sitting” and continue with fewer than twelve jurors).

       2
         Counsel was not present at this or any subsequent interview with any juror. However, the
interviews were transcribed by the court reporter as part of the trial transcript.

                                                  3
                 Following the interview of Juror Mitchell, the court brought in the remainder of the

jurors and asked if any of them believed they “were unable to listen to the evidence and render a fair

verdict.” Jurors David Scoggins and Treg Taylor stated that they would like to discuss the matter

further with the court; the remainder indicated they could continue with trial. The court first spoke

with Juror Scoggins, who admitted that Hernandez’s willingness to fight made him appear less

innocent, but stated that he could put the incident out of his mind and remain fair and impartial.

                 The court then spoke with Juror Taylor. During this initial in-camera interview, Juror

Taylor told the court that he was bothered by Hernandez’s body language. He stated that “the way

[he] make[s] judgment calls is looking at a person’s body language.” After some clarifying

questions, the following exchange took place:

       Court:           The reaction that you think you observed was such that it affected
                        your opinion and position concerning the defendant?

       Taylor:          Yes.

       ....

       Court:           And you believe that that could affect your ability to render a fair
                        verdict?

       Taylor:          Yeah. I would give it weight in my decision.

       Court:           And you believe that at this point in time in any case no matter what
                        you heard from here on out, that would be a factor?

       Taylor:          That is what I don’t know.

       ....

       Taylor:          Depending on what I heard though . . . it is possible that I could
                        separate what I saw for the—be able to make a different decision than
                        where I am at now. . . . If, as an example, the defense brings up

                                                   4
                        somebody who says hey, no, Daniel [Hernandez] was here, I have got
                        proof.

       Court:           What you are saying is your burden has shifted.

       Taylor:          My burden has shifted.

       ....

       Court:           Could you see yourself in a position of going into the jury room with
                        that event out of your mind and rendering a verdict based on just the
                        evidence you heard and the exhibits you have got?

       Taylor:          Yes, that is possible.

       ....

       Court:           Here is what your agreement to yourself and your oath has to be. If
                        we do continue, I am going to ask you this again. I am not going to
                        ask you necessarily which way or I don’t want to influence anything
                        about your decision except I want you maybe at the end of evidence
                        to come in and be able to tell me truthfully whether or not that event
                        still is of concern.

       Taylor:          I can definitely do that.

       ....

       Taylor:          Getting to the end of the trial and hearing the evidence, I can honestly
                        tell you whether [Hernandez’s] body language is going to influence
                        my decision in any way whatsoever.

                 Upon returning to the courtroom, the court informed counsel of his interviews with

the jury and his decision to dismiss Juror Mitchell but retain Jurors Scoggins and Taylor.3

Hernandez moved to dismiss Juror Taylor and moved for a mistrial. The court denied both motions

       3
           Counsel did not have a copy or transcript of any of the in-camera interviews at that time.

                                                    5
and informed defense counsel that he could re-urge both motions after the conclusion of evidence.

Before allowing the State to proceed, the court gave the following instruction to the jury:

       We have discussed this in our in camera discussion, but the jury is instructed by the
       Court at this time that they cannot consider the events of late yesterday afternoon, the
       sort of interruption to our trial that occurred with a witness and then other individuals
       involved, cannot consider it as evidence in this case, cannot consider it for any
       purpose, it cannot affect your judgment in this case, it cannot affect your
       deliberations or be considered as evidence one way or the other for or against either
       side. You are to put that aside and not consider it for any purpose during the course
       of this trial. Thank you.

The court’s second conversation with Juror Taylor and subsequent history

                 Following the conclusion of evidence but before closing arguments, the court had a

final in-camera interview with Juror Taylor. The following exchange occurred:

       Taylor:          Okay. Today at lunch I did a lot of thinking, and—about this
                        question, and I honestly feel that being true to myself and being true
                        to the Court that I can make a fair and impartial decision based on the
                        evidence only.

