Wooley, Jason Earl ( 2015 )


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    IN THE   COURT OF   CRIMINAL APPEALS
    OF TEXAS
    COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
    FILED IN
    COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
    PD-0649-15
    AUG 2 7 2015
    AUG 27 2015
    Abel Acosta, Clerk
    Abel Acosta, Clerk
    JASON EARL WOOLEY                                       APPELLANT/PETITIONER
    V.
    §
    §
    THE STATE OF TEXAS                                      APPELLEE/RESPONDENT
    §
    On Petition For Discretionary Review from
    The Fourteenth Court of Appeals in No.l4-.06-O0088-CR
    Affirming the Conviction in No.997,161 from
    The 176th Judicial District of Harris County, Texas
    APPELLANT'S PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW
    JASON EARL WOOLEY
    ELLIS I UNIT - TDC#1348672
    1697 FM 980
    HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS 77343
    STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT
    Appellant/Petitioner desires not to make oral argument
    NAMES OF INTERESTED PARTIES
    Pursuant to TEX.R.APP.P. 38.1(a), Appellant submits that the
    following are interested parties:
    Jason Earl Wooley, Appellant- Pro se,
    TDCJ-ID #1348672
    Ellis Unit
    1697 FM 980
    Huntsville, Texas 77343
    Honorable Brian Rains, Judge Presiding
    176th District Court of Harris County,
    1201 Franklin, 19th Floor
    Houston, Texas 77002
    Eileen Bogar, Assistant District Attorney
    Trial Division
    Harris County District Attorney's Office
    1201 Franklin
    Houston, Texas 77002
    TABLE OF CONTENTS
    PAGE
    STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT                        2
    NAMES OF INTERESTED PARTIES                              3
    TABLE OF CONTENTS                                \       4
    INDEX OF AUTHORITIES                         '       -   5
    STATEMENT OF THE CASE                                    6
    ISSUES PRESENTED                                         7
    STATEMENT OF FACTS                                       7,8
    ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ISSUE NO.l                      8,9
    ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ISSUE NO.2                      9
    ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ISSUE NO.3 & 4                  9
    ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ISSUE NO.5                      9
    CONCLUSION AND PRAYER                                    10
    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE                                   10
    INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
    UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT CASES                                   PAGE
    Jackson v. Virginia, 
    443 U.S. 307
    , 319, 99 S.Ct.2781,2789(1979) 9
    Cole v. Arkansas, 
    333 U.S. 196
     (1948)                           9
    5TH CIR.   CASES
    Santellan v. Cockrell, 
    271 F.3d 190
     (5th Cir. 2001)                 9
    TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS CASES
    Malik v. State, 
    953 S.W.2d 234
    , 239-40 (Tex.Crim.App.1997)          8
    Wooley v. State, 
    273 S.W.3d 260
    , 271-73 (Tex.Crim.App. 2008)        8
    Lowry v. State, 692 S.W.2d 86,87 (Tex.Crim.App.1985)                8
    Johnson v. State, 
    673 S.W.2d 190
    , 194 (Tex.Grim.App.1984)           8
    -'-Peddicord v. State, 
    942 S.W.2d 100
    , 103 (Tex.App.-Amarillo 1997   8
    -'-Wooley v. State, 
    223 S.W.3d 732
     (Tex.App.-Houston 2007           8
    -'-Garcia v. State, 
    634 S.W.2d 888
    ., 893 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 1982 9
    Brooks v. State, 
    323 S.W.3d 893
    , 894-95 (Tex.Crim.App.2010)         9
    -''Texas Court of Appeals
    TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS:
    COMES NOW JASON EARL WOOLEY, Appellant, acting Pro se, and
    files this petition/brief in support of my prayer that the judgment
    of the Court of Appeals be vacated, and that I be granted a new
    trial or punishment hearing or that the case be remanded to the
    Court of Appeals for further review.
    STATEMENT OF THE CASE
    Appellant was convicted by a jury of murder, upon a plea of
    not guilty. The same jury found two enhancement paragraphs to
    be true and assessed punishment at "forty [40] years confinement
    in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division.
    Judgment was rendered January 11, 2006, by the 176th District
    Court of Harris County, Texas, in Cause Number 997,161. The trial
    court certified Appellant's right to appeal and Appellant gave
    timely Notice of Appeal.
