IN THE TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-24-00032-CV
IN RE THE COMMITMENT OF DAVID MACH LANDECK
From the 52nd District Court Coryell County, Texas Trial Court No. DC-22-53995
MEMORANDUM OPINION
The State of Texas filed a petition to civilly commit David Mach Landeck as a
sexually-violent predator under the Sexually Violent Predator Act (“the Act”). See TEX.
HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. §§ 841.001-.209. A jury found beyond a reasonable doubt
that Landeck is a sexually-violent predator. Id. at § 841.003. The trial court entered a final
judgment and order of civil commitment under the Act. See id. at § 841.081. On appeal,
Landeck challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence as to the “behavioral abnormality” element of the jury’s sexually-violent-predator finding.1 See id. at §
841.003(a)(2).
STANDARD OF REVIEW AND APPLICABLE LAW
Proceedings under the Act are civil in nature, but because the State’s burden of
proof at trial is the same as in a criminal case, we review verdicts in cases brought under
the Act using the standard of review applied in criminal cases. In re Commitment of
Stuteville, 463 S.W.3d 543, 551 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015, pet. denied). When
reviewing a legal-sufficiency challenge to the evidence in a sexually-violent-predator
case, we assess all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict to determine
whether a rational jury could find, beyond a reasonable doubt, each of the elements that
the State must prove to support a judgment of civil commitment. In re Commitment of
H.L.T., 549 S.W.3d 656, 661 (Tex. App.—Waco 2017, pet. denied) (citing In re Commitment
of Mullens, 92 S.W.3d 881, 885 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2002, pet. denied)).
As defined in the Act, a sexually-violent predator is a person who “(1) is a repeat
sexually violent offender; and (2) suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes the
person likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence.” TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY
CODE ANN. § 841.003(a). A person is a “repeat sexually violent offender” if he has been
1 The jury charge included the statutory definitions for “sexually violent predator,” “repeat sexually violent offender,” “behavioral abnormality,” “predatory act,” and “sexually violent offense.” See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE §§ 841.002(2), 841.002(5), 841.002(6), 841.002(8), 841.003(a), 841.003(b). The jury was only required to answer one question – “Do you find beyond a reasonable doubt that DAVID MACH LANDECK is a sexually violent predator?”
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 2 convicted of more than one sexually-violent offense and a sentence was imposed for at
least one of the offenses. Id. at § 841.003(b). Regarding the second element, a “behavioral
abnormality” is defined as “a congenital or acquired condition that, by affecting a
person’s emotional or volitional capacity, predisposes the person to commit a sexually
violent offense, to the extent that the person becomes a menace to the health and safety
of another person.” Id. at § 841.002(2).
DISCUSSION
The record reflects that Landeck was convicted of: (1) Aggravated Sexual Assault
with a Deadly Weapon in Bell County, Texas on December 15, 1987 and sentenced to life
in prison; (2) Aggravated Sexual Assault in Coryell County, Texas on January 26, 1988
and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison; and (3) Aggravated Sexual Assault of a
Child in McLennan County, Texas and sentenced to fifty years in prison. See TEX. PENAL
CODE ANN. §§ 22.021. Each of these offenses are “sexually violent offenses” as defined in
the Act. TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 841.002(8)(A). Landeck does not contest the
legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting the implied jury finding that he is a repeat
sexually violent offender.
