TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
NO. 03-97-00776-CR
William Balfour, Appellant
v.
The State of Texas, Appellee
FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 167TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. 0972886, HONORABLE MICHAEL LYNCH, JUDGE PRESIDING
Appellant appeals his convictions for aggravated sexual assault, indecency with a
child by contact, and indecency with a child by exposure. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. §§ 22.021,
21.11(a)(1), (a)(2) (West 1994 & Supp. 1999). A jury found appellant guilty, and the trial court
assessed punishment, enhanced by a prior felony conviction, at thirty-eight years' imprisonment
for aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child by contact, and twenty years'
imprisonment for indecency with a child by exposure. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.42 (West
1994 & Supp. 1999). The sentences run concurrently.
On appeal, appellant complains that: (1) the trial court erred by denying his motion
for a directed verdict against the charge of indecency with a child by contact; (2) the evidence is
legally and factually insufficient to prove he committed the offense of indecency with a child by
exposure; (3) the trial court erred by admitting two penitentiary packets; and (4) he suffered
ineffective assistance of counsel during the punishment phase of trial. We will affirm the
convictions.
BACKGROUND
On the night of August 24, 1996, several men including appellant were drinking,
smoking marihuana, and playing dominos at the home of complainant's father, Edward Nora
("Nora"). The complainant, twelve-year-old V.N., was visiting her father for the weekend. She
testified that she was sleeping in the same bed with her stepsister, seven-year-old J.C., when she
was awakened around 4:00 a.m. V.N. testified that she felt "somebody feeling on me, and
somebody's penis on me." She further testified that she felt a "mouth on my butt" and a "tongue
. . . right on the outside of my anus." She said she was frightened and crying, and when the
touching stopped she got out of bed and went to tell her stepmother, Celia Collins, what had
happened. V.N. testified that she saw a black man in the hallway outside her room with his back
to her zipping up his pants. He turned his face briefly to her in the hallway, and she saw that he
had on a "white muscle shirt and brown shorts" and "had hair on his face." Collins went to Nora
with the story, and V.N. told Nora that appellant was the person that had been "touching on" her.
Nora attacked appellant with a baseball bat and appellant left the house. Nora called the police,
but the record is not clear as to what transpired when the first officers came.
When V.N.'s mother, Beverly Levise, arrived around 7:00 a.m. to pick up V.N.,
she was told what had happened and she called the police for a second time. Patrol officer Fred
Rodriguez responded to the call at the Nora home, where he spoke to V.N., her mother, father,
and stepmother. The family went with V.N. to the hospital, and at the hospital Rodriguez turned
the investigation over to Detective Fitzgerald of the Austin Police Department's child abuse unit.
Fitzgerald took statements from Rodriguez, V.N., and the nurse who examined
V.N. He received evidence the nurse obtained through her examination of V.N., and went to
Nora's home where he collected more evidence. This evidence was turned over to Detective Brian
Manley on August 26, 1996. On September 4, 1996, Manley interviewed V.N. and she signed
a written statement. Manley took V.N.'s stepsister, J.C., to the Children's Advocacy Center in
November where a counselor conducted a videotaped interview. J.C. stated in the interview that
she had seen a man named "William" sexually assault her stepsister. She testified at trial that she
saw "Williams" in her room the night of the assault.
Detective Manley took a photo lineup to J.C.'s school on December 9, 1996, and
J.C. identified appellant as the person who sexually assaulted V.N. Manley testified that J.C. told
him that appellant had been at her home before the night of the assault, and she had played with
his daughter.
Manley served an arrest warrant on appellant on December 16, 1996. Appellant
was taken to Manley's office where he initially denied that anything had happened at the Nora
house, and that he didn't know what Manley was talking about. Manley told appellant he had a
witness that could identify him, and that he had DNA evidence "to prove it was him," though he
did not. Manley testified that he gave appellant no information regarding what the V.N. had
alleged.
