Court Opinion

ID: 4408844
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-06-21 00:52:22.538376+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:52:48.886223
License: Public Domain

Affirmed and Memorandum Opinion filed June 20, 2019.

                                      In The

                Fourteenth Court of Appeals
                              NO. 14-17-00239-CR

                      KEVIN WAYNE SAULS, Appellant
                                        V.
                      THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

                   On Appeal from the 506th District Court
                          Grimes County, Texas
                       Trial Court Cause No. 18,039

                     MEMORANDUM OPINION

      Appellant Kevin Wayne Sauls was convicted of two counts of aggravated
robbery and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. In two issues on appeal, he
contends that the evidence was legally insufficient to prove the aggravating
element of one of the charged aggravated robberies and one of the charged
aggravated kidnappings, i.e., that he used or exhibited a deadly weapon, namely a
knife, in the course of committing those offenses. We affirm.
                                            Background

       Appellant was charged with the aggravated robbery and aggravated
kidnapping of Anita Walker and Naxdiely Gamez. All offenses allegedly occurred
on March 27, 2016 and allegedly involved the use or exhibition of a knife as a
deadly weapon. As stated, in this appeal, appellant only challenges the sufficiency
of the evidence to support the finding that he used or exhibited a knife as a deadly
weapon during the robbery and kidnapping of Walker.

       Walker testified that on March 27, 2016, she was working at a Valero gas
station when a man entered the store a little after midnight and asked her which
pack of cigarettes was the cheapest.1 She answered and the man told her to give
him a pack. When she turned around with the cigarettes, the man was standing next
to her. He said, “give me your money, bitch, or I’m going to kill you.” Walker then
opened the register and gave the man the money that was inside.2 He also
demanded ten packs of Newport cigarettes, which she handed over, and he told her
to grab her car keys. She tried to take her car key off her key ring, but he told her
that she was coming with him. She testified that she felt her life was in danger and
she could not say no to him.

       Before they walked outside, the man told Walker, “don’t you scream or
holler or try to run or I’ll kill you.” They walked to Walker’s car and got in, and
then Walker saw that the man had a knife. She said that she couldn’t tell much
about it but she saw the blade and it was silver. Before seeing the knife, Walker
had thought the man had a gun. When asked why, she responded that she had been

       1
         As will be discussed below, although neither Walker nor Gamez was able to identify
appellant in court—perhaps due to changes in his appearance, such as the fact he was clean
shaven during the trial—appellant’s identity as the perpetrator was otherwise established and not
contested at trial.
       2
           Walker said that at the end of the night, she was $31 short for her shift.

                                                   2
unable to see his hand.

        Around the same time, Walker saw a vehicle pull into the Valero parking lot.
Walker “jumped out of the car and started running and screaming and hollering,”
with the man running after her, “hollering, ‘I’m going to kill you, bitch.’” The car
that had pulled into the parking lot promptly drove away, so Walker ran toward a
gas delivery driver who had parked his truck near the gas station. The man who
had been chasing her then ran away. Walker described the man as a black male
with a beard and moustache, whom she said came in the store frequently. Video
surveillance footage of the events was also played for the jury as was in-car video
of a responding police officer who interviewed Walker on the night in question. In
this latter video, Walker explained that she had been afraid to trigger the alarm
pendant that she wore around her neck because she thought the man had a gun. She
thought that he had a gun because he never took his hand out of his pocket until
they got into Walker’s car. The in-store surveillance video showed that the man
kept his hand in his pocket for much of the time that he was in the store.

        Gamez testified that on March 27, 2016, she was working at the West End
Grocery Store when a man came in to use the restroom. She described the man as a
black male with a beard and moustache and identified him in a photograph. The
man exited the bathroom when the only other customer in the store left. The man
walked toward the entry to the cash register area, and Gamez told him that he was
not allowed back there. He then approached the cash register and pulled out a
pocket knife. He threatened to stab her if she did not give him the money, so she
gave him about $200. He then threatened to stab her if she did not give him her car
keys.

        Gamez handed the man her car keys, and he made her go outside to her car.
Gamez said that at some point, as he was trying to get her into the passenger seat,

                                          3
the man stabbed her in the leg. She said she didn’t realize it at first but once she got
into the car, she noticed she was bleeding. Photographs of the interior of Gamez’s
car admitted into evidence showed blood stains in several areas. Photographs and
medical records were also admitted regarding Gamez’s wound, and Gamez showed
her scar to the jury.

       Gamez said that the man drove around and eventually stopped and tried to
“rape . . . and abuse” her. She was scared and told him she didn’t want to do that.
The man took off some of his clothes and made her take off some of her clothes
and touch his genitals. The man then appeared to change his mind, and they drove
around some more until they ran out of gas. The man then flagged down passing
motorists to take him to a gas station, telling them that Gamez was his wife. He left
Gamez with the car, and she subsequently was able to flag down someone to help
her.

