Jose MORALES, Appellant, v. The STATE of Texas, Appellee.
No. 13-05-188-CR
Court of Appeals of Texas, Corpus Christi-Edinburg.
Nov. 9, 2006.
York‘s Tortious Interference Claim
Relators’ second issue addresses the trial court‘s determination that York‘s claim against them for tortious inference with a contractual relationship falls outside the scope of the Program. York became employed by United Energy after being terminated by Champion. He contends that Champion caused him to be terminated by United Energy by threatening a third party with whom both Champion and United Energy had storage space that Champion would cease using the third party‘s storage facility if York continued to work for United Energy.
Relators contend that the Program broadly defines the disputes that are covered by the Program and that York‘s tortious interference claim is included within the definition because it is a claim that arose subsequent to his receipt of the Program. Under Relators’ interpretation of the Program, any claim that may subsequently arise between them and York would be subject to the Program. We agree that the Program‘s description of the subject disputes is comprehensive. However, the terms of the Program begin with the following statement under the heading of “Purpose and Construction“:
The Program is designed to provide a means for the quick, fair, accessible, and inexpensive resolution of Disputes between the Company and the Company‘s present and former Employees and Applicants for employment, related to or arising out of a current, former or potential employment relationship with the Company. (emphasis added)
The connection between York‘s previous employment relationship with Relators and his claim that they later interfered with his subsequent employment relationship with a third party is tenuous and coincidental. We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the tortious interference claim falls outside of the scope of the Program. Relators’ second issue is overruled.
This Court‘s Ruling
Fuller‘s motion to strike materials filed by Relators is overruled. Relators’ petition for writ of mandamus is denied with respect to York‘s claim for tortious interference with his subsequent employment relationship with United Energy. With respect to the remaining claims, we conditionally grant a writ of mandamus. The trial court is directed to vacate its “Order on Defendants’ Motions to Compel” and to enter a new order compelling arbitration of the remaining claims. In the event that the order is not entered by December 4, 2006, writ of mandamus will issue.
Carlos Valdez, Nueces County Dist. Atty., Douglas K. Norman, Asst. Dist. Atty., Corpus Christi, for state.
Before Chief Justice VALDEZ and Justices YAÑEZ, and CASTILLO.
OPINION
Opinion by Justice CASTILLO.
A jury found appellant, Jose Morales, guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was sentenced to ninety-nine years and assessed a $5,000 fine. Morales appeals. We affirm.
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On May 9, 2002, Yvette Benavides (Mrs. Benavides) dropped off her two minor daughters, B.B. and Y. B., at the home of her mother-in-law, Maria Benavides. The paternal grandmother provided child care for her two granddaughters between seven in the morning until four-thirty in the afternoon. Morales was married to Maria Benavides at this time,1 and was the girls’ step-grandfather. The children in the Benavides family referred to him as “Joe-Joe.”
Since the youngest daughter, Y.B., was still asleep, Mrs. Benavides laid her down with the grandmother in the grandmother‘s room. Meanwhile, the older daughter, B.B., then four years old, said she was not sleepy and wanted to watch cartoons. B.B. was laid on the living room couch to watch cartoons. Morales was present in the kitchen, having just returned home
When Mrs. Benavides picked up her children after work, she observed B.B. wiggling around as if she had to use the bathroom. Mrs. Benavides, concerned she would have an accident, prodded her into the bathroom, following her to help her undress. B.B. then told her mother she did not want to go to the bathroom because it would hurt her. When asked what she meant, B.B. said she was not supposed to tell but would if her mother promised not to tell anyone else. B.B. revealed that Joe-Joe sat on the floor next to her while she was watching cartoons, and put his hands under her shorts and underwear, and then put his finger into her “private.” Jesse Benavides, B.B.‘s father, arrived home soon after this statement was made, and B.B. repeated the same thing to him. He then called his mother and niece to come over to his home. Though they were in the house that morning, they did not know what had happened until B.B. retold her story to them. The grandmother then examined B.B. and testified she saw an injury to B.B.‘s “privates.”
