Trent Durell Mumphrey v. State ( 2015 )


Menu:
  •                                                                      ACCEPTED
    12-14-00176-CR
    TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS
    TYLER, TEXAS
    8/27/2015 9:08:22 AM
    CATHY LUSK
    CLERK
    CAUSE NO. 12-14-00176-CR
    IN THE                       RECEIVED IN
    12th COURT OF APPEALS
    TYLER, TEXAS
    THE 12th DISTRICT COURT OF      APPEALS 8/27/2015 9:08:22 AM
    CATHY S. LUSK
    Clerk
    FOR THE
    STATE OF TEXAS
    8/27/2015
    TRENT MUMPRHEY,
    APPELLANT
    V.
    THE STATE OF TEXAS,
    APPELLEE
    STATE’S REPLY TO APPELLANT’S BRIEF
    D. MATT BINGHAM
    Criminal District Attorney
    Smith County, Texas
    MICHAEL J. WEST
    Assistant Crimina1 District Attorney
    Bar I.D. No. 21203300
    Smith County Courthouse
    100 N. Broadway
    Tyler, Texas 75702
    ph: (903) 590-1720
    fax: (903) 590-1719
    mwest@smith-county.com
    ORAL ARGUMENT NOT REQUESTED
    TABLE OF CONTENTS
    INDEX OF AUTHORITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          iii
    STATEMENT OF THE CASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
    STATEMENT OF THE FACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
    REPLY TO APPELLANT’S POINTS OF ERROR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    2
    COUNTERPOINT ONE: There was no error where the jury charge
    did not instruct the jury that it must be unanimous on the question
    of whether Appellant was guilty as the primary actor or a party to
    the offense alleged by the indictment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                   2
    SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
    COUNTERPOINT TWO: Appellant has not properly preserved his
    second point by objecting at trial. Alternatively, the evidence was
    admissible and Appellant cannot show that he was harmed . . . . . . . . .                                       6
    SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
    PRAYER FOR RELIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
    CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .               14
    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
    ii
    INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
    STATUTE/RULES                                                                                                       P AGE
    TEX. P ENAL CODE ANN. (Vernon 2014)
    § 2.01 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
    § 7.01 (a & b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
    TEX. R. APP. P ROC.
    Rule 33.1 (a)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      7
    Rule 44.2 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     10
    TEX. R. EVID.
    Rule 405 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
    STATE CASES                                                                                                         P AGE
    Almanza v. State, 
    686 S.W.2d 157
    (Tex.Crim.App. 1985) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            3, 4
    Bundy v. State, 
    280 S.W.3d 425
    (Tex.App. - Fort Worth 2009, pet. ref'd) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                      6
    Campa v. State, No. 05-07-01210-CR, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 5065
    (Tex.App. - Dallas Jul. 2, 2009, pet. ref'd)
    (not designated for publication) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
    Carrillo v. State, 
    98 S.W.3d 789
    (Tex.App. - Amarillo 2003, pet. ref'd) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    6
    Ethington v. State, 
    819 S.W.2d 854
    (Tex.Crim.App. 1991) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            8
    Johnson v. State, 
    365 S.W.3d 484
    (Tex. App. - Tyler 2012, no pet.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 7, 8
    iii
    STATE CASES (CONT)                                                                                         P AGE
    King v. State, 
    953 S.W.2d 266
    (Tex.Crim.App. 1997) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
    Lagrone v. State, 
    942 S.W.2d 602
    (Tex.Crim.App. 1997) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
    Leza v. State, 
    351 S.W.3d 344
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2011) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
    Llamas v. State, 
    12 S.W.3d 469
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2000) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
    Martinez v. State, 
    129 S.W.3d 101
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2004) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
    Motilla v. State, 
    78 S.W.3d 352
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2002) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12
    Morales v. State, 
    32 S.W.3d 862
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2000) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10, 11
    Neal v. State, No. 08-07-00232-CR, 2010 Tex. App. LEXIS 195
    (Tex.App. - El Paso Jan. 13, 2010, pet. ref'd)
    (not designated for publication) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
    Ngo v. State, 
    175 S.W.3d 738
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2005) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    Perez v. State, No. 12-08-00390-CR, 2010 Tex. App. LEXIS 9867
    (Tex.App. - Tyler Dec. 15, 2010, no pet.)
