James Stephen Jones v. State ( 2005 )

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Opinion issued July 21, 2005.

  In The

Court of Appeals

For The

First District of Texas

NOS. 01-04-00184-CR

          01-04-00191-CR

JAMES STEPHEN JONES, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the 21st District Court

Washington County, Texas

Trial Court Cause No. 13,962 (Counts 1 and 2)

  MEMORANDUM OPINION

          A jury found appellant, James Stephen Jones, guilty of robbery, and the trial court sentenced him to 10 years’ confinement. Appellant also pled guilty to evading arrest with a vehicle, and the trial court sentenced him to two years’ confinement. In two issues, appellant asserts that the trial court erred in denying (1) his motion for mistrial based on jury taint and (2) his motion for directed verdict. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Background

          Complainant, Emily Kopycinski, lives in Chappell Hill, Texas, which is located in Washington County. One day, Kopycinski was traveling home from her meat market, located near the intersection of Highways 1155 and 290 in Washington County, when she noticed appellant and Terell Tolbert standing next to a gray car with the car’s hood raised. Kopycinski testified that the men “appeared to be in distress” and beckoned her to stop. Kopycinski pulled over, stopped in front of the men, walked to the back of her car, and asked the men whether they needed help. The men responded that they needed jumper cables. Kopycinski called her husband from her mobile phone and asked him to come and assist the two men. After calling her husband, Kopycinski returned to her car to wait for her husband.

          Tolbert approached her, pulled her out of her car, and pushed her onto the ground. Tolbert got in Kopycinski’s car and sped away. Appellant closed the hood of the gray car and followed behind Tolbert at a high rate of speed. While she was stranded on the side of the road, Kopycinski flagged down a car driven by Paul Derkowski. Derkowski followed the gray car until a Washington County sheriff’s deputy was located. After receiving a dispatch call, Deputy Eddie Ocanas began to pursue the gray car and eventually arrested appellant.

          At trial, the venire panel was questioned about the robbery and evading arrest offenses. Following voir dire, during a recess, a potential juror, Mary P. Thompson, embraced Kopycinski as she stepped off the elevator. This encounter was witnessed by several other potential jurors. Outside the presence of the other venire members, the trial court questioned Thompson about the encounter. Thompson advised the trial court that her relationship with Kopycinski would not affect any decision she might make in the case. At the request of appellant’s trial counsel, the trial court, in open court, also questioned the entire venire panel about the encounter. The venire members advised the trial court that this encounter would not affect their ability to be impartial jurors and make a decision based on the evidence presented at trial. Following these questions, appellant moved for a mistrial. The trial court denied his request.

Mistrial

          In his first point of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for mistrial based on jury taint. In support of his motion for mistrial, appellant’s trial counsel argued that “the curative measures that the Court used [were] not enough to remove the taint and prejudice that [had] been established with the jury.”

          The standard of review for a trial court’s denial of a motion for mistrial is abuse of discretion. Ladd v. State, 3 S.W.3d 547, 567 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). A mistrial is a device used to halt trial proceedings when error is so prejudicial that expenditure of further time and expense would be wasteful and futile. Id. The determination of whether a given error necessitates a mistrial must be made by examining the particular facts of a case. Hernandez v. State, 805 S.W.2d 409, 414 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). The asking of an improper question will seldom call for a mistrial, because, in most cases, any harm can be cured by an instruction to disregard. Id. at 413. A trial judge’s discretion to declare a mistrial based on manifest necessity is limited to “very extraordinary and striking circumstances.” Brown v. State, 907 S.W.2d 835, 839 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995). As a general rule, manifest necessity exists where the circumstances render it impossible to reach a fair verdict, where it is impossible to proceed with trial, or where the verdict would be automatically reversed on appeal because of trial error. Id.

          In all criminal prosecutions, a defendant has the right to a fair and impartial jury. U.S. Const. amend. VI; Tex. Const. art . I § 10. Bias exists as a matter of law when a prospective juror admits he is biased for or against a defendant. Anderson v. State, 633 S.W.2d 851, 854 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982). When bias is not established as a matter of law, the trial court has discretion to determine whether bias actually exists to a degree that the juror is disqualified and should be excused from jury service. Id. at 853-54.       The mere fact that a juror knows, has an intimate or causal acquaintance with, or has friendly relations with the defendant, or, as here, the complainant, is not a sufficient basis for disqualification of a juror. See id. at 853.

          Furthermore, with respect to oral questions asked during voir dire, error occurs where “a prejudiced or biased juror is selected without fault or lack of diligence on the part of defense counsel, such counsel acting in good faith on the juror’s responses and having no knowledge of their inaccuracy.” Gonzales v. State, 3 S.W.3d 915, 916-17 (Tex. 1999). Defense counsel must be diligent in eliciting pertinent information from prospective jurors during voir dire to uncover potential prejudice or bias. Id. at 917. Defense counsel has an obligation to ask specific questions as well as follow-up questions to bring out information, which might be said to indicate a juror’s inability to be impartial, truthful, and the like. See, e.g., Brandon v. State, 599 S.W.2d 567, 578 (Tex. Crim. App. 1979) (holding no error where counsel failed to ask follow-up questions after potential juror stated that he was acquainted with the complainant). Unless defense counsel asks such questions, we must hold that, “the purportedly material information which a juror fails to disclose is not really ‘withheld’ so as to constitute misconduct which would warrant a reversal.” Gonzalez, 3 S.W.3d at 917 (citing Sneed v. State, 670 S.W.2d 262, 266 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984)).