    Appellant's conviction was affirmed by a three-justice panel
    of the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in a majority opinion delivered
    May 1, 2007. Appellant filed a "Petitioner for Discretionary
    Review" from the Court of Appeal's opinion. This Honorable Court
    granted Appellant's petition for discretionary review. Appellant's
    brief, pursuant to this Honorable Court's granting Appellant's
    Petition for Discretionary Review is timely filed on August 15,2015,
    by sending it via certified U.S. Mail #7013 1710 0001 0996 3411,
    return receipt requested, addressed to the Clerk of the Court
    of Criminal Appeals in Austin, Texas.
    ISSUES   PRESENTED
    1.   Did the appellate court error in finding that the trial court
    found Appellant guilty of murder beyond a reasonable doubt
    when none of the evidence proved the fatal shot came from
    Appellant's gun, and the State's witnesses testified that
    Appellant only fired,one shot into the.ground?
    2.   Did the appellate court error in finding that the evidence
    was sufficient to support a conviction of murder?
    3.   Did the appellate court error in affirming Appellant's conviction
    knowing that appellant's due-process rights were violated
    when the court of appeals affirmed the conviction under the
    unsubmitted theory that appellant aided " another " to murder
    the complainant?
    4.   Did the appellate court error in finding that the State
    presented evidence from which the jury could have REASONABLY
    CONCLUDED APPELLANT SHOT AND KILLED THE COMPLAINANT?
    5.   Did the appellate court error in finding that the Appellant's
    Federal due process wasftviolated when Appellant's conviction
    was affirmed based upon facts not submitted to the jury.
    STATEMENT OF FACTS
    A jury found appellant, guilty of murder and sentenced him
    to confinement for forty years in the TDCJ. The Court of Appeals
    originally affirmed appellant's conviction, finding the evidence
    was legally and factually sufficient when viewed using a hypotheti-
    cally correct jury charge pursuant to Malik v. State, 
    953 S.W.2d 234
    , 239-40 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997). See Wooley v. State, 
    223 S.W.3d 732
     (Tex. App.- Houston [14th Dist.j 2007, pet. granted). The
    Court of Criminal Appeals reversed and remanded, holding that
    this court's use of a hypothetically correct charge violated
    appellant's federal due process rights by affirming the judgment
    on a theory not submitted to the jury. See Wooley v. State, 
    273 S.W.3d 260
    , 271-73 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). Then the Court of
    Appeals again affirmed the trial court's verdict. Appellant filed
    a writ of habeas corpus and proved to this Court that Counsel
    had not provided appellant with notice of his right to file a
    timely PDR. Thereafter, this Court granted appellant his right
    to   file an out-of-time PDR.
    ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ISSUE N0.1
    The police could not determine which of the named suspects
    fired the fatal shot or even which caliber gun caused the complainant's
    death. The U.S. supreme court has held that it is a violation
    of the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution 14th Amendment
    to shift the burden of proof in a criminal case to the defendant.
    Lowry v. State, 692 S.W.2d 86,87 (Tex.Crim.App.1985).
    It is incumbent on the State to prove every element of the
    offense byond a reasonable doubt. This is true whether the State
    is relying upon circumstantial or direct evidence. Johnson v.
    State, 
    673 S.W.2d 190
    , 194 (Tex.Crim.App. 1984); See also Peddicord
    v. State, 
    942 S.W.2d 100
    , 103 (Tex.App.-Amarillo 1997, no pet.).
    It is reversible error for the trial court, over the objection
    of the defendant, to fail to charge upon the presumption of innocence.
    Garcia v. State, 
    634 S.W.2d 888
    , 893 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 1982
    no pet.).
    ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ISSUE NO.2
    When the Court of Appeals made a finding that Appellant murdered
    complaintant without supporting sufficient evidence did the Appellate
    court error in violating Jackson v. Virginia; Brooks v. State,
    
    323 S.W.3d 893
    , 894-95 (Tex.Crim.App. 2010)•Santellan v. Cockrell,
    
    271 F.3d 190
     (5th Cir. 2001).
    ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES   ISSUE NO.3 &   4
    Did the Appellate Court error by affirming Appellant's conviction
    even knowing that the right to a jury trial is not satisfied
    when the appellant's jury was provided a different theory and
    instructions than was ever presented to the jury? Appellate courts
    are not permitted to affirm convictions on any theory they please
    simply because the facts necessary to support the theory were
    presented to the jury. The Appellate Court violated Cole v.
    Arkansas, 
    333 U.S. 196
     (1948), by doing this.
    ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ISSUE NO.5
    Did the Appellate Court error when denying Appellant's right
    to due process under the federal constitution when it affirmed
    appellant's conviction knowing that the facts used to obtain
    the conviction had not been submitted to the jury?
    CONCLUSION AND PRAYER
    WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellant prays this Honorable
    Court will vacate the judgment of the Court of Appeals, reverse •
    Appellant's conviction so that a new trial be held or the case
    be remanded for reconsideration. Additionally, Appellant prays
    for all other relief deemed appropriate.
    Respectfully submitted,
    EARL WOOLEY,;
    'PELLANT, PRO SE
    "O.B. ELLIS UNIT
    1697 FM 980
    HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS 77343
    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
    This is to certify that a true and correct original copy of the
    foregoing has been mailed to the Clerk of the Texas Court of
    Criminal Appeals by U.S. mail system, on this the /Q      day of
    August 2015.
    ^SQN EARL WOOLEY,/l34,66/2
    PPELLANT, PRO SI
    10
    Affirmed and Memorandum Opinion on Remand filed October 22, 2009.
    In The
    Jfamrteentlj Court of Appeals
    NO. 14-06-00088-CR
    JASON EARL WOOLEY, Appellant
    V.
    THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
    On Appeal from the 176th District Court
    Harris County, Texas
    Trial Court Cause No. 997,161
    MEMORANDUM                    OPINION             ON      REMAND
    A jury found appellant, Jason Earl Wooley, guilty of murder and sentenced him to
    confinement for forty years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of
    Criminal Justice. This court originally affirmed appellant's conviction, finding the
    evidence was legally and factually sufficient when viewed using a hypothetically correct
    jury charge pursuant to Malik v. State, 
    953 S.W.2d 234
    , 239-40 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).
    See Wooley v. State, 223 S.W.3d732 (Tex. App.-Houston [14thDist.] 2007, pet. granted).
    The Court of Criminal Appeals reversed and remanded, holding that this court's use of a
    hypothetically correct charge violated appellant's federal due process rights by affirming
    the judgment on a theory not submitted to the jury. See Wooley v. State, 
    273 S.W.3d 260
    ,
    271-73 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). Because we find that the evidence is sufficient to support
    the verdict, we affirm.
    Factual and Procedural Background
    An indictment charged appellant with murdering the complainant by shooting him
    with a firearm.1 The State presented evidence from which a jury could rationally find that
    appellant participated in an "ambush" of three unarmed men after luring them into a pool
    hall parking lot. The attack began when appellant shot his 9-millimeter pistol into the
    ground as two of the intended ambush victims approached him. The complainant waited in
    a car in the parking lot. Immediately afterwards, other shots were heard coming from
    different locations in the parking lot. Shots seemed to be coming from everywhere.
    Appellant fired several more shots at the two men who had initially approached him. The
    complainant was fatally wounded, and another victim was wounded but not killed.
    Appellant and another person got into a car and drove off. The man accompanying
    appellant was Pablo Velez, identified as one of the shooters. One 9-millimeter shell casing
    matching appellant's pistol was recovered from the scene.
    The police investigation identified four potential suspects as the shooters. Only
    appellant and Velez were identified by witnesses at trial as shooters. Police investigators
    concluded that four shooters using at least three different caliber guns were involved in the
    attack. Because the fatal bullet was not recovered, police could not determine which caliber
    gun killed the complainant.'
    The jury was instructed that it could convict appellant as a principal or as a party to
    Velez's actions in firing the fatal shot. The jury convicted appellant of murder "as charged
    in the indictment." On appeal, appellant argued that the evidence is factually insufficient to
    support his conviction. We decided that the submitted charge incorrectly applied the law of
    1 The facts surrounding the shooting are more fully described by the Court of Criminal Appeals.
    See Wooley, 273 S.W.3d at 261-66.
    parties based on the evidence in that it authorized appellant's conviction as a party upon a
    finding that appellant aided only Velez in causing the complainant's death. A
    hypothetically correct jury charge should have authorized appellant's conviction as a party
    if the jury found that appellant aided Velez "or another person" in causing the
    complainant's death.2 See id. Measured against this hypothetical party's charge, we found
    the evidence factually sufficient to support a finding of appellant's guilt as a party. See
    Wooley, 223 S.W.3d at 737-39.
