ACCEPTED 01-14-00614-CR FIRST COURT OF APPEALS HOUSTON, TEXAS 3/18/2015 12:44:46 AM CHRISTOPHER PRINE CLERK
CAUSE NUMBER 01-14-00614-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FILED IN 1st COURT OF APPEALS FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS HOUSTON, TEXAS AT HOUSTON 3/18/2015 12:44:46 AM _________________________________________________________________ CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE Clerk
JASON B. JACKSON, APPELLANT
VS.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE
_________________________________________________________________
CAUSE NUMBER 1365982 IN THE 176TH DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
_________________________________________________________________
APPELLANT’S BRIEF _________________________________________________________________
Windi Akins Pastorini Texas Bar No. 00962500 440 Louisiana, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77002 713-236-7300 713-224-6008 windi@windipastorini.com Attorney for Appellant
ORAL ARGUMENT NOT REQUESTED. STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENTS
The issues in this case are such that oral arguments would not be beneficial,
therefore oral arguments are not requested.
LIST OF INTERESTED PERSONS
Jason B. Jackson Appellant, Defendant in trial court
The Honorable Stacey W. Bond Presiding District Court Judge 176th District Court Harris County, Texas
Devon Anderson Harris County District Attorney Criminal District Attorney 1201 Franklin Avenue Houston, Texas 77002
Ms. Pamela Paso Assistant District Attorneys Mr. Nick Social Assistant District Attorneys 1201 Franklin, 6th Far. Houston, Texas77002 Counsel for The State at Trial
Mr. Franklin G. Bonum Counsel for Defendant at trial Mr. Randy Martin Assistant Public Defenders 1201 Franklin, 13th Far. Houston, Texas 77002
Windi Akins Pastorini Attorney for Appellant on appeal 440 Louisana, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77002
i Bill Delmar Attorney for State on appeal Assistant District Attorney 1201 Franklin Avenue Houston, Texas 77002 Attorney for State on appeal
ii TABLE OF CONTENTS
Statement Regarding Oral Arguments............................................................. -i-
List of Interested Persons............................................................................... -i-
Table of Contents.......................................................................................... -iii-
Index of Authorities........................................................................................ -iv
Statement of the Case................................................................................... 1
Issues Presented........................................................................................... 2
Statement of Facts....................................................................................... 2
Issue Number One Restated......................................................................... 10
Summary of the Argument............................................................................. 11
Argument and Authorities.............................................................................. 11
Prayer............................................................................................................ 17
Certificate of Service..................................................................................... 18
iii INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
TEXAS CASES:
Geesa v. State, 820 S.W.2d 154 (Tex.Crim.App. 1991).................................................................... 11
O'Canas v. State, 140 S.W.3d 695 (Tex. App.– Dallas 2003, pet. ref'd).................. 12
Paulson v. State, 28 S.W.3d 570 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000)........................................... 11
Reyes v. State, 938 S.W.2d 718 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996).......................................... 11
RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE:
Rule 38.1.................................................................................................. 1
iv TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS:
Jason B. Jackson submits his Brief pursuant to Tex.R.App.P. 38.1 in support
of his request that his case be reversed and remanded for a new trial.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Jason Jackson was charged with sexually assaulting David Coronado, an adult,
by anal intercourse by the use of physical force and violence on or about June 20,
2012. There was an enhancement paragraph alleging a prior conviction for possession
of a controlled substance on March 17, 2006. (CR 10).
On June 27, 2014, Mr. Jackson, after being admonished by the Court, waived
his right to a jury trial and elected to have a bench trial, (RR 2–17) and signed a
written jury waiver. (CR 79). The trial court started hearing evidence on June 30,
2014. (RR 3–2). On July 2, 2014, the Trial Judge found Jackson guilty, found the
enhancement court true, and sentenced him to 17-years in the Institutional Division
of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (CR 78). On the same date, Jackson
signed a written Notice of Appeal (CR 81) and the Trial Court signed “The Trial
Courts Certification of Defendant’s Right to Appeal,” stating that Jackson had the
right to appeal. (CR 83). A Motion for a New Trial was not filed.
