Court Opinion

ID: 9684164
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 13:48:50.0677+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:53.562104
License: Public Domain

ROBERTS, Judge,
dissenting.
I.
The appellant initially contends that the trial court erred in sustaining the State’s challenge for cause to two prospective jurors in that such action violated the mandate of Witherspoon v. Illinois, 391 U.S. 510, 88 S.Ct. 1770, 20 L.Ed.2d 776 (1968). I would sustain this contention and reverse.
The pertinent part of the voir dire examination of prospective juror Barton is as follows:
“[PROSECUTOR]: . . . because of that, I need to ask you first of all, do you have any moral, religious, or conscientious scruples against the infliction of the death penalty?
“[BARTON]: Yes, sir, in a way I do.
“[PROSECUTOR]: All right, sir. Are those based upon religious or moral grounds?
“[BARTON]: Religion, yes, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Now, let me comment at this point. There are no right or wrong answers here, and we know that a lot of people feel that way, and we respect the way that you feel. We want you to tell us the way you feel because that is what we *258are getting to. Let me ask you if these religious convictions that you have, are they pretty long-standing and deep-seated?
“[BARTON]: No, sir. Just like I say, I just don’t think a man — I just don’t believe that I can judge another man. I believe that should be left up to the good Lord.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Are those feelings and religious convictions such that it would prevent you from answering these three questions yes regardless of the evidence if you knew that the judge would have to send this man down to die in the electric chair?
“[BARTON]: Yes, sir, it would bother me. I would say that it would.
“[PROSECUTOR]: And so, you feel that regardless — and once again, we want you to know that we respect what you are saying. We understand, but regardless of what the evidence is in the case of this nature, you feel like that you just couldn’t send this man down to die in the electric chair. You just couldn’t answer these questions yes regardless of the evidence?
“[BARTON]: I don’t believe I could, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Cause, Your Honor.
“THE COURT: Do you have any questions?
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: . . . Based upon your religious beliefs, are you stating unequivocally that you could never participate in a jury function in such a manner that from your verdict, or from answering those questions that a man could be sentenced to die?
“[BARTON]: No, sir.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: You never could do so?
“[BARTON]: No, sir, I don’t think so.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: You say you don’t think so. You either can or can’t, Mr. Barton.
“[BARTON]: I don’t think I can. Let me just give you my — even when I was in combat, I never could get like — I remember the first time I tried to pull the trigger on killing a man. I just — it is just something that I can’t see a man killing another man.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: All right, sir. Thank you very much.
“THE COURT: Mr. Barton, we appreciate your honesty, .
******
“THE COURT: ... You are excused.” 1
*259It must be determined “whether the requisites of Witherspoon have been met . . . Hovila v. State, 532 S.W.2d 293, 294 (Tex.Cr.App.1975). In Witherspoon, it was stated that “Unless a venireman states unambiguously that he would automatically vote against the imposition of capital punishment no matter what the trial might reveal, it simply cannot be assumed that that is his position.” Id., 391 U.S. at 516, n. 9, 88 S.Ct. at 1774.
I cannot equate prospective juror Barton’s answers with an unambiguous statement that he would automatically vote against the death penalty in every case. It was not made “unmistakably clear . that [he] would automatically vote against the imposition of capital punishment without regard to any evidence that might be developed at the trial of the case before [him] . . . (Emphasis included). Id., at 522, n. 21, 88 S.Ct. at 1777. Nor did he appear to be “irrevocably committed, before the trial [began], to vote against the penalty of death regardless of the facts and circumstances that might emerge in the course of the proceedings.” Id.
The specific holding of Witherspoon was “ . . . that a sentence of death cannot be carried out if the jury that imposed or recommended it was chosen by excluding veniremen for cause simply because they voiced general objections to the death penalty or expressed conscientious or religious scruples against its infliction. No defendant can constitutionally be put to death at the hands of a tribunal so selected.” Id., at 522-523, 88 S.Ct. at 1777.
The “irrevocable commitment” to vote against the death penalty no matter what the evidence might show is the only basis for a constitutionally valid disqualification under Witherspoon. Anything short of this must be viewed in the light of the specific holding in that case.
*260The pertinent part of the voir dire examination of prospective juror Conner is as follows:
“[PROSECUTOR]: Well, that is what is going to happen. That is what the sentence will be. You know, I hate to keep pressing it, but I need to know. Even though you don’t see a client here, we represent the people of the State of Texas, and those people have a right to jurors who know how they feel about the death penalty, and who can and will answer those questions yes, if that is the way the evidence indicates they ought to be answered beyond a reasonable doubt, and let the chips fall where they may. And, I am assuming from your answer that you couldn’t state under oath that you could do that?