          Here, outside the presence of the other venire members, the trial court questioned Thompson about the encounter. Thompson stated that she did not realize Kopycinski was the complainant in the case because she only knew Kopycinski as “Sissy Thompson.” Thompson further explained that, when she saw Kopycinski get off of the elevator, she recognized her because Thompson’s daughter and Kopycinski’s son had previously dated. Finally, Thompson advised the trial court that her relationship with Kopycinski would not affect any decision she might make in the case. Appellant’s trial counsel did not ask any questions.

          Appellant’s trial counsel requested that the trial court question the venire panel to determine “all who saw” Thompson embrace Kopycinski. The trial court then conducted the following exchange with the venire panel:

        Trial court:            The question that I have of you, is there anyone who witnessed any exchange between Ms. Emily Kopycinski and any prospective juror on this jury panel? Did anyone witness any exchange between those two people, either speaking to each other–yes, ma’am. Please stand and if you don’t mind, please identify yourself by your name.

  Beckworth:            My name is Cynthia Beckworth and I saw them embrace and speak to one another.

Trial court:            Is there anyone other than Ms. Beckworth that witnessed this exchange? Yes, sir. Please stand and state your name.

Latimer:                 My name is Dudley Latimer. I saw the same thing.

Trial court:            All right.

Latimer:                 Saw them embrace --

Trial court:            Thank you.

Latimer:                 – and speak to one another.

Trial court:            Is there anyone other than Ms. Beckworth and Mr. Latimer who witnessed this exchange? Yes, ma’am. Please stand and state your name.

Perez:                    I’m Monica Perez and I witnessed the same encounter.

Trial court:            All right. Thank you, Ms. Perez. Is there anyone else? All right. My question to you, Ms. Beckworth, Mr. Latimer, and Ms. Perez, is there anything about that would in any way affect your ability to sit on this jury and make a decision based only on the evidence that you hear in this courtroom and the law that is given to you by the Court?

Beckworth, Latimer

and Perez:              No.

Trial court:            Would any of the three of you be influenced by what you saw, the exchange between these two individuals? Is there– each of you, let the record reflect, have indicated by shaking your head no. Is that your answer to that last question?

Beckworth, Latimer

and Perez:              Yes.

Trial court:            As to the remainder of you, having heard these questions asked by the Court of these three individuals, is there anyone on the jury panel that would be influenced by having heard these questions being propounded to these three individuals? Is there anyone that would be influenced in rendering a verdict, having heard these questions asked?

Can all of you make a decision based only on the evidence that you hear in this courtroom and the law that is given to you by the Court and not be influenced by any of these matters that have just been related to you? Can you do that? Is there anyone who cannot do that?

All right. Thank you. I’m going to ask the lawyers to retire to strike their lists.

          Although Beckworth, Latimer, and Perez witnessed Thompson embrace Kopycinski, they advised the trial court that this encounter would not affect their ability to be impartial jurors and make a decision based on the evidence presented at trial. Following this exchange, appellant’s counsel did not question any of these three jurors, the remaining venire members, or Thompson to verify whether they would be able to be fair and impartial jurors. Accordingly, because appellant’s counsel did not follow-up with specific questions to uncover any potential bias or prejudice with regard to the venire members, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying appellant’s motion for mistrial. See Brandon, 599 S.W.2d at 578. The mere fact that Thompson was acquainted with Kopycinsk is not a sufficient basis for disqualification. See Anderson, 633 S.W.2d at 853.

          We overrule appellant’s first point of error.

  Motion for Directed Verdict

            In his second point of error, appellant contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion for directed verdict. Appellant’s motion for directed verdict was based on three grounds — (1) venue, (2) lack of bodily injury, and (3) the law of parties.

          A motion for directed verdict is an attack on the legal sufficiency of the evidence. Madden v. State, 799 S.W.2d 683, 686 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990); Rohrscheib v. State, 934 S.W.2d 909, 910 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, no pet.). When conducting a legal-sufficiency review, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict to determine whether any rational fact finder could have found the essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. King v. State, 29 S.W.3d 556, 562 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); Rohrscheib, 934 S.W.2d at 910. Although a legal-sufficiency analysis entails a consideration of all evidence presented at trial, we may neither re-weigh the evidence nor substitute our judgment for the jury’s. King, 29 S.W.3d at 562. The jury, as trier of fact, is the sole judge of the credibility of witnesses and may believe or disbelieve all or any part of a witness’s testimony. Reece v. State, 878 S.W.2d 320, 325 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, no pet.).