Manley then testified that appellant told him what happened, Manley typed his
statement, and appellant signed it. In the statement, appellant stated that at the beginning of
summer he had gone to a guy's house he had met in jail, a man he called "Norris." He said that
he was "pretty stoned" and had been sitting outside playing dominos. Appellant stated that he saw
a girl on the sofa wearing "a t-shirt and panties." Appellant thought that the girl must just be
"Norris's" friend because he didn't know he had a daughter other than the seven-year-old.
Appellant said that when "Norris left to go to the store," he got in bed with the girl and "felt on
her butt with my hand." He stated: "I then kissed her on her thigh with my mouth. I took my
penis out of my pants while I was touching and kissing her. I did this because it made me feel
good. I was drunk. I have a serious problem. There has to be a problem. I thought she was 17
or 18 years old." Manley testified that appellant was upset and crying while giving his statement.
The statement was read to the jury and introduced into evidence.
Appellant was convicted of one count each of aggravated sexual assault, indecency
with a child by contact, and indecency with a child by exposure. At the punishment phase of the
trial before the court, two penitentiary packets were introduced for enhancement purposes. See
Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.42 (West 1994 & Supp. 1999). At the prosecutor's request, only the
penitentiary packet containing the judgment for a felony conviction of aggravated robbery was
used for enhancement. Appellant testified during the punishment phase that he had been convicted
of aggravated robbery and acknowledged the cause number and the court of the judgment.
Appellant was sentenced to thirty-eight years' imprisonment for aggravated sexual assault and
indecency with a child be contact, and twenty years' imprisonment for indecency with a child by
exposure.
DISCUSSION
In his first point of error, appellant complains that the trial court erred by denying
his motion for directed verdict on the charge of indecency with a child by contact. The Texas
Penal Code provides that: "A person commits an offense if, with a child younger than 17 years
and not his spouse, whether the child is of the same or opposite sex, he: engages in sexual contact
with the child." Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 21.11(a)(1) (West 1994 & Supp. 1999). The Code
defines sexual contact as: "touching of the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of another
person with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person." Tex. Penal Code Ann.
§ 21.01(2) (West 1994 & Supp. 1999).
Appellant contends that the trial court should have directed a verdict of acquittal
because the evidence presented was insufficient to prove he committed all the conduct charged in
the indictment. To review a motion for directed verdict, a court is to use the same standard of
review it uses in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence. See Havard v. State, 800 S.W.2d 195,
199 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989). In determining the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support a
criminal conviction, the question is whether, after viewing all the evidence in the light most
favorable to the verdict, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the
offense beyond a reasonable doubt. See Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979); Staley
v. State, 887 S.W.2d 885, 888 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). Any inconsistencies in the evidence
should be resolved in favor of the verdict. See Moreno v. State, 755 S.W.2d 866, 867 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1988). This standard of review is the same for both direct and circumstantial
evidence. See Green v. State, 840 S.W.2d 394, 401 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992).
Appellant contends that the sufficiency of the evidence in this case should be
measured against the indictment rather than the jury charge. The indictment charged appellant
with engaging "in sexual contact by touching the anus, breast, and genitals of V.N." The jury
charge asked whether appellant knowingly or intentionally caused V.N.'s anus to contact his
mouth. Appellant argues that because the record contains no evidence that he touched the breasts
or genitals of V.N., there was insufficient evidence to prove all elements of the conduct charged
in the indictment.
Where there is variance between the indictment and the jury charge, the reviewing
court should measure the sufficiency of the evidence by:
the elements of the offense as defined by the hypothetically correct jury charge for
the case. Such a charge would be one that accurately sets out the law, is authorized
by the indictment, does not unnecessarily increase the State's burden of proof or
unnecessarily restrict the State's theories of liability, and adequately describes the
particular offense for which the defendant was tried. This standard can uniformly
be applied to all trials, whether to the bench or to the jury . . . .
Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).
An indictment may charge a defendant conjunctively in one count when the statute
permits several ways by which an offense may be committed. See Hilliard v. State, 652 S.W.2d
602, 606 (Tex. App.--Austin 1983, pet. ref'd untimely filed). Proof of one method of committing
the offense is sufficient for conviction. See id. V.N. testified that appellant touched her anus with
his mouth and tongue. Considering this evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we
hold that the trial court did not err by refusing to grant a directed verdict on the count of indecency
with a child by contact. Appellant's first point of error is overruled.