       Court:           . . . So you believe—and again, I am not putting words in your mouth,
                        but I want the record to be unequivocally clear—you believe after
                        further consideration and the passage of time, and not because of
                        evidence you heard that is going to kind of subtract out or add to what
                        you saw, but completely put that [courtroom disturbance] aside.

       Taylor:          I can completely put that aside.

       ....

       Court:           And there is no doubt in your mind?

       Taylor:          No doubt in my mind.

                                                  6
               The court informed counsel of this final interview. Hernandez renewed both his

motion to dismiss Juror Taylor and motion for a mistrial. The trial court denied both motions. Once

again, the court orally and in its charge instructed the jurors to disregard the courtroom disturbance

and base their deliberation solely on the evidence presented. Following closing arguments and

deliberation, the jury of eleven unanimously found Hernandez guilty of murder and aggravated

assault. Hernandez was sentenced by the court to thirty-five years for murder and fifteen years for

aggravated assault.

               Following sentencing, Hernandez filed a motion for new trial and motion to arrest

judgment. In his motion for new trial, Hernandez argued that (1) the trial court improperly

retained Juror Taylor after he displayed actual bias, and (2) that the courtroom disturbance biased

the entire jury, both of which denied Hernandez his right to a fair and impartial jury. The court

granted the motion for new trial and issued findings of fact and conclusions of law.4 The court made

these relevant findings: the courtroom disturbance did not taint the jury or produce inherent or

implied prejudice or bias; Juror Taylor was “sincere, forthright and truthful” throughout the

trial; “considering all of the comments made by juror Taylor,” he was qualified to continue as a juror

at the time of deliberation; but nonetheless, a new trial was granted “based solely on the legal

conclusion” that the court was without discretion to retain Juror Taylor after his initial interview.

This appeal followed.5

       4
           Upon request from the State, the trial court issued supplemental findings of fact and
conclusions of law that elaborate on those given in the order granting the motion for new trial. Both
the original and supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law are consistent with each other,
and will be referred to collectively as the findings of fact and conclusions of law.
       5
           See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 44.01(a)(3), (c), (e) (West 2011) (permitting
interlocutory appeal of order granting new trial and allowing stay of proceedings pending appeal).

                                                  7
                                    STANDARD OF REVIEW

                We review a trial court’s order granting a new trial for an abuse of discretion.

Holden v. State, 201 S.W.3d 761, 763 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). In applying that standard, we must

not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court, but rather decide whether its decision was

arbitrary or unreasonable. Id. However, “a trial judge does not have the authority to grant a new trial

unless the first proceeding was not in accordance with the law.” State v. Herndon, 215 S.W.3d 901,

907 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). Thus, a trial court abuses its discretion when the court’s decision is

clearly wrong or the court acts in an arbitrary manner without reference to guiding rules or principles.

See Webb v. State, 232 S.W.3d 109, 112 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); State v. Bounhiza, 294 S.W.3d 780,

783 (Tex. App.—Austin 2009, no pet.).

                When, as in this case, the trial court makes express findings of fact, we defer to those

findings of fact if they are supported by the record. See Tex. R. App. P. 21.8(b); Cueva v. State, 339
S.W.3d 839, 856 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2011, pet. ref’d); State v. Stewart, 282 S.W.3d 729,

737 (Tex. App.—Austin 2009, no pet.). We review the trial court’s conclusions of law de novo.

State v. Iduarte, 268 S.W.3d 544, 548-49 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).

                                            DISCUSSION

Did the trial court have discretion to retain Juror Taylor?

                The State’s sole point of error is that the trial court abused its discretion by reaching

an invalid conclusion of law as to the disqualification of a seated juror. According to the trial court’s

findings, the court granted the motion for new trial solely on the grounds that, “as a matter of law,

Juror Taylor should have been declared disqualified and removed from the jury.” The trial court,

                                                   8
analogizing from voir dire case law, reached the legal determination that “no discretion existed after

[Juror] Taylor’s initial comments describing his bias, and that he should have been removed.”