-1- ISSUES PRESENTED
THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY FINDING APPELLANT GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
In the early morning hours of June 20th, Mrs. Shirley Evans was sitting on her
back patio at 6922 Pinetex Drive in Humble, Texas, visiting with a friend. (RR 3– 8,
11). As she described it, “all of a sudden someone came up to the gate hysterical,
yelling, screaming ‘Help me.’” (RR 3 – 11). She went over to the gate and a man was
begging her to call 911 claiming that he had been raped. (RR 3 – 12). She called 911.
(RR 3 – 12). When asked on cross-examination if the man was injured, she said, “ it
was dark. I don't know if he had any or not” then added that he did not complain
about any injuries, (RR 3 – 14). She set the time as to when all this happened at 2:00
a.m. (RR 3 – 14).
Mrs. Evans’s testimony was followed by the testimony of Officer Marvin
Waggoner who was dispatched in response to the 911 call. (RR 3 – 15-16). As he was
looking for the address, he was stopped by “an individual waving his arms, flagging
me down in the driveway.” (RR 3 – 17). The man said that his name was “David
Coronado.” (RR 3 – 17). The officer described Mr. Coronado as “very shaken, just
-2- talking fast, kind of like broken English,” that he “seemed scared, seemed nervous
and a little shaken. (RR 3 – 17-18). Mr. Coronado went on to say that he had been
raped. (RR 3 – 18). When asked where this happened, he pointed toward a dead end
street but was not sure of which house. (RR 3 – 18). Shortly thereafter, paramedics
arrived and Mr. Coronado was transported to a hospital. (RR 3 – 19). On cross-
examination, Mr. Coronado said the suspect had left the scene in his car. (RR 3 – 21).
The State then called Amanda Sappington, a sexual assault nurse (SANE) at
Memorial Hermann Hospital. (RR 3 – 24). She examined Mr. Coronado and the
medical reports were admitted as States Exhibits 9, 10, 11 and 12, over Defense
objections of hearsay and confrontation violations. (RR 3 – 27-28). Mr. Coronado
told the SANE. that "After the guy Jason abused me, I escaped. His back was to me,
and that's when I ran out and hid behind the house. He forced me to have oral sex, his
penis in my mouth. He penetrated my anus with his penis and did not use a condom.
I was screaming to let me go, but he was very strong. (RR 3 – 28).
The physical examination revealed two fresh tears on Mr. Coronado’s anus.
Later, she said these injuries were consistent with “an actual sexual assault,” but
added it was also consistent with consensual sex. (RR 3 – 3). In addition, the SANE.
did took oral swabs, anal swabs, external penile swabs, saliva swabs, right nipple and
left nipple swabs and fingernail swabbings on the right and left hand as well as dental
-3- floss and some blood collection for DNA testing. (RR 3 – 30).
Gabriel Vasquez, a DA investigator for the Harris County District Attorney’
Office, took buccal swabs from the Accused, Jason Jackson, (RR 3 – 55) and
submitted this evidence to the Houston Police Department’s crime lab. (RR 3 – 57).
India Henry, a criminalist/serologist with the Houston Forensic Science Center,
(RR 3 – 59) testified that she generally screens evidence for the presence of blood and
semen in sexual assault cases. (RR 3 – 60). She said the anal swabs and items
identified in the record as laboratory items 1.2, 1.4., 1.5, and 1.9 were positive for
semen. Ms. Henry stated that State’s Exhibits 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40, identified
in the record as DNA extract, was outsourced to Bode Technology Group for DNA
testing. (RR 4 – 8). Amanda Mendoza, a forensic scientist II previously employed
as DNA caseworker analyst II for Bode Technology Group in Lorton, Virginia (RR
4 – 44) preformed a DNA analysis on State’s Exhibit 32 – the baccal anal swab from
Jason Jackson (RR 4 – 50-51) – and determined that “the sperm fraction of the anal
swab matched the DNA profile that we obtained from Jason Jackson.” (RR 4 – 55).
Robert Wieners, a criminal investigator assigned to special crimes, was
assigned to do the follow up investigation in this case. (RR 4 – 63-64). He developed
a suspect by determining who owned the house at 6907 where the assault occurred.
(RR 4 – 64-65) The owner was Jason Jackson. (RR 4 – 66). He also looked up a
-4- picture of Jason Jackson and it matched the description of the person who owned the
suspect house. (RR 4 – 67). The officer put a photo-spread together containing five
people including Jason Jackson, and Coronado identified Jackson as the assailant.
