Ovidiu Tunas v. State
07-15-00262-CR
| Tex. App. | Jul 19, 2017Background
- Appellant Ovidiu Tunas was indicted on multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child for acts alleged to have occurred in May 2005; the jury acquitted on the sexual-assault counts and convicted on two indecency-with-a-child counts (touching complainant's breast and causing complainant to touch his genitals).
- Complainant B.B., who was 13 in 2005 and 23 at trial, testified appellant picked her up, forced sexual contact including touching her breast through a sports bra, digitally and with his penis, and later led her to his bedroom, moved her hand to his penis, and performed other sexual acts.
- Appellant denied the allegations and presented testimony (including from his daughter Alexandra) suggesting B.B. visited and stayed at defendant's home multiple times after the alleged assaults.
- At trial appellant proffered eight dated photographs of B.B. in Alexandra's bedroom in 2006; the court admitted three (showing B.B. in the home) but excluded five others as irrelevant / more prejudicial under Rule 403 because they were more provocative.
- The jury assessed 10-year sentences on each count but the court suspended those sentences and placed appellant on community supervision (including 180 days in county jail).
Issues
| Issue | Appellant's Argument | State's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sufficiency of the evidence for indecency convictions | B.B.'s testimony did not clearly show appellant touched her breast at the apartment or caused her to touch his genitals | B.B. expressly testified appellant touched her breast and moved her hand to his penis; her testimony alone can support conviction | Affirmed: evidence was sufficient when viewed in favor of the verdict |
| Exclusion of five dated photographs — due process | Exclusion violated due process by preventing impeachment and presenting tangible evidence contradicting B.B.'s testimony | Appellant failed to preserve a constitutional objection; photos were cumulative and some unduly prejudicial | Affirmed: constitutional argument forfeited; trial court did not abuse discretion under Rule 403 |
| Exclusion of five dated photographs — Confrontation Clause | Exclusion violated Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses | No Confrontation Clause objection was made at trial; claim is forfeited | Affirmed: complaint forfeited for lack of timely trial objection |
Key Cases Cited
- Garcia v. State, 367 S.W.3d 683 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) (standard for sufficiency review)
- Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (U.S. 1979) (constitutional sufficiency standard)
- Hooper v. State, 214 S.W.3d 9 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) (role of factfinder in weighing evidence)
- Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) (credibility is for the jury)
- Ex parte Robbins, 360 S.W.3d 446 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011) (due process and false testimony)
- Ex parte Ghahremani, 332 S.W.3d 470 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011) (false impression theory and due process)
- Casey v. State, 215 S.W.3d 870 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) (factors for Rule 403 balancing)
- Gigliobianco v. State, 210 S.W.3d 637 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006) (Rule 403 balancing framework)
- Briggs v. State, 789 S.W.2d 918 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990) (preservation of constitutional complaint)
- Sorto v. State, 173 S.W.3d 469 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) (trial objections must match appellate complaints)