“[CONNER]: It sure would be hard.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Now, Mrs. Conner, if you were selected to serve on this jury, there is a very real possibility that you would be faced with that exact question, as to whether or not you could answer the questions according to the evidence and let the chips fall where they may on the punishment. Now, the State and the defendant both have the right to have jurors who know that they can do that, and, of course, I am sure you wouldn’t want to, and certainly we wouldn’t want to deprive either party of the right to have jurors who can give a fair consideration to the evidence and answer the questions based on the evidence, and if that evidence says yes beyond a reasonable doubt, can answer them yes, and regardless of the fact that the defendant is going to be sent down to die in the electric chair. I need a definite answer. Do you feel like that you could or you couldn’t do that?
“[CONNER]: Well, sir, I’m just going to go ahead and tell you no. I don’t feel like I can do that. I just sort of have mixed emotions about it. Instead of just telling you yes, I think I could do it, I. would rather tell you no, I couldn’t do it.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Let me explain it to you this way. You would have to state under oath not that you didn’t know whether or not these feelings you have will affect your deliberations, on the question of fact, but you have got to state absolutely no, they would not affect your deliberations on a question of fact. I take it from your answers that you couldn’t take that oath and say absolutely that the mandatory imposition of the death penalty or life imprisonment would not affect your deliberations on a question of fact. You could not say that, is that correct?
“[CONNER]: That is correct.
“[PROSECUTOR]: For cause, Your Hon- or.
“THE COURT: Any questions?
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: We will pass the juror, Your Honor.
“THE COURT: You have no questions?
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: No, sir.
“THE COURT: ... You will be free to go.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Your Honor, note our exception, please, sir.”2
*262As was with prospective juror Barton’s voir dire examination, prospective juror Conner’s examination also does not show that she was unambiguously against the imposition of capital punishment no matter what the trial might reveal or irrevocably committed, prior to trial, to vote against the penalty of death regardless of the facts and circumstances that might emerge in the course of the proceedings. Witherspoon, supra.
However, Conner did state that she would not be able to take an oath to the effect that the mandatory imposition of the death penalty or life imprisonment would not affect her deliberations on a question of fact. Thus, she would have been disqualified statutorily by V.T.C.A., Penal Code, Sec. 12.31(b). This section, entitled “Capital Felony,” provides that:
“(a) An individual adjudged guilty of a capital felony shall be punished by confinement in the Texas Department of Corrections for life or by death.
“(b) Prospective jurors shall be informed that a sentence of life imprisonment or death is mandatory on conviction of a capital felony. A prospective juror shall be disqualified from serving as a juror unless he states under oath that the mandatory penalty of death or imprisonment for life will not affect his deliberations on any issue of fact.”
We should concern ourselves then with the constitutional ramification of the disqualification of a prospective juror under the language of Section 12.31(b) when such juror has not been properly disqualified under Witherspoon.
In Moore v. State, 542 S.W.2d 664 (Tex.Cr.App.1976), we held that the inability to take the oath required by Section 12.31(b) renders the prospective juror disqualified and Witherspoon considerations are unnecessary.
However, Witherspoon holds that a jur- or’s exclusion cannot be predicated upon his general objection to the death penalty or his conscientious and religious scruples against its infliction. It is readily apparent that a person who generally objects to the death penalty because of conscientious and religious scruples against its infliction will have his determination of fact affected by such belief. But if such “affectation” does not amount to an unambiguous and irrevocable commitment to vote against the death penalty in all cases, such individual cannot be constitutionally challenged for cause under Witherspoon.
Conversely, if a person is able to take the required oath and swear that his determination of fact will not be so affected, it follows that he is not unambiguously and irrevocably committed to vote against the death penalty in all cases.
Witherspoon allows that a person who could be constitutionally challenged for cause because of his irrevocable commitment to vote against the death penalty might nevertheless redeem himself, so to speak, by taking an oath such as the one provided for in Section 12.31(b):
“It is entirely possible, of course, that even a juror who believes that capital punishment should never be inflicted and who is irrevocably committed to its abolition could nonetheless subordinate his personal views to what he perceived to be his duty to abide by his oath as a juror and to obey the law of the State.”
Id., 391 U.S. at 514-515, n. 7, 88 S.Ct. at 1773.
However, Witherspoon also states that: “The most that can be demanded of a venireman in this regard is that he be willing to consider all of the penalties provided by state law, and that he not be irrevocably committed, before the trial has begun, to vote against the penalty of death regardless of the facts and circumstances that might emerge in the course of the proceedings. If the voir dire testimony in a given case indicates that ve*263niremen were excluded on any broader basis than this, the death sentence cannot be carried out even if applicable statutory or case law in the relevant jurisdiction would appear to support only a narrower ground of exclusion.” (Emphasis included). Id., at 522, n. 21, 88 S.Ct. at 1777.