(RR 4 – 70). After this positive identification, Officer Wieners and his partner,
Officer Jimeno, went to Jackson’s residence, knocked on the door and Jackson
opened the door. (RR 4 – 72).
Officer Wieners identified himself and told Jackson that he was conducting an
investigation. (RR 4 – 72) There were other people present so Jackson was asked to
step outside. (RR 4 – 72). They went outside to the foot of the driveway where
Jackson was separated from his girlfriend inside the house. (RR 4 – 72). Officer
Wieners explained that he received a report of sexual assault, and that Jackson had
been identified as a potential suspect, and that DNA evidence had been found but
there was not a match at the present time. (RR 4 – 72-73).
After the details of the complaint were explained, Jackson responded that “he
doesn't engage in sexual activity with men and he's not a homosexual,” and strongly
denied being homosexual, and knowing homosexuals in that way. (RR 4 – 73). When
asked if he would provide a DNA sample, Jackson said the he’d like to consult a
lawyer. (RR 4 – 74). That concluded the conversation. Officer Wieners gave Jackson
his contact information and told him that if he was willing to make a formal statement
-5- in the presence of an attorney, that he would be willing to hear it. (RR 4 – 74)
The complainant, David Coronado1 was the State’s next witness. (RR 5 – 9).
He testified that he met Jackson at a gay bar, J.R.’s, that he and Jackson talked for a
while and Jackson invited him over to his house where they could continue talking
and drinking. (RR 5 – 12-13). They left in Jackson’s car and made one stop before
ending up at Jackson’s home. They stopped at a convenience store where Jackson
bought cigarettes and some soft drinks.(RR 5 – 15). Jackson gave Coronado an
opened orange drink and Coronado claimed that after drinking it, be started feeling
dizzy but added this could have been the effect of his earlier drinking. (RR 5 – 15-
16). When they arrived at Jackson’s house, it was very dark, and Jackson explained
that he had not paid the light bill. (RR 5 – 16).
Jackson took Coronado by the hand and led him to his room where he began
taking off Coronado’s cloths. (RR 5 – 16). Jackson began touching Coronado’s penis
and anus. Coronado said that he was frightened and asked him to quit, but Jackson
continued and penetrated Coronado’s anus with his penis. (RR 5 – 16-17). Coronado
said he tried to get Jackson to stop, that Jackson was hurting him, but Jackson did not
stop. Jackson put his fingers inside Coronado’s anus, then got on top of Coronado and
1 At trial, Coronado was going by the name of “David Ramos,” but since the Court documents referred to him as “David Coronado,” this name was used in the brief.
-6- began hitting him in the face. (RR 5 – 18). While on top of Coronado, he attemted to
make Coronado give him oral sex. (RR 5 – 19). Coronado said he was scared and
feared that he might be killed as he was crying and saying the he wanted to leave. (RR
5 – 19).
Jackson asked Coronado if he had any money and ended up taking $60.00 from
Coronado’s billfold. (RR 5 – 20). Coronado pushed Jackson off him and is so doing
a soft drink on the night stand spilled on the floor. While Jackson was cleaning up the
floor, Jackson took some of his clothes and ran out of the house. (RR 5 – 21).
Coronado hid a couple of houses away and Jackson came out of his house and left in
his car. (RR 5 – 21). Thereafter, Coronado ran further down the block until he saw
some lights on, heard voices where he managed to get some help.