    (not designated for publication) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6
    Pizzo v. State, 
    235 S.W.3d 711
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2007) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
    iv
    STATE CASES (CONT)                                                                                         P AGE
    Sakil v. State, 
    287 S.W.3d 23
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2009) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
    Solomon v. State, 
    49 S.W.3d 356
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2001) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
    Wheeler v. State, 
    67 S.W.3d 879
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2002) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   
    9 Will. v
    . State, No. 03-05-00460-CR, 2008 Tex. App. LEXIS 2023
    (Tex.App. - Austin Mar. 21, 2008, no pet.)
    (not designated for publication) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       
    6 Wilson v
    . State, 
    71 S.W.3d 346
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2002) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9, 10
    Yost v. State, 
    222 S.W.3d 865
    (Tex.App. - Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, pet. ref'd) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                 6
    Young v. State, 
    341 S.W.3d 417
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2011) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
    v
    CAUSE NO. 12-14-00176-CR
    IN THE
    THE 12th DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
    FOR THE
    STATE OF TEXAS
    TRENT MUMPRHEY,
    APPELLANT
    V.
    THE STATE OF TEXAS,
    APPELLEE
    STATE’S REPLY TO APPELLANT’S BRIEF
    TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS:
    Comes now the State of Texas, through the undersigned Assistant Criminal
    District Attorney, and respectfully urges this Court to overrule Appellant’s alleged
    errors and affirm the judgment of the trial court in the above-numbered cause.
    STATEMENT OF THE CASE
    Appellant, Trent Mumphrey, was indicted in Cause No. 114-0005-13, in the
    114th District Court of Smith County, Texas, with the offense of Aggravated Robbery.
    1
    (CR: 1). On April 1-4, 2014, the parties met in the trial court, Appellant with counsel,
    and a jury trial was held after Appellant entered a "Not Guilty" plea to the offense
    alleged by the indictment. (RR 4: 196). After hearing evidence and argument of
    counsel, the jury found Appellant guilty of the offense alleged by the indictment. (RR
    9: 104). After evidence and argument of counsel, the same jury assessed a sentence
    of Life in confinement and no fine. (RR 10: 162).
    Appellant gave timely notice of appeal, counsel was appointed, and a brief filed
    with the Court. The State's response brief will be timely filed if the Court grants the
    attached motion for an extension of time.
    STATEMENT OF F ACTS
    Appellant has stated the essential nature of the evidence presented at his trial.
    In the interest of judicial economy any other facts not mentioned herein that may be
    relevant to disposition of Appellant's points of error will be discussed in the State's
    arguments in response to the individual points.
    REPLY TO APPELLANT’S P OINTS OF ERROR AND SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
    COUNTERPOINT ONE: There was no error where the jury charge did not instruct
    the jury that it must be unanimous on the question of whether Appellant was
    guilty as the primary actor or a party to the offense alleged by the indictment.
    A.    Summary of Argument
    2
    Appellant argues under his first point that the trial court erred in not instructing
    the jury that it must be unanimous in its verdict concerning whether Appellant
    committed the single offense charged by the indictment as a primary actor or as a
    party to that offense. (Appellant's brief at 2-7).
    However, Appellant did not request such a charge from the trial court and also
    did not object to its absence from the jury instructions. (RR 8: 144-46; RR 9: 5-10).
    More importantly, the law clearly provides that the constitutional requirement of jury
    unaminity does not apply to the issue of whether an individual is guilty as a primary
    actor or as a party to the offense.