B.B.‘s parents took her to Driscoll Children‘s Hospital where she received a sexual assault examination. Three tears and a labial agglutination were found. A forensic interviewer recorded B.B.‘s statement as to the incidents. The parents were told by Child Protective Services not to talk to B.B. about what happened. However, Mrs. Benavides testified at trial that B.B. stated, while being bathed, that she was mad at Joe-Joe for hurting her. Meanwhile, B.B.‘s grandmother returned home to wait for Morales and confront him. She testified that when he returned from work the following morning, he denied the allegations but would say nothing further until he spoke to a lawyer.
In a pretrial hearing, the State requested the trial court find B.B. an unavailable witness under article 38.071 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. See
At trial, which commenced on February 22, 2005, Morales pled not guilty to the offense of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The State also tendered testimony of another child, C.T., who subsequently made an outcry statement against Morales. C.T., B.B.‘s cousin, lived in Morales‘s home and testified that on five separate occasions Morales inappropriately touched her. C.T.‘s testimony was admitted over Morales‘s objections.
II. POINTS OF ERROR
By two points of error, Morales asserts that the trial court erred in (1) allowing three videotapes of the child victim‘s testimony into evidence, and (2) admitting extraneous offense evidence.
III. ADMISSION OF THREE VIDEOTAPES INTO EVIDENCE UNDER ARTICLE 38.071, § 2
A. Relevant Facts
In his first point of error, Morales contends the trial court erred in admitting the three videotapes of B.B.‘s statement in
At a second pretrial hearing on June 3, 2004, Morales objected to the second recording, arguing it failed to comply with article 38.071 because some of the questions he had submitted were omitted. Ms. Villanueva testified that at this pretrial hearing she, defense counsel, and the trial court acknowledged that some of the questions on the list for the second interview had been omitted.2 The forensic interviewer, Mr. Jimenez, who was established as an expert witness, testified that in this second recording, he did omit some questions that he felt were leading to ensure the tape would not be excluded from evidence.3
To ensure protection of Morales‘s right to confrontation, the trial court ordered a third recording, over Morales‘s objection. The trial court referred to this third tape as a continuation of the second tape. To again exercise his right to confront the witness, Morales submitted questions to be asked at the third interview. At the third interview, all of Morales‘s questions were asked by the same interviewer. However, Morales complains that the manner in which the third interview was conducted destroyed any continuity it may otherwise have had with the second interview.
In the second interview, the forensic interviewer appears relaxed and friendly. He offers B.B. markers and makes conversation with her about swimming. His demeanor demonstrates warmth and friendliness, and his voice is neutral, showing neither surprise nor disdain in response to her answers. In the third interview, while his demeanor remains friendly he does not try to befriend B.B. He comes into the room, sits down in front of her, and explains that he is going to ask questions off the list. He does not chat with her and does not offer her any markers. He asks the questions straight off the list, offering little to no guidance when she appears confused.
In Smith v. State, 88 S.W.3d 652, 672 (Tex.App.-Tyler 2002, pet. ref‘d), written interrogatories, without added questions or comments, were not found to show lack of neutrality when demeanor, manner, and
Ms. Villanueva testified that she told the interviewer to ask the questions in the third interview verbatim from the list of submitted questions.5 She further testified that she told the interviewer not to establish a rapport with the child as she understood the defense desired no additional questions asked. Morales contends that, when the State gave direction to the interviewer, the requirement of neutrality was compromised especially since neither the defense nor the trial court gave these directions to the interviewer. Thus, Morales complains the third interview fails to comply with article 38.071 because it is not neutral.
