Court Opinion

ID: 4054452
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 05:24:43.507756+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:53:46.262064
License: Public Domain

PD-0036-15
                                                                   COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                                                                                   AUSTIN, TEXAS
                                                                 Transmitted 4/16/2015 11:00:24 PM
                                                                   Accepted 4/21/2015 11:41:30 AM
                               NO. PD-0036-15                                       ABEL ACOSTA
                                                                                            CLERK

                                     IN THE
                 COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS

                        Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.
                                    Appellant
                                        v.
                         STATE OF TEXAS
                                    Appellee

      APPELLANT’S MOTION FOR REHEARING FROM DENIAL OF
           THE PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW
                      TEX R. APP. P. 79.2(C)

       Petition from the 229th Judicial District Court of Duval County, Texas
                    Trial Court Cause Number 12-CRD-36 and
      Cause Number 04-13-00708-CR in the Fourth Court of Appeals of Texas

                           Attorneys for Appellant
                           Charles L. Barrera
                           State Bar No. 01805500
April 21, 2015
                           700 E. Second Street
                           Alice, TX 78332
                           361-664-2153
                           EMAIL: barreralawfirm@aol.com

                           Marisol Carvajal-Garcia
                           State Bar No. 24065014
                           1600 E. Main, Ste. 227
                           Alice, TX 78332
                           361-668-4989
                           EMAIL: marisolcarvajal@hotmail.com

                         ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
                                             Statement Regarding Oral Argument

           The appellant requests oral argument if rehearing is granted
because appellant’s petition presents important issues of Texas law.
                                                           List of Interested Parties

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

Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.                                                                                      Appellant & Petitioner

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

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

Omar Escobar                                 Trial and Appellate Counsel for the State
                             th
District Attorney for the 229 Judicial District
P. O. Drawer 1061
San Diego, TX 78384

Rumaldo Solis
Duval County Assistant District Attorney                                                 Trial and Appellate Counsel for the State
P. O. Drawer 1061
San Diego, Texas 78384

Rodolfo V. Gutierrez                                                                     Trial and Appellate Counsel for the State
Duval County Assistant District Attorney
P. O. Drawer 1061
San Diego, Texas 78384

 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary                               Page i
                                                         TABLE OF CONTENTS

STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT……………………………….i

LIST OF INTERESTED PARTIES. ......................................................................... i

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES..................................................................................... 4

STATEMENT OF THE CASE/

STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY....................................................... 5

REQUEST FOR REHEARING. ............................................................................... 6

             In denying discretionary review, this Court let stand an opinion that
             failed to follow established case law in the State of Texas.

ARGUMENT. ........................................................................................................... 6

             A.           Reasons for Rehearing of Issue One ................................................... 6
             B.           Reasons for Rehearing of Issue Two. ................................................. 9
             C.           Conclusion………………………………………..…………………13

PRAYER FOR RELIEF.......................................................................................... 14

CERTIFICATION OF GOOD FAITH AND NOT DONE FOR DELAY. ............15

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE. .............................................................................. 15

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH TEX. R. APP. P. 9.4……………….16

Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary                      Page ii
                                                       INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

CASE LAW:

Blue v. State, 41 S.W.3d 129, (Tex. Crim. App. 2000)…………………………..…6,8

Crenshaw v. State, 424 S.W.3d 753, 755 (Tex. App. – Fort Worth 2014, no pet.)….10

Green v. State, 912 S.W.2d 189 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995)………………...…………11

Rabago v. State, 75 S.W.3d 561 (Tex. App. – San Antonio, 2002)…………………..9

Rickels v. State, 108 S.W.3d 900 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003)………………………...….12

Sharpe v. State, 648 S.W.2d 705, 706 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983)………………………6

Webb v. State, 409 U.S. 95 (1972)……………………………………………………9

Williamson v. State, 771 S.W.2d 601 (Tex. App. – Dallas, 1989)………………11, 12

Word v. State, 206 S.W.3d 646 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006)……………………………12

STATUTES:

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 36.27…………………………………………………9, 10

Tex. Pen. Code Section 21.11………………………………………………………..5

RULES:

Tex. R. Crim. Evid. Rule 103(d)………..………………………………………….6, 9

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS:

U.S. Const. Am. 6……………………………………………………………………13

 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary   Page 4
                                       STATEMENT OF THE CASE
                                  STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY

           Appellant was charged by indictment with two counts of Indecency with a child

in violation of TEX. PENAL CODE Sec. 21.11. The indictment alleged that

Appellant, on or about June 22, 2011, in Duval County, Texas did then, with the

intent to arouse or gratify his sexual desire, intentionally or knowingly engage in

sexual contact with a child younger than 17 years of age, by touching her genitals and

breast.

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

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

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

assessed by the Court because enhancing circumstances were found to be true.