                Bias is an inclination toward one side of an issue that leads to a natural inference that

the juror will not act with impartiality. Anderson v. State, 633 S.W.2d 851, 853 (Tex. Crim. App.

1982). During voir dire, a venireperson may be challenged for cause when he displays “actual bias,”

i.e., bias for or against the defendant. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 35.16(a)(9) (West 2011);

Anderson, 633 S.W.2d at 853. Actual bias constitutes bias as a matter of law such that the law

deems it is not possible for a venireperson with actual bias to act impartially. Anderson, 633 S.W.2d

at 853. A venireperson who is biased as a matter of law must be excused when challenged for cause,

even if he states that he can set aside such bias and provide a fair trial. Id.6

                However, once the jury is empaneled, actual bias is no longer grounds for automatic

removal of a seated juror. See Quinn v. State, 958 S.W.2d 395, 402 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). For

example, bias can constitute juror misconduct that prevents a defendant from receiving a fair trial.

Granados v. State, 85 S.W.3d 217, 235-36 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). However, the Court of Criminal

Appeals has held that while voir dire case law is helpful in analyzing actual bias in the “juror

misconduct” context, it is not controlling for several reasons. See Quinn, 958 S.W.2d at 402. First,

article 35.16 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which is the statutory basis for automatic

disqualification of venirepersons with actual bias, simply does not apply to empaneled jurors. Id.

at 403; see also In re J.G.C.G., 283 S.W.3d 927, 930-31 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, pet. denied)

       6
          Similarly, if a venireperson’s actual bias is not discovered during voir dire through no fault
of the defense, the only effective remedy is a mistrial. See Franklin v. State, 138 S.W.3d 351, 351
(Tex. Crim. App. 2004).

                                                   9
(“[I]t is apparent in context that the word [juror] in article 35.16 refers to prospective jurors and

not to seated jurors.”). In addition, the Court of Criminal Appeals recognized that jurors may

naturally formulate opinions about the accused during trial on the basis of evidence presented.

Quinn, 958 S.W.2d at 402-03 (“[I]t defies common sense and human nature to require that a juror

have no impressions or opinions until the judge sends the jury to deliberations.”). Therefore, we do

not require that a juror have no opinions or impressions about the accused throughout trial; we

require that a juror set aside that bias and remain fair and impartial as to the ultimate question, i.e.,

guilt or innocence. See id. at 402. The determination of whether a juror can set aside his bias and

remain fair and impartial is left to the discretion of the trial court. Granados, 85 S.W.3d at 235-36.

                Similarly, in the “disabled from sitting” context, a juror can be disabled for

“any condition that inhibits [the] juror from fully and fairly performing the functions of a juror.”

Griffin v. State, 486 S.W.2d 948, 951 (Tex. Crim. App. 1975) (citing Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann.

art. 36.29). If the court finds that a juror is disabled, the court can remove the juror without

the consent of either party and continue with fewer than twelve jurors. Id. In Reyes v. State, the

Court of Criminal Appeals recognized that a juror’s bias constitutes a disability within the meaning

of Article 36.29 only if the effect of such bias “on a juror’s mental condition or emotional state”

inhibits the juror from “fully and fairly performing his functions as a juror.” 30 S.W.3d 409, 412

(Tex. Crim. App. 2000) (emphasis added). The determination of whether bias rises to the level of

disabling a juror is left to the discretion of the trial court. Routier v. State, 112 S.W.3d 554, 588

(Tex. Crim. App. 2003).