From the face of the statute, one cannot say whether the “affectation” provided for in Section 12.31(b) is a “broader basis” than Witherspoon, or a “narrower ground of exclusion.”
I would hold that the inability to take the oath required by Section 12.31(b), supra, does not mean that the juror is irrevocably committed to vote against the death penalty. However, the ability to take the oath shows that he is not so irrevocably committed. The oath merely provides one criterion by which a juror may be qualified. See, Smith v. State, 540 S.W.2d 693, 698 (Tex.Cr.App.1976).
To the extent that Moore v. State, supra, conflicts with this view, it should be overruled. Witherspoon considerations are always necessary. Davis v. Georgia, 429 U.S. 122, 97 S.Ct. 399, 50 L.Ed.2d 339 (1976).
I now turn to consideration of the fact that there was no objection to the sustaining of the challenge for cause made to prospective juror Barton and only an exception taken to the ruling on the one made to prospective juror Conner.
In Boulware v. State, 542 S.W.2d 677 (Tex.Cr.App.), cert. denied, 430 U.S. 959, 97 S.Ct. 1610, 51 L.Ed.2d 811 (1976),3 we held that “. . . the failure to object to the improper exclusion of a venire member waives that right and it cannot be considered on appeal.” Id., at 683. We should reconsider that holding in light of the recent Supreme Court decision in Davis v. Georgia, supra.
In Davis v. Georgia, supra, the defendant contended that one prospective juror was excused in violation of Witherspoon. The defendant objected to the trial court’s disqualification of this juror for cause. The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the defendant’s conviction. Davis v. State, 236 Ga. 804, 225 S.E.2d 241 (1976). The court stated that the defendant’s objection, viz., “The fact that she is opposed to capital punishment would not disqualify her” was an insufficient objection. Nevertheless, the court considered the voir dire examination of the juror in light of Witherspoon standards. The court stated that the voir dire examination of the juror was inadequate under Witherspoon and that she was excused “without making it unmistakably clear that she would vote against the death penalty regardless of what transpires at trial . . . .” Id., at 244. However, the Georgia Supreme Court refused to set aside the death penalty because “The rationale of Witherspoon and its progeny is not violated where merely one of a qualified class or group is excluded . . . .” (Emphasis included). Id.
Although the defendant’s objection had been held to be an insufficient one, the Supreme Court of the United States summarily reversed the defendant’s conviction without discussion of this matter. Davis v. Georgia, supra. The Court held that the Supreme Court of Georgia misinterpreted Witherspoon and did not apply
. . the test that this Court has applied in subsequent cases where a death penalty was imposed after the improper exclusion of one member of the venire. (Citations). Unless a venireman is ‘irrevocably committed, before a trial has begun, to vote against the penalty of death regardless of the facts and circumstances that might emerge in the course of the proceedings’ (citation), he cannot be excluded; if a venireman is improper*264ly excluded even though not so committed, any subsequently imposed death penalty cannot stand.” Id., 97 S.Ct. at 400.
In the case at bar, the two prospective jurors were excluded in violation of the Witherspoon standard. No objection was made when one was excused and only an exception taken when the other was excused. We should follow the mandate of the Supreme Court that “if a venireman is improperly excluded . . . any subsequently imposed death penalty cannot stand.” Id. Boulware v. State, supra, should be overruled.
Because his jury was improperly selected, the appellant cannot constitutionally be put to death. “Whatever else might be said of capital punishment, it is at least clear that its imposition by a hanging jury cannot be squared with the Constitution.” Witherspoon, supra, 391 U.S. at 523, 88 S.Ct. at 1778.
II.
I further dissent to the majority’s overruling of appellant’s ground of error concerning his requested charge on circumstantial evidence as applied to the fact question posed by punishment issue No. 2.
As can be seen, the majority’s opinion is bottomed on the following propositions:
(1) Punishment issue No. 2 inquires only into the probability of the defendant forming a future mens rea.
(2) Because punishment issue No. 2 inquires only into the defendant’s future intent, the cases which hold that when intent is the only thing to be proven circumstantially, a circumstantial evidence charge is not required, further dictate that the proof of a probability of the defendant forming a future intent need not be accompanied by a circumstantial evidence charge.
(3) Because punishment issue No. 2 inquires into something not formerly asked of our juries, the traditional distinction between direct and circumstantial evidence fades and therefore dispenses with the necessity of a charge on circumstantial evidence.
“With the exception of Real Evidence, . all evidence ... is classed as ‘direct’ or ‘circumstantial’ . . . .” 2 McCormick & Ray, Texas Law of Evidence, Sec. 1481, p. 328.