Landeck’s legal insufficiency argument centers around his proffered formula –
“sexual deviancy + antisociality = behavioral abnormality.” He contends that the State’s
failure to offer sufficient “’proof of dangerousness’ – i.e., antisociality” in conjunction
with his pedophilia diagnosis is fatal to the jury’s implied finding that he suffers from a
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 3 behavioral abnormality. To support his position, he cites to several cases that note how
the combination of sexual deviancy and antisociality creates a significant risk for
sexually-violent recidivism. However, the cited cases do not stand for the proposition
that the Act – or due process – necessitate both antisociality and sexual deviancy to
support a finding of a behavioral abnormality. A medical diagnosis of a person’s mental
health, though informative in a behavioral-abnormality assessment, is not required. See
In re Commitment of Bohannan, 388 S.W.3d 296, 306 (Tex. 2012). “[T]he principal issue in a
commitment proceeding is not a person’s mental health but whether he is predisposed to
sexually violent conduct.” Id. The Act specifically defines “behavioral abnormality,” and
it is within the confines of the statutory definition that we review whether legally
sufficient evidence exists to support the jury’s verdict. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE
ANN. § 841.002(2); see also In re Commitment of Stoddard, 619 S.W.3d 665, 678 (Tex. 2020)
(finding error in the appellate court’s factual sufficiency analysis where the appellate
court required proof of more than the two statutorily-required elements under the Act).
At trial, the State presented testimony from Dr. Antoinette McGarrahan, a forensic
psychologist who evaluated Landeck and determined, in her professional opinion, that
Landeck has a behavioral abnormality as defined by the Act. McGarrahan diagnosed
Landeck with pedophilic disorder – “intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or
behaviors that involve prepubescent children” – which she described as a congenital or
acquired condition. His condition, she explained, affects Landeck’s emotional and
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 4 volitional capacity by causing difficulty in controlling his urges to engage in repetitive
sexual contact with children. Relative to his predisposition to commit a sexually-violent
offense, McGarrahan testified that Landeck’s sexual deviancy, which she described as
one of the strongest risk factors for engaging in future sex-offending behavior, was the
primary factor in her behavior-abnormality determination. She defined “sexual
deviancy” as sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors not condoned by society, and further
described Landeck’s sexual deviancy as “quite engrained [sic]” and “quite intense.”
McGarrahan noted particular concern for Landeck’s “persistence after punishment” as
an indicator of the strength of his sexual deviancy. She also testified that she believed
Landeck continues to be a menace to the health and safety of others due to his chronic
pedophilic condition, lack of insight into his sexual deviance, and inability to monitor
and control his own behaviors. Though not required for a finding of behavioral
abnormality, McGarrahan also provided some evidence of Landeck’s “antisociality.” She
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IN THE TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-24-00032-CV
IN RE THE COMMITMENT OF DAVID MACH LANDECK
From the 52nd District Court Coryell County, Texas Trial Court No. DC-22-53995
MEMORANDUM OPINION
The State of Texas filed a petition to civilly commit David Mach Landeck as a
sexually-violent predator under the Sexually Violent Predator Act (“the Act”). See TEX.
HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. §§ 841.001-.209. A jury found beyond a reasonable doubt
that Landeck is a sexually-violent predator. Id. at § 841.003. The trial court entered a final
judgment and order of civil commitment under the Act. See id. at § 841.081. On appeal,
Landeck challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence as to the “behavioral abnormality” element of the jury’s sexually-violent-predator finding.1 See id. at §
841.003(a)(2).
STANDARD OF REVIEW AND APPLICABLE LAW
Proceedings under the Act are civil in nature, but because the State’s burden of
proof at trial is the same as in a criminal case, we review verdicts in cases brought under
the Act using the standard of review applied in criminal cases. In re Commitment of
Stuteville, 463 S.W.3d 543, 551 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015, pet. denied). When
reviewing a legal-sufficiency challenge to the evidence in a sexually-violent-predator
case, we assess all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict to determine
whether a rational jury could find, beyond a reasonable doubt, each of the elements that
the State must prove to support a judgment of civil commitment. In re Commitment of
H.L.T., 549 S.W.3d 656, 661 (Tex. App.—Waco 2017, pet. denied) (citing In re Commitment
of Mullens, 92 S.W.3d 881, 885 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2002, pet. denied)).