In his fourth and fifth points of error, appellant argues that the evidence is legally
and factually insufficient to prove he committed the offense of indecency with a child by exposure.
We have stated the standard of review for a challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence.
When conducting a factual sufficiency review, we do not view the evidence in the light most
favorable to the verdict. Instead, we consider all evidence equally, including the testimony of
defense witnesses and the existence of alternative hypotheses. See Orona v. State, 836 S.W.2d
319, 321 (Tex. App.--Austin 1992, no pet.). The court, however, does not substitute its judgment
for that of the jury, and should set aside the verdict only if it is so contrary to the overwhelming
weight of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust. See Clewis v. State, 922 S.W.2d 126,
129 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Furthermore, the appellate court may not reverse a jury's decision
simply because it disagrees with the result. See Cain v. State, 958 S.W.2d 404, 407 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1997).
Texas Penal Code section 21.11(a)(2) states:
A person commits an offense if, with a child younger than 17 years and not his
spouse, whether the child is of the same or opposite sex, he: exposes his anus or
any part of his genitals, knowing the child is present, with intent to arouse or
gratify the sexual desire of any person.
Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 21.11(a)(2) (West 1994 & Supp. 1999). Appellant contends that because
there is no evidence that anyone actually saw his genitals, there is insufficient evidence of
"exposure."
There appear to be no cases on point as to the definitive definition of "exposure"
where the charge is indecency with a child. In cases involving misdemeanor indecent exposure,
the court of criminal appeals has stated that exposure "need not be limited to the meaning 'exposed
to sight.'" Miller v. State, 243 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. Crim. App. 1951). But see Beasley v.
State, 906 S.W.2d 270, 272 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 1995, no pet.) (requiring the genitals to be
seen).
The term "exposure" is not defined in the statute, and so it must be "measured by
common understanding and practices" or "construed in the sense generally understood." United
States v. Petrillo, 332 U.S. 1, 8 (1947); Ely v. State, 582 S.W.2d 416, 419 (Tex. Crim. App.
1979). The Miller court's broad approach considered a variety of possible common meanings of
"exposure" as viable for use in this statute, including: "To deprive of concealment; to disclose
or unmask something criminal, shameful, or the like." Miller, 243 S.W.2d at 176 (quoting the
definition of "exposure" from Webster's New International Dictionary).
There was no testimony to indicate that appellant's genitals had been seen by either
the V.N. or her stepsister. However, appellant's confession stated: "I took my penis out of my
pants while I was touching and kissing her. I did this because it made me feel good." V.N.
testified that she felt: "somebody feeling on me, somebody's penis on me and stuff." The
additional requirements for the charge of indecency with a child by exposure include that the actor
must know the child is present and intend to sexually arouse himself. By his own confession,
appellant admits that he knew V.N. was there and that the act of taking out his penis made him
"feel good."
Based on this evidence, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential
elements of the offense of indecency with a child by exposure beyond a reasonable doubt. The
jury's determination that the testimony they heard from V.N. and appellant's confession amounted
to "exposure" is not so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be clearly
wrong or unjust. Appellant's fourth and fifth points of error are overruled.
Appellant complains in his second point of error that the trial court erred in
admitting the penitentiary packets, State's exhibits 12 and 13, into evidence because they were not
properly authenticated. Because the trial court used only exhibit 13, containing appellant's
judgment of conviction for aggravated robbery, to enhance appellant's sentence, we will limit our
discussion to this penitentiary packet. Appellant's counsel objected to the admission of exhibit 13
because it included extraneous offenses, but did not object to its admission on the grounds that it
was improperly authenticated.
To preserve error for appellate review, a timely, specific objection must be made
by the complaining party. See Tex. R. App. P. 52(a); Armstrong v. State, 718 S.W.2d 686, 699
(Tex. Crim. App. 1985). A complaint on appeal must comport with the objection made at trial
or nothing is presented for review. See Turner v. State, 805 S.W.2d 423, 431 (Tex. Crim. App.