“There are three distinct methods of producing evidence for the purpose of persuading the trier of the facts as to the matters in issue. They are: (1) Direct testimony of witnesses as to the existence of the thing in issue. This may be termed Direct or Testimonial Evidence. (2) Evidence of some other fact not in issue from which may be inferred the existence of the fact in issue. This is Circumstantial or Indirect Evidence. (3) The presentation of the object itself for observation by the court and jury.” 2 McCormick & Ray, Taxas Law of Evidence, Sec. 1451, p. 296.
“We have three classes of evidence: (1) Direct or testimonial evidence; (2) indirect or circumstantial evidence; (3) autoptic preference, or real evidence.” Philadelphia & R. R. Co. v. Berg, 274 F. 534, 537 (3rd Cir. 1921), citing, Greenleaf on Evidence (16th Ed.), Vol. 1, Sec. 13a; Wigmore on Evidence, Sec. 1150, et seq.
The State must prove each separate fact issue submitted at the punishment stage of the trial beyond a reasonable doubt. Article 37.071(c), V.A.C.C.P. An affirmative answer to punishment issue No. 2 must be supported by sufficient evidence. See our discussion of this contention in Granviel v. State, 552 S.W.2d 107 (Tex.Cr.App. delivered November 10, 1976); Moore v. State, 542 S.W.2d 664, 676 (Tex.Cr.App.1976); Smith v. State, 540 S.W.2d 693, 696 (Tex.Cr.App.1976, On Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing), and the dissenting opinions in Moore v. State, supra, and Livingston v. State, 542 S.W.2d 655, 663 (Tex.Cr.App.1976).
The State was only burdened to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a probability was present, not that there was a present probability which would in fact ripen into a future actuality. The latter, I feel, would *265be insusceptible of proof under the three classes of evidence known to the common law and above-mentioned. The State could not demonstrate or display a probability; it is an intangible concept; therefore there can be no real or demonstrative evidence of a probability. Consequently, unless we are to say that there is a new type of evidence, the determination of the fact question presented by punishment issue No. 2 can only be based on either direct or circumstantial evidence.
“[E]vidence is classed as ‘direct’ or ‘circumstantial’ according to the kind of inference which is sought to be drawn from it to the truth of the proposition for which it is offered. Thus, an inference from the assertion of a witness to the truth of the fact asserted is called direct evidence. On the other hand evidence offered for a proposition based upon some inference other than that from the mere assertion of a witness, is termed circumstantial evidence.” McCormick & Ray, supra, at p. 828. Under this traditional distinction, it occurs to me that the two psychiatrists who testified in Moore, supra, that there was a probability that the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence presented direct, albeit opinion, evidence of that probability. In Moore, the psychiatrists examined the defendant and testified that as the result of their examination such probability was present. This testimony, although in the form of expert opinion, is no less direct than the layman’s view of another and subsequent statement that what he saw was a person with brown eyes.
While I feel that psychiatric testimony is not sufficient in and of itself to support an affirmative answer to punishment issue No. 2, for the reasons stated in my dissenting opinions in Moore, supra, and Livingston, supra, I do feel that it takes the form of direct evidence.
In order to determine whether a circumstantial evidence charge should have accompanied punishment issue No. 2, we must examine the evidence upon which the jury based its answer to the fact question posed by punishment issue No. 2. Along with the evidence adduced at the guilt stage of the trial, the jury considered testimony of two police officers that appellant’s reputation in the community for being a peaceful and law-abiding citizen was bad. The jury also considered the expert opinion evidence of a psychiatrist, Dr. Richard Gaines. He testified, in pertinent part, as follows:
“Q [BY PROSECUTOR] Dr. Gaines, let me ask you based upon your medical training and experience and examination of this defendant, John Charles Shippy, did you form an opinion based on those things as to the defendant’s potential to commit criminal acts of violence? I am asking did you form an opinion as to whether or not—
“A Yes.
“Q —his potential to commit criminal acts of violence?
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: I object to that question as being improper. The question is not whether or not there is a potential. The question is whether or not there is a probability that he would.
“THE COURT: I overrule.
“Q Did you form such an opinion, Doctor?
“A Yes, sir.
“Q What is that opinion, please, sir?
“A This is with regard to a possibility?
“Q No, sir, right now I am asking you do you have an opinion as to whether or not he has a potential?
“A Yes.
“Q We are going to get into some other questions in a moment. What is your opinion?
“A That he does.
“Q Based upon these same criteria, that is, your medical training, background, and experience in the field of psychiatry and your examination of the defendant, John Charles Shippy, do you have an opinion as to whether or not he would be more or less likely to engage in acts of violence than the average person in society?
“A Yes.
“Q What is that opinion?
*266“A Yes.
“Q More or less, Doctor?
“A More.
“Q Doctor, let me ask you this question: Once again based upon the same criteria, do you have an opinion as to whether or not there would be a probability that the defendant would engage in criminal acts of violence in the future that would constitute a threat to other persons in society?
“A I would have to ask for the definition of probability.
