Hill v. State

518 S.W.2d 810, 1975 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 856

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: February 19, 1975
• Docket: 49435
• Status: Published

Opinions

OPINION

DOUGLAS, Judge.

This is an appeal from a conviction for the offense of burglary with intent to commit theft. After the jury returned the guilty verdict, the court assessed the punishment at twelve years.

The sufficiency of the evidence is not challenged. Archie Wagoner, the manager of an apartment complex, after receiving a telephone tip about a burglary, went to investigate. When he arrived at the apartment, he found that the door had been splintered. Appellant was in the hall with a camera and television set in his hands. They belonged to the victim, Cedric King. Appellant stated that he was a friend of the victim and was taking care of his property. Later evidence by King proved this to be false. Appellant agreed with Wagoner that they would report this to the police. They left in separate cars and appellant fled. Wagoner got appellant’s automobile license number and called the police. Appellant was arrested in a shed in the rear of the residence where his automobile was parked. He stated that he knew they were looking for him because someone had taken down his license number.

It is contended that the prosecutor’s argument at the guilt stage of the trial constituted reversible error.

Appellant’s counsel argued as follows:

“Now, there are lots of things that just don’t make sense, but we have got a burglary. I am not contesting the fact that Cedric King’s apartment was burglarized. When a burglar goes into an apartment or house, he has got to pick up things and he has got to move around things. We have heard no testimony whatsoever that there is any fingerprints or any incriminating evidence such as a handkerchief falling out of his pocket. . ."

After this, the following occurred during the argument of the prosecutor:

“MR. WORTHY (Prosecutor) : . . . Now, Mr. Boardman talks about fingerprints. I think you are all reasonable people and you can understand one thing, that a good professional burglar—

“MR. BOARDMAN (Appellant’s counsel): I object to that.

“MR. WORTHY: Good professional burglars don’t leave fingerprints.

“MR. BOARDMAN: Your Honor, there is no testimony in this case about a professional burglar. There is no testimony in this case about good burglars, either, because there is no evidence about good burglars or professional burglars.

“THE COURT: I overrule the obj ection.”

It is common knowledge that experienced, good or professional burglars do not leave fingerprints. Defense counsel pointed out the fact that there was no testimony of fingerprints. The argument of the prosecutor was in reply to that of defense counsel.

Taking the argument as made, it does not mention the appellant but is a broad statement to the effect that adept burglars do not leave fingerprints—a well known fact. See Powell v. State, 502 S.W.2d 705 (Tex.Cr.App.1973).

Appellant relies upon Overton v. State, 490 S.W.2d 556 (Tex.Cr.App.1973), where a like argument under practically the same circumstances was held to have been invited. After the holding that such an argument was invited, the opinion stated that such argument should not have been made because it was outside the record. Apparently the latter is dictum, because the rule is that if argument is invited, it is proper. See Hefley v. State, 489 S.W.2d 115 (Tex.Cr.App.1973).¹

In three grounds of error it is contended that the court erred in admitting into evidence a statement he made at the time of the arrest. He alleges that he was not warned of his right to remain silent.

Article 38.22, Vernon’s Ann.C.C.P., provides, in part:

“Nothing contained herein shall preclude the admissibility of any statement made by defendant . . . that is res gestae of the arrest . . . .”

The court admitted the statement as being res gestae of the arrest. The record reflects that appellant was arrested behind a shed and was brought immediately to the front of the apartments. As he was being handcuffed, he stated to the officers “that he knew that we were looking for him, that some man had written his license number down. . . . ”

The res gestae or spontaneous statement rule is independent of, superior to, and not limited by the applicable rules of voluntariness of confessions. Miles v. State, 488 S.W.2d 790 (Tex.Cr.App.1973).

In Jones v. State, 458 S.W.2d 654 (Tex.Cr.App.1970), this Court, speaking through Judge Onion, said:

“Be that as it may, acts and declarations which are a part of the res gestae are admissible notwithstanding the fact that they may not be admissible as confessions or admissions, for the rule of res gestae is independent of, superior to and cannot be limited by the rules relating to confessions or admissions after arrest. Spann v. State, [Tex.Cr.App.,] 448 S.W.2d 128 and cases there cited. See also 24 Tex.Jur.2d 137, Sec. 600; Fisk v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 432 S.W.2d 912.

“Still further, it is noted that Article 38.22, Sec. 1(f), Vernon’s Ann.C.C.P., provides in part: ‘Nothing contained herein shall preclude the admissibility * * * of any statement that is the res gestae of the arrest or of the offense.’ As to the application of Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694, to res gestae statements, see Hill v. State, Tex.Cr.App, 420 S.W.2d 408; Brown v. State, [Tex.Cr.App.,] 437 S.W.2d 828.