Venue

          Appellant moved for a directed verdict because the State failed to prove that the alleged robbery occurred in Washington County.

          We presume that venue was proved at trial unless it was disputed in the trial court or the record affirmatively shows otherwise. Tex. R. App. P. 44.2(c)(1); see also Clark v. State, 558 S.W.2d 887, 891 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977). Here, appellant moved for a directed verdict because the State did not present any “direct evidence” that the alleged robbery occurred in Washington County. Appellant, however, did not present any contradictory evidence regarding venue; and venue was not an issue that was disputed in the trial court. In criminal cases, venue need only be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. See Black v. State, 645 S.W.2d 789, 790 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983). Venue can be established by either direct or circumstantial evidence. Id. If venue is not specifically stated, the proper county for the prosecution of offenses is that in which the offense was committed. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 13.18 (Vernon 2005).

          In this case, the indictment alleged that the offense occurred in Washington County. Moreover, Kopycinski testified that she was traveling from her meat market in Washington County to her home in Washington County when she saw appellant and Terell Tolbert standing on the side of the road. Specifically, Kopycinski explained that she saw the two men approximately “a half mile, [or] quarter mile” from downtown Chappell Hill. Furthermore, Derkowski testified that he was traveling southbound on Highway 1155, when he noticed Kopycinski stranded on the side of the road, approximately “a quarter of half mile” away from his home, which is also located in Chappell Hill in Washington County.

          We hold that a rational fact finder could have found that this evidence was sufficient to prove that Washington County is the proper county of venue and that the trial court did not err in denying appellant’s motion for directed verdict on the venue challenge. See Black, 645 S.W.2d at 790.

  Bodily Injury

          Next, appellant argues that a directed verdict was proper because the State failed to prove that Kopycinski suffered bodily injury. Specifically, appellant argues that, because Kopycinski did not testify that she felt “pain” as a result of the injuries she sustained when Tolbert pushed her to the ground, the State has not satisfied the bodily injury requirement for robbery.

          A robbery conviction requires that the State prove that appellant, in the course of committing theft and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, (1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused bodily injury to another or (2) intentionally or knowingly threatened or placed another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death. See Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 29.02(a)(1)-(2) (Vernon 2003). The term “bodily injury” is defined as, “physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.” Tex. Pen. Code. Ann. § 1.07(8) (Vernon 2003 & Supp. 2004-2005).             The Court of Criminal Appeals has held that the definition of bodily injury included in the robbery statute, “appears to be purposefully broad and seems to encompass even relatively minor physical contacts, so long as they constitute more than mere offensive touching.” Lane v. State, 763 S.W.2d 785, 786 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989). Accordingly, “so long as violence is clearly perpetrated against another for the purpose of . . . preventing or overcoming resistance to theft,” the bodily injury requirement is satisfied. Id. at 787.

          Here, Kopycinski testified that Tolbert pulled her out of her car and pushed her to the ground. She also testified that, as a result of Tolbert’s pushing her to the ground, her “knees were bruised, her elbow and ankle were cut, and [she] was sore all over.” Accordingly, we hold that a rational fact finder could have found the evidence sufficient to establish the element of bodily injury, and we hold that the trial court did not err in denying appellant’s motion for directed verdict on the bodily injury challenge. See id.

Law of Parties

          Finally, appellant argues that a directed verdict was proper because the State did not prove that he was criminally responsible for robbery under the law of parties.           The law of parties provides that a person is criminally responsible for an offense committed by the conduct of another if, acting with the 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. Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 7.02(a)(2) (Vernon 2003).

          In this case, the jury charge authorized the jury to convict appellant of robbery if it found beyond a reasonable doubt that either (1) appellant, acting alone, while in the course of committing theft, did intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause bodily injury to Kopycinski or (2) appellant, acting with intent to promote or assist the commission of the offense, aided or attempted to aid Tolbert to commit the offense.

          At trial, Kopycinski testified that appellant was present when Tolbert pulled her out of her car, pushed her to the ground, and stole her car. She testified that, after Tolbert stole her car, appellant followed Tolbert in the stalled car. Additionally, Deputy Ocanas testified that, after he arrested appellant, Kopycinski positively identified him as one of the men who had taken her car minutes earlier.

          Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the jury’s verdict, a rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant assisted, solicited, encouraged, directed, aided, or attempted to aid Tolbert in stealing Kopycinski’s car. See, e.g., Johnson v. State, 6 S.W.3d 709, 711 (Tex. App.— Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, pet. ref’d) (finding sufficient evidence of intent to assist aggravated robbery when Johnson, who did not enter store, drove car seen leaving store after robbery, attempted to outrun police, and was later apprehended with the two men identified as robbers). Accordingly, we hold that any rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant was guilty of robbery and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying appellant’s motion for a directed verdict.

          We overrule appellant’s second point of error.

Conclusion

          We affirm the judgment of the trial court.



                                                             George C. Hanks, Jr.

                                                             Justice

  Panel consists of Chief Justice Radack and Justices Jennings and Hanks.

Do not publish. Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.