PD-1277-15 PD-1277-15 COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS Transmitted 9/25/2015 2:48:37 PM Accepted 9/30/2015 12:09:18 PM ABEL ACOSTA IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS CLERK OF AUSTIN, TEXAS
ALCIDES LARRINAGA a.k.a. ALCIDES LARRINGA, § Appellant § § NO. VS. § § THE STATE OF TEXAS, § Appellee §
ON PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW FROM THE DECISION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AT FORT WORTH, TEXAS IN CAUSE NO. 02-14-00199-CR AFFIRMING APPELLANT'S CONVICTION AND SENTENCE IN CAUSE NO. 1328386D HONORABLE GEORGE GALLAGHER, PRESIDING FROM THE 396TH DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS
APPELLANT'S PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW
September 30, 2015 Richard A. Henderson State Bar No. 09427100 RICHARD A. HENDERSON, P.C. 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 540 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 817-332-9602 - Telephone 817-335-3940 - Facsimile rich ard(ãrahenderson. corn
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT, ALCIDES LARRINAGA A.K.A. ALCIDES LARRINGA SUBJECT INDEX
IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL .......................................................ii,iii TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ................................................................................. iv,v STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT ............................................... 1 STATEMENTOF THE CASE ................................................................................. 1 STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY ....................................................... 1 GROUNDSFOR REVIEW ...................................................................................1 ,2 REASONSFOR REVIEW .......................................................................................2 GROUNDONE.................................................................................................2 GROUNDTWO .............................................................................................. 10 CONCLUSION AND PRAYER.............................................................................14 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ......................................................................15 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE................................................................................15 APPENDICES.........................................................................................................16 Appendix "A" (Opinion of the Court of Appeals Second District of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas)
Appendix "B" (Motion for Rehearing)
Appendix "C" (Order denying appellant's motion for rehearing) IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL The following is a complete list of all parties pursuant to Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure 6 8.4(a):
1. Alcides Larrinaga aka Alcides Larringa TDCJ #01929143 Eastham Unit 2665 Prison Rd #1 Lovelady, Texas 75851 Defendant/Appellant
2. Kimberly Knapp 5719 Airport Freeway Fort Worth, Texas 76117 Richard A. Henderson Richard A.Henderson, P.C. 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 540 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 Trial Attorneys for Defendant
3. THE STATE OF TEXAS Steven W.Conder Jacob Mitchell William Vassar Assistant Criminal District Attorneys District Attorney's Office 401 West Belknap Fort Worth, Texas 76196-0201
Ms. Debra Windsor, Chief, Post-Conviction Assistant Criminal District Attorney Tarrant County, Texas 401 W. Belknap Street Fort Worth, Texas 76196
11 Ms. Sharen Wilson, Criminal District Attorney Tarrant County, Texas 401 W. Belknap Street Fort Worth, Texas 76196 Plaintiff/Appellee
4. Honorable George Gallagher Judge, 396th District Court Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center 401 W. Belknap Street Fort Worth, Texas 76196 Trial Judge
5. Richard A. Henderson Richard A.Henderson, P.C. Two City Place 100 Throckmorton Street Suite 540 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 Attorney for Appellant
111 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
CASES:
Almanza vs. State, 686 S.W.2d 157 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984) . 10
Elizondo vs. State, Number 13-12-00028-CR (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 2013 unpublished).............................................. 9
Hernandez vs. State, (726 S.W.2d 53 (Tex.Crim.App. 1986)...................................9
Jackson v. State, 17 S.W.3d 664, 670 (Tex.Crim.App.2000).................................12
Kelly vs. State, 824 S.W.2d 568, 573 ......................................................................12
Ngo vs. State, 175 S.W.3d 738 (Tex.Crim. App. 2005)......................................... 10
Russeau v. State, 171 S.W.3d 871, 881 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) cert denied 548 U.S. 926 2006.............................11,13
Walters vs. State, 247 S.W.3d 204 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).....................................9
Weatherredv. State, 15 S.W.3d 540, 542, (Tex.Crirn.App.2000) ......................... 12
Webber vs. State, 29 S.W.3d 226 (Tex. App.—Houston 14th District 2000)..........9
Willis vs. State, 790 S.W.2d 307 (Tex.Crim. App. 1990).........................................0
iv RULES, CODES:
Tex. Penal Code Sec.9.32(b)..................................................................................1,2
Tex. Penal Code Sec. 9.31 ................................................................................. 4,7,10
Tex. Penal Code Sec.9.32.......................................................................................4,7
Tex. Penal Code Sec. 2.05(b).................................................................................... 5
Tex. Penal Code Sec. 9.32(b)(3) .............................................................................4
Tex. Rule ofEvid.701 .............................................................................................11
Tex. Rule of Evid.702-704 ...................................................................................... 11
Tex. Rule of Evid. 702 .......................................................................................11,12
Op STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT
Petitioner believes that oral argument would aid the court in deciding the
critical issues presented.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Appellant was convicted of murder after a jury trial and was assessed fifty
(50) years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
by the trial court after Appellant pleaded true to being a habitual criminal.
STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The Court of Appeals issued its Opinion affirming the conviction on August
6, 2015. A Motion for Rehearing was electronically filed by Appellant on August
21, 2015. The Motion for Rehearing was overruled by the Second Court of
Appeals on August 27, 2015. This Petition for Discretionary Review is timely if
filed on or before September 28, 2015.
GROUNDS FOR REVIEW
GROUND ONE: Is being a felon in possession of a firearm the kind of criminal activity such that it is not error to deny Appellant's requested jury charge under Tex. Penal Code Sec.9.32(b) which states that the use of deadly force is presumed if the actor believes the use of deadly force was immediately necessary to prevent robbery or repel the use of deadly force?
1 GROUND TWO: Is it an abuse of discretion by a trial court to admit a police detective's legal opinion that this was not a case of self-defense based upon the detective's interpretation of wounds in autopsy photos?
REASONS FOR REVIEW
Reason For Review Ground One:
Is being a felon in possession of a firearm the kind of criminal activity such that it is not error to deny Appellant's requested jury charge under Tex. Penal Code Sec.9.32(b) which states that the use of deadly force is presumed if the actor believes the use of deadly force was immediately necessary to prevent robbery or repel the use of deadly force?
On May 26, 2013, a group of mostly Cuban immigrants were having a quiet
Sunday afternoon in east Fort Worth, Texas at 3809 Radford Street, known as
Mamacita's house. Mamacita's name is Annie Sneed. Appellant, Alcides
Larrinaga aka Alcides Larringa lived in a travel trailer behind the main house. A
man named Joel Gil, known as Cuban Joe, the decedent in this case, was also there
with his son, Germain.
Appellant and Cuban Joe had differences in the past and these differences
became sadly and violently apparent on this day. Appellant was leaving the house
to walk his dog when a confrontation with Cuban Joe began as a verbal argument. Appellant walked the dog and returned a few minutes later. Cuban Joe and
Appellant began arguing. A struggle ensued witnessed by Germain, a neighbor,
Sheila Johnson, and Maritza Hernandez, a family friend. The witnesses had
varying accounts of the struggle and ensuing shooting of Cuban Joe.
Germain testified that his father, Cuban Joe, after a heated verbal exchange
in Spanish, grabbed Appellant and a struggle ensued. Appellant then began
shooting Cuban Joe several times. Germain testified that the first bullets were in
the chest. As Cuban Joe was kneeling in the street, he was shot again in the face
and then as Cuban Joe was lying down, he was shot again in the back. Germain
also stated that Appellant pointed the gun at him and pulled the trigger but there
were no more bullets.
Witness, Maritza Hernandez said she believed Cuban Joe was the aggressor
and Appellant had to shoot to protect himself, although she denied seeing the
actual shooting.
Appellant took the stand and testified that Cuban Joe threatened to kill him
that day if Appellant did not give him his money. Appellant testified that
Appellant feared for his life when Cuban Joe attacked him.
3 The trial court included a charge on self-defense to the jury under Tex. Penal
Code Sec. 9.31 but denied a requested instruction under Tex. Penal Code Sec.9.32
that there was a presumption that Appellant reasonably believed that deadly force
was necessary to prevent his being murdered or robbed by the decedent. The Trial
Court refused the instruction of presumption on the basis that Appellant by
possessing the gun he used to defend himself made him a felon in possession of a
firearm. Tex. Penal Code Sec. 9.32(b)(3) precludes the presumption to anyone
who is engaged in criminal activity at the time of the event. (RR5:4-6), (CR100-
114).
The Court of Appeals affirmed stating that being a felon in possession of a
firearm at the time a person is defending himself precludes the instruction that the
use of deadly force is presumed to be reasonable.
Appellant would show this is entirely illogical in that if a felon is under
attack and must use deadly force, he is precluded from defending himself and is
denied the statutory presumptions of self-defense issues simply because he is a
felon and happens to possess a firearm that he reasonably believes is necessary to
defend himself.
11, There is a somewhat complicated three step process in order to receive the
presumption instruction to a jury. Tex. Penal Code Sec. 2.05(b) states how
presumptions are to be applied generally:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), when this code or another penal
law establishes a presumption with respect to any fact, it has the following
consequences:
(1) if there is sufficient evidence of the facts that give rise to the
presumption, the issue of the existence of the presumed fact must be
submitted to the jury, unless the court is satisfied that the evidence as a
whole clearly precludes a finding beyond a reasonable doubt of the
presumed fact; and
(2) if the existence of the presumed fact is submitted to the jury, the
court shall charge the jury, in terms of the presumption and the specific
element to which it applies, as follows:
(A) that the facts giving rise to the presumption must be proven
beyond a reasonable doubt;
(B) that if such facts are proven beyond a reasonable doubt the
jury may find that the element of the offense sought to be presumed
exists, but it is not bound to so find; (C) that even though the jury may find the existence of such
element, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt each of the
other elements of the offense charged; and
(D) if the jury has a reasonable doubt as to the existence of a
fact or facts giving rise to the presumption, the presumption fails and
the jury shall not consider the presumption for any purpose.