    On petition for discretionary review, the Court of Criminal Appeals held that
    although Malik applies to factual sufficiency reviews, appellant's federal due process rights
    were violated when we affirmed appellant's conviction under the unsubmitted theory that
    he aided "another" to murder the complainant. 273 S.W.3d at 271. The Court of Criminal
    Appeals further held that this due process violation is not subject to a harm analysis. The
    case was remanded so that we could determine whether the judgment may be affirmed on
    the facts submitted to the jury based on the charge actually submitted, that is, whether
    sufficient evidence supports the jury's verdict that appellant murdered the complainant
    either as the principal actor or as a party to Velez's actions.
    Analysis
    When reviewing the legal sufficiency of evidence, we examine the evidence in the
    light most favorable to the verdict to determine whether any rational trier of fact could have
    found the essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia,
    
    443 U.S. 307
    , 319 (1979); Mason v. State, 
    905 S.W.2d 570
    , 574 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995).
    2 See Malik v. State, 
    953 S.W.2d 234
    , 239-40 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997) (holdingthat an erroneous
    jury instruction is irrelevant to a sufficiency review and thata "hypothetically correct jury charge" should be
    applied to the review).
    3 Appellant's due process claim challenged this court's review of both the legal and factual
    sufficiency of the evidence. Therefore, we have reviewed the evidence for legal and factual sufficiency.
    In a factual sufficiency review, we consider all the evidence in a neutral light and
    reverse if the evidence supporting the verdict is so weak that the verdict seems clearly
    wrong and manifestly unjust, or the supporting evidence is outweighed by the great weight
    and preponderance of the contrary evidence so as to render the verdict clearly wrong and
    manifestly unjust. See Watson v. State, 
    204 S.W.3d 404
    , 414-15 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).
    Murder requires knowing or intentional conduct, which means either (a) a conscious
    desire to engage in the conduct causing the result, or (b) an awareness that the conduct is
    reasonably certain to cause the result. Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 19.02 (Vernon 2003); see
    also Arnold v. State, 
    234 S.W.3d 664
    , 670 (Tex. App—Houston [14th Dist] 2007, no pet.)
    (holding jury may presume intent to kill from use of a deadly weapon).
    The State presented evidence from which the jury could have reasonably concluded
    appellant shot and killed the complainant. Appellant's firearm was not excluded as the
    weapon firing the fatal shot. One fired bullet and fifteen spent shell casings collected at the
    scene were admitted into evidence. Although only one shell casing was recovered from a
    9-millimeter weapon, both crime scene officers testified that additional casings could have
    been present immediately after the shooting, but they were removed from the scene before
    officers could recover them. Witnesses saw appellant fire his weapon multiple times in the
    parking lot. The complainant and another party to the ambush were both shot in the back
    during the shoot-out. There was testimony that one or more of the shooters was "chasing
    the victims" and that appellant followed the surviving shooting victim and continued to
    shoot at him. The surviving victim was certain appellant shot him. The circumstances of
    the ambush provide sufficient evidence that appellant intended to cause serious bodily
    harm and that his actions were clearly dangerous to human life. There is no dispute that the
    complainant died as a result of the shoot-out. Police investigators and another witness
    described where the shooters stood and how they moved during the shooting. The crime
    scene video and diagram of the location showed where shell casings and bloody clothing
    were recovered. Based on these witnesses' descriptions of the shooting scene, the jury
    could have reasonably concluded that appellant was the only person in a position to shoot
    and kill the complainant.
