Darlen Schnexnaider v. State ( 2012 )


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  • Affirmed and Memorandum Opinion filed August 9, 2012.
    In The
    Fourteenth Court of Appeals
    NO. 14-11-00077-CR
    DARLEN SCHNEXNAIDER, Appellant
    V.
    THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
    On Appeal from the County Court at Law No 2
    Fort Bend County, Texas
    Trial Court Cause No. 10-CCR-150286
    MEMORANDUM OPINION
    Appellant, Darlen Schnexnaider, appeals her conviction for assault, family
    violence. Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.01(a)(1) (West 2011); Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §
    71.004 (West 2008). In her first issue, she argues that the evidence was insufficient to
    support her conviction. In her second issue, she argues that the trial court committed jury
    charge error. We affirm.
    Background
    On June 4, 2010, Officer Stephen Clarke of the Rosenberg Police Department
    responded to a call from dispatch about a home invasion in progress. While en route to
    the scene, Officer Clarke learned that the person calling in the incident reported “it was
    her sister that was in the house and she had broke a window to get into the house and she
    was trying to get a gun.” Officer Clarke stated that when he arrived at the home a woman
    approached him saying, “She’s inside. She has a gun.” Officer Clarke, along with two
    other Rosenberg police officers ordered appellant to come out of the house. Officer
    Clarke testified that appellant eventually complied and he placed her in handcuffs. Once
    the house was “cleared,” another officer took appellant’s statement.
    Officer Clarke testified that the front bedroom window was broken and that just
    inside the window were “yard stones” on the floor. He testified that it appeared two yard
    stones were missing outside, that one was found on the bedroom floor, and the other was
    outside the bedroom window but broken into a couple of pieces. Officer Clarke stated
    that in going through the house and documenting it by photograph they found a small
    black handgun in appellant’s room.
    The State then called Galyn Schnexnaider to testify. Galyn testified that she and
    appellant are sisters, and that their mother’s name is Leona. Galyn described the home as
    having a front part and a back part. The front part of the house includes two bedrooms, a
    bathroom, and patio. The back part of the house includes two bedrooms, a game room,
    and a two car garage.1 Galyn stated that her mother and father had title to the land and
    the house, but that when her father died he left it to her mother. Galyn also testified that
    1
    Later testimony was inconsistent about where the “boundary” was between the “front” and the
    “back” part of the home.
    2
    appellant had been staying with their mother and that their mother wanted appellant to
    leave.
    Galyn testified that on the day of the incident, Leona was in the front part of the
    house. Galyn stated that when she arrived at the house, Leona was already in the front
    part and that she “didn’t know how she got there.” Galyn said that she thought Leona
    had been in the front part of the house for twenty to thirty minutes, searching for money
    that had gone missing. Galyn testified that she then heard the sound of glass breaking in
    a nearby bedroom. She stated that she next saw appellant in the hallway with a stick in
    her hand. Galyn said that appellant then pushed Leona aside with the stick and injured
    Leona’s leg. Then appellant “took off” towards appellant’s room, which apparently
    caused Leona concern that appellant was going for a gun.
    Galyn testified that at some point after this initial confrontation with appellant,
    appellant re-engaged Leona. Galyn said that “[S]he went to shove my mom and when
    she did I … jerked her down like this, and from here I drug her to the hallway and that’s
    when she bit me.” Galyn stated that she was “fearful for her mother” when she grabbed
    appellant by her hair. On the day of the incident, Galyn was wearing “denim capri
    jeans.” The State introduced photographs of the bite mark on Galyn’s left leg into
    evidence. The photographs were taken twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the incident
    and show the wound on Galyn’s leg. Galyn testified that the mark she received on her
    leg was inflicted through the denim capri jeans she was wearing at the time. She further
    stated that the bite lasted “[a] minute maybe; long enough for me to drag her in there and
    holler at my brother to come in there and get her off of me because the whole time she
    was biting me.” Galyn said that when she was bit “it stung real bad,” and that she still
    has a mark on her leg from it. Galyn then showed her scar to the jury.
    On cross-examination, appellant attempted to get Galyn to admit that she was
    biased in her testimony because of Galyn’s interest in moving in with Leona. Galyn
    refused to acknowledge any such bias or that she was attempting to get appellant out of
    3
    the house so that she could move in. Galyn did admit that she was currently living with
    Leona in the home because “mother is scared to death to stay alone.”