(b) When this code or another penal law establishes a presumption in favor
of the defendant with respect to any fact, it has the following consequences:
(1) if there is sufficient evidence of the facts that give rise to the
presumption, the issue of the existence of the presumed fact must be
submitted to the jury unless the court is satisfied that the evidence as a whole
clearly precludes a finding beyond a reasonable doubt of the presumed fact;
and
(2) if the existence of the presumed fact is submitted to the jury, the
court shall charge the jury, in terms of the presumption, that:
(A) the presumption applies unless the state proves beyond a
reasonable doubt that the facts giving rise to the presumption do not
exist; (B) if the state fails to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the
facts giving rise to the presumption do not exist, the jury must find
that the presumed fact exists;
(C) even though the jury may find that the presumed fact does
not exist, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt each of the
elements of the offense charged; and
(D) if the jury has a reasonable doubt as to whether the
presumed fact exists, the presumption applies and the jury must
consider the presumed fact to exist.
Tex. Penal Code Sec. 9.31 gives a statutory definition of when deadly force
can be used in self-defense. This is the second step and Tex. Penal Code Sec. 9.32
restates those elements but gives a presumption that the force is justified unless
precluded under certain conditions. That is the third step.
Tex. Penal Code Sec. 9.32. DEADLY FORCE IN DEFENSE OF
PERSON.
(a) A person is justified in using deadly force against another:
(1) if the actor would be justified in using force against the other
under Tex. Penal Code Section 9.31; and
7 (2) when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the
deadly force is immediately necessary:
(A) to protect the actor against the other's use or attempted
use of unlawful deadly force; or
(B) to prevent the other's imminent commission of
aggravated kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual
assault, robbery, or aggravated robbery.
(b) The actor's belief under Subsection (a)(2) that the deadly force was
immediately necessary as described by that subdivision is presumed to be
reasonable if the actor:
(1) knew or had reason to believe that the person against whom the
deadly force was used:
(A) unlawfully and with force entered, or was attempting to
enter unlawfully and with force, the actor's occupied habitation,
vehicle, or place of business or employment;
(B) unlawfully and with force removed, or was attempting to
remove unlawfully and with force, the actor from the actor's
habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment; or
8 (C) was committing or attempting to commit an offense
described by Subsection (a)(2)(B);
(2) did not provoke the person against whom the force was used; and
(3) was not otherwise engaged in criminal activity, other than a
Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance regulating
traffic at the time the force was used.
(c) A person who has a right to be present at the location where the deadly
force is used, who has not provoked the person against whom the deadly force is
used, and who is not engaged in criminal activity at the time the deadly force is
used is not required to retreat before using deadly force as described by this
section.
Webber vs. State, 29 S.W.3d 226 (Tex. App.—Houston 14 District 2000);
Elizondo vs. State, Number 13-12-00028-CR (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 2013
unpublished); Willis vs. State, 790 S.W.2d 307 (Tex.Crim. App. 1990);
Hernandez vs. State, (726 S.W.2d 53 (Tex.Crim.App. 1986); Walters vs. State, 247
S.W.3d 204 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). If a defendant raises a defensive issue it must be included in the charge Ngo
vs. State, 175 S.W.3d 738 (Tex.Crim. App. 2005), Almanza vs. State, 686 S.W.2d
157 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985).
Here, Appellant was in front of his own house and believed the deceased
was going to do serious harm and / or was trying to rob him of his money.
Appellant was not otherwise engaged in criminal activity other than being a felon
in passion of a firearm. Appellant thus testified that he believed that the force was
reasonably necessary. This was certainly enough evidence to obtain the self-
defense charge under Tex. Penal Code Sec. 9.31. The fact that he happened to be a
felon should not preclude his receiving the presumption instruction in the charge
to the jury.
Reason for Review Ground Two:
Is it an abuse of discretion by a trial court to admit a police detective's legal opinion that this was not a case of self-defense based upon the detective's interpretation of wounds in autopsy photos?
One justice in the court of appeals wrote a concurring opinion that the police
detective cannot be an expert as to whether this is a case of self-defense based
upon the wounds the detective observed in autopsy photos. This justice rather than
dissenting, ruled that it was harmless error. The majority of the court ruled that the
detective could be an expert on this topic.
10 Appellant would show that the concurring opinion is correct except that,
self-defense was the very core of Appellant's defense and the error was harmful.
An opinion by the detective that these wounds showed the detective that this was
not a self-defense case is extremely harmful to Appellant.
Tex. Rule of Evid.701 pertains to the admission of lay opinions. Tex. Rule
of Evid. 702-704 pertain to scientific, technical or specialized knowledge. The
investigating detective, Danny Paine, was asked whether based upon the autopsy
photos and the injures depicted if he felt that this was a case of self-defense.