“Q And that is something that we don’t have a precise legal definition for, Doctor. We have said possibly one definition might be more likely than not or greater than a fifty fifty chance, but I will have to rely on you as far as what your interpretation of that term would be.
“A I would have to say I think a possibility exists and as to probability I really find that a difficult question to answer.
“[PROSECUTOR]: We will pass the witness.
“Q [BY DEFENSE COUNSEL] Dr. Gaines, can you state that there is a reasonable medical probability that the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence in the future that would constitute a continuing threat to society?
“A No, I could not.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: May I have a moment, Your Honor.
“Q All right. Dr. Gaines, you stated in regard to a question from the State that there was a potential. My question is whether or not you equate potential with possibility, medical possibility, or are you equating that to a reasonable medical probability?
“A No.
“Q No, you are not?
“A I am—
“Q No, You are not equating it to a reasonable medical probability?
“A I would not equate potential with possibility or probability.
“Q All right. Isn’t it true, Doctor, that under a given set of circumstances any person has a potential for violence?
“A Yes.
“Q Now, that would apply to . anyone, is that correct?
“A Yes.
“Q Then, Doctor, it is your testimony that you feel unequivocally that you cannot state there is a reasonable medical probability that the defendant would commit a criminal act of violence in the future that would constitute a continuing threat to society, is that correct?
“A Yes.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Thank you. Pass the witness.
“Q [BY PROSECUTOR] Doctor, I think — or something that we need to go into, what do you consider as meant by the term reasonable medical probability?
“A I would assume that means better than a fifty-fifty chance.
“Q Let me ask you this: [Defense Counsel] asked you if there was a possibility that anyone . . . would engage under certain circumstances in acts of violence. Earlier you stated that the defendant was more likely than the average person. How much more likely than the average person would be be engaged in such acts of violence?
* * * * * *
“A I would have to say in multiple, a number of times greater.
“Q I am not trying to pin you down in numbers, but you are saying considerably greater? Would that be a fair statement?
“A I would say significantly greater.
“[PROSECUTOR]: That’s all we have, Your Honor.
“Q [BY DEFENSE COUNSEL] Doctor, but when you state multiple or significantly greater you still say that you cannot state that there is a reasonable probability that he would commit *267criminal acts of violence in the future that would constitute a continuing threat to society?
“A That’s right.
“Q And you equate — and you state that reasonable medical probability would be greater than a fifty-fifty chance?
“A Yes.
“Q And you are stating therefore that there is not — you cannot state that there is a greater than a fifty-fifty chance that he would commit these criminal acts of violence in the future, is that correct?
“A That’s correct.
“Q That it would be under that fifty-fifty chance?
“A Yes.
“[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Pass the witness.
“[PROSECUTOR]: No further questions.”
As can be seen, the psychiatrist in the instant case, unlike those in Moore, supra, would not testify that the “probability” was present. From Dr. Gaines’ testimony, from the facts of the primary offense, and from the testimony of the two police officers that appellant’s reputation for being a peaceful and law-abiding citizen was bad, the jury was to determine whether the ultimate fact, the “probability,” was present.
From this evidence, the jury could have logically inferred that there is a probability the appellant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society. However, we have said many times that
“The distinction between circumstantial and direct evidence is that the latter applies directly to the ultimate fact to be proven, while circumstantial evidence is the direct proof of a minor fact which by logical inference demonstrates the fact to be proven.” McBride v. State, 486 S.W.2d 318, 319 (Tex.Cr.App.1972). Accord, Eiland v. State, 509 S.W.2d 596, 597 (Tex.Cr.App.1974); Crawford v. State, 502 S.W.2d 768, 769 (Tex.Cr.App.1973); Selman v. State, 505 S.W.2d 255, 257 (Tex.Cr.App.1974).
Since there was no direct evidence of the ultimate fact, that the “probability” was present, the jury could only have inferred the ultimate fact being present from the minor facts which were proven. “In the absence of direct evidence, the refusal to grant a requested charge on circumstantial evidence is reversible error.” Crawford, supra, at 770.
The fact questions presented to the jury under Article 37.071, V.A.C.C.P., take place in the second half of a bifurcated trial. At this stage of the proceedings, the State has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt, by competent evidence, two or possibly three separate main facts. In this sense, the State’s task is no different from their proving the main facts at the first stage of the proceedings. Indeed, it is the determination of the ultimate fact of whether the “probability” is present that determines the fate of the defendant and the fate of society. When the proof of this separate ultimate fact depends solely upon circumstantial evidence, the jury should be instructed on the law of circumstantial evidence.