    The State called Officer John Delgado of the Rosenberg Police Department.
    Officer Delgado testified that he also responded to the call from dispatch about a home
    invasion in progress. Officer Delgado said that he took appellant’s statement about the
    events. He testified that in appellant’s statement, she said that she went to get her gun
    “because of her brothers.”     Appellant’s statement was admitted into evidence and
    published to the jury.
    On cross-examination, Officer Delgado stated that he did not remember seeing any
    marks on appellant’s chin, but that appellant complained that her brother, Bart, had struck
    her on the chin. Officer Delgado testified that appellant refused treatment from the
    “EMS” that was there. He did not remember appellant complaining about any injury to
    her head or neck, or that appellant was transported to the hospital later that evening.
    Officer Delgado also stated that Bart, appellant’s brother, told him that he was not present
    at the start of the confrontation between appellant and Galyn, but that he heard the
    commotion and came in to restrain appellant. Officer Delgado also admitted to a mistake
    in his police report that “Leona was struck repeatedly with a board.” Instead, Officer
    Delgado stated that he was informed later that appellant had only struck Leona once with
    a stick. Officer Delgado testified on cross-examination that while he was responding to a
    home invasion call, it turned out not to be a home invasion. He stated further that
    appellant was not charged with burglary and that the home was her “legal residence.”
    Finally Officer Delgado testified that appellant said in her statement to him that “just
    going to protect herself and get them out of her house.”
    Next, the State called Leona Schnexnaider to testify. Leona testified that she has
    five children—including two daughters, Darlen and Galyn. Leona stated that on the day
    of the incident, appellant broke a window in the front bedroom of the house and came
    through it. She said that appellant came through the window and hollered to Leona to
    4
    “get out of her house.” She testified that appellant then came at her and hit her with the
    stick, injuring Leona’s leg in the process. At that point Leona yelled to Galyn that
    appellant was “going to get that gun,” to which appellant responded that she had more
    than one. Leona stated that appellant, Leona’s youngest daughter, had been living at her
    house since 2003, had never paid rent nor any of the bills, and that they do not have the
    “best of relationships.”
    On cross-examination, Leona testified that she got into appellant’s part of the
    house by taking the door off of its hinges, despite the fact that the door was locked and
    nailed shut. Leona testified that she used a key to unlock the door, and used another key
    to unlock appellant’s bedroom door. She also stated that appellant’s chin was bleeding
    when she saw her, but that she thought she had cut it coming through the window.
    The State’s final witness was Sergeant William Henry of the Rosenberg Police
    Department who testified that he was also one of the first to arrive on the scene and
    helped to take statements from witnesses. After appellant examined Sergeant Henry, the
    State rested its case.      Appellant then made her opening statement and called ten
    witnesses, many of whom had already testified.2 Appellant’s first witness was Detective
    Phillip Burch of the Rosenberg Police Department.              Appellant questioned Detective
    Burch on why he made a supplemental report to his original report and how the officers
    at the scene managed to find the gun in appellant’s bedroom. Appellant also used
    Detective Burch’s testimony as a method of getting the “dash cam” video admitted into
    evidence.
    Appellant then called Jeremy Bostic of the Rosenberg Police Department. He
    testified that on March 11, 2010 he responded to an incident at the Schnexnaider house.
    He testified that he was responding, initially, to a call of “injury to an elderly.” He stated
    that no arrests were made and that there was no offense or report. He further stated that
    2
    Appellant recalled Sergeant Henry, Galyn Schnexnaider, Officer Delgado, Leona Schnexnaider,
    and Officer Clarke.
    5
    there was no evidence of anything occurring. Next, appellant called Amanda Vossberg, a
    911 Dispatcher for the Rosenberg Police Department. She testified that she took the
    second 911 call, that she believed she spoke with someone named Galyn, but did not
    remember much else about the call.
    Appellant recalled Sergeant Henry and refreshed his memory with the recording of
    his voice on the “dash cam.” He then testified that when the officers made their initial
    sweep to make sure nobody else was in the house after appellant exited, appellant’s
    brother Bart told him that the gun was in appellant’s bedroom. Sergeant Henry further
    stated that on his initial sweep he did not see the gun in appellant’s room. Appellant also
    questioned Sergeant Henry about why he took only one gun, the gun found in appellant’s
    bedroom, into custody and not the other guns in the house. Sergeant Henry stated that
    they took it into custody because “[i]t was used in the situation.” Appellant asked if it
    was possible that it was taken to “boost” the case against her, to which Sergeant Henry
    responded no.