Appellant objected that there was no expertise produced to base such an opinion.
Appellant asserts that this could not be a lay opinion since the witness is
relying upon some expertise based upon viewing an autopsy photograph. The trial
court should have required the witness to prove he had such expertise that he could
give an ultimate opinion in self-defense based upon such knowledge, if any.
In Russeau v. State, 171 S.W.3d 871, 881 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) cert
denied 548 U.S. 926 2006, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said:
'Tex. Rule of Evid. 702 provides: "If scientific, technical, or
other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to
understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a
Ii witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience,
training, or education may testify thereto in the form of an
opinion or otherwise."
Under Tex. Rule of Evid.702, it is the trial court's responsibility to
determine whether proffered scientific evidence is sufficiently reliable and relevant
to assist the jury. Jackson v. State, 17 S.W.3d 664, 670 (Tex.Crim.App.2000). A
trial court's ruling on the admissibility of scientific expert testimony is reviewed
under an abuse of discretion standard. Weatherred v. State, 15 S.W.3d 540, 542
(Tex.Crim.App.2000).
The proponent of scientific evidence must demonstrate to the trial court, by
clear and convincing evidence, that the scientific evidence is reliable. Id. The
proponent of "hard" scientific evidence must satisfy three criteria to demonstrate
reliability:
(1) the underlying scientific theory is valid;
(2) the technique applying the theory is valid; and,
(3) the technique was properly applied on the occasion in question. Kelly vs.
State, 824 S.W.2d 568,573.
12 Other non-exclusive factors that could affect a trial court's determination of
reliability include:
(1) the extent to which the underlying scientific theory and technique are
accepted as valid by the relevant scientific community, if such a community can be
ascertained;
(2) the qualifications of the expert testifying;
(3) the existence of literature supporting or rejecting the underlying
scientific theory and technique;
(4) the potential rate of error of the technique;
(5) the availability of other experts to test and evaluate the technique;
(6) the clarity with which the underlying scientific theory and technique can
be explained to the court; and
(7) the experience and skill of the person who applied the technique on the
occasion in question. Russeau, 881.
Here, there was no proof that the detective had any expertise to determine if
a case was one of self-defense based upon his observations of an autopsy
photograph. There was no qualifying the detective to see if he had expertise in
determining self-defense by looking at autopsy photos. There was no proof that
there was any body of science, rate of error nor any other criteria for qualifying an
13 expert. This was pure speculation on the detective's part and the testimony should
have been excluded by the trial court. The Court of Appeals should have ruled that
the trial court abused its discretion by overruling Appellant's trial objection and
admitting this testimony.
CONCLUSION AND PRAYER
WHEREFORE, Appellant respectfully prays that this Court reverse the
decision of the Court of Appeals and the Trial Court and remand this cause to the
court of Appeals and to order the trial court to conduct a new trial.
Respectfully Submitted,
RICHARD A. HENDERSON, P.C. Two City Place 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 540 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 (Telephone) 817-332-9602 (Teleconier) Xl 7-335-3940 E-mai
State Bar No. 09427100
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
14 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
This document complies with the typeface requirements of TEx.R.APP. P.
9.4(e) because it has been prepared in a conventional typeface no smaller than 14-
point for text and 12-point for footnotes. This document also complies with the
word-count limitations of TEx.R.APP. P. 9.4(i) because it contains 3,343 words,
excluding any parts exempted by TEx.R.APP.P. 9.4(i)(1), as computed by the
word-count feature of Microsoft Office Word 2010, the computer software used to
prepare the document.
Richard A.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
A true copy of the Appellant's Petition For Discretionary Review has been
electronically served on opposing counsel, Ms. Debra Windsor, Assistant Criminal
District Attorney, Chief, Post-Conviction, Tarrant County District Attorney's
Office, 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76196 and mailed U.S. Regular
Mail to Appellant, Mr. Alcides Larrinaga aka Alcides Larringa, TDCJ #01929143,
Eastham Unit, 2665 Prison Rd #1, Lovelady, Texas 75851, this the 25th day of
September 2015.
15 APPENDICES
16 APPENDIX "A"
OPINION OF COURT OF APPEALS SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS Fort Worth COURT OF APPEALS SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS FORT WORTH
NO. 02-14-00199-CR
ALCIDES LARRINAGA A.K.A. APPELLANT ALCIDES LARRINGA
yi
THE STATE OF TEXAS STATE
FROM THE 396TH DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY TRIAL COURT NO. 1328386D
MEMORANDUM OPINION'
Appellant Alcides Larrinaga a.k.a Alcides Larringa appeals his conviction
for murder and his fifty-year sentence. We affirm.
Background Facts
On the evening of May 27, 2013, Joel Gil was visiting a friend's house with
his son, Germain Gil. Joel and Germain were outside talking with friends when
'See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4. Joel and Appellant got into an argument. Appellant then left the house to walk
his dog.
