Howard Eugene Taylor v. State of Texas ( 2010 )

Opinion filed February 4, 2010
In The
Eleventh Court of Appeals
___________
No. 11-08-00201-CR
__________
HOWARD EUGENE TAYLOR, Appellant
V.
STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the 385th District Court
Midland County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. CR33995
MEMORANDUM OPINION
The jury convicted Howard Eugene Taylor of aggravated sexual assault of a child as alleged
in Count 1 of the indictment and assessed punishment at five years confinement. The jury also
convicted appellant of indecency with a child as alleged in Count 2 of the indictment and assessed
punishment at ten years confinement and a $2,500 fine. The trial court suspended the imposition of
the confinement portion of the sentence for indecency with a child and placed appellant on
community supervision. The trial court did not suspend the imposition of punishment in Count 1.
We affirm.
In his first point of error, appellant complains that the evidence was legally and factually
insufficient to support his convictions. In his fourth point of error, he argues that his “due process
rights were violated” because the jury convicted him with insufficient evidence. In order to
determine if the evidence is legally sufficient, we must review all of the evidence in the light most
favorable to the verdict and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the
essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307
(1979); Jackson v. State, 17 S.W.3d 664 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). To determine if the evidence is
factually sufficient, the appellate court reviews all of the evidence in a neutral light. Watson v. State,
204 S.W.3d 404, 414 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006) (overruling in part Zuniga v. State, 144 S.W.3d 477
(Tex. Crim. App. 2004)); Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 10-11 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); Cain v.
State, 958 S.W.2d 404, 407-08 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); Clewis v. State, 922 S.W.2d 126, 129 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1996). Then, the reviewing court determines whether the evidence supporting the verdict
is so weak that the verdict is clearly wrong and manifestly unjust or whether the verdict is against
the great weight and preponderance of the conflicting evidence. Watson, 204 S.W.3d at 414-15;
Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 10-11.
We review the factfinder’s weighing of the evidence and cannot substitute our judgment for
that of the factfinder. Cain, 958 S.W.2d at 407; Clewis, 922 S.W.2d at 135. Due deference must
be given to the jury’s determination, particularly concerning the weight and credibility of the
evidence. Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 9; Jones v. State, 944 S.W.2d 642 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). This
court has the authority to disagree with the factfinder’s determination “only when the record clearly
indicates such a step is necessary to arrest the occurrence of a manifest injustice.” Johnson, 23
S.W.3d at 9.
The victim testified that she was ten years old and that she lived with her grandmother. The
victim’s grandmother was married to appellant’s brother, David Taylor. The victim testified that she
was seven years old the first time she had an encounter with appellant that made her uncomfortable.
She was in her room at her grandmother’s house listening to music, and appellant came into her
room and “got on top” of her. Appellant left when someone called him to the other room.
The victim testified that there was another incident about one month later when she went
with David and appellant to pick up food from a restaurant. David got out of the vehicle, and the
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victim and appellant remained inside of the vehicle. The victim was sitting in the backseat, and
appellant turned around from the passenger side of the front seat and told her to open her legs. The
victim stated that appellant “tried to put his hand through [her] skort.” Appellant put his hand
underneath the victim’s skort and touched her private part. David returned to the vehicle and told
appellant and the victim to come inside the restaurant.
The victim stated that several weeks later there was another incident with appellant. She
went with appellant to a drive-through convenience store in David’s pickup to buy cigarettes.
Appellant and the victim were in line at the drive-through with the victim sitting in the passenger
seat of the pickup. The victim dropped something in the floorboard, and when she bent down to pick
it up, appellant “yanked” her toward him. The victim testified that appellant had unzipped his pants
and that he forced her to pull down his underwear. Appellant then forced the victim’s head onto his
penis, and appellant’s penis went inside of her mouth. The victim told her mother that appellant was
“messing” with her. The victim also told her school counselor, and soon after, she was interviewed
at the Children’s Advocacy Center.