    Appellant called Amber Day, Galyn’s daughter, to testify about a fight that
    appellant and Leona had in December. Amber testified that the fight was about George,
    appellant’s father, being released from the hospital. Amber testified that Leona struck
    appellant first and appellant struck back. Amber stated that Galyn got between the two
    and stopped the fight.
    Appellant then called Galyn back to testify. Galyn could not recall the events that
    transpired in December that Amber testified about. Galyn stated that if her mother had
    been hit she would have remembered that, but she did not remember what happened that
    day.
    Appellant called Officer Delgado to testify. Officer Delgado stated that he could
    not remember when during the investigation the gun was found, and that he could not say
    that the “gun made the case.” Officer Delgado admitted making the statement to Leona
    6
    that this could help her in her eviction case against appellant. He further stated that it is
    part of his job to be non-biased and he did not know why he made the statement. Officer
    Delgado also testified that he did not know why his microphone stopped working while
    the “dash cam” was still running.
    Next, appellant recalled Leona to testify. Leona stated that there were some items
    that belonged to her in appellant’s part of the house. Leona also testified about another
    incident in which she and appellant had a physical altercation. Leona stated that during
    that incident appellant grabbed her around the neck from behind. As her last witness,
    appellant recalled Officer Clarke. He testified that in his experience, there is not a
    normal reaction to this type of situation. He stated that it depends on the person involved.
    After questioning Officer Clarke, appellant rested her case.
    The jury found appellant guilty of assault involving family violence and the court
    assessed punishment at one hundred and eighty days confinement, without a fine. The
    sentence was probated for a period of twenty-four months.
    ANALYSIS
    Appellant raises two issues on appeal. First, she argues that the evidence was
    insufficient to support her conviction. Second, she contends that the trial court abused its
    discretion by failing to instruct the jury on appellant’s self-defense issues.
    I.      Sufficiency of the Evidence
    In her first issue, appellant makes three arguments about the insufficiency of the
    evidence. First, appellant argues the State failed to establish that appellant intentionally,
    knowingly, or recklessly caused bodily injury to Galyn by biting her. Second, appellant
    argues that there is no evidence in the record to substantiate Galyn’s injury. Third,
    appellant contends the State failed to establish that at the time of the offense, Galyn was a
    7
    member of appellant’s family or household and therefore the evidence was insufficient to
    support a finding of family violence.
    When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we examine all of the evidence in
    the light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether a rational trier of fact could
    have found the essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. See Jackson
    v. Virginia, 
    443 U.S. 307
    , 319 (1979); Brooks v. State, 
    323 S.W.3d 893
    , 895 (Tex. Crim.
    App. 2010) (plurality opinion); Isassi v. State, 
    330 S.W.3d 633
    , 638 (Tex. Crim. App.
    2010); Williams v. State, 
    235 S.W.3d 742
    , 750 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Pomier v. State,
    
    326 S.W.3d 373
    , 378 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, no pet.). This court does
    not sit as a thirteenth juror and may not substitute its judgment for that of the fact finder
    by re-evaluating the weight and credibility of the evidence. 
    Isassi, 330 S.W.3d at 638
    ;
    
    Williams, 235 S.W.3d at 750
    . Instead, we defer to the fact finder’s responsibility to fairly
    resolve conflicts in the testimony, to weigh the evidence, and to draw reasonable
    inferences from the facts. Clayton v. State, 
    235 S.W.3d 772
    , 778 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
    Our duty as a reviewing court is to ensure that the evidence presented actually supports a
    conclusion that the defendant committed the crime. 
    Williams, 235 S.W.3d at 750
    .
    In all sufficiency challenges the evidence is measured against a hypothetically
    correct jury charge. Fuller v. State, 
    73 S.W.3d 250
    , 252 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). This is
    true even where there are no allegations of jury charge error. 
    Id. The indictment
    is the
    basis of what must be proved, and the hypothetically correct jury charge must be
    “authorized by the indictment.” Gollihar v. State, 
    46 S.W.3d 243
    , 256 n.20 (Tex. Crim.