At a third pretrial hearing held on February 22, 2005, and throughout the trial,6 Morales objected that none of the three videos complied with article 38.071, sections 2, 4, and 5. See
B. Standard of Review
In reviewing a trial court‘s ruling on the admissibility of evidence, an appellate court must first determine the applicable standard of review. Guzman v. State, 955 S.W.2d 85, 87, 89 (Tex. Crim.App.1997) (reviewing the appropriate levels of appellate review in a motion-to-suppress proceeding).7 In considering a trial court‘s ruling, an appellate court must determine whether the trial court abused its discretion.8 Willover v. State, 70 S.W.3d 841, 845 (Tex.Crim.App.2002) (citing Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372 (Tex.Crim. App.1991) (op. on reh‘g)). In other words, the appellate court must uphold the trial
C. Article 38.071
A plain language reading of article 38.071 indicates that a child-complainant must be unavailable to testify before a videotape of the child‘s testimony is admissible. See
D. Application
To preserve a complaint for appellate review, a party must present a timely request, objection, or motion to the trial court stating the specific grounds for the desired ruling if the specific grounds are not apparent from the context.
1. The Admissibility of Tape One
The trial court overruled Morales’ objection to tape one as being unfair and prejudicial. It was recorded one day after the incident occurred. We must look to article 38.071, § 2(c) since the tape was made before an indictment was returned or a complaint was filed.
(c) A recording made under Subsection (a) of this section is not admissible into evidence unless a recording made under Subsection (b) is admitted at the same time if a recording under Subsection (b) was requested prior to the time of the hearing or proceeding.
2. The Admissibility of Tapes Two and Three
The State argues that Morales is estopped “from making an appellate error of an action it induced” according to the doctrine of “invited error.” Prystash v. State, 3 S.W.3d 522, 531 (Tex.Crim.App. 1999) (en banc). “If a party affirmatively seeks action by the trial court, that party cannot later contend that the action was error.” Id.
There is no violation of the right to confrontation with the admission of videotaped testimony if the defendant has the opportunity to cross-examine the witness. See Fultz v. State, 940 S.W.2d 758, 761 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1997, pet. ref‘d) (citing Carson v. Collins, 993 F.2d 461, 464 (5th Cir.1993)). In fact, article 38.071, section 3 provides an alternative method of confrontation that Morales could have elected to use:
Sec. 3. (a) On its own motion or on the motion of the attorney representing the state or the attorney representing the defendant, the court may order that the testimony of the child be taken in a room other than the courtroom and be televised by closed circuit equipment in the courtroom to be viewed by the court and the finder of fact. To the extent practicable, only the judge, the court reporter, the attorneys for the defendant and for the state, persons necessary to operate the equipment, and any person whose presence would contribute to the welfare and well-being of the child may be present in the room with the child during his testimony. Only the attorneys and the judge may question the child. To the extent practicable, the persons necessary to operate the equipment shall be confined to an adjacent room or behind a screen or mirror that permits them to see and hear the child during his testimony, but does not permit the child to see or hear them. The court shall permit the defendant to observe and hear the testimony of the child and to communicate contemporaneously with his attorney during periods of recess or by audio contact, but the court shall attempt to ensure that the child cannot hear or see the defendant. The court shall permit the attorney for the defendant adequate opportunity to confer with the defendant during cross-examination of the child. On application of the attorney for the defendant, the court may recess the proceeding before or during cross-examination of the child for a reasonable time to allow the attorney
for the defendant to confer with defendant.
Morales’ argument that the code does not provide for multiple recordings is also invalid under the doctrine of invited error as in both instances, regarding the second and third tapes, he acquiesced by submitting questions under section 2 and electing to request a recording under section 3. By failing to utilize all the provisions available under article 38.071, Morales opted not to exercise his right to confrontation as authorized under section 3. Thus, Morales is estopped from complaining on appeal that admitting the tapes in evidence denied him his right to confrontation when the trial court afforded the relief he requested on the method of confrontation he chose. See Fultz, 940 S.W.2d at 761; see also Prystash, 3 S.W.3d at 531.
