Gerald Glenn WILDER, Appellant, v. The STATE of Texas, Appellee.
No. 06-02-00165-CR.
Court of Appeals of Texas, Texarkana.
Decided June 26, 2003.
Submitted June 25, 2003.
104 S.W.3d 249
On direct examination, Harris testified to the following:
Q Okay. Does his, is [Rodgers‘] wife deceased?
A Yes.
On cross-examination, the State asked the following without first seeking the trial court‘s approval:
Q What was Mr. Rodgers’ wife‘s name?
A Amanda.
Q Did she die a natural death?
A I don‘t know.
[Defense counsel]: Your Honor, we object. That‘s—
THE COURT: Let me, let me ask counsel to approach.
The trial court overruled Rodgers’ objection to the testimony. The State contends Harris’ earlier testimony that Amanda was dead opened the door to the State asking whether she died of natural causes; Rodgers contends the testimony did not open the door.
The admission or exclusion of evidence is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Salazar, 38 S.W.3d at 153-54. The trial court‘s decision will be affirmed if it falls within the “zone of reasonable disagreement.” Id.
Rodgers concedes “evidence of extraneous offenses could be admissible if the defendant opened the door to the offenses.” The witness‘s answer—“I don‘t know“—preceded the attorney‘s objection. We believe the witness‘s testimony does not directly implicate Rodgers in the death of his former wife. Read in the context of the witness‘s entire testimony, the statement “I don‘t know” amounts to no substantive response to the question presented. Accordingly, we find no abuse of discretion. Rodgers’ final point of error is overruled.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the trial court‘s judgment.
Steven R. Miears, Bonham, for appellant.
Myles Porter, Fannin County Attorney, Michael Skotnik, Assistant District Attorney, Bonham, for appellee.
Before MORRISS, C.J., ROSS and CARTER, JJ.
Opinion by Justice CARTER.
Gerald Glenn Wilder was found guilty by a jury of the offense of aggravated sexual assault of his daughter, T.N.W. The court assessed punishment at sixty years’ confinement.
T.N.W., a nine-year-old child, testified that her father sexually assaulted her while her family was living with friends. The Fannin County Child Protective Service (CPS) was notified concerning the sexual abuse of this child. CPS ultimately took custody of the child, where she remained through the time of the trial.
A nurse, Carolyn Ridling, examined the child following the report of the sexual assault. The nurse testified as to statements the child made to her regarding the sexual assault by her father.
Debra Lynn Pruitt, a licensed professional counselor, counseled the child once a week for about eight months. The counselor testified as to the child‘s statements of sexual assault by her father.
Vernon Dowdy had previously been convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a
Issues
- Was error committed when the State explained the concept of “beyond a reasonable doubt” to the venire?
- Did the court err in excusing venireman Roundtree?1
- Was it error to admit evidence of statements made by the child to the sexual assault nurse examiner and/or to the child‘s counselor?
- Did the court err in refusing to instruct the jury that witness Dowdy had committed perjury?
Issue No. 1—Was error committed when the State explained the concept of “beyond a reasonable doubt” to the venire?
In explaining the State‘s burden of proof to the venire during voir dire, the prosecutor began by explaining that the State had the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt—not beyond a shadow of a doubt. He then described the elements of this particular offense, sexual assault of a child, and stated, “we have to prove them beyond a reasonable doubt.” Further, the State advised, “[W]e don‘t have a definition [of reasonable doubt] any more and it‘s kind of up to you. We know it doesn‘t mean we have to prove it a hundred percent.” After an objection was made and overruled, the State prosecutor stated that you cannot prove it 100 percent because “you weren‘t there” and that “[j]uries somehow come up with it every day in this country. You determine reasonable doubt based on the evidence.”