    B.     Standard of Review
    The review of an alleged charging error involves a two step process. Sakil v.
    State, 
    287 S.W.3d 23
    , 25-26 (Tex.Crim.App. 2009). First, the Court must decide
    whether error occurred; then, if there was error, the Court must evaluate whether
    sufficient harm resulted from the error to require reversal. Ngo v. State, 
    175 S.W.3d 738
    , 743 (Tex.Crim.App. 2005). If there was error and if the appellant objected to the
    error at trial, "reversal is required if the error is 'calculated to injure the rights of [the]
    defendant,'" meaning that "there must be some harm to the accused from the error."
    Almanza v. State, 
    686 S.W.2d 157
    , 171 (Tex.Crim.App. 1985). If, however, the
    appellant did not object to the error at trial, the error must be "fundamental," and
    3
    reversal is required "only if the error is so egregious and created such harm" that the
    defendant did not have a fair and impartial trial. 
    Id. C. The
    law does not require jury unaminity on the issue of wehther a
    defendant was the primary actor or a party to the offense.
    Appellant argues that the trial ocurt erred in failing to charge the jury that it
    must be unanimous in deciding whether he was guilty as the primary actor in this case
    or instead acted as a party to the offense. (Appellant's brief at at 2-7). Without a
    lengthy discussion regarding the facts of this case, it is suffice to say that the evidence
    showed that Appellant was positively identified as being one of four actors in the
    charged Aggravated Robbery and was further identified by the victim as being one
    of the two persons who carried a gun and who shot the victim. (RR 6: 115, 125, 133;
    RR 7: 105-23, 202-04; RR 8: 32). Given that Appellant was one of at least four
    suspects who carried out the charged offense, he could have been found guilty by the
    jury as the primary actor, or as a party to the offense. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. §
    7.01 (a & b) (Vernon 2014).1
    1
    Penal Code § 7.01 provides in part that:
    (a) A person is criminally responsible as a party to an offense if the offense is committed
    by his own conduct, by the conduct of another for which he is criminally responsible, or
    by both.
    (b) Each party to an offense may be charged with commission of the offense.
    4
    Regardless, both Article 5, section 13 of the Texas Constitution and Article
    36.29 (a) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure require unanimous jury verdicts
    in all felony cases. Leza v. State, 
    351 S.W.3d 344
    , 356 (Tex.Crim.App. 2011) citing
    TEX. CONST. article V, § 13; TEX. CODE CRIM. P ROC. 36.29(a). This requirement,
    however, applies to the elements of the offense. See 
    Leza, 351 S.W.3d at 356
    quoting
    Pizzo v. State, 
    235 S.W.3d 711
    , 714-15 (Tex.Crim.App. 2007); see also TEX. PENAL
    CODE ANN. § 2.01 (Vernon 2014) ("no person may be convicted of an offense unless
    each element of the offense is proved beyond a reasonable doubt.").
    While a jury must unanimously agree about the occurrence of a single criminal
    offense, the law provides that it need not be unanimous about the specific manner and
    means of how that offense was committed. Young v. State, 
    341 S.W.3d 417
    , 422
    (Tex.Crim.App. 2011). That is to say, the jury is not required under the law to agree
    on how the defendant committed the specific criminal act. See 
    id. Accordingly, the
    requirement of jury unanimity is not violated when the jury is instructed disjunctively
    on alternate means or theories of committing the same offense, such as the theory of
    criminal responsibility. 
    Leza, 351 S.W.3d at 357
    ; Martinez v. State, 
    129 S.W.3d 101
    ,
    103 (Tex.Crim.App. 2004).
    This Court has previously found no merit in the same argument raised by
    Appellant's first point of error. Perez v. State, No. 12-08-00390-CR, 2010 Tex. App.
    
    5 LEXIS 9867
    , at *4-5 (Tex.App. - Tyler Dec. 15, 2010, no pet.) (not designated for
    publication).