Moreover, in response to Morales‘s complaints as to each tape at each pretrial hearing, the trial court responded by affording him an opportunity to exercise his right to confront B.B. under the specific provisions of article 38.071 that Morales used as grounds for his complaints. Importantly, Morales did not complain below nor does he now on appeal that the trial court improvidently declared B.B. unavailable to testify under section 1 of article 38.071. See
sponded by ordering a continuation of that interview. Thus, we further conclude that Morales has not shown deprivation of his constitutional right to cross-examine the child because (1) he did not object to the trial court‘s declaration that B.B. was unavailable, (2) the trial court provided him the redress he sought, and (3) he has not shown that the trial court disregarded his substantial rights. See
Even assuming the trial court erred, we conclude that Morales has not shown the tapes are incomplete.15 Further, he has not demonstrated reversible error. See
Morales did not present a neutrality complaint to the first tape or the second tape and he waited until the eve of trial, when the trial court could not effect a remedy, to complain. We conclude the objection was untimely. Martinez, 22 S.W.3d at 507. Moreover, we have reviewed the recordings and addressed in this opinion the question of neutrality. We will not disturb the trial court‘s evidentiary rulings under article 38.071 unless the trial court abused its discretion by reaching a decision that falls outside the zone of reasonable disagreement. See Weatherred, 15 S.W.3d at 542; Garcia, 792 S.W.2d at 92. We conclude that the trial court‘s ruling is supported by the record and is not an abuse of discretion.
E. Disposition
Morales consistently chose to submit written interrogatories as his method of confrontation rather than consider the suggestion by the trial court that section 3 was also available. Using article 38.071 as its guiding rule or principle, the trial court chose to order a continuation of tape two, by conducting a third recording so as to preserve Morales’ right to confrontation. See
IV. BALANCING THE PREJUDICIAL EFFECTS OF EXTRANEOUS OFFENSE EVIDENCE
A. Relevant Facts
In his second point of error, Morales contends that the trial court erred in admitting evidence of extraneous offenses regarding C.T., the victim‘s cousin and Morales’ step-granddaughter, because its prejudicial effect outweighed its probative value. C.T.‘s outcry was made subsequent to B.B.‘s. C.T. testified that, beginning at
Morales argues that extraneous offense evidence was not necessary to prove opportunity or intent. He asserts that jury had already heard evidence that he was alone with B.B. and, thus, extraneous offense evidence was not necessary to prove opportunity to commit the offense. He further argues that, because the jury had already heard no one else was present, extraneous offense evidence was not necessary to prove intent. The State responds this extraneous offense evidence was necessary to establish (1) why its expert witness had “reason to believe” Morales committed the act in question, and (2) his state of mind at the time, an essential element of the crime. The State further responds that Morales opened the door by attacking the credibility of the victim, suggesting he had been framed by family members, and suggesting fabrication and conspiracy.
B. Standard of Review
We review the trial court‘s ruling concerning the rules of evidence for an abuse of discretion. Martin v. State, 173 S.W.3d 463, 467 (Tex. Crim.App.2005) (en banc) (citing Sauceda v. State, 129 S.W.3d 116, 120 (Tex.Crim.App.2004)). We uphold the trial court‘s ruling on the admissibility of evidence so long as the ruling falls within the “zone of reasonable disagreement.” Id. (quoting Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 391).
C. Preservation of Error
Requisite for review of any complaint on appeal is preservation of error.
D. Application
An objection must be made under both rules 404(b) and 403 to preserve error regarding the admission of evidence of an extraneous offense. Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 388 (stating that an objection under rule 404(b) must now be followed by a further objection based on rule 403); see
(1) whether the extraneous offense evidence is relevant to a fact of consequence in the case apart from its tendency to prove conduct in conformity with character; and (2) whether the probative value of the evidence is not substantially outweighed by unfair prejudice.