Wilder argues that such statements violate Paulson v. State, 28 S.W.3d 570 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) (holding that it is improper to define the phrase “beyond a reasonable doubt” to the jury absent the agreement of parties). Wilder further argues that several courts of appeals have held that it is error to instruct the jury that the prosecution is not required to prove guilt beyond all possible doubt. Rodriguez v. State, 96 S.W.3d 398, 400 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, pet. ref‘d); Phillips v. State, 72 S.W.3d 719 (Tex. App.—Waco 2002, no pet.). This Court has recently agreed with the Houston First District that such instruction in the jury charge does not present error. Fluellen v. State, 104 S.W.3d 152 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, no pet.) (citing Carriere v. State, 84 S.W.3d 753, 759 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, no pet.)). In those cases, the jury was instructed, “[I]t is not required that the prosecution prove guilt beyond all doubt. It is required that the prosecution‘s proof excludes all reasonable doubt concerning the defendant‘s guilt.” We agreed with the Houston First Court of Appeals that “[t]he charge was proper because it did not define reasonable doubt—it merely instructed the jury that appellant‘s guilt must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, not
Here, we do not have a court instruction to the jury, but a statement by the prosecutor given in connection with explaining the concept of reasonable doubt. Clearly, it is proper to question veniremen concerning their understanding of the term “reasonable doubt.” Dinkins v. State, 894 S.W.2d 330, 344-45 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995); Lane v. State, 828 S.W.2d 764, 766 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992); Woolridge v. State, 827 S.W.2d 900, 906 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992). A venireman is subject to a challenge for cause by the State, or by a defendant, if he or she is unable to follow the law.
Generally, “[e]rror in argument2 does not lie in going beyond the court‘s charge, but lies in stating law contrary to the same.” Singleton v. State, 479 S.W.2d 672, 674 (Tex. Crim. App. 1972) (citing Daywood v. State, 157 Tex. Crim. 266, 248 S.W.2d 479 (1952)). For instance, in Rogers v. State, 795 S.W.2d 300, 306 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1990, pet. ref‘d), during voir dire examination, the trial court explained to the jury, “[T]he bottom line is going to be what beyond a reasonable doubt is to you. I can assure you not like they say on TV, beyond all shadow of a doubt or beyond all doubt....” The prosecutor followed by stating concerning reasonable doubt, “We know it is not beyond all doubt. It is not beyond a shadow of a doubt.” Id. The court found no error in such statements. In Alvarado v. State, 821 S.W.2d 369, 374 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1991, no pet.), the prosecutor stated concerning the burden of proof, “That‘s what it‘s about, not beyond a shadow of a doubt, not a hundred percent proof.” While this argument was not objected to, the court found such statement was not manifestly improper, did not violate a mandatory statute, and did not inject new facts harmful to appellant and affirmed the conviction.
The charge in this case, which was not objected to, stated, “It is not required that the prosecution prove guilt beyond all possible doubt; it is required that the prosecution‘s proof excludes all ‘reasonable doubt’ concerning the defendant‘s guilt.”
While we do not encourage the use of a percentage equation in describing the concept of beyond a reasonable doubt, it appears that the prosecutor‘s statement was an attempt to explain and illustrate in layman‘s terms the meaning of reasonable doubt. We do not believe it is contrary to the proper jury charge, which explained that the prosecution was not required to prove guilt beyond “all possible doubt.”
We hold that such statement by the prosecutor was not contrary to the jury charge and was not error.
Issue No. 2—Did the court err in excusing venireman Roundtree?
In his second point of appeal, Wilder argues that the trial court erred in excusing venireman Roundtree. This venireman was excused after the State had finished its voir dire examination and prior to the defense examining the venire. The court excused Roundtree, and after an objection, stated, “I excused him after he said that he could not be fair after he mentioned that twice.” The record does not clearly show when Roundtree stated he could not be fair. During the course of
[The State]: Anything about that that causes you a problem in assault cases.
JUROR: Yes.
....
[The State]: Anything about that that causes you a problem in this case?