As defined in the Act, a sexually-violent predator is a person who “(1) is a repeat
sexually violent offender; and (2) suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes the
person likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence.” TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY
CODE ANN. § 841.003(a). A person is a “repeat sexually violent offender” if he has been
1 The jury charge included the statutory definitions for “sexually violent predator,” “repeat sexually violent offender,” “behavioral abnormality,” “predatory act,” and “sexually violent offense.” See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE §§ 841.002(2), 841.002(5), 841.002(6), 841.002(8), 841.003(a), 841.003(b). The jury was only required to answer one question – “Do you find beyond a reasonable doubt that DAVID MACH LANDECK is a sexually violent predator?”
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 2 convicted of more than one sexually-violent offense and a sentence was imposed for at
least one of the offenses. Id. at § 841.003(b). Regarding the second element, a “behavioral
abnormality” is defined as “a congenital or acquired condition that, by affecting a
person’s emotional or volitional capacity, predisposes the person to commit a sexually
violent offense, to the extent that the person becomes a menace to the health and safety
of another person.” Id. at § 841.002(2).
DISCUSSION
The record reflects that Landeck was convicted of: (1) Aggravated Sexual Assault
with a Deadly Weapon in Bell County, Texas on December 15, 1987 and sentenced to life
in prison; (2) Aggravated Sexual Assault in Coryell County, Texas on January 26, 1988
and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison; and (3) Aggravated Sexual Assault of a
Child in McLennan County, Texas and sentenced to fifty years in prison. See TEX. PENAL
CODE ANN. §§ 22.021. Each of these offenses are “sexually violent offenses” as defined in
the Act. TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 841.002(8)(A). Landeck does not contest the
legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting the implied jury finding that he is a repeat
sexually violent offender.
Landeck’s legal insufficiency argument centers around his proffered formula –
“sexual deviancy + antisociality = behavioral abnormality.” He contends that the State’s
failure to offer sufficient “’proof of dangerousness’ – i.e., antisociality” in conjunction
with his pedophilia diagnosis is fatal to the jury’s implied finding that he suffers from a
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 3 behavioral abnormality. To support his position, he cites to several cases that note how
the combination of sexual deviancy and antisociality creates a significant risk for
sexually-violent recidivism. However, the cited cases do not stand for the proposition
that the Act – or due process – necessitate both antisociality and sexual deviancy to
support a finding of a behavioral abnormality. A medical diagnosis of a person’s mental
health, though informative in a behavioral-abnormality assessment, is not required. See
In re Commitment of Bohannan, 388 S.W.3d 296, 306 (Tex. 2012). “[T]he principal issue in a
commitment proceeding is not a person’s mental health but whether he is predisposed to
sexually violent conduct.” Id. The Act specifically defines “behavioral abnormality,” and
it is within the confines of the statutory definition that we review whether legally
sufficient evidence exists to support the jury’s verdict. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE
ANN. § 841.002(2); see also In re Commitment of Stoddard, 619 S.W.3d 665, 678 (Tex. 2020)
(finding error in the appellate court’s factual sufficiency analysis where the appellate
court required proof of more than the two statutorily-required elements under the Act).
At trial, the State presented testimony from Dr. Antoinette McGarrahan, a forensic
psychologist who evaluated Landeck and determined, in her professional opinion, that
Landeck has a behavioral abnormality as defined by the Act. McGarrahan diagnosed
Landeck with pedophilic disorder – “intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or
behaviors that involve prepubescent children” – which she described as a congenital or
acquired condition. His condition, she explained, affects Landeck’s emotional and
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 4 volitional capacity by causing difficulty in controlling his urges to engage in repetitive
sexual contact with children. Relative to his predisposition to commit a sexually-violent
offense, McGarrahan testified that Landeck’s sexual deviancy, which she described as
one of the strongest risk factors for engaging in future sex-offending behavior, was the
primary factor in her behavior-abnormality determination. She defined “sexual
deviancy” as sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors not condoned by society, and further
described Landeck’s sexual deviancy as “quite engrained [sic]” and “quite intense.”