The State contends the defense failed to raise a rule 404(b) objection. In the instant case, Morales objected that the State‘s attempt to admit evidence during the culpability phase of the trial violated “part of the 38.37 on the extraneous offense. And certainly 403, and possibly 404(b) with the prejudicial effect it would
1. Applying the Two Prongs of the Martin Test
α. Part 1: Relevance of extraneous offense evidence apart from tendency to prove conduct in conformity with character
Evidence is “relevant” if it has “any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.”
In this case, the trial court‘s ruling to allowing the evidence under rule 404(b) is supported by the record and, thus, was not outside the “zone of reasonable disagreement.” Extraneous evidence, as noted above, can be admitted to prove opportunity, or an essential element if the defendant raises an issue that negates it. Morales presented evidence that he was away from the house for most of the day obtaining stickers for both his and his ex-wife‘s vehicles. This permitted the court to make a reasonable inference that Morales was suggesting he did not have the time to commit the alleged acts. By presenting his activities on the day in question to demonstrate lack of opportunity to commit the crime, he opened the door to admission of the extraneous evidence. Powell v. State, 63 S.W.3d 435, 438 (Tex.Crim.App. 2001) (during opening statement and in cross-examination of State‘s witnesses, defense counsel raised issue of lack of opportunity for the defendant to have committed the sexual offenses); Wolfberg v. State, 73 S.W.3d 441, 443 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, pet. ref‘d) (permitting child victims sister to testify that defendant had
The Court of Criminal Appeals has recognized that extraneous sexual misconduct evidence may be relevant to counteract a perceived societal aversion to the idea that parents or those standing in loco parentis can commit sexual crimes against their own children. Boutwell v. State, 719 S.W.2d 164, 175-76 (Tex.Crim. App.1986). This evidence may be needed because the State‘s case may depend upon the credibility of the child-complainant, as most incestuous crimes occur in secrecy. Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 394. When the credibility of the child-complainant is challenged by the accused, evidence of other identical or similar acts of sexual misconduct may be used to support the testimony of the child-complainant if it logically shows a lascivious attitude (relevant to culpable intent) and a willingness to act on that attitude (relevant to prohibited conduct) that a jury might not otherwise want to acknowledge as existing in some familial relationships. Id. When the circumstances of the case show the evidence logically serves its purpose, it may be relevant under rule 404(b) apart from showing character conformity. Id. In the instant case, C.T.‘s testimony logically demonstrates that B.B. is a credible witness by showing that an incestuous relationship could arise between a step-grandfather and his step-grandchildren.
The trial court did not err in admitting the extraneous sexual offenses as they were admissible under rule 404(b) to show opportunity, Powell, 63 S.W.3d at 438, Wolfberg, 73 S.W.3d at 443, and to prove an essential element. Contreras v. State, 838 S.W.2d 594, 600 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 1992, pet. ref‘d) (allowing similar burglary and sexual offenses to show intent and identity); Johnson v. State, 932 S.W.2d 296, 302-04 (Tex.App.-Austin 1996, pet. ref‘d) (admitting substantially similar extraneous offense to show intent). Nor was it error to allow the extraneous sexual offense to serve as the basis for the State‘s expert witness‘s reason to believe Morales committed the charged act. Blacklock v. State, 820 S.W.2d 882, 884-85 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1991, pet. ref‘d) (demonstrating that extraneous sexual offenses were relevant in a sexual assault case in the pretrial competency hearing to prove a pattern of behavior on which the expert relied for his testimony).
b. Part 2: Probative value of the evidence must substantially outweigh unfair prejudice
In addition to challenging relevancy, Morales also successfully preserved his objection that the prejudicial effect of the extraneous offense evidence outweighed its probative value. This balancing test is expressed in rule 403, which states, “Relevant evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.”
