Victor Campos v. State ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
13-14-00271-CR
THIRTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
10/19/2015 2:53:04 PM
Dorian E. Ramirez
CLERK
DOCKET NO. 13-14-00271-CR
FILED IN
13th COURT OF APPEALS
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR CHRISTI/EDINBURG, TEXAS
CORPUS
TH
THE 13 DISTRICT OF TEXAS 10/19/2015 2:53:04 PM
AT CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS DORIAN E. RAMIREZ
Clerk
VICTOR CAMPOS,
APPELLANT
vs.
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
APPELLEE
APPEAL FROM CAUSE NO. 13-CR-2691-E
IN 148TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
OF NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS
APPELLANTS’S BRIEF
CELINA LOPEZ LEON
LAW OFFICE OF SCOTT M. ELLISON, P.L.L.C.
410 PEOPLES ST.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78401
TELEPHONE: (361) 887-7600
FACSIMILE: (361) 882-4728
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
IDENTITIES OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
Judge Presiding
The Honorable Judge Guy Williams
148TH District Court
901 Leopard St.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
The Honorable Judge Manuel Banales, Visiting Judge
148TH District Court
901 Leopard St.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
For Appellant
Mrs. Celina Lopez Leon, Esq. Mr. Adam Rodrigue, Esq.
410 Peoples St. 400 Mann Street, Suite 700
Corpus Christi, TX 78401 Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 887-7600 SBN. 24037377
SBN. 24070170 (Trial Attorney)
(Appellate Attorney)
Mr. James Martin, Esq.
615 Leopard St, Suite 727
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
SBN. 13080300
(Former Appellate Attorney)
For Appellee
Mr. Mark Skurka, Esq.
District Attorney, Nueces County
901 Leopard St.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT
Oral Argument is requested on Appellant’s behalf to facilitate and elucidate
the manner in which the facts relate to the legal arguments
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IDENTITIES OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL ........................................................ ii
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT .............................................. ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................... iii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES.....................................................................................iv
STATEMENT OF THE CASE .................................................................................. 1
ISSUES PRESENTED............................................................................................... 3
I. WAS THE FORTY-FIVE YEAR SENTENCE IN VIOLATION OF
THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT WHEN THERE WAS NO FINDING
OF A DEADLY WEAPON?
STATEMENT OF FACTS ........................................................................................ 3
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT ........................................................................ 5
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ........................................................................ 6
I. WAS THE FORTY-FIVE YEAR SENTENCE IN VIOLATION OF
THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT WHEN THERE WAS NO FINDING
OF A DEADLY WEAPON?...................................................................6
CONCLUSION AND PRAYER FOR RELIEF ...................................................... 16
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ................................................................................ 18
RULE 9.4(i) CERTIFICATION .............................................................................. 19
iii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
CASES
Carlock v. State, 8 S.W.3d 717 (Tex.App. – Waco 1999)....................................... 15
Fluellen v. State, 71 S.W.3d 870 (Tex.App. – Texarkana 2002) ........................... 7,9
Gonzalez v. State, 2013 WL268982 (Tex.App. – Corpus Christi-Edinburg) .......... 13
Hall v. State, 2014 WL7404017 (Tex.App. – Corpus Christi) ............................... 11
Harms v. State, 2005 WL1845170 (Tex.App. – Corpus Christi-Edinburg) .......12,13
Hogan v. State, 529 S.W.2d 515 (Tex.Crim.App. 1975)........................................... 6
Hooks v. State, 860 S.W.2d 110 (Tex.Crim.App. 1993) ......................................... 11
Jackson v. State, 680 S.W.2d 809 (Tex.Crim.App. 1984) ......................................... 6
Jackson v. State, 989 S.W.2d, 845 (Tex.App. – Texarkana 1999, no pet.) ............... 7
Johnson v. Texas, 233 S.W.3d 420 (Tex.App. – Fort Worth 2007) ...................10,11
Myers v. State, 2007 WL 4146741 (Tex.App. – Amarillo) ..................................... 15
Nunez v. State, 565 S.W.2d 536 (Tex.Crim.App. 1978)............................................ 6
Polk v. State, 693 S.W.2d 391 (Tex.Crim.App. 1985)………………………........10
Reavis v. State, 1997 WL217138 (Tex.App. – Austin) ........................................... 14
Saenz v. State, 2012 WL114199 (Tex.App. – Corpus Christi-Edinburg) ............... 12
Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 277 (1983) ................................................................. 8
Will. v. State, 2010 WL 3307456 (Tex.App. – Houston [14th Dist.]) ..........15,16
iv
STATUTES
TEX.PEN.CODE ANN. § 12.32(a). ................................................................................ 9
TEX.PEN.CODE ANN. § 30.02(d). ............................................................................... 9
TEX.R.APP. §33.1 ....................................................................................................... 7
TEX.R.APP.PROC. §33.1(a)(1)(A),(B) ........................................................................ 7
TEX.R.APP.PROC. §33.1(a)(2(A) ................................................................................ 7
TEX.R.APP.PROC. §38 ................................................................................................ 1
U.S. CONST. AMEND. VIII………………………………………………………….8
v
DOCKET NO. 13-14-00271-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR
THE 13TH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AT CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
VICTOR CAMPOS,
APPELLANT
vs.