       Two officers from the Navasota Police Department also testified. Officer
Anthony Celano, Jr. stated that he had regular contact with appellant at the Valero
gas station and was one of the officers who detained appellant not long after the
offenses occurred. Celano positively identified appellant in the courtroom. Celano
explained that when he interviewed Gamez, she was able to describe the knife used
by the man who robbed and kidnapped her as having a wooden handle with brass
ends and a silver blade about two inches long. Celano stated that a deadly weapon
is anything that can cause serious bodily injury and that he had known a knife to
cause serious bodily injury.

       Investigator Adam Dodson testified that he found a pack of Newport
cigarettes in Gamez’s car. He said that appellant’s sister turned appellant in and
that appellant was the person who appeared in a still photograph taken from the
surveillance video of the Valero robbery. Dodson further introduced a videotaped

                                           4
interview of appellant that was taken shortly after his arrest. The video was then
played for the jury. As Dodson states, appellant describes a knife in the video, but
no knife was recovered by police. Dodson said that a knife can be used to cause
serious bodily injury or death.

       In the videotaped interview, appellant is generally cooperative with the
officers but frequently speaks indistinctly. He appears to acknowledge robbing
both stores and forcing both complainants to go with him to their cars. He also
appears to acknowledge having a knife, that Walker saw the knife for the first time
when they got in her car, and that Gamez was injured. Appellant even showed the
officers the size of the knife’s blade by indicating with his fingers. He stated that
he had on the same clothes at both stores, although he also had a jacket at only one
of the stores. The only charges appellant specifically denied in the interview were
the ones concerning his alleged sexual assault of Gamez. He denied undressing or
making her get in the backseat or touch his penis.

       Two letters that appellant reportedly wrote from jail to prosecutors were also
admitted into evidence.3 In both letters, appellant admitted that he was guilty, and
in one of the letters, he specifically admits that the charges against him were true.
The point of the letters was not to profess innocence but to request leniency from
the prosecutors. Appellant blamed his behavior on his cocaine addiction.

       The jury found appellant guilty on all four counts. They additionally found
two enhancement paragraphs to be true and assessed appellant’s punishment at life
in prison and a $10,000 fine on each of the four counts. The trial judge then
imposed the sentences to run concurrently.

       3
        Lieutenant Daniel Caswell, the administrator of the Grimes County jail, testified that the
handwriting in the letters, and the signature on the only one that contained a signature, matched
the handwriting and signatures on requests that appellant had submitted to Caswell.

                                                5
      In his first issue on appeal, appellant contends that the evidence was legally
insufficient to support the finding that he used or exhibited a knife as a deadly
weapon during the robbery of Walker. In his second issue, appellant contends that
the evidence was legally insufficient to support the finding that he used or
exhibited a knife as a deadly weapon during the kidnapping of Walker.

                                   Governing Law

      In assessing the sufficiency of the evidence, we consider all of the evidence
in the light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether, based on that
evidence and reasonable inferences therefrom, a rational trier of fact could have
found the challenged element or elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
See Whatley v. State, 445 S.W.3d 159, 166 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014); see also
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 318–19 (1979). In reviewing historical facts that
support conflicting inferences, we presume that the jury resolved any conflicts in
the State’s favor and defer to that resolution. Whatley, 445 S.W.3d at 166. We do
not sit as a thirteenth juror and may not substitute our judgment for that of the
factfinder by reevaluating the weight and credibility of the evidence. Isassi v. State,
330 S.W.3d 633, 638 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). As judge of the credibility of the
witnesses, a jury may choose to believe all, some, or none of the testimony
presented. Cain v. State, 958 S.W.2d 404, 407 n.5 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).

      Circumstantial evidence is as probative as direct evidence and can be
sufficient on its own to establish guilt. Hooper v. State, 214 S.W.3d 9, 13 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2007). “In circumstantial evidence cases, it is not necessary that every
fact and circumstance ‘point directly and independently to the defendant’s guilt; it
is enough if the conclusion is warranted by the combined and cumulative force of
all the incriminating circumstances.’” Temple v. State, 390 S.W.3d 341, 359-60
(Tex. Crim. App. 2013) (quoting Johnson v. State, 871 S.W.2d 183, 186 (Tex.