                Ultimately, when a sitting juror expresses bias against the accused, the trial court must

determine whether the juror can set aside that bias and remain fair and impartial. See Granados,

                                                   10
85 S.W.3d at 235-36; Quinn, 958 S.W.2d at 403; see also Reyes, 30 S.W.3d at 412. We review a

trial court’s decision on whether to retain a juror who expresses bias for an abuse of direction. See

Granados, 85 S.W.3d at 235-36 (noting that upon court’s inquiry into alleged bias, “trial court

retains discretion in determining whether [] juror is biased”); see also Fierro v. State, 969 S.W.2d 51,

57 (Tex. App.—Austin 1998, no pet.) (“Because the trial court is in the best position to evaluate the

demeanor of a [] juror, we review a trial court’s determination of a challenge for cause only for clear

abuse of discretion.”). Therefore, the trial court’s conclusion that it was without discretion as to

whether to retain Juror Taylor after he expressed bias against Hernandez is incorrect. Given that the

trial court based its decision to grant the motion for new trial solely on this legally invalid

conclusion, we find that the trial court abused its discretion. Herndon, 215 S.W.3d at 907.

Other grounds for granting a motion for new trial

                In reviewing the grant of Hernandez’s motion for new trial, we also determine

whether the ruling was correct under any applicable legal theory, regardless of whether it is the legal

theory articulated by the trial court. Id. at 905 n.4. This principle, known as the “right ruling, wrong

reason” doctrine, requires us to review the record and determine whether a new trial should

have been granted for any reason presented to the trial court. See Helvering v. Gowran, 302 U.S. 238,

245 (1937); Arnott v. State, 498 S.W.2d 166, 179 (Tex. Crim. App. 1973). Thus, looking through

the prism of the trial court’s findings, we review whether a motion for new trial could be granted

because (1) the trial court abused its discretion by retaining Juror Taylor, (2) there is a reasonable

probability the courtroom disturbance interfered with the jury’s verdict, or (3) in the interest of justice.7

        7
         No other potential grounds for granting a new trial were presented to the trial court nor are
apparent from the record.

                                                     11
Did the trial court abuse its discretion by retaining Juror Taylor?

               Having determined that a trial court has discretion to retain a seated juror who

expresses bias toward a defendant, we now examine whether this trial court abused its discretion in

retaining Juror Taylor. In reviewing the decision to retain Juror Taylor, we consider the totality of

the circumstances, including his initial and final interview. See Williams v. State, 773 S.W.2d 525,

536-37 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988) (noting that appellate courts look beyond individual statements in

isolation when reviewing determination of bias).

               The trial court made the following findings of fact:

       The Court denied the request that juror Taylor be removed from the jury [after his
       first interview]. When making that ruling, the Court looked beyond any single
       comment made by juror Taylor during his in camera conversation with the Court that
       morning; the Court instead considered all of his statements as a whole. The Court
       also considered the demeanor of juror Taylor as a whole.

       Juror Taylor related to the Court in his first interviews that, based on the defendant’s
       body language during the altercation, he had formed an opinion that the defendant
       was guilty and had shifted the burden somewhat to the defendant. He indicated a
       bias against the defendant, at that point, based on the incident. He also related with
       equal candor and apparent honesty that, depending on the evidence presented (by the
       defendant) and given some time, he might be able to overcome this bias.

       Separately and distinctly, he also agreed that with time he might be able to ignore the
       incident and his initial impressions, and base his verdict solely on the evidence. At
       this juncture, based on Taylor’s responses and the Court’s view of the alternatives
       . . ., the Court determined to continue with the trial with Taylor and question him
       again at the close of the evidence.

(Second and third emphasis added.) With regard to Juror Taylor’s second interview, the trial

court found that:

       [J]uror Taylor indicated that he could completely disregard the courtroom disturbance
       and comply with the Court’s instruction to disregard that event. After considering

                                                 12
        all of the comments made by juror Taylor, the court found that juror Taylor was
        qualified at that point to continue as a juror.

                Based on the totality of the statements made by Juror Taylor, we find that the trial

court’s findings are supported by the record. In addition, the findings regarding Juror Taylor’s first

interview support the trial court’s decision to wait until the close of evidence to determine whether

Juror Taylor had set aside his bias. See Swearingen v. State, 101 S.W.3d 89, 99 (Tex. Crim. App.