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
APPELLEE
APPEAL FROM CAUSE NO. 13-CR-2691-E
IN 148TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
OF NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS
APPELLANTS’S BRIEF
Appellant, Victor Campos, submits this Brief pursuant to Tex.R.App.Proc.
38.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
On February 21, 2014, Appellant Victor Campos pled guilty in an open plea
to the court, Honorable Judge Guy Williams presiding, to four separate
indictments: Possession of Marijuana in Cause No. 13-CR-3446-E, Possession of a
Controlled Substance in Cause No. 13-CR-2692-E, Possession of a Controlled
1
Substance in Cause No. 13-CR-2693-E, and Count I: Burglary with Intent to
Commit a Felony (Robbery), and Count II: Burglary of a Habitation, in Cause No.
13-CR-2691-E. Only Count I and Count II in the Burglary case is the basis of this
appeal.
After hearing testimony from the victim in the State’s case, as well as the
Appellant after the State rested, both sides closed and argued to the court. The
Court then spoke to the victim with the court reporter in chambers, which was kept
under seal. The Court then recessed for sentencing. Shortly thereafter, the
Honorable Guy Williams recused himself from the case.
Almost two months later on April 10, 2014, visiting Judge Honorable
Manuel Banales presided over the sentencing hearing. Appellant again pled guilty
on the record and the Court heard testimony from the victim and Appellant before
sentencing to Appellant as follows: two years state jail for one controlled
substance case and the marijuana offense, ten years in the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice on the possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) case, and
forty-five (45) years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in the burglary
offense, all to run concurrent with one another. No deadly weapon finding was
made on the judgment.
Appellant timely filed his notice of appeal and Appellant Counsel James
Martin filed an Anders Brief on December 4, 2014. On July 16, 2015, the
2
Thirteenth Court of Appeals abated the appeal, relieved Counsel Martin from his
Appellate duties in the Burglary case only, and ordered the 148th District Court to
appoint new appellate counsel to determine if the appeal is wholly frivolous or if
there are arguable grounds for appeal. This brief follows.
ISSUES PRESENTED
I. WAS THE FORTY-FIVE YEAR SENTENCE IN VIOLATION OF THE
EIGHTH AMENDMENT WHEN THERE WAS NO FINDING OF A
DEADLY WEAPON?
STATEMENT OF FACTS
On August 13, 2013, Appellant entered into Leslie Espinosa’s home without
permission, along with another individual referred to as “Gordo.”1 Appellant
entered a plea of guilty to the Court on February 21, 2014, and again on April 10,
2014, when the case was reset for sentencing. At the punishment hearing on April
10, victim Leslie Espinosa testified that she and her four year old daughter were
home when they heard loud banging and saw Appellant and another person run
into their home. R.R. Vol. 1 (Sentencing) p. 10, Ln. 1-15. Espinosa testified that
she recognized Appellant as an old family friend,2 and could see his face because
his bandana kept sliding down and she recognized his voice. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 11, Ln.
1
Citations to the Reporter’s Record will be as follows: “R.R. Vol. __, p. __, Ln. __.” All
citations to the Reporter’s Record refer to “Vol. 1” of sentencing occurring on April 10, 2014,
unless otherwise specified. Citations to the Clerk’s Record will be: “C.R. p. ___”.
2
Appellant grew up with Espinosa’s family and she knew him for about ten years before the
incident. R.R. Vol.1, p. 11, Ln. 20-21. Although “Gordo” is mentioned throughout, he was never
charged or arrested for the offense, even though his full name is notated in police records.
3
12-16. Espinosa stated that she knew Appellant had a gun because her daughter
started screaming “Please don’t kill my mommy, please don’t kill me,” and then
she claimed he pointed it at Espinosa’s daughter. R.R.Vol. 1, p. 12, Ln. 2-5.
