John Betliskey v. State ( 2010 )

NO. 07-10-00105-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AT AMARILLO
PANEL C
NOVEMBER 17, 2010
JOHN BETLISKEY, APPELLANT
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE
FROM THE 147TH DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY;
NO. D-1-DC-10-904002; HONORABLE WILFORD FLOWERS, JUDGE
Before QUINN, C.J., and HANCOCK and PIRTLE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant, John Betliskey, was convicted of aggravated assault causing bodily
injury by using or exhibiting a deadly weapon.1 During the punishment portion of the
trial, the jury found the allegations of the enhancement paragraph of the indictment true
and sentenced appellant to confinement in the Institutional Division of the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice for a term of life and assessed a fine of $10,000.
Appellant appeals raising three issues. We will affirm.
1
See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. §§ 22.01(a)(1), 22.02(a)(2) (Vernon Supp. 2010).
Factual and Procedural Background
Appellant and Gilda Garcia Ruiz lived together in Austin, Texas. On November
26, 2008, appellant and Ruiz had an argument. As a result of the argument, appellant
attacked Ruiz and began to strangle her. Ruiz testified that she was unable to remove
appellant’s hands from around her neck, and she felt as if she could not breathe. At
some point during the struggle, Ruiz urinated on herself. As the struggle continued with
appellant on top of Ruiz, Ruiz found herself on her stomach when she felt wetness on
her face. Ruiz’s face was bleeding from bites inflicted by appellant. Ruiz described
how appellant picked her up off of the floor by her neck while strangling her and
wrenching her neck. After falling back to the floor, Ruiz tried to strike appellant with a
stool. Ruiz testified that she regained consciousness and found herself across the room
from where she last remembered. Eventually, Ruiz got out of the grasp of appellant.
Ruiz asked appellant why he was doing this and stated she loved him. At this point,
appellant got up, and Ruiz took the opportunity to run from the house.
Ruiz fled to the home of Victor Valdez, appellant and Ruiz’s neighbor. Valdez
testified that Ruiz arrived at his home in a very excited and upset state. Valdez
immediately noticed Ruiz had marks and bruising on her face. After Ruiz had been in
his home for a short period of time, appellant began knocking on the door. When
Valdez did not answer the door, appellant began pounding on it. Valdez eventually
went outside and spoke with appellant. Appellant immediately accused Valdez of
having sexual relations with Ruiz. Valdez testified that appellant appeared extremely
angry. Ruiz eventually left Valdez’s home through the back door.
2
After escaping from appellant, Ruiz was taken to the hospital by her mother. The
attending emergency room doctor, Stefan Hood, testified about his observations of Ruiz
on the night in question. During his testimony, Hood opined that an individual’s hands,
when used to strangle someone, would qualify as a deadly weapon. Appellant’s trial
counsel cross-examined Hood extensively regarding Ruiz’s appearance when
examined and whether or not she appeared to be suffering from any serious bodily
injury.
During the guilt-innocence portion of the trial, the State introduced a number of
photographs that depicted Ruiz’s injuries. Of particular note were three sets of
photographs that, according to the record, showed the same areas of Ruiz’s body at
different times. Appellant objected that the second and third set of these photographs
were cumulative and their probative value was outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice. The trial court overruled the objections, ruling that they demonstrated the
degree of injury by showing the affected areas at different times.
After hearing the evidence, the jury found appellant guilty of aggravated assault
causing bodily injury by using or exhibiting a deadly weapon. During the punishment
portion of the trial, appellant pleaded true to the enhancement paragraph. After the
State had closed the evidence on punishment, appellant’s stepmother testified on his
behalf. During her testimony on direct examination, she answered some questions
about the impact of appellant’s criminal history on his deceased father. During the
State’s closing argument on punishment, reference was made to the testimony
regarding the impact of appellant’s criminal history on his father. This led to an
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objection by appellant. The trial court overruled the objection. The jury found the
punishment enhancement allegation true and assessed appellant’s punishment at
confinement for life in the ID-TDCJ and a fine of $10,000.