JUROR: Yes.
....
[The State]: .... Anybody on this side of the room think they couldn‘t be a fair juror in a sexual assault of a child case...?
JUROR: I couldn‘t. I mentioned it.
....
JUROR: I have something I would like to discuss but I would like to discuss it in private.
[The State]: Absolutely. Anybody else feels that way?
JUROR: Yes.
[The State]: Yes, sir?
JUROR: Same problem.
THE COURT: Anybody else that‘s like that, stay in here or come back in here and we will talk to you.
Immediately after this exchange, the court began hearing individual juror‘s explanations and concerns about being able to serve on this particular case. After hearing from several jurors, the following occurred:
THE COURT: Thank you. You are Mr. Roundtree, number 5?
JUROR: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: You don‘t have to remain. I‘m going to excuse you.
Further, the trial court explained its action in excusing Roundtree:
THE COURT: I did. I excused him after he said that he could not be fair after he mentioned that twice.
The record does not clearly show what Roundtree said, but the record does show that several jurors indicated that for various reasons, they did not feel they could serve fairly on the jury. The court told those jurors to remain and discuss that with him, and he ruled on each one of them. During the course of this, venireman Roundtree was excused.
It would certainly be preferable, and we urge the trial courts to have each juror specifically identify himself or herself during the voir dire process. The trial court retains broad discretion to excuse prospective jurors for good reason. Wright v. State, 28 S.W.3d 526, 533 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). This authority continues even after an individual juror has been sworn and exists until the entire jury is impaneled and sworn. Fuentes v. State, 991 S.W.2d 267, 277-78 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). “Accordingly, before the entire jury has been impaneled and sworn, the trial court may excuse a juror with or without the consent of the parties.” Wright, 28 S.W.3d at 533. In Wright, the trial court excused a juror who called the court and informed it that her mother had died. Id. No hearing was conducted and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals held that excusing the juror was not an abuse of discretion. We hold that the trial court‘s action of excusing Roundtree was not an abuse of discretion.
Further, to show error, Wilder must show that the trial court‘s action not only was improper, but that the error caused harm that justifies a reversal. Bell v. State, 724 S.W.2d 780, 795 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). The erroneous excusing of a
Wilder has not demonstrated that venireman Roundtree caused him to have objectionable jurors or explained why the jury selected was not lawfully constituted. Tasby v. State, No. 11-02-00110-CR, 111 S.W.3d 178, 2003 WL 21106678, 2003 Tex. App. LEXIS 4246 (Eastland May 15, 2003, no pet. h.).
Wilder‘s second point of appeal is overruled.
Issue No. 3—Was it error to admit evidence of statements made by the child to the sexual assault nurse examiner and/or to the child‘s counselor?
Wilder complains that inadmissible testimony was received from Nurse Carolyn Ridling and licensed professional counselor, Debra Lynn Pruitt. Ridling is a registered nurse and the director of the sexual assault nurse examiner‘s program. She examined T.N.W. and took a history from her to determine trauma for diagnosis purposes. She was allowed to testify to the jury that the child told her in graphic terms how her father sexually assaulted her.
The question is whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting this testimony. As long as the trial court‘s ruling is within the zone of reasonable disagreement, the appellate court will not reverse the ruling. Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391-92 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990) (op. on reh‘g).
Wilder challenges the evidence on the basis that it violates his right of confrontation under the
“[T]here is good reason to conclude that the Confrontation Clause is not violated by admitting a declarant‘s out-of-court statements, as long as the declarant is testifying as a witness and subject to full and effective cross-examination.” California v. Green, 399 U.S. 149, 158, 90 S.Ct. 1930, 26 L.Ed.2d 489 (1970). In this case, the child testified in open court under oath and subject to cross-examination. As the Green case explains, testifying at trial ensures that the witness will be tested under oath, guarantees submission to cross-examination, and permits the jury to observe the demeanor of the witness.
