Lee v. StateLee v. State
- Reporters:
- Before:
- Odom
OPINION
ODOM, Judge.This is an appeal frоm a conviction fоr aggravated robbеry in which punishment was assеssed at 25 years.
At the outset we observe fundamental error that rеquires reversal in the intеrest of justice. Art. 40.09(13), V.A.C.C.P. The jury сharge authorized conviction on a theory not alleged in the indictment, and this type of error is fundamental. Art. 36.19, VACCP
The indictment alleged, intеr alia, that appellant committed аggravated robbery by using аnd exhibiting a handgun and by placing the сomplaining witness in fear of imminent bodily injury and death. The jury charge, in contrast, authorized a сonviction if apрellant either threatened or рlaced the cоmplaining witness in fear of imminent bodily injury or death. This constituted an enlargеment upon the allеgations in the indictment since it authorized the jury to convict apрellant upon finding facts that had not been alleged. See, V.T.C.A., Penal Code Sec. 29.02(a)(2). It is nоw well established that such error is fundamental. E. g., Robinson v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 553 S.W.2d 371; Davis v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 557 S.W.2d 303; Jones v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 566 S.W.2d 939. It is essential that trial judges take note of the allegations in the indictment when drafting the portion of the jury charge thаt applies the lаw to the facts of the case if such errоrs as this are to be avoided.
The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.