    Alternatively, the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support appellant's
    conviction as a party.to Velez's actions. A person may be found guilty as a party to an
    offense if he is criminally responsible for the conduct of the person who committed the
    offense. Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 7.01(a) (Vernon 2003). A person is criminally responsible
    for the offense committed by another's conduct if, acting with intent to promote or assist
    the commission of the offense, he solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid the
    other person to commit the offense. Id. § 7.02(a)(2). In making this determination, the fact
    finder may look to events that occurred before, during, or after the offense, and may rely on
    acts showing an understanding and common design. Ransom v. State, 
    920 S.W.2d 288
    , 302
    (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). "An agreement of parties to act together in a common design can
    seldom be proved by words, but reliance can often be had on the actions of the parties
    showing an understanding and a common design to do a certain act." Wygal v. State, 
    555 S.W.2d 465
    , 469 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977). Therefore, participation in an enterprise may be
    inferred from the circumstances and need not be shown by direct evidence. Id.; Thomas v.
    State, 
    915 S.W.2d 597
    , 599 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist] 1996, pet. ref d).
    We examine the record for evidence that would allow a rational juror to find beyond
    a reasonable doubt that: 1) Pablo Velez, Jr. intentionally or knowingly caused the death of
    complainant, or, intending to cause serious bodily injury to complainant, caused his death
    by intentionally or knowingly committing an act clearly dangerous to human life; 2)
    appellant had the intent to promote or assist the commission of the murder; and 3) appellant
    solicited, encouraged, directed, aided or attempted to aid that person in the commission of
    the murder.
    First, the evidence is legally sufficient to show that Velez intentionally shot and
    killed the complainant or caused his death by intentionally or knowingly committing an act
    clearly dangerous to human life. A witness identified Velez from a photo array as one of
    the shooters.4 There was testimony that in addition to firing his weapon during the attack,
    Velez chased down the intended victims. A police investigator described Velez's location
    at the shooting scene and where the shells from his weapon were found. According to the
    testimony of the witnesses, as well as the analysis of the investigating officers, the gunfire
    appeared to be in the nature of an ambush. The circumstances of the shooting—a reckless
    shoot-out without regard for the safety of people in the parking lot—provide sufficient
    proof that the person who fired the fatal shot intended to kill or do serious bodily injury,
    and it was undisputed that the gunshot wound received during the shootout caused the
    complainant's death.
    Next, we determine whether the evidence is legally sufficient to establish that
    appellant intended to promote or assist the murder. Even though, as appellant points out, no
    direct evidence of a plan exists, circumstantial evidence showed a plan. Appellant and
    Velez were known associates; both frequented the pool hall and may have worked there as
    bouncers. Appellant challenged one of the ambush victims to a fist fight, thereby drawing
    him to the pool hall. Immediately after appellant fired his first shot into the ground, more
    gunfire was heard and seen coming from gunmen in the parking lot. Witnesses identified
    Velez as one of the shooters. According to witness testimony, appellant followed two
    individuals into the parking lot and fired multiple rounds at them as they fled. Appellant
    was also seen leaving the scene of the crime in a Cadillac along with a gunman from the
    parking lot, who was later identified as Velez. A police investigator testified that the
    coordination of the gunmen showed that the ambush was planned. This evidence is legally
    sufficient to allow a rational juror to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant
    4 Appellant has argued that the testimony from a police investigator that the surviving victim's
    girlfriend (who he referred to as his "baby mama") identified Velez as a shooter should not be considered
    because it was hearsay that the witness did not corroborate during her trial testimony. The detective's
    testimony wasadmitted without objection, thejury waspermitted to weigh and consider its probative value,
    and this court may consider it on review. See Poindexter v. State, 
    153 S.W.3d 402
    , 406 (Tex. Crim. App.
    App. 2005).
    was involved with other gunmen as part of a coordinated attack without regard for the
    safety of anyone who may been with them.
    The evidence is legally sufficient to show that appellant solicited, encouraged,
    directed, aided or attempted to aid the murderer in the completion of the offense. Appellant
    aided the ambush by having the message relayed that he wanted to fight one of the ambush
    victims. Immediately following appellant's first shot, gunfire erupted from one or more
    people already at the pool hall. Appellant furthered the ambush by shooting at the victims
    in the parking lot. During, or shortly after, the shooting, appellant and Velez were seen
    leaving in the same car. These facts are evidence that appellant actually aided the murderer.