The question is whether to instruct the jury on the law of circumstantial evidence when the jury is determining ultimate facts at the punishment phase of the trial rather than at the guilt/innocence stage. The majority states that the issue on which a circumstantial evidence charge was requested is “even further outside the scope of the established rule.” This only begs the question, since fact questions such as those contemplated by punishment issue No. 2 were simply not known to our jurisprudence while the rule was becoming so established. Consequently, the rule is couched in language such as “the gravamen of the offense” and “the act of the crime.”
The majority appears to be laboring under the assumption that punishment issue No. 2 only inquires into the probability of the defendant forming a futuristic intent. I do not agree. Punishment issue No. 2 inquires “whether there is a probability that the defendant would commit criminal *268acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society” (Emphasis added). Article 37.071(2), supra. Moreover, the United States Supreme Court has discussed our punishment issue No. 2 in terms of the prediction of “future behavior,” the prediction of “future criminal conduct ” and the convicted person’s “probable future conduct.” (Emphasis added) See Jurek v. Texas, 428 U.S. 262, 274, 96 S.Ct. 2950, 49 L.Ed.2d 929 (1976).
The three traditional modes of proof apply, both at guilt and at punishment. There can be direct evidence of the “probability.” The State must prove the ultimate fact of a “probability” beyond a reasonable doubt in the traditional evidentiary context. The cases dealing with intent do not apply.
The rule is that if the jury’s verdict is to be based on circumstantial evidence, they should be instructed on the law of circumstantial evidence. The question is whether a different rule should apply when the verdict pertains to punishment instead of guilt. Under the new capital murder procedure, the State must prove certain separate elements beyond a reasonable doubt at punishment, just as they must prove the collective element of guilt. Indeed, we consider whether the “proof is evident” as to both the guilt-elements and the individual punishment-elements in determining whether one charged with capital murder can properly be denied bail. Ex Parte Hammond, 540 S.W.2d 328 (Tex.Cr.App.1976); Ex Parte Wilson, 527 S.W.2d 310 (Tex.Cr.App.1975).
The majority appears to hold that because the rule has heretofore been applicable only when the main fact of guilt is to be determined circumstantially, when only one of the separate main facts of punishment is to be determined circumstantially, the letter of the rule does not allow it. This reasoning ignores the spirit of the rule:
“The rule of circumstantial evidence applies to all the facts in a case, and not to any fact or set of facts . . . .” Cox v. State, 161 Tex.Cr.R. 421, 278 S.W.2d 155 (Tex.Cr.App.1955). “Whenever the facts are circumstantial such charge is necessary, and to relieve the court from giving this charge the evidence must be positive. This rule, whenever the case is of a compound nature, applies both to the original ease and to its derivatives . . . .” Bloch v. State, 81 Tex.Cr.R. 1, 193 S.W. 303, 305 (Tex.Cr.App.1917, On Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing).
The question of whether a circumstantial evidence charge is required at the new capital murder punishment stage should not be dismissed with the reasoning that, so far, it has only been required at guilt. Generally speaking, we have never before asked the jury to determine separate facts at the punishment stage.4 If the factum probandum of the offense depends on circumstantial evidence, such charge is necessary. Bloch, supra. The “probability” is part of the factum probandum5 of capital murder. Ex Parte Hammond, supra; Ex Parte Wilson, supra. It is one of the separate main facts of punishment.
Because there was no direct evidence on one of the separate ultimate facts of punishment, the trial judge should have instructed the jury on the law of circumstantial evidence as applied to the fact question posed by punishment issue No. 2, as follows:
“An affirmative answer to question 2 will depend on circumstantial evidence. In order to warrant an affirmative answer based upon circumstantial evidence, each fact necessary to the conclusion sought to be established must be proved by competent evidence beyond a reasonable doubt; all the facts (that is, the facts necessary to the conclusion) must be consistent with each other and with the main fact sought to be proved, that is, the fact that there is a probability that the de*269fendant will commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society. The circumstances, taken together, must be of a conclusive nature, leading, on the whole, to a satisfactory conclusion and producing, in effect, a reasonable and moral certainty that there is a probability that the defendant will commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society. It is not sufficient that the circumstances coincide with, account for and therefore render possible a chance that the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence in the future that would constitute a continuing threat to society. The circumstances must exclude, to a moral certainty, every other reasonable hypotheses except that there is a probability the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society. Unless they do so beyond a reasonable doubt, you will answer question No. 2 ‘No.’ ”
Because the trial court denied a timely request for a charge which would instruct the jury on the law of circumstantial evidence as applied to the fact question presented in punishment issue No. 2, I would reverse its judgment and remand the cause.

. Prospective juror Barton was also voir dired as follows:
“[PROSECUTOR]: ... My question is, if we do that — if we satisfy you that he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, could you find him guilty of capital murder?
“[BARTON]: I believe so, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Well, you’re going to have to take an oath to follow the law, and in the court’s charge — I believe the charge will say that if you are satisfied that you must do that, and once again, the reason that I reasked this question is that your answer was somewhat hesitant. Would there by any problem that you might have with that?