A rule 403 analysis should consider the following factors: (1) the probative value of the evidence, (2) the potential to impress the jury in some irrational, yet indelible way, (3) the time needed to develop the evidence, and (4) the proponents need for the evidence. Erazo v. State, 144 S.W.3d 487, 489 (Tex.Crim.App.2004) (citing Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 372). When considering a trial court‘s rule 403
C.T.‘s testimony, as direct evidence, has great probative value and provided strong and compelling evidence to establish (1) opportunity and (2) state of mind. Further, there were significant similarities and circumstances between the instant offense and the conduct C.T. described in her testimony. See Boutwell, 719 S.W.2d at 176 (noting extraneous sexual offenses between a defendant and a third party are not always inadmissible if they are relevant to a material issue in the case, and the relevancy value outweighs its prejudicial potential). Through her testimony, a pattern showing Morales‘s increasing brazenness developed. His inappropriate touches soon turned into an aggressive attempt to bite her breast. C.T. testified that this last incident occurred a month before the incident involving B.B.
The extraneous offenses introduced were not so inherently inflammatory that they would have swayed the jury in some irrational and indelible manner. See Alexander v. State, 88 S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2002). Time needed to develop the evidence weighs in favor of admissibility. Erazo, 144 S.W.3d at 489. C.T. outcried soon after B.B. did, and despite Morales‘s objections, was readily available to testify.
When considering the last factor, the proponents need for evidence, the reviewing court should address three questions: (1) Does the proponent have other available evidence to establish the fact of consequence that the evidence is relevant to show? (2) If so, how strong is that other evidence? and (3) Is the fact of consequence related to an issue that is in dispute? Erazo, 144 S.W.3d at 495-96 (citing Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 390). The State adduced other relevant evidence. It had the testimony of various family members that Morales was alone that morning with B.B. Raising the defensive theory of lack of opportunity is sufficient to justify admission of extraneous offense evidence under 404(b). Powell, 63 S.W.3d at 438; Wolfberg, 73 S.W.3d at 443. Here, this other evidence was not as strong as C.T.‘s first-hand account. Although the State had other evidence, the factors under rule 403 are merely factors included among other factors to be considered. See Hayden v. State, 155 S.W.3d 640, 646 (Tex. App.-Eastland, 2005) (citing Wyatt v. State, 23 S.W.3d 18, 26 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000)). All of the other evidence was related to the issue in dispute as, taken together, it showed similar circumstances and close temporal proximity to B.B.‘s outcry.
E. Disposition
A balancing of the factors does not reveal a “clear abuse of discretion” on the part of the trial court. Mozon, 991 S.W.2d at 847 (quoting Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 389). Therefore, we conclude the trial court properly conducted the rule 403 balancing test and did not abuse its discretion in concluding that the probative value of the extraneous offense evidence was not substantially outweighed by any prejudicial effect. We overrule Morales‘s second point of error.
IV. CONCLUSION
Having overruled Morales‘s two points of error on appeal, we affirm.
Concurring Opinion by Justice YAÑEZ.
The majority concludes that appellant is “estopped” from asserting that he was denied his rights under the confrontation clause because he failed to utilize section 3 of article 38.071, which provides that a child sexual assault victim may testify by closed-circuit television.1 I find no authority, either in article 38.071 or in caselaw, supporting the majority‘s holding that a defendant must “utilize all the provisions available under article 38.071” in order to preserve a claim under the confrontation clause. Here, appellant objected to the admission of all three of the child victim‘s recorded statements on grounds that they failed to comply with section 2 of article 38.071 and violated his right to confrontation. Accordingly, I would hold that appellant was not estopped from complaining that his right to confrontation was denied. However, because I agree that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by overruling appellant‘s objections and admitting the recorded statements, I respectfully concur in the judgment.