    The fact that other shots were not heard or seen until appellant fired the first shot toward
    the ground suggests that he was aiding in the completion of the offense. All of this
    evidence taken together would allow a rational juror to conclude beyond a reasonable
    doubt that appellant did indeed aid or encourage the commission of the offense. The lack of
    direct evidence of a plan or agreement does not overwhelm the circumstantial evidence that
    appellant and Velez acted together pursuant to a plan. We hold the evidence was legally
    sufficient to support a verdict of guilty based on appellant's participation as a party.
    Appellant presented no witnesses. Instead, he sought to cast doubt on the factual
    sufficiency of the evidence by attempting to impeach the testimony of several witnesses
    and by identifying inconsistencies in the evidence.5 His cross-examination of the State's
    witnesses suggested that he fired only one initial shot into the ground just before the other
    shooters started firing their weapons. To support his position, he pointed to the evidence
    that the police recovered only one 9-millimeter shell casing at the scene. Appellant's
    cross-examination of the State's witnesses also suggested that he could have been
    misidentified as the one who got into the car with Velez just after the shooting stopped.
    5 An appellate opinion addressing factual sufficiency must include a discussion of the most
    important evidence that appellant claims undermines thejury's verdict. Sims v. State, 
    99 S.W.3d 600
    , 603
    (Tex. Crim, App. 2003).
    Appellant identified these specific inconsistencies in the evidence:
    The trial testimony of the girlfriend of the surviving victim that appellant and
    Velez left together conflicted with her statement to police, in which she said
    she did not see appellant leave.
    The girlfriend and her friend, another witness at trial, had drunk several
    alcoholic beverages that evening.
    There was very little evidence of a connection between appellant and Velez
    and no direct evidence that they had conversations or planned the shooting.
    There was no evidence showing appellant's connection to the other gunmen
    such that they would participate in the shooting.
    The surviving victim testified that he was shot in the back, when medical
    records indicate he was shot in the stomach.6
    The surviving victim had committed two robberies and was in prison at the
    time of appellant's trial.
    Testimony conflicted regarding whether the surviving victim took his shirt
    off in anticipation of a fist fight as he approached appellant in the parking lot.
    Appellant's gun was not linked to the shot that killed the complainant.
    The jury is the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be
    given to the witnesses' testimony. See Jones v. State, 
    944 S.W.2d 642
    , 648 (Tex. Crim.
    App. 1996). Unless the record clearly reveals that a different result is appropriate, an
    appellate court must defer to the jury's determination concerning what weight to give
    contradictory testimonial evidence because resolution often turns on an evaluation of
    credibility and demeanor, and the jurors were in attendance when the testimony was
    delivered. Johnson v. State, 
    23 S.W.3d 1
    , 8 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).
    It is the jury's responsibility to resolve conflicts in the evidence. Losada v. State,
    
    111 S.W.2d 305
    , 309 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). The jury could have concluded that shooting
    a gun in the general direction of a group of people, which included the complainant, was
    reasonably certain to result in a death. See Rojas v. State, 
    171 S.W.3d 442
    , 447 (Tex.
    App—Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, pet. refd) (finding the evidence legally and factually
    6 Therecords actually show the surviving victim hada "GSW to abdomen," anda drawing showed
    the entrance wound in the lower right back, with the exit wound on the lower right front of the abdomen.
    sufficient to support a capital murder conviction for killing a 4-year old when the defendant
    fired in the direction of a group of people during a drive-by shooting, even though another
    person was also seen firing his weapon).
    Appellant also argued the State failed to rule out other versions of events, primarily,
    the possibility that either of the two other gunman could have fired the fatal shot. The State
    is no longer required to negate every possible hypothesis to establish a defendant's guilt in
    circumstantial evidence cases. See Geesa v. State, 
    820 S.W.2d 154
    , 162 (Tex. Crim. App.
    1991) (en banc), rev'don other grounds, 
    938 S.W.2d 718
     (Tex. Crim. App. 1996).
    When we view the evidence in a neutral light, which we must in a factual
    sufficiency review, the great weight and preponderance of the evidence does not contradict
    the jury's verdict. See Watson, 204 S.W.3d at 417. Therefore, we conclude that the
    evidence is factually sufficient to sustain appellant's conviction.
    Conclusion
    Having determined that legally and factually sufficient evidence supports the jury's
    verdict, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
    /s/     Adele Hedges
    Chief Justice
    Panel consists of Chief Justice Hedges and Justices Seymore and Sullivan.
    Do Not Publish — Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b).
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