McGarrahan noted particular concern for Landeck’s “persistence after punishment” as
an indicator of the strength of his sexual deviancy. She also testified that she believed
Landeck continues to be a menace to the health and safety of others due to his chronic
pedophilic condition, lack of insight into his sexual deviance, and inability to monitor
and control his own behaviors. Though not required for a finding of behavioral
abnormality, McGarrahan also provided some evidence of Landeck’s “antisociality.” She
testified that Landeck “certainly has antisocial beliefs and behaviors,” though they did
not warrant a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder or psychopathy. As a result of
her evaluation, McGarrahan found Landeck to be at an “above average risk” to sexually
reoffend.
Landeck also testified at trial. He admitted that he was convicted of the three
sexually-violent offenses described above and discussed his history involving
accusations, investigations, arrests, charges, and convictions related to sexual contact
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 5 with minor children. Regarding the Bell County offense, Landeck agreed that it occurred
in March of 1985 and involved an 11-year-old girl who was a stranger to him. He was
found guilty after a trial but maintained that he did not commit this offense. Landeck
was then questioned in July of 1986 as a suspect for a sexual assault against a 12-year-old
girl, and he agreed that after being questioned about this offense, he was aware that he
was “on [law enforcement’s] radar.” His McLennan County offense, which involved a 9-
year-old girl who was a stranger to him, occurred in August of 1986 – just one month
after he was questioned by law enforcement. He was found guilty after a trial but
maintained that he also did not commit this offense. The Coryell County conviction is
the only conviction that Landeck agreed was valid, though he disagreed with the events
as described by the State. According to Landeck, this offense occurred in November of
1986 and involved a 15-year-old girl. Landeck testified that the 15-year-old was not a
stranger to him, but he was unaware that she was minor. He admitted that the 15-year-
old got into his car and that he drove her to a secluded area, but he denied putting a knife
to her throat as she alleged. Landeck explained that what started out as a consensual
encounter became nonconsensual when the 15-year-old told him to stop. He admitted
that he did not stop when requested because “the way we was raised, if you start having
sex, you finish having sex. She was willing at first.” Landeck testified that he now
understood that continuing to have sex with her after she told him to stop was wrong.
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 6 The State also questioned Landeck about past accusations of inappropriate contact
with minors that allegedly occurred while he was on bond. When questioned about
“spend[ing] time hanging out at a park with minors across the street from a police
station,” Landeck explained he would stop at the park to cool off his overheated vehicle.
However, he denied the State’s accusations that he spent time with minor children or
exposed his genitals to a 12-year-old child there. Landeck admitted that while he was on
bond, he was arrested for the offenses of solicitation of a minor and aggravated
kidnapping out of Bell County, Texas. On the stand, he denied committing the acts
underlying those charges and disagreed with the State that he previously admitted guilt
to those offenses as part of his Coryell County plea agreement on his Aggravated Sexual
Assault with a Deadly Weapon conviction. Landeck testified that he does not have a
deviant sexual attraction to children, he does not believe he needs to stay away from
children, and he does not need sex-offender treatment due to his age and lack of sex drive.
He also stated that the four-month sex-offender program he completed while
incarcerated helped him with his decision-making skills, and he does not currently have
any sexual interest that he is unable to control.
As sole judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence, the jury could
reasonably conclude that Landeck suffers from a behavioral abnormality - a congenital
or acquired condition that affects his emotional or volitional capacity and predisposes
him to commit a sexually violent offense, to the extent that he is a menace to the health
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 7 and safety of another person - that makes him likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual
violence. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, a rational jury
could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Landeck is a sexually violent predator.
We overrule Landeck’s sole issue on appeal.
Conclusion
Having overruled Landeck’s sole issue on appeal, we affirm the judgment of the
trial court.
STEVE SMITH Justice
Before Chief Justice Gray, Justice Johnson, and Justice Smith Affirmed Opinion delivered and filed July 25, 2024 [CV06]
In re The Commitment of Landeck Page 8