“If a statement is admissible as res gestae the fact that it is made in response to an inquiry, or while under arrest does not render the testimony inadmissible. Spann v. State, supra; Fowler v. State, 162 Tex.Cr.R. 513, 287 S.W.2d 665; Heath v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 375 S.W.2d 909.”

See also, Pilcher v. State, 503 S.W.2d 547 (Tex.Cr.App.1974); Tezeno v. State, 484 S.W.2d 374 (Tex.Cr.App.1972); Anderson v. State, 479 S.W.2d 57 (Tex.Cr.App.1972); Moore v. State, 440 S.W.2d 643 (Tex.Cr.App.1969); Ramos v. State, 419 S.W.2d 359 (Tex.Cr.App.1967). Cf. Martinez v. State, 498 S.W.2d 938 (Tex.Cr.App.1973).

In Tezeno v. State, supra, the defendant was under arrest when a statement was made by a woman companion that Tezeno had handed her the pistol when officers entered the cafe. There it was claimed that there was a deprivation of the right to confrontation. The Court wrote:

. . This does not mean, however, that the Sixth Amendment prohibits the admission of extrajudicial statements under recognized exceptions to the hearsay rule. United States v. Kelly, 349 F.2d 720, 770 (2nd Cir. 1965); Kay v. United States, 255 F.2d 476 (4th Cir. 1958); Schepps v. State, 432 S.W.2d 926 (Tex.Cr.App.1968)—Onion, J., on rehearing. Also see, California v. Green, 399 U.S. 149, 90 S.Ct. 1930, 26 L.Ed.2d 489 (1970); Pointer v. Texas, 380 U.S. [400,] 411, 85 S.Ct. 1065, 13 L.Ed.2d 923 (1965). Nor does the Sixth Amendment prohibit a state from changing, modifying, or enlarging the general hearsay rule, California v. Green, supra, so long as there is a reasonable necessity for such change, and so long as the change ‘is supported by an adequate basis for assurance that the evidence has those qualities of reliability and trustworthiness to other evidence admissible under long established exceptions to the hearsay rule.’ Kay v. United States, supra, 255 F.2d 480, Schepps v. State, supra.”

In Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966), it is written by the Supreme Court of the United States:

. . The fundamental import of the privilege while an individual is in custody is not whether he is allowed to talk to the police without the benefit of warnings and counsel, but whether he can be interrogated. There is no requirement that police stop a person who enters a police station and states that he wishes to confess to a crime, or a person who calls the police to offer a confession or any other statement he desires to make. Volunteered statements of any kind are not barred by the Fifth Amendment and their admissibility is not affected by our holding today.”

The judge did not err in admitting the statement and did not err in refusing to hold a hearing outside the presence of the jury concerning its admissibility. He had sufficient evidence before him to conclude, as he did, that the statement was admissible as res gestae of the arrest.

Lastly, it is contended that reversible error was committed when the assistant, district attorney stated to the jury:

“Now why is this a strong case? The law has always presumed that recent unexplained possession of stolen property is sufficient for the guilt.”

Appellant’s counsel objected, “. that is not in the charge. He is arguing law that is not in the charge.”

In his brief, appellant asserts that this was reversible error because it amounted to an assault upon the court’s charge.

Even though the presumption from possession of recently stolen property was not in the charge, it was not a misstatement of the law. Appellant asserts that the court could have so charged the jury and it would have been proper.

In Daywood v. State, 157 Tex.Cr.R. 266, 248 S.W.2d 479 (Tex.Cr.App.1952), it is written:

“. . . Error in argument does not lie in going beyond the court’s charge, but lies in stating law contrary to the same. . . .”

See Lincoln v. State, 508 S.W.2d 635 (Tex.Cr.App.1974).

No statement was made contrary to the charge. No statement contrary to the law was made. No reversible error is shown. The judgment is affirmed.

1 . It is difficult for this writer to understand the logic of the concurrence that the defense could make a legitimate statement about the lack of fingerprints but the prosecutor could not answer it because the argument of the defense counsel was proper. This is especially true in view of the statement that it is only imj)roper argument that will invite the prosecutor to follow defense counsel outside the record.

In the present case, there was no evidence of fingerprints introduced. There was no evidence of fingerprints or lack of them. Defense counsel commented upon this fact. There was nothing in the record about fingerprints. The prosecutor followed him by stating that good burglars do not leave fingerprints. It was as legitimate as the argument of the defense.