Coronado denied that this was consensual sexual encounter even though the
record reflects the following: (1) Coronado admitted going to J.R.’S, a gay bar, with
another man, Donovan, who was his friend and a person whom he was currently
living (RR 5 – 28); (2) this was not his first trip to the gay bar as he admitted going
to J.R.’s before he was picked up by Jackson; (RR 5 – 11); (3) Coronado arrived at
J.D.’s around 11:00 or 11:30 that evening, had been there for about an hour or an
hour-and-one-half before Jackson – a man that he had never met – approached him,
and after a 15 minute conversation left with him to go to Jackson’s house (RR 5 – 11-
-7- 13, 31-32); (4) when they arrived at Jackson’s house it was very dark, no lights were
on, and although Coronado claimed to be frightened at this point, he made no attempt
to leave (RR 5 – 15): (5) as soon as they arrived at Jackson’s house, Jackson took
Coronado by the hand and they walked hand-in-hand into Jackson’s bedroom, and
again Coronado did not protest and made no attempt to escape (RR 5 – 15, 37-38);
(6) Jackson started taking off Coronado’s clothes and Coronado did not resist or
attempt to escape because all of his clothing was in tact and none of his garments
were torn or appeared to be forcibly ripped off (RR 5 – 16, 39-41); (7) Coronado
claimed that Jackson slapped him in the face two times but none of the witnesses who
saw Coronado after the claimed rape, saw any injuries, bruises or marks on
Coronado’s face or any where else (RR 5 – 18, 41-42); (8) when Coronado was
getting dressed to leave, Jackson made no attempt to stop him (RR 5 – 45-46); (9)
Coronado admitted knowing he could qualify for lawful status in the States as a
victim of a violent crime, such as aggravated sexual assault, and that he was
attempting to get a U-Visa. (RR 5 – 48-50).
Jackson was called to the stand briefly and acknowledged that he was aware
of his right to testify and it was his decision not to testify. (RR 5 – 55-56).That being
said, both sides rested and closed (RR 5 – 56).
Defense Counsel, in closing arguments, contended that this was a consensual
-8- sexual encounter and noted that the SANE examiner, Amanda Sappington, testified
that the two tears on Coronado anus were was consistent with consensual sexual
activity (RR 3 – 38; RR 5 – 56-57). He also noted that the condition of Coronado’s
clothing indicated that this was consensual sex and not a forcible sexual assault. (RR
5 – 57. Counsel argued these and other facts created a reasonable doubt and that
Jackson show be acquitted, (RR 5 – 58).
The State, on the other hand, argued this was a sexual assault, relying primarily
on Coronado’s conduct and appearance after he left Jackson’s house as attested to by
the witnesses who saw him that night. The prosecutor said that the evidence indicated
that Jackson “is a predator, and just like any good predator, he went looking for a
hunting ground, went to the gay bar JR's and he went looking for his prey and he
decided to pick a smaller male, who wasn't from this country, foreign, and that's who
it was going to be he was going to prey on. And then he stalks his prey.”(RR 5 – 59).
After Jackson separated Coronado from “the rest of the pack,” he took his prey, “he
drives him far away, and once he's all alone, by himself, that's when this predator, the
defendant, pounces on our complainant.” (RR 5 – 60). The trial judge apparently
agreed with the State and found Jackson guilty of sexual assault. (RR 5 – 60).
The punishment hearing began with the prosecutor reading the enhancement
paragraph which alleged that on March 17, 2006, Jackson was convicted of
-9- possessing a controlled substance in Cause No. 1365892 in the 248th District Court
of Harris County. Jackson entered a plea of “True.” (RR 6 – 5).
The State called one witness, David Coronado, who testified about the effect
the sexual assault had on him. According to Coronado, he “was very afraid to trust
people. I didn't want anyone to get near me whenever I went out. I had a lot of
nightmares. Whenever anyone would get close to me sometimes I would jump
because of being scared, and I had a lot of fear.” (RR 5 – 6-7). He also claimed that
his work was also impacted, “Whenever I had to go to work, sometimes I got off after
dark and I w/as quite afraid to walk alone. Sometimes I had to take the bus and there
were a lot of people in there and I would be very afraid sometimes, and sometimes I
didn't want to go to work.” (RR 6 – 7).
The Defense presented no evidence, called no witnesses, and both sides rested
and closed. (RR 6 – 7). In closing remarks the Defense asked for term at the low end
of the sentencing range and the State asked for 35 years, (RR 6 – 9-10). The trial
judge assessed a 17-year prison term. (RR6 – 10).
ISSUE NUMBER ONE RESTATED
THE TRIAL COURT ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY FINDING APPELLANT GUILTY BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.
-10- SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
This was what is often called a “he said, she said” case, but based upon the
facts presented at trial, this was a “he said, he did not say” case. The State’s allegation
that Jason Jackson sexually assaulting David Coronado by use of physical force
rested entirely upon Coronado’s testimony that the sexual act was not consensual.