When Appellant returned, Joel and Germain were standing in the street
looking at Germain's new car. Joel and Appellant got into another heated
argument, and Joel grabbed at Appellant. Appellant shot Joel in the stomach.
Joel took a few steps, and Appellant shot him again in the back. Joel fell to the
ground, and Appellant shot him in the head.
A number of witnesses called 911, and medics arrived and treated Joel's
injuries, but he died of his wounds on the way to the hospital. Appellant was
charged by indictment for murder The indictment also included a habitual
offender notice.
At trial, the State showed Germain one of Joel's autopsy photos and
asked, "Germain, when you look at this picture, is that how you want to
remember your dad?" Appellant objected, and the State withdrew the question.
Appellant admitted that he had shot Joel but claimed that he had done so
in self-defense. He said,
[Joel] grabbed me and he said, give me all your money or I'm going to kill you. And hitting—hitting me. So then when he was hitting me, I pulled the gun out and I went pow pow. And then when he—when he went down, then I just—I gave him three shots. I shot him twice when he had grabbed me and one when he was on the floor.
Appellant testified that when he had been walking his dog, a stranger
approached him and offered to sell him a gun. He said he did not check to see if
it was loaded or if it worked, but he agreed to buy it for $100. Appellant admitted he was on parole for a felony driving-while-intoxicated conviction. When asked if
he knew it was a violation of his parole to possess a firearm, he said, "Yeah, but I
bought it."
Because Appellant had admitted that he knew he was violating the law by
possessing the gun, the trial court denied Appellant's request for an instruction in
the jury charge that his belief that deadly force was immediately necessary was
presumed to be reasonable. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 9.32(b)(3) (West
2011) (stating that actor is entitled to presumption of reasonableness when he
"was not otherwise engaged in criminal activity"). A jury found Appellant guilty of
murder. The trial court assessed punishment at fifty years' confinement and
sentenced Appellant accordingly. Appellant then appealed.
Discussion
1. The jury charge
In his first issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred by denying his
request for an instruction in the jury charge that Appellant's use of deadly force
was justified. "[A]II alleged jury-charge error[s] must be considered on appellate
review regardless of preservation in the trial court." Kirsch v. State, 357 S.W.3d
645, 649 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012). In our review of a jury charge, we first
determine whether error occurred; if error did not occur, our analysis ends. Id.
The jury charge in this case provided a self-defense instruction that stated,
Upon the law of self-defense, you are instructed that a person is justified in using force against another when and to the degree that the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to protect oneself against the other person's use or attempted use of unlawful force. The use of force is not justified in response to verbal provocation alone.
A person is justified in using deadly force against another if he would be justified in using force against another as set out above and when he reasonably believes that such force is immediately necessary to protect himself against the other person's use or attempted use of unlawful deadly force or to prevent the other's imminent commission of robbery.
Appellant also requested an instruction under section 9.32(b) that his belief was
reasonable as a matter of law. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 9.32(b). That
section states that an actor's belief that deadly force was immediately necessary
is presumed to be reasonable if the actor:
(1) knew or had reason to believe that the person against whom the deadly force was used:
(A) unlawfully and with force entered, or was attempting to enter unlawfully and with force, the actor's occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment;
(B) unlawfully and with force removed, or was attempting to remove unlawfully and with force, the actor from the actor's habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment; or
(C) was committing or attempting to commit an offense described by Subsection (a)(2)(B);
(2) did not provoke the person against whom the force was used; and
(3) was not otherwise engaged in criminal activity, other than a Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic at the time the force was used.
Id. In denying Appellant's request for the instruction, the trial court said,
4 The Court believes that based upon the testimony of the defendant where he acknowledged on cross-examination that by purchasing the firearm before the alleged shooting and his admission that he knew that he was violating the law for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, that that makes this instruction not necessary because he's not entitled to it under the three presumptions as set out in the code.
Appellant argues on appeal that the illegal possession of a firearm by a
felon is not the kind of unlawful activity that the legislature contemplated in
enacting the statute. The plain meaning of statutory language is "the best
indicator of legislative intent." Shipp v. State, 331 S.W.3d 433, 437 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2011). The statute specifically excludes only Class C misdemeanors and
traffic ordinance violations from the type of criminal activity that precludes the
reasonableness presumption. Tex. Penal Code Ann. §9.32(b)(3). "Thus,
criminal activity can be broadly construed to comport with the generally
understood concept that it would encompass any activity that constitutes a
crime." Barrios v. State, 389 S.W.3d 382, 393 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2012, pet.
ref'd) (upholding trial court's finding that appellant's illegal immigrant status
precluded the reasonableness presumption instruction).
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is a third degree felony. Tex.