    App. 2002). Thus, “the hypothetically correct charge may not modify the indictment
    allegations in such a way as to allege ‘an offense different from the offense alleged in the
    indictment.’” 
    Id. (quoting Planter
    v. State, 
    9 S.W.3d 156
    , 159 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999)).
    A person commits assault if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
    causes bodily injury to another. Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.01(a)(1). “Bodily injury”
    8
    means physical pain, illness, or any impairment of a physical condition.3 Tex. Penal
    Code Ann. § 1.07(a)(8) (West Supp. 2011). An individual acts intentionally when “it is
    [her] conscious objective or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result.” Tex.
    Penal Code Ann. § 6.03(a) (West 2011). An individual acts knowingly when she either is
    “aware of the nature of [her] conduct or that the circumstances exist . . . [or] is aware that
    [her] conduct is reasonably certain to cause the result.” Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 6.03(b).
    A person acts recklessly when she is “aware of but consciously disregards a substantial
    and unjustifiable risk that the circumstances exist or the result will occur.” Tex. Penal
    Code Ann. § 6.03(c). However, the risk must be of “such a nature and degree that its
    disregard constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that an ordinary person
    would exercise under all the circumstances as viewed from the actor’s standpoint.” 
    Id. Intent does
    not require proof by direct evidence; it can be inferred from actions, words,
    and conduct. Guevara v. State, 
    152 S.W.3d 45
    , 50 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002).                                The
    defendant’s state of mind is a question of fact that must be found by the jury. Brown v.
    State, 
    122 S.W.3d 794
    , 800 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003).
    Under Texas Family Code 71.003, a family member is an individual related by
    consanguinity or affinity. Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 71.003 (West 2008). Two individuals
    are related to each other by consanguinity if: (1) one is a descendant of the other; or (2)
    they share a common ancestor. Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 573.022 (West 2012). Family
    violence is defined as:
    [A]n act by a member of a family or household against another member of
    the family or household that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily
    injury, [or] assault . . . or that is a threat that reasonably places the member
    3
    In her brief, appellant argues that the State had the burden to prove that appellant’s act “created
    a substantial risk of death, or caused death, a serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or
    impairment of the functions of any bodily member or organ.” See Williams v. State, 
    696 S.W.2d 896
    , 898
    (Tex. Crim. App. 1985). However, Williams cited the statutory definition for serious bodily injury, not
    bodily injury. 
    Id. Here, the
    State only needed to prove bodily injury, as defined above.
    9
    in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, [or] assault . . . but does
    not include defensive measures to protect oneself; . . . .
    Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 71.004(1).
    First, appellant argues that the evidence was insufficient to support a finding of the
    requisite mental state beyond a reasonable doubt. She contends that it “seems clear from
    the record that Appellant’s state of mind at the time of this incident was one of protecting
    Appellant’s property or homestead.” Galyn testified that appellant bit her for a period of
    one to two minutes. The bite was forceful enough to puncture the skin through denim
    and leave a scar visible on the day of trial. Given the length of time and severity of
    appellant’s bite, the jury could have rationally found appellant intentionally, knowingly,
    or recklessly caused bodily injury to Galyn. See 
    Isassi, 330 S.W.3d at 638
    ; 
    Williams, 235 S.W.3d at 750
    .
    Second, appellant contends that because “there was no evidence presented to
    substantiate the so called bodily injury,” the evidence was insufficient to support the
    conviction.    Appellant contends the State did not admit any medical records,
    photographs, or any other evidence that would substantiate a claim that Galyn suffered
    bodily injury. However, there is evidence in the record of the bodily injury inflicted upon
    Galyn. At trial, Galyn testified appellant bit her leg and continued to do so for at least
    one minute.      Galyn also testified that when she was bit that “it stung real bad.”
    Additionally, pictures taken of Galyn’s leg after the incident were admitted into evidence.
    Lastly, during trial, Galyn displayed the scar from appellant’s bite to the jury. Viewing
    the evidence in a light most favorable to the verdict, the jury could have rationally found
    bodily injury within the meaning of the Penal Code. See 
    Isassi, 330 S.W.3d at 638
    ;
    
    Williams, 235 S.W.3d at 750
    .
    Finally, appellant argues that the evidence “adduced at trial was not legally
    sufficient to prove that Appellant assaulted a family member nor [sic] family violence.”