“[BARTON]: No, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: All right, good. We have in this State what is called the bifurcated trial system and that is a lawyer’s word we all try to use these big words whenever we can. What that really means is that each trial is divided into two stages. At the first part of the trial we are only concerned with whether or not the defendant is guilty or innocent of capital murder. If and when the jury finds him guilty of capital murder, then we will go into the second part of the trial which deals with only the punishment. In the first part you are not concerned with the punishment. Do you follow me on that?
“[BARTON]: (Nods head)
“[PROSECUTOR]: You have two separate trials really.
“[BARTON]: Yes, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: You only become concerned with the punishment to be assessed at the second part of the trial. I assume that you realize from the definition, or the name of this offense, capital murder, that if we prove to you and the other members of the jury that the defendant committed capital murder, and you find him guilty of capital murder, which you must do if we satisfy you under the burden of proof, that if we get to punishment, there are only two possible punishments. The death penalty and life imprisonment. 1 want to be honest with you. I want to be straightforward with you. And, tell you that because of what we believe the facts are going to be in this case, we, who *259represent the people of Texas, intend to ask the jury to assess the punishment — let me say this: to answer some questions in such a way that the death penalty will result. I want to impress upon you now that that is what we feel will be the just and proper punishment in this case, and this is the punishment that we will be seeking. That is the death penalty. Now, under our old procedure, if the jury wanted to give death, they would go in and write out, we, the jury, sentence the defendant to death in the electric chair. We don’t do that anymore. Under our new system, there are three questions that the jury is given to answer, and the State has the burden of proof, and we must prove beyond a reasonable doubt based upon the evidence in stages of the trial that these questions should be answered yes. If the jury answers these questions yes, then the judge has no choice but to assess capital punishment. Do you follow me on that?
“[BARTON]: Yes, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Your Honor, I have just had these three questions typed out, and in the interest of time, I would like to leave them up here so that the jurors could examine them, and I have a copy here if they would like to have them. They are directly out of the statutes.
“[PROSECUTOR]: If you would, would you look over those three questions for me, sir? All right. Have you taken a look at them for me, sir?
“[BARTON]: Yes, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: As I say, the State must prove to the jury that each of these should be answered yes. If they are answered yes, it becomes incumbent upon the judge to assess the death penalty. If any one of those questions is answered no at the punishment stage of the trial, then the punishment will be life imprisonment. Any no answer means life imprisonment. Now, you will be hearing, and very properly so, and we will talk to you some about it in all probability, and certainly the defense counsel will, about the rights of the defendant to a fair trial, and certainly no one here wants him to have a fairer trial than we do. We respect the rights of individuals in this country to such a trial, and we intend to see that Mr. Shippy has one. I make this remark because I don’t want to talk to you a minute about something we don’t hear about in the public too much and the press, whatever, and that is that the people that we represent — you don’t see a client seated at our table, but the people that we represent are the people of Texas, and they have a right to a fair trial also, and one of the rights in a case of this nature is the fact that we have the right to have people to serve on the jury in a capital case who have thought about and made up their minds and know how they feel about the death penalty. And, because of that, I need to ask you first of all, do you have any moral, religious, or conscientious scruples against the infliction of the death penalty?
“[BARTON]: Yes, sir, in a way I do.”

. Prospective juror Conner was also voir dired as follows:
“[PROSECUTOR]: . . and my first question along this line, if we prove to you beyond a reasonable doubt to your satisfaction that the defendant was guilty of capital murder, would you find him guilty?
“[CONNER]: Yes. Let me ask you this.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Okay.
“[CONNER]: Is it the jury’s duty then to say, okay, we think maybe he’s guilty, or we think he is not. Who actually sentences him, us, or the judge?
“[PROSECUTOR]: All right. Let me get into punishment then because apparently you have some feelings about the death penalty?
“[CONNER]: Yes, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: All right. If, as I say, if we prove him guilty, the jury must find him guilty, if we prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.
“[CONNER]: Yes, sir.
*261“[PROSECUTOR]: If that happens, we go into the punishment phase of the trial, and in a capital murder case, there is not but two possible punishments, death by electri cution in the electric chair, or life imprisonment. There is no range. It is one of the two.
“[CONNER]: Yes, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Now, the jury no longer sits down and writes out, we, the jury, give the defendant death. You know, like they used to, but in a very real sense, the jury determines what the judge has go_ to do, because you will be given three questions, and if all three of these questions are answered yes, the judge has no alternative, he is absolutely required to sentence the defendant to be taken to Huntsville and put to death in the electric chair. Now, the State has the burden of proof on these questions. And we must prove to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that these questions should be answered yes. Just like at the guilt or innocence stage, if we do that, the people of this State are entitled to twelve jurors who will answer them yes, even though you know that down the line, and there is no question about it, absolutely, the defendant will receive the death sentence. So, you see what we are concerned about here. We have got to have twelve jurors because we represent the people of the State, who could and would answer these questions yes, if we prove they ought to be beyond a reasonable doubt, even though it meant the death sentence. Have I made that clear?