Appellant appeals by three issues contending that 1) the evidence is insufficient
to support the judgment; 2) the trial court erred in admitting certain cumulative
photographs of Ruiz; and 3) the trial court erred in overruling appellant’s objection to the
improper jury argument of the State. Disagreeing with appellant, we will affirm the
judgment of the trial court.
Sufficiency of the Evidence
As an initial consideration, we observe that appellant’s appeal contends that the
evidence is both legally and factually insufficient. Appellant’s brief was prepared and
filed before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued its opinion in Brooks v. State,
No. PD-0210-09, 2010 Tex.Crim.App. LEXIS 1240 *25-*26 (Tex.Crim.App. Oct. 6,
2010), wherein the court ruled that there is no distinction between a claim of legal as
opposed to factual insufficiency of the evidence. Further, the court expressly overruled
Clewis v. State, 922 S.W.2d 126 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996), and its purported application to
factual sufficiency questions. Id. at *57. The court appears to urge the reviewing court
to apply a more rigorous application of the sufficiency test set forth in Jackson v.
Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979). See id. at *58.
Therefore, we will review appellant’s claims of evidentiary sufficiency under the
standard of review set forth in Jackson. See 443 U.S. at 319.
4
Standard of Review
In assessing the sufficiency of the evidence, we review all 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,
443 U.S. at 319; Ross v. State, 133 S.W.3d 618, 620 (Tex.Crim.App. 2004). We
measure the legal sufficiency of the evidence against a hypothetically correct jury
charge. See Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997). Finally, when
reviewing all of the evidence under the Jackson standard of review, the ultimate
question is whether the jury’s finding of guilt was a rational finding. See Brooks, 2010
Tex.Crim.App. LEXIS 1240 at *37, *39-*40 n.26 (discussing Judge Cochran’s dissent in
Watson v. State, 204 S.W.3d 404, 448-50 (Tex.Crim.App. 2006), as outlining the proper
application of a single evidentiary standard of review).2
Analysis
To prove aggravated assault causing bodily injury by using or exhibiting a deadly
weapon, as charged in the indictment, the State must prove:
1) on or about November 26, 2008
2) appellant
3) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
2
We note that this Court has at times quoted Moreno v. State, 755 S.W.2d 866,
867 (Tex.Crim.App. 1988) for the proposition that we had to uphold the verdict of the
jury unless it was irrational or unsupported by more than a mere modicum of evidence.
We view such a statement, insofar as a modicum of evidence being sufficient evidence,
as contrary to a rigorous application of the Jackson standard of review urged by the
court in Brooks.
5
4) caused bodily injury to
5) Gilda Garcia Ruiz
6) by grabbing Ruiz on or about the neck
7) and appellant did use or exhibit a deadly weapon
8) to-wit: his hands.
See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. §§ 22.01(a)(1), 22.02(a)(2);3 Malik, 953 S.W.2d at 240. The
Penal Code defines “bodily injury” as “physical pain, illness, or any impairment of
physical condition.” See § 1.07(a)(8)(Vernon Supp. 2010). Further, the Penal Code
defines “deadly weapon,” for purposes of this analysis, as “anything that in the manner
of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.” See §
1.07(a)(17)(B). Finally, “serious bodily injury” is defined in the Penal Code, in part, as
“bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death.” See § 1.07(a)(46).
Appellant’s evidentiary sufficiency argument focuses on the question of the
deadly weapon. Specifically, appellant contends that there was no evidence that
appellant’s hands were capable of causing serious bodily injury in the manner of their
use. The fact that appellant stops his contention at that point in the definition of a
“deadly weapon” is illustrative of the failure of appellant to fully understand the import of
the testimony of Dr. Hood. The full definition of a deadly weapon includes not only the
manner of the use or intended use of the alleged deadly weapon but also the capability
of the alleged deadly weapon to cause death or serious bodily injury. See §
1.07(a)(17)(B).
3
Further reference to the Texas Penal Code will be by reference to “section
____,” “sec. ___,” or “§ ___.”
6
Whether an item is a deadly weapon is determined by reviewing a totality of the
facts of the case. See Blain v. State, 647 S.W.2d 293, 294 (Tex.Crim.App. 1983). To
show that the hands are a deadly weapon, the State need not show that the hands
actually caused serious bodily injury so long as the evidence shows that the hands in
the manner of their use were capable of causing serious bodily injury. See Jefferson v.