    10
    However, Galyn testified that appellant and herself shared a common ancestor—their
    mother, Leona. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 71.003; Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 573.022.
    Leona also testified both appellant and Galyn were her children. We conclude that a
    rational jury could have found that the assault was committed by appellant against a
    member of her family. See 
    Isassi, 330 S.W.3d at 638
    ; 
    Williams, 235 S.W.3d at 750
    .
    We overrule appellant’s first issue.
    II.       Jury Charge Error
    In her second issue, appellant contends that the jury charge was erroneous. First,
    she argues that it was error for the trial court to allow the jury to make the family
    violence finding.4 Second, appellant argues that it was error for the court to refuse to
    submit to the jury her requested instructions regarding self-defense and defense of
    property.
    When reviewing claims of jury charge errors, we first determine whether there
    was error in the charge. Barrios v. State, 
    283 S.W.3d 348
    , 350 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009).
    If the error was not objected to, the error requires reversal only if the error was so
    egregious and created such harm that the defendant “has not had a fair and impartial
    trial.” Almanza v. State, 
    686 S.W.2d 157
    , 171 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985) (op. on reh’g).
    4
    This argument was within appellant’s sufficiency argument in her brief. However, the State
    contends, and we agree, that appellant is actually arguing jury charge error. Specifically, appellant argues
    in her brief:
    Appellant complains that, article 42.013 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure places
    the duty of making an affirmative finding of domestic violence upon the trial judge if
    “the court determines that the offense involved family violence, as defined by Section
    71.004 [of the Texas] Family Code.” Finally, under article 42.013 the trial court has no
    discretion in entering a family violence finding once it determines the offense involved
    family violence. In this case, the trial court left that decision to the jury as directed in the
    Court’s Charge. Additionally, the trial court did not make a finding in the Court’s
    Judgment And Sentence. The trial court abused its discretion in leaving that finding to
    the jury, this Court should overturn this trial court's determination as an abuse of
    discretion. (citations omitted).
    11
    We determine whether egregious harm exists by considering “the charge itself; the state
    of the evidence including the contested issues and weight of probative evidence;
    arguments of counsel; and any other relevant information revealed by the record of the
    trial as a whole.” Olivas v. State, 
    202 S.W.3d 137
    , 144 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).
    The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure provides that in the trial of an offense
    against the person, if the court determines that the offense involved family violence as
    defined by the Family Code, then the court must make such an affirmative finding in the
    judgment of the case. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 42.013 (West 2006). Here, the
    trial court allowed the jury to make this determination by special instruction. The trial
    court itself did not make an affirmative finding in the judgment that the offense involved
    family violence.5 Additionally, appellant did not object to this special instruction to the
    jury.
    Assuming without deciding that the charge was erroneous, we conclude that
    appellant was not egregiously harmed by the jury’s finding. The jury charge otherwise
    reflects an accurate statement of the law applicable to the case. See Tex. Code Crim.
    Proc. Ann. art. 36.14 (West 2007). The undisputed evidence presented at trial indicated
    that appellant and complainant were sisters, and thus family members. See Tex. Fam.
    Code Ann. § 71.003. Finally, even without an affirmative finding in the judgment, in a
    prosecution for a subsequent family violence assault, the State may use extrinsic evidence
    to prove that the previous assault was committed against a family member. State v.
    Eakins, 
    71 S.W.3d 443
    , 445 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, no pet.); Goodwin v. State, 
    91 S.W.3d 912
    , 919 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2002, no pet.).
    5
    An affirmative finding is not a recitation of the offense in the judgment, nor is it made and
    entered when the judgment merely reflects the verdict of the jury that refers to family violence. See Ex
    parte Brooks, 
    722 S.W.2d 140
    (Tex. Crim. App. 1986) (discussing trial court’s failure to make
    affirmative deadly weapon finding in the judgment as required by the Texas Code of Criminal
    Procedure); Ex parte Mendez, 
    724 S.W.2d 77
    (Tex. Crim. App. 1987) (same).
    12
    Next appellant argues that the trial court “reversibly erred and abused its discretion
    in denying appellant’s request for a jury instruction regarding self-defense and defense of
    property.” She states that “this case represents the type of evidence sufficient to raise a
    jury question regarding self defense and defense of property.”