Espinosa then got in the closet with her daughter and dialed 9-1-1. R.R. Vol. 1, p.
12, Ln. 11-16. Espinosa testified that some money she was saving was taken
(although no specific amount was disclosed), along with some of her boyfriend’s
baseball caps. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 13, Ln. 12-16. No one was injured and no gun was
recovered despite Appellant being found and arrested that same night. R.R. Vol.1,
p. 39, Ln. 5-6.
Appellant also testified at his punishment hearing taking responsibility and
apologizing to Espinosa. Appellant admitted to entering Espinosa’s home, but
submitted to the court that he was drunk and had consumed numerous Xanax bars.
R.R. Vol. 1, p. 19, Ln. 22-25. Appellant was very remorseful in his testimony,
admitting that he did not normally consume Xanax, and that he was not in his right
state of mind. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 22, Ln. 5-12.3 Appellant adamantly denied having a
gun or using it to scare Espinosa or her daughter, testifying on cross-examination
that “it really wasn’t me. I wouldn’t even have the heart to do that to her.” R.R.
Vol. 1, p. 29, Ln. 23-25. Appellant testified that “Gordo” took out the fake BB gun
that his little cousin left in his mother’s vehicle, and he had no idea “Gordo” was
3
Appellant even wrote an apology letter to Espinosa from jail, against the advice of his trial
counsel. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 25, Ln. 25 – p. 26, Ln. 1-10.
4
going to take it out of the car. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 24, Ln. 12-15. The only thing
Appellant did was run in, take some baseball caps, and run out. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 24,
Ln. 19-20.
At the end of the proceeding, trial counsel asked the court to consider
granting Appellant deferred probation, arguing that it would be a great tool to mold
him into a better person and contributing member of society, while at the same
time holding a large hammer above his head. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 41, Ln. 4-5, 14-24; p.
p. 42, Ln. 15-18. Appellant was 18 years old at the time of the offense, had no
prior felony history before pleading to the cases, and spent nine months in jail
waiting for his sentence. The State recommend that the court assess punishment at
20 years in prison both in closing argument and when the court asked specifically
how many years the State wanted. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 35, Ln. 16-19; p. 39, Ln. 1-3.
Despite the recommendations from both parties, the court assessed punishment on
this case to forty-five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. R.R. Vol.
1, p. 51, Ln. 18-25.
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
Appellant Campos submits that his forty-five year sentence is in direct
violation of his Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment.
Appellant preserved his right to appeal this issue by objecting to the sentence on
the recording and stating that he did not feel that he deserved such a harsh
5
sentence. Although the punishment assessed was in the applicable range for the
offense charge, it was grossly disproportionate to the crime itself and Appellant’s
involvement, especially given that there was no affirmative deadly weapon finding.
And since the exact same crime in this jurisdiction as well as other jurisdictions
around Texas have received significantly lesser sentences (often coupled with
more heinous facts and circumstances), Appellant’s sentence is disproportionate
and in violation of his constitutional rights. Appellant petitions this court to
consider remanding the case to the trial court for a new sentencing hearing.
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
I. WAS THE FORTY-FIVE YEAR SENTENCE IN VIOLATION OF THE
EIGHTH AMENDMENT WHEN THERE WAS NO FINDING OF A
DEADLY WEAPON?
A. STANDARD OF REVIEW
In reviewing a trial judge’s sentencing in the punishment phase of any case,
wide discretion is allowed to the sentencing judge. Jackson v. State, 680 S.W.2d
809, 814 (Tex.Crim.App. 1984). The court’s decision with regard to punishment
will not be overturned on appeal without a showing of abuse of discretion and
harm. Id.; citing Hogan v. State, 529 S.W.2d 515 (Tex.Crim.App. 1975).
Furthermore, so long as the sentence imposed is within the appropriate range of
punishment for the crime, it will not be disturbed on appeal. Nunez v. State, 565
S.W.2d 536 (Tex.Crim.App. 1978). Regardless of whether the sentence imposed is
6
within the applicable punishment range established by the Legislature, Texas
appellate courts have recognized that “a prohibition against grossly
disproportionate punishment survives under the Eighth Amendment.” Fluellen v.
State, 71 S.W.3d 870, 873 (Tex.App. – Texarkana 2002); see Jackson v. State, 989
S.W.2d, 845 (Tex.App. – Texarkana 1999, no pet.). If reversible error occurs at
the punishment phase in front of a trial judge alone, the case can be remanded back
to the trial court for a suitable assessment of punishment. Fluellen, at 873.