David Coronado’s testimony was not credible and it did not support the burden of
proof required in criminal cases – proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
In it common knowledge that the State must prove the allegations in their
charging instrument by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The Court of Criminal
Appeals adopted a definition of reasonable doubt to be submitted in jury charges in
Geesa v. State, 820 S.W.2d 154, 162 (Tex.Crim.App. 1991), stating that the proof
must be “of such a convincing character that you would be willing to rely and act
upon it without hesitation in the most important of your own affairs.” Paulson v.
State, 28 S.W.3d 570, 573 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000) overruled Geesa in part, holding
that held giving the full Geesa instruction was reversible error absent agreement of
the parties; and Reyes v. State, 938 S.W.2d 718 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996), stating, “We
specifically overrule that portion of Geesa which requires trial courts to instruct juries
-11- on the definition of ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’” Paulson did not explicitly conclude
that inclusion of the instruction was reversible error in the absence of an agreement
to include it. Paulson, 28 S.W.2d at 573. O'Canas v. State, 140 S.W.3d 695, 699
(Tex. App.– Dallas 2003, pet. ref'd) said the “better practice is to give no definition
of reasonable doubt at all to the jury.”
All of these cases, however, deal with submitting the definition of reasonable
doubt in the jury charge, but none of them held that the Gessa definition of reasonable
was erroneous. They simply held that the definition should not be included in the jury
instructions. There is no reason why the Gessa definition should not be considered
when an appellate court must decide, as it must in this case, whether the State proved
its case beyond a reasonable doubt in a bench trial. Assuming this to be a reasonable
standard, the question before this court is: did the state present proof of such a
convincing character that the court would be willing to rely and act upon it without
hesitation as if would in their most important affairs?
The Complainant’s Credibility. The story related by Coronado was
implausible and most people who heard it would have some serious doubts as to it’s
believability and Coronado’s credibility. But the standard of proof required in a
criminal trial setting is much greater that the standard used in day-to-day gossip. In
this setting there must be proof beyond a reasonable doubt, not a mere hunch or
-12- suspicion.
First off, Coronado testified that he went to a gay bar, with another man,
Donovan – a person who was his friend and with whom he was currently living. And
this was not his first rodeo – he admitted going to J.R.’s before this night in question.
His stated reason for going to J.R.’s was that he had not been in Houston very long
and he was trying to meet people. (RR 5 – 9-10). His quest to “meet people” began
rather late at night because they did not get to J.R.’s until sometime between 11:00
and 11.30 in the evening. (RR 5 – 11). It does not take too much imagination to figure
out what a person is looking for by going to a gay bar close to midnight. And it is not
for the purpose of simply “meeting people,” to sooth feelings of loneliness. Men go
there at that time of night to find a “hook-up”with another gay man. At that hour and
at that location people are not there for friendship, they are there to search for a
sexual partner. To think otherwise, one would have to have the mentality of an
adoring mother explaining that her child is the only one in step in the high school
marching band.
Next, Coronado claimed that Jackson – a person that he did not know and had
never seen – approached him. They had about a 15-minute conversation before
Coronado agreed to go home with Jackson, to talk and have some drinks, according
to Coronado, because he wanted some new friends. (RR 5 – 11-13, 31-32). The
-13- prosecutor in final arguments depicted Jackson as a “predator” and Coronado as “the
prey,” But this contention is as ludicrous as Coronado’s stated purpose of going home
with Jackson.
Everyone familiar with criminal law is familiar with the fact that sexual
predators “groom” their victims but no one has ever heard of a 15-minute grooming
session. It must have been a grooming session on steroids or an outright fabrication.
The latter is the most obvious possibility. To think otherwise would be unreasonable.
When they arrived at Jackson’s house, Coronado testified that it was very dark,
and that no lights were on. According to Coronado, Jackson told him that he had
failed to pay the electric bill. Coronado claimed to be frightened at this point, but he
made no attempt to leave. Instead, Jackson took the “frightened” Coronado by the
hand and they walked hand-in-hand into Jackson’s bedroom, and again Coronado did
not protest and made no attempt to escape.