    As have several other appellate courts. See Bundy v. State, 
    280 S.W.3d 425
    ,
    431-33 (Tex.App. - Fort Worth 2009, pet. ref'd); Yost v. State, 
    222 S.W.3d 865
    , 877-
    78 (Tex.App. - Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, pet. ref'd); see also Neal v. State, No.
    08-07-00232-CR, 2010 Tex. App. LEXIS 195, at *8-9 (Tex.App. - El Paso Jan. 13,
    2010, pet. ref'd) (not designated for publication); Campa v. State, No.
    05-07-01210-CR, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 5065, at *7 (Tex.App. - Dallas Jul. 2, 2009,
    pet. ref'd) (not designated for publication); Williams v. State, No. 03-05-00460-CR,
    2008 Tex. App. LEXIS 2023, at *5 (Tex.App. - Austin Mar. 21, 2008, no pet.) (not
    designated for publication).2
    For these reasons, Appellant has not shown any error in the trial court's failure
    to instruct the jury as alleged by his first Point of Error and it should be overruled.
    COUNTERPOINT TWO: Appellant has not properly preserved his second point by
    objecting at trial. Alternatively, the evidence was admissible and Appellant
    cannot show that he was harmed.
    A.    Summary of Argument
    2
    The State proffers unpublished opinions to point out the reasoning of the courts therein
    when faced with very similar facts “rather than simply arguing without reference, that
    same reasoning.” Carrillo v. State, 
    98 S.W.3d 789
    , 794 (Tex.App. - Amarillo 2003, pet.
    ref’d).
    6
    Appellant's second point argues that the trial court erred in "allowing the State
    to raise extraneous offenses . . . when the State had not proven the Appellant's
    commission of the offenses beyond a reasonable doubt." (Appellant's brief at 7-8).
    There is no merit to this claim for at least two reasons. First, Appellant
    concedes that he did not object at trial on this basis when the evidence was offered.
    Consequently, the error, if any, has not been properly preserved. More importantly,
    the law permits admission of what may otherwise be inadmissible evidence to rebut
    testimony regarding the good character of the defendant. Finally, Appellant cannot
    show he was harmed by the mere mention of two prior arrests where the facts of the
    case and the other punishment evidence clearly supported the jury's verdict.
    B.    This Point has not been Properly Preserved
    The law provides that “[e]xcept for complaints involving systemic or absolute
    requirements, or rights that are waivable only, all other complaints, whether
    constitutional, statutory, or otherwise, are forfeited by failure to comply with Texas
    Rule of Appellant Procedure 33.1 (a).” Johnson v. State, 
    365 S.W.3d 484
    , 491 (Tex.
    App. - Tyler 2012, no pet.); Mendez v. State, 
    138 S.W.3d 334
    , 342 (Tex.Crim.App.
    2004); see also TEX. R. APP. PROC. ANN. Rule 33.1 (a)(1) (Vernon 2014). A
    defendant should object “as soon as the ground for objection becomes apparent.”
    Lagrone v. State, 
    942 S.W.2d 602
    , 618 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997). A party must also
    7
    object each time allegedly inadmissible evidence is offered to preserve error.
    Ethington v. State, 
    819 S.W.2d 854
    , 858 (Tex.Crim.App. 1991).
    Where the record shows that Appellant did not ever object to the evidence he
    complains of now on appeal, his alleged error has not been properly preserved and
    should be overruled. 
    Johnson, 365 S.W.3d at 491
    .
    C.    The evidence was admisible to rebut testimony concerning Appellant's
    good character.
    If the Court should find this point properly preserved, the record shows that the
    complained-of evidence was presented in the following manner:
    Q.    So you were in his life even all the way up until the time that he
    was revoked off that probation and went to prison?
    A.    I've always been in his life, yes.
    Q.    Okay. So were you in his life in 2005 when he was arrested for
    burglary of a vehicle?