Penal Code Ann. § 46.04(e) (West 2011). Felonies fall within the type of criminal
activity prohibited by subsection (b). See McCurdy v. State, No. 06-12-00206-
CR, 2013 WL 5433478, at *4 (Tex. App.—Texarkana Sept. 26, 2013, pet ref'd)
(mem. op., not designated for publication) (stating that appellant was engaged in
criminal activity by being a felon in unlawful possession of firearms), cert. denied,
5 135 S. Ct. 439 (2014); Davis v. State, No. 05-10-00732-CR, 2011 WL 3528256,
at *11 (Tex. App.—Dallas Aug. 12, 2011, pet. ref'd) (not designated for
publication) (holding defendant was not entitled to presumption because he was
a felon in unlawful possession of a firearm); Hall v. State, No. 05-09-01368-CR,
2011 WL 1348635, at *4 (Tex. App.—Dallas Apr. 11, 2011, pet. ref d) (mem. op.,
not designated for publication) (same). The trial court did not err by refusing the
instruction on the reasonableness presumption. We therefore overrule
Appellant's first issue. See Kirsch, 357 S.W.3d at 649.
2. Prejudicial evidence
In his second issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred by admitting
into evidence an autopsy photograph. An appellate court reviews a trial court's
decision to admit evidence for an abuse of discretion. Sauceda v. State, 129
S.W.3d 116, 120 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). A trial court abuses its discretion in
admitting evidence if that decision falls outside the wide zone of reasonable
disagreement. Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex. Crim. App.
1990) (op. on reh'g).
Evidence may be excluded under Texas Rule of Evidence 403 if its
probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.
See Tex. R. Evid. 403. In a rule 403 analysis, a trial court must balance (1) the
inherent probative force of the proffered item of evidence along with (2) the
proponent's need for that evidence against (3) any tendency of the evidence to
suggest decision on an improper basis, (4) any tendency of the evidence to
. N confuse or distract the jury from the main issues, (5) any tendency of the
evidence to be given undue weight by a jury that has not been equipped to
evaluate the probative force of the evidence, and (6) the likelihood that
presentation of the evidence will consume an inordinate amount of time or merely
repeat evidence already admitted. See Gigliobianco v. State, 210 S.W.3d 637,
641-42 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). "Autopsy photographs are generally admissible
unless they depict mutilation of the victim caused by the autopsy itself." Williams
v. State, 301 S.W.3d 675, 690 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 966
(2010). A photograph is also "generally admissible if verbal testimony about the
matters depicted in the photograph is also admissible." Paredes v. State, 129
S.W.3d 530, 539 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004).
The photograph was introduced as State's Exhibit 33 while the State was
questioning Germain. The following exchange took place:
[THE STATE:] Germain, I'm sorry to show you this picture, but I need you to turn over State's Exhibit 33, if you would.
The person in State's Exhibit 33, Germain, who is that?
[GERMAIN]: That's my dad.
[THE STATE]: We'll offer State's 33, Your Honor.
[APPELLANT]: Your Honor, we object that the prejudicial effect outweighs the probative value.
THE COURT: May I see it[?] That objection's overruled. State's Exhibit 33 is admitted.
[THE STATE]: Permission to publish to the jury, Your Honor?
7 THE COURT: Yes, sir.
[THE STATE]: Actually, you know what, Judge, I'm going to publish it by showing the photo.
THE COURT: That's fine.
[THE STATE:] Germain, when you look at this picture, is that how you want to remember your dad?
[APPELLANT]: I'm going to object that, Your Honor, it has no value whatsoever.
[GERMAIN:] No, sir.
[THE STATE]: I'll withdraw the question.
THE COURT: Okay.
Appellant argues that the "sole reason to introduce such a photo was not merely
to prejudice the jurors but to intentionally inflame their minds in an unfair
manner." See Tex. R. Evid. 403.
The photograph shows Joel from the shoulders up. The small bullet
wound in his cheek is visible, and he has blood on his face and chest. He is in a
neck brace and has a breathing apparatus over his mouth. The photograph is no
more gruesome than would be expected given the nature of the injuries. Seven
more autopsy photos, arguably more gruesome than State's Exhibit 33, were
used by the medical examiner during his testimony regarding Joel's wounds and
were admitted into evidence. Appellant objected to their admission at trial, but he
does not complain about them on appeal. It is clear from Appellant's argument on appeal that his complaint is really
regarding the State's question asking Germain if the photograph is "how [he]
wants to remember [his] dad." The State withdrew the question, however, and
Appellant neither requested an instruction to disregard the question or the
answer nor asked for a mistrial after Germain responded. See Ladd v. State,
3 S.W.3d 547, 567 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) ("The asking of an improper question
will seldom call for a mistrial, because, in most cases, any harm can be cured by
an instruction to disregard."); Napier v. State, 887 S.W.2d 265, 266-67 (Tex.
App.—Beaumont 1994, no pet.) (holding error was not preserved because
counsel withdrew question before trial court sustained objection). We therefore
overrule Appellant's second issue.