1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 870 (1991); Skillern v. State, 890 S.W.2d 849, 859 (Tex.
App.--Austin 1994, pet. ref'd). Error was not preserved regarding the proper authentication of
exhibit 13 because appellant made no objection or motion on this ground at trial. Appellant's
second point of error is overruled.
Appellant claims by point of error three that should this Court find that appellant
waived his complaint regarding the authentication of the penitentiary packet, then appellant
received ineffective assistance of counsel during the punishment phase of the trial by counsel's
failure to make a proper objection. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1983);
Hernandez v. State, No. 506-97 (Tex. Crim. App. April 14, 1999) (applying Strickland test to
punishment phase). Appellant complains specifically that the fingerprint card contained within the
penitentiary packet was not properly authenticated and thus the State's fingerprint expert should
not have been allowed to use it to identify appellant as the person previously convicted of
aggravated robbery.
The penitentiary packet contained a fingerprint card and mugshots from the Texas
Department of Corrections, along with appellant's prior judgment of conviction. The packet was
offered into evidence by the State and was certified under seal of the custodian of records of the
Texas Department of Corrections. Under article 42.09, section 8(b) of the Texas Code of
Criminal Procedure, "[t]he designated officer shall certify under the seal of the department the
documents received . . ." and "[a] document certified under this subsection is self-authenticated
for the purposes of Rules 901 and 902, Texas Rules of Criminal Evidence." Tex. Code Crim.
Proc. Ann. art. 42.09, § 8(b) (West Supp. 1999). The judgment contained within the penitentiary
packet was a certified copy from the office of the district clerk of the county in which the
conviction was obtained. Thus, the penitentiary packet was properly authenticated and an
objection to such authentication would have been fruitless. Additionally, appellant admitted at the
punishment phase of trial that the judgment for aggravated robbery contained in exhibit 13 was
his. See Halsey v. State, 786 S.W.2d 733, 735 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 1989, pet. ref'd) (holding
that defendant waived objection to penitentiary packet because he admitted prior conviction during
testimony). Accordingly, appellant's counsel did not err by failing to object and appellant cannot
maintain a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel during the punishment phase on this ground.
Appellant's third point of error is overruled.
CONCLUSION
Having overruled each of appellant's five points of error, we affirm the judgments
of conviction.
Marilyn Aboussie, Chief Justice
Before Chief Justice Aboussie, Justices Jones and B. A. Smith
Affirmed
Filed: April 29, 1999
Publish
overruled.
Appellant complains in his second point of error that the trial court erred in
admitting the penitentiary packets, State's exhibits 12 and 13, into evidence because they were not
properly authenticated. Because the trial court used only exhibit 13, containing appellant's
judgment of conviction for aggravated robbery, to enhance appellant's sentence, we will limit our
discussion to this penitentiary packet. Appellant's counsel objected to the admission of exhibit 13
because it included extraneous offenses, but did not object to its admission on the grounds that it
was improperly authenticated.
To preserve error for appellate review, a timely, specific objection must be made
by the complaining party. See Tex. R. App. P. 52(a); Armstrong v. State, 718 S.W.2d 686, 699
(Tex. Crim. App. 1985). A complaint on appeal must comport with the objection made at trial
or nothing is presented for review. See Turner v. State, 805 S.W.2d 423, 431 (Tex. Crim. App.
1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 870 (1991); Skillern v. State, 890 S.W.2d 849, 859 (Tex.
App.--Austin 1994, pet. ref'd). Error was not preserved regarding the proper authentication of
exhibit 13 because appellant made no objection or motion on this ground at trial. Appellant's
second point of error is overruled.
Appellant claims by point of error three that should this Court find that appellant
waived his complaint regarding the authentication of the penitentiary packet, then appellant
received ineffective assistance of counsel during the punishment phase of the trial by counsel's
failure to make a proper objection. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1983);
Hernandez v. State, No. 506-97 (Tex. Crim. App. April 14, 1999) (applying Strickland test to
punishment phase). Appellant complains speci