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

Petitioner’s notice of appeal was timely filed. On December 10, 2014, the Fourth

District Court of Appeals issued an unpublished opinion by Chief Justice Catherine

Stone affirming Petitioner’s conviction. Appellant’s Petition for Discretionary

Review was denied by this Court on April 1, 2015.

 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review   Page 5
                                                   REQUEST FOR REHEARING
                                    REQUEST FOR REHEARING RESTATED:

           In denying discretionary review, this Court let stand an opinion that

 failed to follow established case law in the State of Texas. Appellant

 respectfully requests that this Court grant rehearing pursuant to TEX. R.

 APP. P. 79.2(c), and ultimately grant review for the reasons set forth below.

 ARGUMENT:

                                 REASONS FOR REHEARING OF ISSUE ONE.

              This court should reconsider issue one because the Court of Appeal’s
              decision is inconsistent with this Court’s case law.

 The first question presented in Appellant’s petition was as follows:

 (A)DID THE APPELLATE COURT ERR IN FINDING THAT THE
    TRIAL COURT’S ADMONISHMENTS OF DEFENSE WITNESSES
    WERE NOT PROPERLY PRESERVED BECAUSE NO OBJECTION
    WAS MADE AT TRIAL?

           The Fourth Court of Appeals did not discharge its duty to review and apply the

law of Blue v. State, 41 S.W.3d 129 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) and Sharpe v. State, 648
S.W.2d 705, 706 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983) to a fair consideration of all the evidence

and the entirety of the comments made by the trial court. In Blue v. State, supra, this

Court held that pursuant to Texas Rules of Evidence 103(d), “we are authorized to

take notice of fundamental errors affecting substantial rights although they were not
 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review   Page 6
brought to the attention of the court.”

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

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

before answering very simple questions that would not be complicated for an average

person to answer.” Also, the record shows that the following conversation transpired

while the jury was present and could hear the conversation amongst the Court,

Defense Counsel and this Witness:

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

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

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

Alvarado.

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

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

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

the trial court via objection. The majority opinion of the appellate court completely

fails to address this issue in Blue, supra. In Blue, “a plurality of the Texas Court of

Criminal Appeals held that the comments of the trial judge, which tainted appellant’s

presumption of innocence in front of the venire, were fundamental error of

 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review   Page 8
constitutional dimension and required no objection.” Rabago v. State, 75 S.W.3d 561

(Tex. App. – San Antonio, 2002).

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

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

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

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

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

victim were kind and gentle compared to the harsh and accusatory admonishments of

Appellant’s witnesses. (7 R.R. 22/9-25), (7 R.R. 23/1-3), (7 R.R. 101/3-6), (7 R.R.

106/18-20).

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

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

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

sanctity of the oath quite meaningless to require admonition to adhere to it. Webb v.

State, 409 U.S. 95 (1972).

                                REASONS FOR REHEARING OF ISSUE TWO.

              This court should reconsider issue one because the Court of Appeal’s
              decision is also inconsistent with this Court’s case law.

 The second question presented in Appellant’s petition was as follows:

           (B) DID THE APPELLATE COURT ERR BY FAILING TO COMPLY
           WITH THE MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 36.27 OF THE
 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review   Page 9
           TEXAS CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE REGARDING A NOTE
           FROM THE JURY STATING THAT THE JURY WAS DEADLOCKED?

           It is settled that this State’s courts of appeal are bound by this Court’s

holdings. 1 The Appellate Court did not address the applicability of Article 36.27 to

the facts of the case now before the Court because it peremptorily ruled that Gonzalez

failed to preserve error because he did not object. Counsel for Gonzalez was never

presented with an opportunity to object because the jury note declaring an 8 to 4

deadlock was never presented to counsel. To prove this point, Gonzalez would show

that at 7:45p.m. the trial court responded to a jury note asking how long Gonzalez was

in the victim’s room. (8 R.R. 206/1-25, 207/16). The Trial Court and Counsel for the

defense and State discussed the note and after agreeing on how the Court should

respond, the Court instructed the Jury on how to proceed.                                              The jury resumed

deliberations. (8 R.R. 207/12-16).

           A second note was later discovered by defense counsel while preparing for a

Motion for New Trial that was never revealed by the Court during jury deliberations.

            Later at 9:50 p.m., (8 R.R. 202/4-8 R.R. 207/15), the trial court brought the

jury back in and stated “I understand you are deadlocked and started reading the Allen

Charge. Unbeknownst to Defense Counsel, the Court had received a second note

from the jury stating they were deadlocked at 8-4. (C.R. Vol.1, Page 190- Movant’s

Exhibit 2.)
           1
               Crenshaw v. State, 424 S.W.3d 753, 755 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2014, no pet.).
 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review            Page 10
           Thus, the Defendant was never given an opportunity to object to the second

note. If Defense Counsel had known of the existence of the second note it would

have altered the Defendant’s critical strategy on how to proceed further. For instance,

attempting to negotiate with the State for a sentence far lesser than Automatic life

imprisonment. Failure to reveal or disclose the second note was harmful error

because of the harsh automatic life sentence imposed by the Court.