Appellant testified at trial and denied going to the restaurant with the victim and David.
Appellant said that he did not touch the victim’s underwear through her skort. Appellant further
denied going to the drive-through convenience store with the victim and causing her mouth to touch
his penis.
Appellant argues that there was no evidence that the victim was not his spouse. However,
on cross-examination, the State asked appellant if the victim was his spouse. Appellant responded,
“No, she is not.” Appellant also argues that the evidence is insufficient because the victim gave
inconsistent statements about the incidents. Appellant questioned the victim about her inconsistent
statements at trial. The victim acknowledged that she initially did not tell the truth in her interview
at the Children’s Advocacy Center because she was scared. The jury is the sole judge of the
credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony. TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. ANN .
art. 36.13 (Vernon 2007), art. 38.04 (Vernon 1979). The jury is the exclusive judge of the credibility
of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony. Wesbrook v. State, 29 S.W.3d 103 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2000). We find that the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support appellant’s
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convictions for aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child. Appellant was not denied his
due process rights. We overrule the first and fourth points of error.
Appellant argues in his second point of error that the State made improper statements during
voir dire. A trial court has broad discretion over the process of selecting a jury. Barajas v. State,
93 S.W.3d 36, 38 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). We leave to the trial court’s discretion the propriety of
a particular question, and the trial court’s discretion will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse
of that discretion. Sells v. State, 121 S.W.3d 748, 755 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Barajas, 93 S.W.3d
at 38. In voir dire examinations, great latitude should be allowed so that counsel for both the State
and the defense have a good and sufficient opportunity to assess the relative desirability of the
members of the venire. Norton v. State, 930 S.W.2d 101, 103-04 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1996, pet.
ref'd).
Appellant first complains of the State’s comment, “[E]verybody in here is going to think this
is a horrible crime. Okay. You want only people on the jury that think this is not a big deal?”
Appellant contends that the statement assumes a crime has been committed. Viewing the statement
in context, the State was responding to a prospective juror’s comment that he had strong feelings
about sexual abuse of children and was in reference to the offense in general. Moreover, appellant
did not object to the statement and, therefore, has not preserved his complaint for review. TEX . R.
APP . P. 33.1(a)(1).
Appellant next complains of the statement:
You might get to hear him. And if you do get to hear him, then you can judge
what his motive would be, like why would he get up there and lie.
Again viewed in context, the State was discussing appellant’s right not to testify. The State informed
the jurors that they could not hold it against appellant if he chose not to testify. The State gave
possible explanations for why appellant might choose not to testify. However, appellant did not
object to the statement and has not preserved his complaint for review. Rule 33.1(a)(1).
Appellant next complains of the State’s comments during voir dire about “misconceptions”
of sexual abuse of children. Appellant objected that the State was testifying and going beyond
asking questions. The trial court stated, “I agree,” and the State agreed to rephrase. Appellant did
not request an instruction to disregard the comment or seek a mistrial. Appellant has not preserved
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this complaint for review. See Young v. State, 137 S.W.3d 65, 69 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004).
Appellant has not shown the trial court abused its discretion during the jury selection process. We
overrule the second point of error.
In his third, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth points of error, appellant complains that the
State’s closing arguments during the guilt/innocence phase and the punishment phase were improper.
Appellant complains of several instances where, he claims, the State during its closing argument
improperly struck at appellant over counsel’s shoulders, engaged in improper bolstering, attempted
to invade the province of the jury, and engaged in unfair tactics. Appellant failed to object to any
of the statements that he complains about on appeal. Appellant has not preserved his complaints for
appellate review. Rule 33.1(a)(1). Moreover, appellant has not shown any harm by the statements.
We overrule Points of Error Nos. Three, Five, Six, Seven, and Eight.
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
JIM R. WRIGHT
CHIEF JUSTICE
February 4, 2010
Do not publish. See TEX . R. APP . P. 47.2(b).
Panel consists of: Wright, C.J.,
McCall, J., and Strange, J.
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