“[CONNER]: Yes, sir, I was just thinking as far as me giving the electric chair, I don’t know if I could do that.
“[PROSECUTOR]: You understand, in a very real sense, you would be doing that if you answer all three questions yes. The judge would have to do it then?
“[CONNER]: Yes, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: All right, I take it from what you are saying then that you have some religious, moral, or conscientious scruples against the imposition of the death penalty?
“[CONNER]: Well, as far as, to me, it is sort of like taking someone’s life, or something like that.
“[PROSECUTOR]: That is what we are talking about. The death sentence reads that the defendant be taken and put in the electric chair and voltage passes through his body until he is dead. That is what we are talking about. I want you to understand it because from what we believe the facts will be, we have a duty to represent the people of the State of Texas, and we believe that the only just and proper punishment under what we think the evidence is going to show will be the death sentence. We are going to be asking the jury to answer those questions yes because we feel like we can prove they should be beyond a reasonable doubt, and we are going to be asking for the death penalty. Now, are your feelings about the death penalty based upon religious, moral, conscience, all three?
“[CONNER]: I guess it is more conscience than anything.
“[PROSECUTOR]: All right. Are your feelings against the death penalty such that you feel you could never vote in such a way as to assess capital punishment?
“[CONNER]: Sir, to be honest with you, I really don’t know. I think I would have to really think about it. To me it would be something hard to do.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Well, we understand it is not an easy thing. Do you understand that?
“[CONNER]: Yes, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: And I know that we put you on the spot, but we have got to know now.
“[CONNER]: Yes, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: When we don’t mean, like to say, to put you on the spot, but this is the only chance we have to get an idea about how you feel about it, and if you couldn’t answer those questions yes, even if that is what the evidence called for beyond a reasonable doubt, because the death sentence would result, if that is going to affect your deliberations on these fact questions, we have got to know this. The law says that unless you can state under oath, as you are now, that this mandatory death, or life imprisonment sentence would not influence you on a question of fact then you can’t be qualified to sit on a capital punishment jury. There is no right or wrong answers about capital punishment. We know a lot of people feel one way or another. We wouldn’t try to talk you out of your beliefs, or ask you to set them aside. If you feel that way we have got to know, and of course, you know, when this jury sits down here, we haven’t done our job representing the people of this State unless we are sure how you feel about it.
“[CONNER]: Yes, sir. I would have to think about it, you know, I don’t think I could just say, hey, I would probably say yes, I know, if I think he is guilty, I think yes, I would know he is guilty, but then as far as the murder part of it—
“[PROSECUTOR]: As far as the death penalty part?
“[CONNER]: Yes, sir. I don’t think I will go that far.
“[PROSECUTOR]: Well, this is what it boils down to. If we prove to you that these questions should be answered yes beyond a reasonable doubt, and you know there is no question about it, it is absolute, and you know a yes answer will mean that this man over here will be sentenced to die in the electric chair.
“[CONNER]: I think it would bother me, sir.
“[PROSECUTOR]: All right, but could you answer them yes? And more directly, would you answer them yes even though you knew *262that or would you be inclined to answer no even though you felt the answer should be yes in order to avoid the death penalty?
“[CONNER]: I would have mixed emotions. I really don’t know what I would do, for the simple reason that, well, I just fe/1 like I would have to take his life, your know.”

. “Denial of certiorari, as has frequently been explained, imports nothing as to the merits of the case. All it means is that, for whatever reason, there were not four members of the Court who wished to hear the case.” Wright, Law of Federal Courts, Sec. 108, at p. 551 (3rd ed. 1976), citing, Hughes Tool Co. v. Trans World Airlines, 409 U.S. 363, 365, n. 1, 93 S.Ct. 647, 34 L.Ed.2d 577 (1973); Brown v. Allen, 344 U.S. 443, 489-497, 73 S.Ct. 397, 97 L.Ed. 469 (1953); Maryland v. Baltimore Radio Show, Inc., 338 U.S. 912, 70 S.Ct. 252, 94 L.Ed. 562 (1950, Opinion of Frankfurter, J.).

. Cf., Brazile v. State, 497 S.W.2d 302, 304 (Tex.Cr.App.1973).

. “FACTUM PROBANDUM. Lat. In the law of evidence. The fact to be proved; a fact which is in issue, and to which evidence is to be directed. 1 Greenl.Ev. § 13.” Black’s Law Dictionary, at p. 710.