in Re Commitment of Rudy Perez
09-15-00126-CV
Tex. App.—WacoDec 10, 2015Background
- The State petitioned to commit Perez as a sexually violent predator under Tex. Health & Safety Code §§ 841.001-.151; the trial court granted a final judgment and order of civil commitment after a jury verdict.
- Perez admitted to prior indecency with a child (F.A., 1993) and to related offenses under admissions requests; he testified to prior convictions and alcohol-related factors.
- Arambula, a forensic psychiatrist, testified Perez has a behavioral abnormality and multiple risk factors for sexual reoffending, with diagnoses including paraphilia and alcohol dependence.
- Perez testified about his offenses, alcohol use, and his claims of responsibility and plans to refrain from reoffending if released.
- The trial court granted the State’s motion for a directed verdict on repeat SV offender; the jury found Perez is a sexually violent predator, supporting commitment.
- Perez appeals two issues: improper jury argument and error in jury instruction about unanimity of a ‘no’ finding
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the State’s closing argument was improper | Perez argues the State’s argument exceeded the scope of defense closing | State contends arguments were a proper summary/response to evidence | No reversible error; argument was proper or harmless |
| Whether the jury charge required unanimity for a ‘no’ finding | Perez claims no unanimous verdict needed for a ‘no’ finding per § 841.062(b) and Rule 292 | State argues statute only requires unanimous verdict for a finding of SVP; error, if any, harmless | No reversible error; instruction error, if any, was not shown to be harming the judgment |
Key Cases Cited
- In re Commitment of Eeds, 254 S.W.3d 555 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2008) (standard for reviewing jury argument error frameworks)
- In re Commitment of Dodson, 434 S.W.3d 742 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2014) (proper scope of closing arguments; review of preservation and harmlessness)
- Transcon. Ins. Co. v. Crump, 330 S.W.3d 211 (Tex. 2010) (review of whether an error probably caused an improper judgment)
- Quantum Chem. Corp. v. Toennies, 47 S.W.3d 473 (Tex. 2001) (consideration of evidence sufficiency and harmlessness for error)
- In re Commitment of Almaguer, 117 S.W.3d 500 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2003) (harmless-error standard under Rule 44.1)