                                          6
Crim. App. 1993)).

       The charges against appellant listed as the aggravating element that he used
or exhibited a deadly weapon, namely a knife, in the course of committing the
offenses. See generally Tex. Penal Code §§ 20.04(b) (aggravated kidnapping),
29.03(a) (aggravated robbery). The Texas Penal Code defines “deadly weapon” as:
“(A) a firearm or anything manifestly designed, made, or adapted for the purpose
of inflicting death or serious bodily injury; or (B) anything that in the manner of its
use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.” Id.
§ l.07(a)(l7). “Use” means the deadly weapon was employed, utilized, or applied in
order to achieve its intended result, the commission of a felony. Patterson v. State,
769 S.W.2d 938, 941 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989). “Exhibited” means the weapon was
consciously shown or displayed during the commission of the offense. Id. The
essential requirement for a deadly-weapon finding is that there be some facilitation
or furtherance between the weapon and the commission of the felony. See
Plummer v. State, 410 S.W.3d 855, 865 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). Any employment
of a deadly weapon, even simple possession, can supply the basis for a deadly-
weapon finding if the possession facilitates the felony. See id. at 859; Patterson,
769 S.W.2d at 941.4

       A knife can be found to be a deadly weapon based on the nature of its use or
intended use. E.g., Garcia v. State, 17 S.W.3d 1, 4 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
1999, pet. ref’d). It is for the jury to determine whether an individual used a knife
as a deadly weapon by weighing the evidence before it on a case-by-case basis and
using that evidence to draw reasonable inferences. Isassi v. State, 330 S.W.3d 633,

       4
         Although Plummer and Patterson both concerned the sentencing implications that result
from a deadly weapon finding, their analysis is also applicable when a deadly weapon finding is
used as an aggravating element for an offense. See, e.g., Safian v. State, 543 S.W.3d 216, 222-24
(Tex. Crim. App. 2018); McCain v. State, 22 S.W.3d 497, 500, 502 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).

                                               7
638 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). Some factors that can be considered in determining
whether a particular knife qualifies as a deadly weapon are (1) the size, shape, and
sharpness of the knife; (2) the manner in which appellant used the weapon; (3) the
nature of any inflicted wounds; (4) any testimony concerning the knife’s life-
threatening capabilities; and (5) appellant’s statements. Banargent v. State, 228
S.W.3d 393, 398 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, pet. ref’d); see also
Brown v. State, 716 S.W.2d 939, 946 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986) (listing as relevant
factors defendant’s express and implied threats, distance between defendant and
victim, and victim’s description of knife).

       Objects used to threaten deadly force are deadly weapons, even if the actor
has no intention of actually using deadly force. McCain v. State, 22 S.W.3d 497,
503 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Evidence is sufficient if a knife is displayed in a
manner conveying an express or implied threat that serious bodily injury or death
will be inflicted if the desire of the person displaying the knife is not satisfied.
Billey v. State, 895 S.W.2d 417, 422 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1995, pet. ref’d); see
also Boston v. State, No. 14-01-01133-CR, 2002 WL 31425874, at *4 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Oct. 10, 2002, no pet.) (not designated for publication)
(quoting Billey). By producing the knife and exhibiting its blade, even if only in
part, a defendant can achieve his desired effect of placing a person in fear of death
or serious bodily injury. Billey, 895 S.W.2d at 422–23.

                                 Aggravated Kidnapping

       We begin with appellant’s second issue, in which he challenges the
sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury’s finding that he used or exhibited a
deadly weapon, namely a knife, in kidnapping Walker.5 Among other possibilities,

       5
        As stated above, appellant does not contest that the evidence supports the findings that
he robbed and kidnapped Walker.

                                               8
a person commits aggravated kidnapping “if the person intentionally or knowingly
abducts another person and uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the
commission of the offense.” Tex. Penal Code § 20.04(b). Walker testified that
before they left the store, appellant told her several times that he was going to kill
her if she did not comply with his demands. Appellant had kept his hand in his
pocket while he made the demands and threats, leading Walker to conclude that
appellant had a weapon in his pocket. Appellant then made Walker retrieve her car
key, go to her car, and get inside, while warning her that he would kill her if she
screamed or tried to run. He also told her that she was coming with him.

       Once they were in the vehicle, Walker saw appellant holding a knife.
Appellant generally confirmed this account in his videotaped interview with police
and, indeed, appeared to chuckle when recounting Walker’s reaction to seeing the
knife. He also wrote letters to prosecutors admitting his guilt and acknowledging
that the charges against him were true. Those charges, of course, included the
allegation that appellant kidnapped Walker while using or exhibiting a knife as a
deadly weapon. Based on this evidence, it was reasonable for the jury to conclude
that appellant exhibited the knife while abducting Walker and used the knife to
ensure Walker’s compliance with his commands. See Plummer, 410 S.W.3d at
865; Patterson, 769 S.W.2d at 941. Although Walker ran screaming from the car
after seeing the knife and seeing another vehicle pull into the parking lot, this does
not erode the reasonableness of the conclusion that appellant was using and
exhibiting the knife during the commission of the offense. Indeed, appellant ran
after Walker when she exited the vehicle, again yelling that he was going to kill
her.