B. APPELLANT PROPERLY PRESERVED HIS COMPLAINT FOR APPELLATE
REVIEW
Rule 33.1 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure codifies the
requirements for preservation of complaints. TEX.R.APP. §33.1. In pertinent part,
this statute requires a showing in the record of the complaint made by a timely
request, objection, or motion that “stated the grounds for the ruling that the
complaining party sought from the trial court…unless the specific grounds were
apparent from the context;” and the request complied with the requisite rules. See
TEX.R.APP.PROC. §33.1(a)(1)(A),(B). Additionally, the trial court must have ruled
on the request either expressly or implicitly, or refused to rule at all over objection.
Id. at §33.1(a)(2)(A).
At the open plea proceedings, both at the one started on February 21, 2014,
in front of the Honorable Guy Williams, and on the one conducted on April 10,
2014, in front of Honorable Manuel Banales, Appellant’s counsel made several
7
requests for the court to consider sentencing Appellant to deferred adjudication
probation. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 41, Ln. 4-5, 14-24; p. p. 42, Ln. 15-18. Campos submits
that this request in and of itself is enough to preserve error in compliance with rule
33.1. Furthermore, Appellant himself objected to the sentence when the court
asked if he had any reason why the sentence should not be imposed on him: “Yes,
sir, Your Honor. I really learned my lesson. I don’t think I deserve – I understand
what I did and it was wrong, but I don’t think I deserve that much time, Your
Honor.” R.R. Vol. 1, p. 51, Ln. 6-11. Taking the record in context, it was clear
that Appellant raised the objection to his sentence, and the Court denied that
request by continuing to impose the forty-five year sentence.
C. THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
PROHIBITS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT.
The Eight Amendment of the constitution of the United States protects
against cruel and unusual punishment. U.S. CONST. AMEND. VIII. This
amendment pertains not only to barbaric punishments, but to punishments that are
disproportionate to the crime committed. Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 277 (1983).
In determining Eighth Amendment challenges, the reviewing court should base
their analysis on objective criteria, including: (i) the gravity of the offense and
harshness of the penalty; (ii) the sentences imposed on other criminals in the same
jurisdiction; and (iii) sentences imposed for commission of the same exact crime in
other jurisdictions. Id. at 278. Only if the reviewing court finds that the punishment
8
is disproportionate to the offense will the remaining factors of the Solem test be
considered (parts ii and iii). Fluellen v. State, 71 S.W.3d 870, 873 (Tex.App. –
Texarkana 2002).
i. The gravity of the offense is grossly disproportionate to the
harshness of the penalty
Burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony (other than a
felony theft) is a first degree offense punishable by five to ninety-nine years in
prison. TEX.PEN.CODE ANN. §§ 30.02(d), 12.32(a). Although the punishment
imposed in the instant case is within the applicable punishment range for the
offense, Appellant submits that his forty-five year sentence (over twice the
sentence as recommended by the State!) does not fit the severity of the crime or his
lack of criminal history. Appellant submits that this sentence was excessive and
completely disproportionate to the crime committed.
Campos testified that he was not the one holding the gun, and that he did not
have the “heart” to hurt Espinosa or her daughter. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 29, Ln. 23-25.
Furthermore, Campos was not in his right state of mind when the incident
occurred, and would not have intentionally committed the crime had he been sober.
R.R. Vol. 1, p. 19, Ln. 22-25; p. 22, Ln. 5-12. Even if the trial court chose not to
believe him, there was no evidence of any physical harm done to Espinosa or her
daughter, nor any evidence that they were threatened with a real firearm.
9
Furthermore, Campos was only eighteen when he committed the offense,
and did not have any convictions on his record.4 After the initial open plea
proceeding in February 2014, the record was very clear that the Honorable Guy
Williams was heavily considering giving Appellant a deferred adjudication
sentence. See C.R. p. 46-50. Had Campos been sentenced that day at the end of the
proceeding instead of getting reset for sentencing in front of another judge, there is
a strong likelihood that he never would have been sent to prison. See Id.
a) There was no deadly weapon finding
Additionally, the sentenced imposed is disproportionate considering that
there was no deadly weapon finding. Although the record in the open plea
proceeding specifies that the trial court made a deadly weapon finding, there was
no specific language indicating that it was “used” or “exhibited,” and no such
affirmative deadly weapon finding is in the judgment. See C.R. p. 106.