3. Police detective's opinion
In his third issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred by allowing a
police detective to opine whether this was a case of self-defense. At trial, the
detective was asked:
Q. Detective, you did a narrative in this case, correct?
A. Yes.
Q. And I assume, do the crime scene officers do a narrative or a report?
Q. Okay. You look over that?
A. I have in the past, yes. Q. Look at the crime scene photos?
A. Oh, yes.
Q. Look at the autopsy report?
Q. Okay. Detective, based upon your investigation, and especially looking at the injuries from the autopsy report, do you feel that this is a case of self-defense?
A. No.
Appellant objected that the detective had not been established as an expert. The
trial court overruled the objection.
A person may offer an opinion as a lay witness if it is based on the
perception of that person and helpful to a clear understanding of his testimony or
determination of a fact in issue. Tex. R. Evid. 701. Personal knowledge of the
underlying facts satisfies rule 701's perception requirement. Solomon v. State,
49 S.W.3d 356, 364 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001) (quoting Fairow V. State, 943 S.W.2d
895, 899 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997)). "The personal experience and knowledge of a
lay witness may establish that he or she is capable, without qualification as an
expert, of expressing an opinion on a subject outside the realm of common
knowledge." Osbourn v. State, 92 S.W.3d 531, 537 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002)
(citing United States v. James Earl Paiva, 892 F.2d 148, 157 (1st Cir. 1989)). A
police officer's personal knowledge may come from his past experience.
See Roberson v. State, 100 S.W.3d 36, 39 (Tex. App.—Waco 2002, pet. ref'd)
(collecting cases). Whether an opinion meets the fundamental requirements of
10 rule 701 is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Fairow, 943 S.W.2d at
901.
The detective testified that he had been with the Fort Worth Police
Department for nineteen years and that he had been in the homicide unit since
2011. He had been lead detective on twenty homicide cases and had assisted
on an additional twenty or thirty cases. This past experience and his personal
investigation of the case meet the perception requirement of rule 701.
See Roberson, 100 S.W.3d at 39. The detective's testimony was helpful in
determining whether Appellant shot Joel in self-defense, thus satisfying the
second prong of rule 701. The trial court therefore did not abuse its discretion by
admitting the testimony. See James v. State, 335 S.W.3d 719, 726 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth 2011, no pet.) (holding that trial court did not abuse its discretion by
permitting police officer to testify whether appellant's assertion of self-defense
made sense in light of what the officer perceived in her investigation).
Even if the detective's testimony was admitted in error, the error was
harmless. See Barshaw v. State, 342 S.W.3d 91, 93 (Tex. Grim. App. 2011)
(stating that the appellate court will not overturn a criminal conviction for non-
constitutional error if, after examining the record as a whole, we have fair
assurance that the error did not influence the jury or had but a slight effect).
Considering the testimony from the other witnesses regarding the disputes
between Joel and Appellant that day, the detective's testimony did not have a
substantial or injurious effect on the jury's verdict and did not affect Appellant's
11 substantial rights. See Petriciolet v. State, 442 S.W.3d 643, 653-54 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. ref'd) (holding that erroneous admission of
testimony was harmless when ample evidence supported the jury's punishment
assessment); Derichsweiler v. State, 359 S.W.3d 342, 347 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth 2012, pet. ref d) (holding that admission of toxicology report over hearsay
objection was harmless "in the context of the entire case against Derichsweiler").
We overrule Appellant's third issue.
Conclusion
Having overruled Appellant's three issues, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
1st Lee Gabriel
LEE GABRIEL JUSTICE
PANEL: WALKER, GABRIEL, and SUDDERTH, JJ.
SUDDERTH, J. filed a concurring opinion
DO NOT PUBLISH Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b)
DELIVERED: August 6, 2015
12 COURT OF APPEALS SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS FORT WORTH
Alcides Larrinaga a.k.a. Alcides § From the 396th District Court Larringa § of Tarrant County (1 328386D)
§ August 6,2015 V. § Opinion by Justice Gabriel
§ Concurrence by Justice Sudderth
The State of Texas § (nfp)
JUDGMENT
This court has considered the record on appeal in this case and holds that
there was no error in the trial court's judgment. It is ordered that the judgment of
the trial court is affirmed.
SECOND DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS
By /5/ Lee Gabriel Justice Lee Gabriel COURT OF APPEALS SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS FORT WORTH
In
FROM THE 396TH DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY TRIAL COURT NO. 1328386D
CONCURRING MEMORANDUM OPINION'
Appellant argues that the trial court erred by allowing a police detective to
opine whether this was a case of self-defense over his objection that the
detective had not been established as an expert. The majority concludes that the
testimony was admissible under rule of evidence 701 and that, regardless of its
admissibility, the testimony was harmless in light of the testimony from the other
witnesses about Appellant and Joel's disputes. While I agree that the testimony
'See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4. was ultimately harmless, I disagree with the majority's application of rule 701
because, although rule 701 provides a relaxed standard for the admissibility of
opinion testimony, it does not permit admission of an expert opinion in lay
opinion's clothing.