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

and direct mandate of the statute to require the written instructions or answer to a

jury’s communication to be read in open court in the presence of the Defendant or his

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

prescribe such proceedings so that they may become part of the record. Williamson v.

State, 771 S.W.2d 601 (Tex. App. – Dallas, 1989). In this case the Appellate Court

held that the record presented contained no reference to the procedures the trial court

followed in responding to the jury’s note that they were deadlocked. It further stated

that the record is also silent on when Gonzalez or the State of Texas became aware

that the trial court received the communication from the jury. The reviewing court

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

trial court’s response to a jury note was in open court and in the Appellant’s presence,

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

(Tex. Crim. App. 1995). It is the “appealing party’s burden to present a record
 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review   Page 11
showing properly preserved reversible error.” Word v. State, 206 S.W.3d 646, 651-52

(Tex. Crim. App. 2006). The present case is distinguishable from the aforementioned

cases because counsel for Gonzalez was never presented with a note that the jury was

deadlocked.

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

object to the trial Court’s failure to present the note to them prior to instructing the

jury. In Williamson, the Court noted that there was nothing transcribed by the Court

Reporter in the record about a jury communication and the Court’s response. In the

case now before this Court, the record clearly states the following: “I’ve been advised,

uh, by the bailiff that you all are stating you are deadlocked.” (8 RR 207/19-22). The

Court makes no reference to a written note that had been delivered to the her

specifically stating the jurors were deadlocked at 8 to 4. In fact, the record is

abundantly clear that the communication by the Bailiff stated that the jury was

deadlocked. Appellant cannot object to a note that was never disclosed to counsel.

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

complain at trial to the conditions he finds objectionable. Rickels v. State, 108 S.W.3d
900 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). By failing to object to the terms and conditions of

probation at trial, a Defendant affirmatively waives any complaints he may have had.

The court went on to say that the court modified the terms of Rickels probation

without a hearing, and Rickels had no opportunity to object. (emphasis ours).
 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review   Page 12
                    We can make a favorable comparison to the case now before this court.

Gonzalez had no opportunity to object to the court’s response to the jury’s 8 to 4 note.

  The trial court never disclosed the existence of this note, thus depriving him of his

                               constitutional right to Counsel. (U. S. Const. Am. 6).

                                                                          Conclusion

           Appellant requests that this Court reconsider Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing

of Appellant’s Petition for Discretionary Review. In denying discretionary review,

this Court let stand an opinion that failed to follow established case law in the state of

Texas. Considered individually and collectively, these errors warrant this Court to

grant Appellant’s Petition for Discretionary Review.

 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review   Page 13
                                                         PRAYER FOR RELIEF

             For the reasons alleged above, Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. was denied a fair trial.

Gonzalez prays that this Honorable Court will grant his request for rehearing, grant

review and order briefing on the merits of this case.

                                                                                         Respectfully submitted,

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

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

Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review                Page 14
                    CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY TEX. R. APP. P. 79.2(c)

              I certify that this Motion for Rehearing from this Court’s order refusing

 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr.’s Petition for Discretionary Review is grounded in the

 significant circumstances specified in this Motion. Further, I certify that this

 Motion is made in good faith and not for delay.

                                                                               /s/ Charles L. Barrera

                                                                               Charles L. Barrera

                                                                               /s/ Marisol Carvajal-Garcia

                                                                              Marisol Carvajal-Garcia

                                                    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

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

Rehearing from denial of Petition for Discretionary Review has been served, via

email at duval229da@yahoo.com to the Duval District Attorney’s on the 16th day of

April, 2015.

                                                                                          /s/ Charles L. Barrera
                                                                                          _______________________________
                                                                                          Charles L. Barrera

                                                                                          /s/ Marisol Carvajal-Garcia
                                                                                          ________________________________
                                                                                          Marisol Carvajal-Garcia

 Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review                 Page 15
                CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH TEX. R. APP. P. 9.4
                   Certificate of Compliance with Type-Volume Limitation,
                    Typeface Requirements, and Type Style Requirements

 1.           This brief complies with the type-volume limitation of TEX. R. APP. P.
              9.4(i)(2)(D) because this brief contains 3007 words, excluding the parts of the
              brief exempted by TEX. R. APP. P. 9.4(i)(1).

 2.           This brief complies with the typeface requirements and the type style
              requirements of TEX. R. APP. P. 9.4(e) because this brief has been produced on
              a computer in conventional typeface using Microsoft Word 2007 in Times
              New Roman 14 point font in the body of the brief and Times New Roman 12
              point font in the footnotes.

                                                                                           /s/ Charles L. Barrera
                                                                                           _______________________________
                                                                                           Charles L. Barrera

                                                                                           /s/ Marisol Carvajal-Garcia
                                                                                           ________________________________
                                                                                           Marisol Carvajal-Garcia

Enrique Gonzalez, Jr. v. State—Appellant’s Motion for Rehearing from Denial of Discretionary Review                 Page 16