2003) (where “record demonstrates [] vacillating or equivocal [juror], [] accord great deference” to

trial court’s determination of juror’s ability to overcome bias). Therefore, the trial court did not

abuse its discretion in retaining Juror Taylor.

                Furthermore, the record and the findings support the trial court’s conclusion that Juror

Taylor was qualified to continue before deliberation. Given the court’s findings of fact and

conclusions of law, the trial court could not have granted a new trial on the theory that Juror Taylor

should have been disqualified. Therefore, this is not a valid alternate ground for granting a new trial.

Is there a reasonable probability the disturbance interfered with the jury’s verdict?

                Hernandez argues that the courtroom disturbance biased the jury as a whole. The

courtroom disturbance in this case is analogous to cases dealing with bystander outbursts. See, e.g.,

Ashley v. State, 362 S.W.2d 847, 850-51 (Tex. Crim. App. 1962) (finding that victim’s mother’s

outcry during defense’s closing argument did not necessitate mistrial). Under these cases, “conduct

from bystanders which interferes with the normal proceedings of a trial will not result in reversible

error unless the defendant shows that a reasonable probability [exists] that the conduct interfered

with the jury’s verdict.” Landry v. State, 706 S.W.2d 105, 112 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985). The effect

                                                  13
of a witness’s outburst as compared to a bystander’s is merely one of degree, given that “the added

visibility of a witness over a mere bystander will increase the impact of the outburst on the jury.”

Stahl v. State, 749 S.W.2d 826, 829 n.2 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988).

                In this case, the trial court concluded that “[b]ased on the evidence before the Court,

the Court’s personal observations, and the relevant case law, the courtroom disturbance was not

sufficient to taint the jury as a matter of law or to produce inherent or implied prejudice or bias.”

This conclusion is supported by the record, especially given the court’s instruction and the jurors’

unequivocal statements that they could set the disturbance aside. See Coble v. State, 330 S.W.3d 253,

292 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) (“In the context of [bystander] outbursts, the trial judge’s instructions

to disregard are generally considered sufficient to cure the impropriety because it is presumed that the

jury will follow those instructions.”); see also Young v. State, 283 S.W.3d 854, 882 (Tex. Crim. App.

2009) (noting presumption that jurors follow court’s instruction). Therefore, the trial court’s findings

of fact and conclusions of law do not support the proposition that there is a reasonable probability

that the disturbance interfered with the jury’s verdict. Thus, we conclude that this is not a valid

alternate ground for granting a new trial.

Should a new trial be granted in the interest of justice?

                Hernandez finally contends that the trial court could have granted a new trial “in the

interest of justice.” A court has the discretion to grant a new trial in the interest of justice even when

there is no single point of reversible error. Herndon, 215 S.W.3d at 907. However, “justice means

in accordance with the law”; thus granting a new trial for a “non-legal or legally invalid reason is an

abuse of discretion.” Id. While Hernandez frames this as an “interest of justice” claim, his argument

                                                   14
is once again predicated on the theory that the courtroom disturbance and subsequent proceedings

denied him his right to a fair and impartial jury. As we have stated, the trial court’s determination

that Juror Taylor was qualified to serve on the jury is supported by the record. Furthermore, the trial

court’s conclusion that the jury as a whole was not tainted is supported by the record. Given that

these findings are supported by the record, we defer to the trial court. Stewart, 282 S.W.3d at 737.

Because there is no other valid legal reason to grant a new trial in the interest of justice, we conclude

that this is not a valid alternate ground for granting a new trial.

                                           CONCLUSION

                 We reverse the trial court’s order granting the motion for new trial and remand for

further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

                                                __________________________________________

                                                Diane M. Henson, Justice

Before Chief Justice Jones, Justices Pemberton and Henson

Reversed and Remanded

Filed: December 23, 2011

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