The majority states that “article 38.071 section 3 provides an alternative method of confrontation that Morales could have elected to use” to cross-examine the victim. The majority then concludes that “Morales did not take advantage of this opportunity and now cannot claim that he was denied any rights under the confrontation clause.” In support of this contention, the majority cites Fultz v. State, 940 S.W.2d 758, 761 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1997, pet. ref‘d). However, Fultz stands for the unremarkable proposition that a defendant fails to preserve error on a confrontation rights claim when his trial objections do not comport with his arguments on appeal.2 The only other authority cited by the majority is Prystash v. State, 3 S.W.3d 522, 531 (Tex.Crim.App.1999). The cited section in Prystash simply distinguishes waiver from invited error and notes that “the law of invited error estops a party from making an appellate error of an action it induced.”3 Neither case supports the majority‘s contention that by failing to utilize the alternative method of confrontation provided for in section 3, an appellant is estopped from complaining that his confrontation rights were violated.
The majority states that appellant “acquiesced by submitting questions under section 2 and electing to request a recording under section 3.” The majority also states that appellant is estopped from complaining that his confrontation rights were violated because “the trial court afforded the relief he requested on the method of confrontation he chose.” The record reflects, however, that appellant did not “choose” to proceed under section 2 of article 38.071. Rather, the State filed a motion to admit the child victim‘s videotaped testimony under section 2, which the trial court granted. At the March 30, 2004 hearing on the State‘s motion, the State made it clear that it was requesting to proceed under section 2.
[Court]: All right. Let me ask you this, assume that we do the two-well, the first tape is already done-we do the second tape. Under Section 3 of this article, then-
[Prosecutor]: We‘re proceeding under Section 2, Your Honor. There are two different venues.
[Court]: Okay.
[Court]: Okay.
[Prosecutor]: I have not asked for that because I don‘t think the child would be capable of handling that.
[Court]: Okay. Section 3 says that either the attorney for the State or the attorney representing the defendant may request that the testimony of the child be taken via closed-circuit TV. I presume if-even if we do the two tapes, [appellant‘s counsel] would still request that the child be interviewed via closed-circuit TV at the time of the trial.
[Prosecutor]: Well, I had [sic] never seen it done both ways. But I presume he can request that. We would object to it because I think the only thing that‘s going to happen is the child is going to freeze up, scream, cry, and run under the table. And if [appellant‘s counsel] wants that televised to the jury, you know, from a prosecutor‘s stand point that can be very effective. But from a human personal standpoint, the State would object to it so as not to put the child through that trauma.
But I think the Court is correct in that the statute does not say that if the Court has allowed the videotape under Section 2, that that prohibits somebody from making a request under Section 3.
[Court]: And what if Mr.----I‘m just asking these questions, because I don‘t know the answers. What if [appellant‘s counsel] wants to at trial call the child as a witness?
[Prosecutor]: Your Honor, I haven‘t looked up that issue, but the admission-one of the findings the Court has to make before ruling under Section 2 is whether the child is unavailable for trial. Presumably if the Court finds that the child is unavailable for trial because it would cause undue harm, psychological or physical harm to the child, then presumably, the child cannot be called as a witness.
And this hurts the State in a number of ways, Your Honor, because I can‘t, for example, put on the testimony of the outcry. Because the outcry-I mean, specifically the words the child said to her mother. Because the outcry is only available if the child is available or subject to being called. So I have to give up something in order to make this request. So it‘s certainly not a request that I‘m making lightly. And I think that the even if it‘s not explicitly laid out in the statute, I certainly think it‘s implicit in the statute if the Court makes a finding of unavailability, then the child is not to be called.
[Court]: Which is the outcry section?
[Prosecutor]: That‘s 38.072. And specifically, the section I‘m talking about is Section 2-B, Subsection 3, the very last line.
[Court]: Okay. 38.071 is the child is unable to testify in the presence of the Defendant. So that would permit the tapes to be introduced. If the child was called via closed-circuit TV-
[Prosecutor]: Then I think the outcry statement could come in.
[Court]: Then the outcry would be admissible because the child is available to testify at the proceedings-
[Prosecutor]: Exactly, Your Honor.
[Court]: or in any other manner provided by law, which would be closed-circuit TV.