What happened next was to be expected. Coronado testified that Jackson
undressed him and began touching Coronado’s penis and anus. Coronado said that
he was frightened and asked Jackson to quit. This claim is not consistent with the
events that transpired at J.R.’s and Coronado’s willingness to abandon his friend and
to go home with a perfect stranger after a 15-minute or so encounter. It should be
obvious to anyone that Coronado went with Jackson, so they could do exactly what
-14- Jackson was doing – getting naked and fondling before getting down to the actual
sexual act. And that is what followed. Jackson penetrated Coronado’s anus with his
penis. Again Coronado claimed that he tried to get Jackson to stop, that Jackson was
hurting him, but Jackson did not stop, he continued until he ejaculated. This was
shown by the State’s evidence of a DNA swab taken from the semen in Coronado’s
anus. Coronado also claimed that Jackson put his fingers inside his anus. This is
indicative of a part of gay sex that comes after ejaculation, because, as Trial Counsel
pointed out at trial, men cannot normally maintain an erection after they ejaculate.
Following all of this, Coronado claimed that Jackson got on top of his chest
and that his penis was still erect. Coronado told two different stories as to what
happened next. His first story was to the police and later toe the SANE nurse. He told
them that Jackson made him perform oral sex. (RR 5 – 42-43) His second story came
at trial where he claimed that Jackson attempted to make him perform oral and that
Jackson began to slap him in the face when he refused. But one thing was consistent
in both stores – that Jackson maintained an erection, and as indicated above this is
highly questionable. It should also be noted that Coronado had no indication of being
hit in the face as no one who saw him later that night testified as to any injuries,
bruises or redness to Coronado’s face.
According to Coronado, a soft drink was spilled on the floor and he managed
-15- to get away while Jackson was leaning up the floor. Coronado, however, made no
claim that Jackson tried to stop him or chase him when he dressed and left the house
as one would expect if a sexual predator to do to keep a victim from reporting a
forcible sexual assault to the police.
Coronado also implied throughout his testimony that Jackson had put
something in his drink on the way over to Jackson’s house. But he never made such
a claim to the police or the SANE nurse, therefore there was no testing to determine
is any such drugs were found in his system. This was a new claim made only at the
time of trial and was not made or mentioned during the initial investigation.
All of this indicates that the State’s primary witness was not credible or worthy
of belief, and did not meet the rigorous standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Motive. The next question is why would Coronado claim a forcible sexual
assault when his testimony indicated a consensual sexual encounter. The anser to this
question is Coronado’s immigration status. Coronado came to Houston from Central
America and knew that he could qualify for lawful status in the States as a victim of
a violent crime, such as aggravated sexual assault. He testified to such and admitted
that he was attempting to get a U-Visa based upon this alleged sexual assault.
Physical Evidence. The only physical evidence the State presented, other than
DNA evidence, was testimony that there were some small tears to Coronado’s anus.
-16- But as pointed out by Trial Counsel’s cross-examination, these tears were consistent
with consensual sex and well as a person having a hard stool. All of the physical
evidence proved was that Coronado had anal sex – it did not prove that the sex was
forcible as alleged in the State’s indictment.
Testimony from Other Witnesses: The only evidence supporting Coronado’s
claim of forcible sexual assault came from a neighbor and the investigating officer.
They testified that Coronado was crying and emotionally distraught. But being in this
shape in the middle of the night does not equated to proof beyond a reasonable doubt
that a sexual assault occurred.
It is not uncommon for couples to get into a squabble in the middle of th night
and for one of them to take a hike to get away from the fray. Domestic arguments are
nothing new and the fact that a person leaves the home to escape a violent argument
is more common than not. Their testimony , however, does not cure or patch up
Coronado’s lack of credibility and when added to Coronado’s testimony does not add
up to proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Jackson sexually assaulted Coronado that
night. The trial court therefore erred in holding that the State proved its case beyond
a reasonable doubt.
PRAYER
For the foregoing reasons, Jason Jackson requests the Court to review the
-17- evidence in this case and thereafter reverse the case and remand it to the trial court
for a new trial.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Windi Akins Pastorini ___________________________________ Windi Akins Pastorini Attorney at Law Texas Bar No. 00962500 440 Louisiana, Suite 800 Houston, TX 77002 Tel. (713) 236-7300 Facsimile (713) 224-6008 windi@windipastorini.com Counsel for Appellant, Court-appointed on appeal.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of Appellant’s Brief was mailed to the Appellate
Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s office on the 18th day of March,
2015.
/s/ Windi Akins Pastorini ___________________________________ Windi Akins Pastorini Counsel for Appellant
-18-