    We must first decide whether there is error in the jury charge. Posey v. State, 
    966 S.W.2d 57
    , 61 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998). A trial judge has the absolute duty to prepare a
    jury charge that accurately sets out the law applicable to the case. Tex. Code Crim. Proc.
    Ann. art. 36.14; Oursbourn v. State, 
    259 S.W.3d 159
    , 179 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).
    However, a trial court does not have a duty to sua sponte instruct the jury on defensive
    issues. 
    Posey, 966 S.W.2d at 61
    ; see also Barrera v. State, 
    982 S.W.2d 415
    , 416 (Tex.
    Crim. App. 1998) (reiterating that trial court has no duty to put defensive issue in the
    charge sua sponte, including self defense). This is because a defensive issue is not
    “applicable to the case” for purposes of Article 36.14 unless the defendant timely
    requests the issue or objects to the omission of the issue in the jury charge. 
    Posey, 966 S.W.2d at 61
    .
    At the charge conference, the trial court asked both the State and appellant about
    any objections they had to the jury charge. Appellant objected “to putting the burden on
    the Defendant in proving self-defense.” The trial court overruled this objection and asked
    if there were any further objections. Appellant responded, “No sir.” It is noted in the
    record that the charge was read by the court. The jury charge contains a section on self-
    defense, but does not reference defense of property in any way. Only the charge given to
    the jury is within the appellate record. There being no indication in the record that a jury
    instruction on defense of property was requested, nor that its omission from the charge
    given to the jury was objected to, defense of property did not become “the law applicable
    to the case” within the meaning of article 36.14.6 See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art.
    6
    Appellant states that “there was a charge conference regarding defense of property that was not
    recorded by the official court reporter.” However, the record must show that the complaint was presented
    13
    36.14; 
    Posey, 966 S.W.2d at 61
    . Therefore, it was not error to omit such an instruction
    from the jury charge. See 
    Posey, 966 S.W.2d at 61
    .
    Appellant objected at the charge conference that the jury charge improperly
    shifted the burden of proving self-defense. The jury charge included the following
    application paragraph in regard to self-defense:
    Now, if you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that
    on or about June 4, 2010, in Fort Bend County, Texas, the defendant,
    DARLEN G. SCHNEXNAIDER, did intentionally, knowingly, or
    recklessly cause bodily injury to Galyn Schnexnaider by biting her, but you
    further find from the evidence, or you have a reasonable doubt thereof,
    that at that time the defendant was under attack or attempted attack from the
    Complainant, Galyn Schnexnaider, and that the defendant reasonably
    believed, as viewed from her standpoint, that such force and (sic) she used
    was immediately necessary to protect herself against such attack or
    attempted attack, and so believing, she bit Galyn Schnexnaider due to
    Galyn Schnexnaider's unlawful use of force to strike, kick, or pull the
    defendant's hair, then you will acquit the defendant and say by your
    verdict “not guilty.”
    (Emphasis added). Self-defense is a defense under section 2.03 of the Texas Penal Code.
    See Tex. Penal Code § 2.03 (West 2005); Saxton v. State, 
    804 S.W.2d 910
    , 912 n.5 (Tex.
    Crim. App. 1991). “If the issue of the existence of a defense is submitted to the jury, the
    court shall charge that a reasonable doubt on the issue requires that the defendant be
    acquitted.” Tex. Penal Code § 2.03(d). The above charge properly instructed the jury to
    acquit if there was a reasonable doubt. Additionally, the court further instructed the jury
    that the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt was on the State, as well as instructed
    the jury on the presumption of innocence. See Luck v. State, 
    588 S.W.2d 371
    , 375 (Tex.
    to the trial court and the trial court ruled on it. Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a). “To complain on appeal about a
    matter that would not otherwise appear in the record, a party must file a formal bill of exception.” Tex. R.
    App. P. 33.2.
    14
    Crim. App. 1979).          The trial court did not commit error in overruling appellant’s
    objection to the self-defense charge. See 
    id. We overrule
    appellant’s second issue on appeal.
    CONCLUSION
    Having overruled both of appellant’s issues on appeal, we affirm the judgment of
    the trial court.
    /s/     Margaret Garner Mirabal
    Senior Justice
    Panel consists of Justices Seymore, Boyce, and Mirabal.7
    Do Not Publish — TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).
    7
    Senior Justice Margaret Garner Mirabal sitting by assignment.
    15