When there is an affirmative finding that a defendant used or exhibited a
deadly weapon, “it then becomes the mandatory duty of the trial court to enter a
separate and specific deadly weapon finding in the judgment.” Johnson v. Texas,
233 S.W.3d 420, 424 (Tex.App. – Fort Worth 2007); citing Polk v. State, 693
S.W.2d 391, 394 (Tex.Crim.App. 1985). Regardless, if the trial court made an
4
Additional mitigating evidence was presented to the court for its consideration: Appellant
dropped out of school in the tenth grade to start working to help his mother with finances after
his father passed away. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 20, Ln. 4-11. Appellate worked in construction for two
years, and worked as a restaurant dishwasher for one. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 21, Ln. 19-22.
10
affirmative finding either as a matter of law or expressed as such, the court still
retains discretion on whether to make the finding in the judgment when the court is
the trier of fact. Johnson, at 425 (Tex.App. – Fort Worth 2007); see e.g. Hooks v.
State, 860 S.W.2d 110, 111 (Tex.Crim.App. 1993).
Because there was no affirmative finding in Appellant’s case, the
punishment assessed was extremely high compared to the offense committed, as
well as those in the same and other similar jurisdictions. See parts ii and iii, infra.
Because of the gross disproportionally, Appellant submits that the next portions of
the Solom test should be addressed.
ii. Sentences imposed on other criminals in the same jurisdiction are
disproportionate to Appellant’s sentence
Defendants with the same exact offense of burglary with intent to commit a
felony, routinely receive significantly lower sentences in both Nueces County and
under the umbrella of the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. Some of the defendants’
crimes are considerably more heinous than Appellant’s crime (complete with a
deadly weapon finding), and many of them have ample criminal records as well.
In Hall v. State, Appellant Hall did an open plea to the court on several
cases, much like in the instant case. 2014 WL7404017 (Tex.App. – Corpus
Christi) (not designated for publication). Hall pled guilty to six offenses, including
credit card abuse, two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, another
aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, burglary of a habitation with intent to
11
commit aggravated robbery, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and evading
detention using a vehicle. Id. at 1. Regarding the first degree felonies, Hall
received sentences of ten years on the first two counts of aggravated robbery,
twenty years on the next aggravated robbery, and fifteen years on the burglary with
intent to commit aggravated robbery, all to run concurrent with each other (and the
other offenses). Id.
In Saenz v. State, Appellant Saenz initially pled guilty to burglary of a
habitation with intent to commit aggravated robbery in Nueces County pursuant to
a plea bargain agreement in exchange for ten years deferred probation. 2012
WL114199 (Tex.App. – Corpus Christi-Edinburg) (not designated for publication).
After returning to court on a motion to revoke proceeding, Saenz was adjudicated
and sentenced to only fifteen years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Id. at 1.
In Harms v. State, Harms was charged in Nueces County with one count of
burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony to an elderly, and one
county of injury to an elderly with a deadly weapon. 2005 WL1845170 (Tex.App.
– Corpus Christi-Edinburg) (not designated for publication). In that case,
Appellant Ham entered into the 67 year old victim’s home and attacked him with a
butcher knife, stabbing him eight times. Id. at 1. Punishment was assessed at ten
12
years suspended for ten years community supervision on the first count, and fifteen
years in prison for the second count. Id.
In Gonzalez v. State, Gonzalez entered an open plea to the offense of
burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony, a first degree felony, in
front of the 105th District Court in Nueces County. 2013 WL268982 (Tex.App. –
Corpus Christi-Edinburg) (not designated for publication). The trial court
sentenced Gonzalez to fifteen years in prison. Id. at 1.
Perhaps the most comparable case in this jurisdiction is Appellant’s case
itself. The Honorable Guy Williams, the presiding judge of the 148th District
Court, who sentences people everyday to these kinds of offenses, was almost
certainly going to sentence Appellant to deferred adjudication for this very case
after hearing the same evidence. See C.R. p. 46-50. After both parties rested and
closed, the Court asked to speak to Espinosa in chambers, along with the court
reporter. The meeting minutes were sealed in the record, but important parts of the
conversation are detailed in the affidavits supporting the state’s motion to recuse.
See C.R. p. 46-50. The Court at this point heard the same evidence and testimony
that was heard at the April 10th hearing, as well as the same mitigating information
from Appellant himself. The fact that Judge Williams was considering sentencing
Appellant to deferred adjudication is incredibly significant when making a
determination if Appellant’s ultimate sentence of forty-five years was
13
disproportionate. After hearing the same exact information on the same exact case
a month and a half later, Visiting Judge Manuel Banales not only sentenced
Appellant to prison time, but he imposed a sentence that was over twice the
amount of time the State was asking for.