       Appellant additionally challenges whether the evidence supported the
conclusion that the knife appellant possessed was a deadly weapon. Walker

                                          9
testified that she was scared for her life. As mentioned, appellant himself recounted
Walker’s shocked reaction to seeing the knife. When she saw the knife, Walker
and appellant were in close proximity as they were sitting in the front seats of her
car. Appellant also threatened to kill Walker several times. See Brown, 716 S.W.2d
at 946; Billey, 895 S.W.2d at 422; see also Voss v. State, No. 01-08-00249-CR,
2009 WL 1635208, at *3–4 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] June 11, 2009, no
pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (citing evidence of threats, fear of
the victims, and proximity in holding evidence was sufficient to support finding
that knife was used as a deadly weapon).

      It was further reasonable for the jury to conclude that the knife appellant
showed Walker was the same knife he exhibited and used in the robbery and
kidnapping of Gamez on the same day. Appellant appeared to acknowledge this in
his videotaped interview with police. He also indicated the size of the knife blade
during the interview and acknowledged he was wearing the same clothes when he
robbed and kidnapped Walker as when he robbed and kidnapped Gamez. Gamez
described the knife to a police officer who relayed the description at trial.

      Gamez also testified that appellant stabbed her in the leg with the knife. The
jury heard this testimony and saw photographs of blood in Gamez’s car and of
Gamez’s wound. The jury further saw Gamez’s medical records from when she
was treated at the hospital, and Gamez showed the jury her scar. See Tucker v.
State, 274 S.W.3d 688, 691–92 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008) (explaining that a victim’s
injuries can by themselves be a sufficient basis for concluding that a deadly
weapon was used). Additionally, two police officers testified that in their
experience, a knife could cause serious bodily injury. See, e.g., Kirby v. State, No.
13-09-00408-CR, 2010 WL 3420593, at *5 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Aug. 31,
2010, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (noting officers testified

                                          10
that a knife can cause serious bodily injury in holding evidence was sufficient to
support finding that knife was used as a deadly weapon).6 Based on this evidence,
the jury was reasonable in concluding that appellant used or exhibited a deadly
weapon, namely a knife, in kidnapping Walker. See, e.g., Clark v. State, 444
S.W.3d 671, 678 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, pet. ref’d) (holding
evidence was sufficient to support finding that pocketknife was a deadly weapon);
Hatchett v. State, 930 S.W.2d 844, 848–49 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
1996, pet. ref’d) (same). Accordingly, we overrule appellant’s second issue.

                                    Aggravated Robbery

       The jury could also have reasonably concluded that appellant used or
exhibited a knife as a deadly weapon during the course of robbing Walker. Based
on the evidence that appellant made Walker get her car key, go to the car with him,
and get in, while saying that she was coming with him, the jury could have
reasonably concluded that appellant was then robbing Walker of her car.7 The use
and exhibition of the knife once in the car could then provide the aggravating
element to raise the offense to aggravated robbery, just as it did for the aggravated
kidnapping offense discussed above. See, e.g., Steptoe v. State, No. 14-10-00131-
CR, 2011 WL 61854, at *3 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 6, 2011, pet
       6
          We note that the officers’ testimony in this case was generalized regarding knives as
deadly weapons and not specific to the knife used in these offenses. The testimony was therefore
significantly less probative than if the officers had testified regarding the specific knife.
       7
         In his discussion of the robbery of Walker in his brief, appellant only mentioned the
taking of money and cigarettes from the Valero and did not address the evidence indicating
appellant robbed Walker of her car. A person commits robbery if, in the course of committing
theft and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, the person (1) intentionally,
knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another or (2) intentionally or knowingly
threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death. Tex. Penal Code
§ 29.02(a). “Property” in this context includes “tangible personal property.” Id. § 29.01(2)(A).
Neither the indictment nor the jury charge specified the property that appellant allegedly stole
from Walker. The jury could have reasonably concluded based on the evidence that appellant
robbed Walker of the money, the cigarettes, and her car.

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ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (holding evidence was sufficient
to support aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery convictions where
defendant used gun in attempting to abduct victim in her own vehicle). The
analysis concerning whether the knife was a deadly weapon in regards to the
aggravated robbery would also be the same as discussed above concerning the
aggravated kidnapping. Accordingly, we overrule appellant’s first issue.

      We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                       /s/    Frances Bourliot
                                              Justice

Panel consists of Justices Christopher, Bourliot, and Spain.
Do not publish—Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b).

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