State, 974 S.W.2d 887, 892 (Tex.App.—Austin 1998, no pet.). The State produced the
testimony of Dr. Hood, who was qualified by experience, education, and training to
render an expert opinion about appellant’s use of his hands as a deadly weapon. See
TEX. R. EVID. 702.4 Hood testified that the use of the hands to strangle a victim by
interfering with the blood or air flow could cause serious bodily injury. Further, the State
also produced the testimony of Dr. David Dolinak, Chief Medical Examiner for Tarrant
County, Texas, who testified that the hands can be used as a deadly weapon. Dolinak’s
opinion was rendered after extensive questioning by the State regarding the evidence of
manual strangulation apparent on Ruiz.
When all of this evidence is reviewed in the light most favorable to the verdict,
the jury’s determination that appellant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt was not an
irrational act. See Brooks, 2010 Tex.Crim.App. LEXIS 1240 at *37, *38-*39 n.26.
Accordingly, appellant’s first issue is overruled.
4
Further reference to the Texas Rules of Evidence will be by reference to “Rule
___” or “rule ___.”
7
Photographs
Appellant’s second issue complains about the introduction of three series of
photographs depicting the injuries suffered by Ruiz. The first series of photographs,
State’s Exhibits 8 through 13, were introduced without objection. The testimony showed
that those photographs were taken at the hospital on the night of the assault. The State
then moved to introduce State’s Exhibits 14 through 19. Appellant objected that exhibits
16 thru 19 were cumulative and that their probative value was outweighed by their
prejudicial impact. The trial court, after ascertaining that the photographs were taken at
a later date than the first exhibits, overruled appellant’s objection. The third series of
photographs were State’s Exhibits 20 through 25. These photographs were the last
photographs taken of Ruiz’s injuries and were taken on December 1, 2008.5 Appellant
again objected that these photographs were cumulative and that their probative value
was outweighed by the prejudicial impact.
Standard of Review
In Gallo v. State, 239 S.W.3d 757, 762 (Tex.Crim.App. 2007), the Texas Court of
Criminal Appeals set forth the standard of review. First, the admissibility of a
photograph is left to the sound discretion of the trial judge. Id. at 762. A photograph is
generally admissible if verbal testimony as to the matters depicted in the photograph
would be admissible. Id. However, even if a photograph is relevant and admissible, it
may be excluded if the probative value of the photograph is “substantially outweighed
5
We note that this date would indicate that the third series of photographs were
taken at a point in time between the first and second series of photographs.
8
by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by
considerations of undue delay, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.” Id.
(citing Rule 403). Rule 403 favors admission of relevant evidence and carries a
presumption that relevant evidence will be more probative than prejudicial. Id. (citing
Williams v. State, 958 S.W.2d 186, 196 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997)). Finally, we note that a
trial court’s ruling on a Rule 403 objection is reviewed under an abuse of discretion
standard as set forth in Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex.Crim.App.
1990) (op. on reh’g). That is to say, to be erroneous, the trial court’s decision must be
outside the zone of reasonable disagreement. Id.
Analysis
Initially, we observe that appellant’s argument infers that he is contending that
the photographs were not relevant. The State asserts that the objection made at the
time the exhibits were offered did not contain any statements that can be construed to
be an objection to the admissibility of the exhibits on the basis of relevance. Our review
of the record reveals that appellant objected to State’s Exhibits 16 through 25 on two
grounds. First, appellant objected that the exhibits were cumulative of the other
photographs previously admitted. Second, appellant objected, as stated above, that the
probative value of the second and third sets of photographs was substantially
outweighed by their prejudicial impact. The first objection is actually part of the analysis
for the second objection, a Rule 403 objection. See Rule 403. The second objection is
clearly a Rule 403 objection. Therefore, we agree with the State, and to the extent
9
appellant is attempting to argue that the photographs are not relevant, that error was not
preserved for appeal. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a)(1)(A).