[Prosecutor]: And that‘s one of the reasons that it‘s extraordinarily unusual for the State to ask for the videotapes, because it‘s the least desirable position as far as the State is concerned. And if I felt that the child was capable of testifying via closed-circuit TV, then I would
Of course the outcry is always admissible if there‘s some other exception. I haven‘t found one yet, though.
[Court]: Of course the outcry may well be the first videotape.
[Prosecutor]: Well, then that would fall under the different the different statute.
[Court]: Okay. I will allow you to proceed under Section 2 and make the second videotape. And then we‘ll-once that‘s done, then [appellant‘s counsel] will be able to make whatever objections he deems appropriate at the time.
[Appellant‘s counsel]: Okay.
The record thus reflects that the State requested admission of the victim‘s videotaped testimony under Section 2 and would have requested that the victim testify by closed-circuit television under Section 3 if it believed the victim was able to do so. The burden of proof in a criminal case is on the State, and it is incumbent on the State to prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.4 If, as here, the State chose to proceed under section 2, but errors are committed in the course of section 2 proceedings, the majority‘s position requires the defendant to not only specifically object to such errors, but to request that the State present evidence against him (often the only evidence) via the victim‘s testimony by closed-circuit TV. I find nothing in the record to support the majority‘s position that appellant “chose” to proceed under section 2 and similarly, find no authority for the contention that he was required to request that the victim testify under section 3 in order to preserve his objections under section 2.
Having concluded that appellant preserved his objections, I now turn to his objections and whether the trial court abused its discretion in overruling them. With respect to tape one, appellant objected at the March 30, 2004 hearing to the admissibility of tape one on grounds that it denied him the right to confrontation. Appellant also objected to tape one on grounds that it “wasn‘t fairly done.”
Appellant objected to tape two on grounds that it failed to comply with the requirements of section 2 and denied him the right to confrontation because (1) many of the questions propounded by appellant pursuant to section 2 paragraph (b) were not asked by the interviewer, (2) some questions were asked by the interviewer that were not propounded by appellant, which resulted in the victim testifying about extraneous offenses, and (3) tape two was therefore unfair and prejudicial. Appellant objected to the third tape on grounds that it violated section 2 because (1) the statute does not expressly provide that more than two videotapes may be made and (2) his right to confrontation was denied.
A trial court has discretion to decide the admissibility of evidence and, absent an abuse of discretion, its rulings will not be overturned.5 As long as a trial court‘s ruling was within the zone of reasonable disagreement, the appellate court should affirm.6
I conclude that the trial court‘s ruling admitting the three tapes was within the zone of reasonable disagreement and therefore, the court did not abuse its dis-
Appellant also objected to admission of the tapes on grounds that his right to confrontation was violated. The standard for addressing a confrontation complaint in the context of article 38.071 was modified by the United States Supreme Court‘s decision in Crawford v. Washington.7 In Crawford, the Supreme Court held that, pursuant to the Confrontation Clause of the United States Constitution, testimonial statements of witnesses absent from trial are inadmissible unless the witness is unavailable and the defendant has had a “prior opportunity” to “cross-examine” the witness.8
In Rangel v. State, “a case of first impression in Texas,” the Fort Worth Court of Appeals recently addressed a confrontation clause claim, post-Crawford, in the context of article 38.071.9 The Rangel court held that (1) a child victim‘s videotaped statement was “testimonial” and therefore governed by Crawford and (2) by providing a defendant with an opportunity to submit written interrogatories to a child victim, article 38.071 section 2 provides a defendant with an opportunity for cross-examination.10
I agree with the Rangel court that article 38.071, section 2, which provides a defendant an opportunity to submit written interrogatories to a child victim, provides a prior opportunity for cross-examination, and thus, meets the requirements of Crawford.11
For the foregoing reasons, I agree that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in overruling appellant‘s objections to the admission of the three tapes. Accordingly, I would overrule appellant‘s issues and would affirm the trial court‘s judgment.
CASTILLO
JUSTICE