    A.    Yes.
    Q.    Okay. And that's when he was a juvenile, right?
    A.    Yes.
    Q.    Okay. Were you in his life in 2000 - - later in 2005, when he was
    arrested for forgery?
    A.    I've always been in his life.
    (RR 10: 55).
    8
    These questions were asked by the State during cross-examination of
    Appellant's mother at the punishment phase. On direct examination, this same witness
    had previously testified that Appellant was not "normally a violent, bad person" and
    that he is "a really a good person." (RR 10: 52). Appellant's mother also told the jury
    that "Trent didn't do anything" when asked if he was normally a good person but had,
    in this case, "just [done] a bad, stupid thing." (RR 10: 53).
    A witness who testifies to a defendant's good character may be cross-examined
    to test the witness's awareness of relevant specific instances of the defendant's
    conduct. TEX. R. EVID. 405(a); Wilson v. State, 
    71 S.W.3d 346
    , 350 (Tex.Crim.App.
    2002).3 Such questions can "demonstrate that the witness has a low standard for what
    he considers good character by inquiring into prior specific instances of conduct that
    are inconsistent with the particular character trait." Wheeler v. State, 
    67 S.W.3d 879
    ,
    886 n.16 (Tex.Crim.App. 2002).
    Here, the complained-of evidence from the State was clearly intended to rebut
    the testimony of Appellant's mother regarding his good character. As such, there was
    3
    Rule of Evidence 405 (a) provides:
    (1) In General. When evidence of a person's character or character trait is admissible, it
    may be proved by testimony about the person's reputation or by testimony in the form of
    an opinion. On cross-examination of the character witness, inquiry may be made into
    relevant specific instances of the person's conduct. (emphasis supplied)
    9
    no error in the admission of the evidence. See TEX. R. EVID. Rule 405 (a); 
    Wilson, 71 S.W.3d at 350
    .
    D.    If there was error in the admission of this testimony, Appellant has not
    shown that he was harmed.
    Finally, should the Court find that the complained-of evidence was erroneously
    admitted, Appellant has not shown that he was harmed. The sum total of Appellant's
    harm analysis is that, with the evidence, "the State created a picture of Appellant as
    one who had a long and varied history of criminal conduct." (Appellant's brief at 8).
    Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 44.2 provides that a nonconstitutional error
    "that does not affect substantial rights must be disregarded." TEX. R. APP. PROC. Rule
    44.2 (b). The Court of Criminal Appeals has determined that substantial rights are not
    affected by the erroneous admission of evidence "if the appellate court, after
    examining the record as a whole, has fair assurance that the error did not influence
    the jury, or had but a slight effect." Solomon v. State, 
    49 S.W.3d 356
    , 365 (Tex. Crim.
    App. 2001). In assessing the likelihood that the jury's decision was adversely affected
    by the error, this Court is instructed to consider everything in the record, including
    any testimony or physical evidence admitted for the jury's consideration, the nature
    of the evidence supporting the verdict, the character of the alleged error and how it
    might be considered in connection with other evidence in the case. See Morales v.
    10
    State, 
    32 S.W.3d 862
    , 867 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000). This Court may also consider the
    jury instructions, the State's theory and any defensive theories, closing arguments and
    even voir dire, if applicable. Id.; see also Llamas v. State, 
    12 S.W.3d 469
    , 471 (Tex.
    Crim.App. 2000). The Court of Criminal Appeals has further recognized that whether
    the State emphasized the error can be a factor. King v. State, 
    953 S.W.2d 266
    , 272
    (Tex.Crim.App. 1997).