All of the photographs of which appellant complains show Ruiz’s neck, arms,
face, eyes, and the side of her head. The State offered the different sets of
photographs to show the severity of the wounds inflicted by appellant based upon how
they appeared at different points in time. We view these photographs in light of the
analysis set forth by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Williams, 958 S.W.2d at
196 and Rule 403. There were six photographs in the original series and then a total of
ten photographs in the second and third series. The record before this Court
demonstrates that the photographs are black and white and do not depict any gruesome
scenes. A review of the record demonstrates that the amount of time spent offering and
discussing these photographs did not unduly delay the trial. Although appellant is
correct when he points out that many of the photographs are of the same area of Ruiz’s
body, they do not demonstrate the same degree of injury, as they were taken at
different times. This is a factor the jury could use in determining the amount of force
appellant used in strangling Ruiz. Likewise, the photographs of the bite marks at
different times demonstrates the apparent anger of appellant at the time of the assault
by the lasting imprint of his teeth on Ruiz’s arm and head. This evidence goes directly
to the totality of the circumstances of the assault. See Blain, 647 S.W.2d at 294. All in
all, we cannot say that the probative value of these exhibits is substantially outweighed
by the prejudicial impact of these exhibits on the jury. See Gallo, 239 S.W.3d at 764.
Therefore, the trial court’s decision to admit the photographs did not fall outside the
zone of reasonable disagreement. See Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 391. Accordingly,
10
the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the photographs, and appellant’s
second issue is overruled. See id.
Improper Argument
Appellant’s last issue contends that the State engaged in an improper jury
argument during the punishment phase of the trial. The argument in question centered
upon testimony elicited by appellant from his stepmother. The essence of the testimony
was that appellant’s father had a very difficult time with appellant’s prior criminal
conviction. Appellant’s father had several heart attacks, had to have a pacemaker put
in, and died within a few months of appellant’s latest arrest. Appellant did not mention
the testimony during his final argument on punishment. However, during the State’s
closing argument the following statement was made:
I felt bad for the stepmother because you know who did that to her? He
did. Can you imagine that? You know who did that to his father? You
shouldn’t feel bad for him because his father died while he was in jail for a
second felony crime. You should hold him responsible for that. He did
that to his stepmother, he did that to his father.
At that time, appellant objected saying, “Judge, that’s improper, I object.” The trial court
then overruled the objection without comment. The State did not further refer to the
testimony during closing argument.
Appellant now contends that the argument was improper because the argument
was manifestly improper and did not fall within any of the recognized areas for proper
jury argument. Appellant also contends that the argument was an attempt to accuse
appellant of the extraneous offense of homicide against his father.
11
Appellant has two manifest problems with his analysis of the alleged improper
argument. First, the objection lodged was nothing more than a general objection and
may not be sufficient to preserve error for appeal. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(1)(A);
Buchanan v. State, 207 S.W.3d 772, 775 (Tex.Crim.App. 2006). If the legal basis for
the objection is obvious to the trial court and to opposing counsel, then a general
objection may preserve error. Id. Therefore, if we assume the trial court understood the
objection to be addressing the fact that the argument did not go to one of the four
recognized areas of proper jury argument6 as set forth in Gallo, 239 S.W.3d at 767, then
we have a situation where the issue on appeal does not comport with the objection
made at trial. Dixon v. State, 2 S.W.3d 263, 273 (Tex.Crim.App. 1999) (op. on reh’g).
This is because his complaint before this Court is that the argument attempted to
charge appellant with an extraneous offense.
The result is that either appellant made a general objection that did not preserve
anything for appeal, Buchanan, 207 S.W.3d at 775, or appellant’s current complaint
does not comport with the objection at trial and nothing is preserved for appeal. Dixon,
2 S.W.3d at 273. Under either scenario, we overrule appellant’s third issue.
6
1) summation of the evidence; 2) reasonable deductions from the evidence; 3)
answer to arguments of opposing counsel; and 4) pleas for law enforcement. Even if
appellant’s complaint regarding proper jury argument was preserved, we note that the
State’s argument referred to evidence appellant himself elicited from his stepmother.
The State then made a plea for law enforcement based on this evidence. Gallo, 239
S.W.3d at 767.
12
Conclusion
Having overruled appellant’s issues, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Mackey K. Hancock
Justice
Do not publish.
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