The sentences imposed on a routine basis for this crime in Nueces County
are completely disproportionate to Appellant’s. Each case discussed supra give
the defendant anywhere from fifteen to twenty years in the penitentiary, even when
the victims are sexually assaulted or stabbed multiple times. In the instant case,
Appellant broke into a home and stole baseball caps; no one was hurt in the
process. R.R. Vol. 1, p. 24, Ln. 19-20.
iii. Punishments for the same exact crime in other jurisdictions are
disproportionate to Appellant’s sentence
Additionally, the same exact crime in other jurisdictions in Texas has
rendered a lighter sentence despite more grave circumstances.
In Reavis v. State, Appellant Gary Reavis was charged by indictment (along
with other codefendants) with burglary with intent to commit: (1) kidnapping; (2)
robbery; sexual assault; and (4) and aggravated assault. Reavis, 1997 WL217138
(Tex.App. – Austin) (not designated for publication). In that case, two victims
were assaulted and the female was sexually assaulted. Id. at 1. Nonetheless, even
after Reavis was found guilty of burglary exactly as charged, he was punished by a
$5,000 fine and probated sentence of ten years confinement. Id. at 1.
14
In Carlock v. State, Carlock along with two other codefendants entered a 95
year old man’s home with the intent of stealing items to sell for drugs. 8 S.W.3d
717, 719 (Tex.App. – Waco 1999). Each codefendant took turns holding the
elderly man while the others burglarized the home. Id. A rubber mat and a pillow
were thrown over the victim’s head, he was held down by the wrists, and he had
trouble breathing. Id. at 720. The 95 year old man was left with bruises on his arms
and a sore jaw while the assailants took off with jewelry, knives, a shotgun, and the
victim’s car. Id. Appellant Carlock received twenty years in prison. Id. at 719.
In Myers v. State, Javier Myers and a codefendant were charged with
burglary of a habitation with intent to commit robbery. 2007 WL 4146741
(Tex.App. – Amarillo) (not designated for publication). Appellant Myers and his
codefendant broke into a home and Myers (armed with a crow bar) had an
altercation with one of the victims. Id. at 1. After ransacking the home and
stealing a watch, Myers was sentenced by the trial court to twenty years in prison.
Id.
In Williams v. State, Appellant Williams was convicted of burglary of a
habitation with intent to commit aggravated robbery. 2010 WL 3307456 (Tex.App.
– Houston [14th Dist.]) (not designated for publication). Williams and his friend
broke into the victims’ home and robbed the family at gunpoint, pistol whipping
one of the victims in the face and forcing the victims to escape through the master
15
bedroom window. Id. at 1. Despite already being on probation for a previous
aggravated robbery, Williams received eighteen years in prison. Id.
Much like the trend in Nueces County, these sentences are consistent with a
fifteen to twenty year punishment in the penitentiary, some even resulting in
probation. Appellant submits that his crime is no worse than any of these cases
discussed from Nueces County or other jurisdictions throughout the state.
Because Appellant properly preserved error for appeal, and the forty-five
year prison sentence imposed directly violates his rights under the Eighth
Amendment protecting against cruel and unusual punishment, his case should be
remanded to the trial court for a new sentencing hearing.
CONCLUSION AND PRAYER FOR RELIEF
Based on the foregoing argument and case law, Appellant submits that he is
entitled to the relief requested in this Appellant Brief. Appellant respectfully prays
that this Honorable Court of Appeals remand this case to the trial court for a new
punishment hearing.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/Celina Lopez Leon
CELINA LOPEZ LEON
State Bar No. 24070170
16
LAW OFFICE OF SCOTT M. ELLISON, P.L.L.C.
410 Peoples St.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Telephone: (361) 887-7600
Telecopier: (361) 882-4728
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT,
VICTOR CAMPOS
17
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
As Attorney of Record for Appellant, I do hereby certify that a copy of the
foregoing Brief has been hand delivered to Mark Skurka, Esq., District Attorney,
Nueces County, TX at Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78401 on this 19th day of
October, 2015.
/s/Celina Lopez Leon
CELINA LOPEZ LEON
18
RULE 9.4(i) CERTIFICATION
In compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(3), I certify
that the number of words in this brief, excluding those matters listed in Rule
9.4(i)(1), is 3,566.
/s/Celina Lopez Leon
CELINA LOPEZ LEON
19