    In this case, even if the complained-of evidence was not presented, the other
    evidence in the record would still show that Appellant, "had a long and varied history
    of criminal conduct." The evidence at trial showed that Appellant was fully involved
    in the aggravated robbery in which he and his cohorts intended to steal drugs and/or
    drug money. (RR 6: 53-56, 68, 118-19, 157; RR 7: 112, 176-77, 181-83). Other
    evidence showed that Appellant was one of the robbers who shot the victim during
    the course of the robbery and left him for dead on the ground outside his home. (RR
    6: 115, 125, 133, 164; RR 7: 121-23, 189-91, 201-204). When Appellant was arrested
    after a stand-off with police at his house, the record shows that a 9 mm. handgun,
    ammo for several other different firearms, drug paraphenalia, unauthorized
    prescription pills, and heroin were all seized during the subsequent search of the
    house. (RR 6: 141; RR 7: 25-33, 39; RR 10: 23-25, 41). Appellant specifically
    admitted that the heroin and the gun found in the house belonged to him. (RR 8: 107-
    11
    08, 123, RR 10: 24, 26).4 Moreover, the jury heard from Appellant that he was on
    parole from a conviction for posessessing a controlled substance (crack cocaine)
    when the instant offense was committed and was still on parole at the time of this
    trial. (RR 8: 106-08). Consequently, Appellant was in violation of his parole to have
    weapons and drugs in his home. (RR 8: 107-08).
    It should also be noted that during closing arguments, the State did not
    mention, much less rely upon, the testimony that Appellant had been previously
    arrested for burglary of a vehicle and forgery. See (RR 10: 77-85, 89-96).
    The law provides that this Court should consider all of the evidence from the
    trial in considering whether an error in the admission of evidence is harmless. Motilla
    v. State, 
    78 S.W.3d 352
    , 358 (Tex.Crim.App. 2002) ("We hold once again that the
    evidence of the defendant's guilt is a factor to be considered in any thorough harm
    analysis."). Given that the record is replete with evidence of Appellant's conscious
    disregard for human life and his repeated felony-level violations of the law, the
    admission of the complained-off testimony, if error at all, would appear to have
    played no role in the jury's assessment of Appellant's life sentence.
    4
    After the trial of this case, the record shows that Appellant subsequently pled guilty and
    was convicted for possessing the heroin found at his house and for being a felon in
    possession of the handgun also found in his home. (RR 11: 16-17). He was assessed
    punishment at 20 years confinement for possesing the heroin and 10 years for being a
    felon in illegal possession of a firearm. (RR 11: 21-22).
    12
    For these reasons, there is no merit to Appellant's second Point of Error and it
    should be overruled.
    P RAYER
    WHEREFORE, for the reasons stated herein, the State of Texas prays that the
    Court of Appeals overrule Appellant’s Points of Error and affirm the judgment of the
    114th District Court, Smith County, Texas, in this case.
    Respectfully submitted,
    D. MATT BINGHAM
    Smith County Criminal District Attorney
    /s/ Michael J. West
    _________________________
    Michael J. West
    Asst. Criminal District Attorney
    Bar I.D. No. 21203300
    100 N. Broadway, 4th Fl.
    Tyler, Texas 75702
    (903) 590-1720
    (903) 590-1719 (fax)
    13
    CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
    The undersigned hereby certifies that the pertinent sections of the State’s Reply
    Brief in the above numbered cause contain 2,522 words, an amount which complies
    with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4 (i).
    /s/ Michael J. West
    _________________________
    Michael J. West
    Asst. Criminal District Attorney
    Bar I.D. No. 21203300
    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
    26th day of ________________,
    The undersigned hereby certifies that on this _____         August
    2015, the following have been completed:
    (1) The original of the State’s Response to Appellant’s Brief in the above
    numbered cause has been sent via electronic filing to the Clerk of the Court of
    Twelfth Court of Appeals.
    (2) A legible copy of the State’s Response to Appellant’s Brief in the above
    numbered cause has been sent via electronic filing to:
    Mr. Clement Dunn
    Attorney at Law
    140 East Tyler, Ste. 240
    Longview, Texas 75601
    /s/ Michael J. West
    _________________________
    Michael J. West
    Asst. Criminal District Attorney
    Bar I.D. No. 21203300
    14