To meet the lay opinion admissibility standard, the witness must have
personal knowledge of the facts underlying the opinion, and the opinion must be
rationally based on the witness's perception of those facts. See Solomon v.
State, 49 S.W.3d 356, 360-61, 364 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001) (holding that
accomplice was qualified to opine that defendant, who had goaded and
encouraged others to rob and kill stranded motorist, was the person among the
group "responsible" for the robbery); Thomas v. State, 916 S.W.2d 578, 580-81
(Tex. App.—San Antonio 1996, no pet.) (holding that police officer was permitted
to provide lay-witness testimony as to how "crack" houses are usually run);
Reece V. State, 878 S.W.2d 320, 325 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st 01st.] 1994, no
pet.) (holding that police officer's testimony that defendant's actions were
consistent with someone selling cocaine was admissible under rule 701);
Williams v. State, 826 S.W.2d 783, 785 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1992,
pet. ref d) (stating that police officer was permitted to testify as a lay witness that
he had interpreted the defendant's actions to be a drug transaction); Austin v.
State, 794 S.W.2d 408, 409-11 (Tex. App.—Austin 1990, pet. ref'd) (holding that
police officer could provide his opinion that "Swedish deep muscle rub" was a
code for prostitution).
2 Here, however, the detective was asked to look at the injuries from an
autopsy report and to opine as to whether "this [was] a case of self-defense."
The record does not demonstrate that he had personal knowledge of the
underlying facts. Further, while he had experience in investigating homicide
cases, there was no evidence in the record to indicate that he had experience in
interpreting autopsy results such that he would be qualified to testify as to
whether the autopsy results indicated that the appellant in this case had shot a
man in self-defense.2 Therefore, I would hold that the trial court abused its
discretion by admitting the testimony over objection. I nonetheless concur that,
considering the evidence in the record as a whole, the error was harmless.
Is/ Bonnie Sudderth
BONNIE SUDDERTH JUSTICE
20ur opinion in James v. State may appear to hold to the contrary, but in James, the officer was permitted to opine that a claim of self-defense made no sense in the context of personal observation of the physical condition of the defendant and the complainant the second time the officer responded to the scene of one of their domestic disturbances. 335 S.W.3d 719, 725-26 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011, no pet.) (noting that the officer testified that the claim of self-defense was not consistent with the fact that the boyfriend had no new injuries on him while the girlfriend had a black eye, a cut nose, blood all over her face, bruises on her legs; the officer added that "he did a heck of a job defending himself, if that was the case").
41 APPENDIX "B"
MOTION FOR REHEARING IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS FORT WORTH, TEXAS
NO. 02-14-001 99-CR
ALCIDES LARRINAGA A.K.A. ALCIDES LARRINGA, APPELLANT From the 396TH District Court
of Tarrant County VS. JL ]I: Trial Court Case No.1 3283860 ]I: THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE
APPELLANT'S MOTION FOR REHEARING TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS: COMES NOW, Alcides Larrinaga a.k.a. Alcides Larringa, Appellant in the
above-styled and numbered appeal, and, pursuant to Rule 49.5(c) of the Texas Rules of
Appellate Procedure, hereby files this Motion for Rehearing, and asks the Court to
reconsider and withdraw its opinion of August 6, 2015 and shows as follows:
1. Appellant respectfully requests the court to reconsider its opinion ruling against Appellant and withdraw its opinion and issue a new opinion granting him relief.
Appellant's Motion for Rehearing Page 1 WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellant respectfully requests the
court to reconsider its opinion of and prays the court to withdraw its opinion and submit a
new opinion in favor of Appellant.
RICHARD A. HENDERSON P.C. 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 540 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 Telephone: 817-332-9602 Facsimile: 817-335-3940
fL. I X11U'...L
A true copy of the Appellant's Motion for Rehearing has been electronically served on opposing counsel, Ms. Debra A. Windsor, Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Post-Conviction, Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76196, via the State's e-mail address, coappellatealerts@tarrantcounty.com and mailed, U.S. Regular Mail to Appellant, Alcides Larrinaga a.k.a. #1des Larringa, TDCJ #01929143, Eastham Unit, 2665 Pri7p, d # , Lovelady e as 75851 on this 21st day of August 2015.
A. Henderson
Appellant's Motion for Rehearing Page 2 APPENDIX "C" ORDER ON MOTION FOR REHEARING 1, 11- L (( )1' 'i'
COURT OF APPEALS SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS FORT WORTH
ALC IDES LARRINAGA A.K.A. APPELLANT ALCIDES LARRINGA
V.
FROM THE 396TH DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY TRIAL COURT NO. 1328386D
ORDER
We have considered "Appellant's Motion for Rehearing."
It is the opinion of the court that the motion for rehearing should be and is
hereby denied and that the opinion and judgment of August 6, 2015, stand
unchanged.
The clerk of this court is directed to transmit a copy of this order to the
attorneys of record. F IL F. ( Oily
SIGNED August 27, 2015.
Is! Lee Gabriel