It is also clear that all out-of-court statements are not prohibited by the Confrontation Clause. Idaho v. Wright, 497 U.S. 805, 813-14, 110 S.Ct. 3139, 111 L.Ed.2d 638 (1990). If the statement falls within a firmly-rooted hearsay exception,
Debra Pruitt is a licensed professional counselor with a master‘s degree. She was requested to see the child for counseling once a week for about eight months. The child was referred to Pruitt for behavioral problems observed by the foster mother. Pruitt diagnosed the child with anxiety, adjustment disorder, and depression with anxiety. The bases of the child‘s anxiety was what she had been through, the potential sexual abuse, removal from her home, and the trauma received in her home environment. The child was evaluated by Dr. Denowski, a psychologist, and Pruitt received that report. The child has a knowledge of sexual activity beyond what a nine-year-old should know.
On cross-examination, Pruitt was further questioned about what the child said to her, and she repeated that the child said she did “it” with her daddy and “it” meant sex. The child told her about four times during their sessions that her father had sex with her.
Wilder argues that Pruitt‘s testimony relating statements made by T.N.W. are inadmissible hearsay and violate his Sixth Amendment right of confrontation. As has been discussed,
Issue No. 4—Did the court err in refusing to instruct the jury that witness Dowdy had committed perjury?
Wilder further urges that the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury that witness Dowdy lied in his testimony before the jury.
Dowdy testified as to conversations he heard and actions he undertook while he and Wilder were confined in the Fannin County jail. During a recess, the trial court apparently advised Dowdy that he should attempt to get a letter from the district attorney or the sheriff that might ultimately benefit him for parole purposes. After counsel for Wilder overheard such comments, he asked Dowdy in the presence of the jury if anyone told him anything about writing a letter to the parole board on his behalf, to which Dowdy answered, “No.” Thereafter, counsel for Wilder moved the trial court to instruct the jury that Dowdy‘s answer to such question was untruthful and could possibly constitute aggravated perjury under
Wilder cites Harrison v. State, 686 S.W.2d 220 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1984, pet. ref‘d), for the proposition that the need to expose perjury or erroneous testimony for impeachment purposes is recognized as a right of constitutional dimension.
In Harrison, the defense attempted to impeach the complainant‘s testimony concerning the complainant‘s asking a bartender for a controlled substance. The trial court sustained the State‘s objection to that cross-examination. The court held that such impeachment testimony should have been admitted in order to expose before the jury alleged perjured or erroneous testimony. Id. at 226.
Wilder also cites Walder v. United States, 347 U.S. 62, 74 S.Ct. 354, 98 L.Ed. 503 (1954). In Walder, a defendant who had a previous charge of drug possession that had been dismissed, was later tried for additional drug charges. On cross-examination, he denied that he had ever purchased, sold, or possessed any narcotics. The State then presented evidence from officers who participated in the previous search and the chemists who analyzed the heroin. The United States Supreme Court held such evidence was proper impeachment.
Harris v. New York, 401 U.S. 222, 91 S.Ct. 643, 28 L.Ed.2d 1 (1971), also involves a case in which a defendant testified and was impeached by the State with evi-
Each of the cases cited by Wilder involve possible impeachment by questioning the defendant or a complainant. However, in this case, Wilder did not attempt to impeach Dowdy through the use of the testimony or further cross-examination of Dowdy. Wilder instead requested that the trial court instruct the jury that Dowdy had committed perjury or had lied to the jury.
It is improper for the judge to comment on the weight of the evidence.
In this case, Wilder had the right to impeach Dowdy‘s testimony by further cross-examination, or by evidence from the witnesses who overheard such comments. However, the trial court is prohibited from expressing any opinion as to the weight of the evidence or discussing the facts.
We hold that the trial court did not err in refusing to instruct the jury that witness Dowdy committed perjury or lied in their presence.
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Concurring Opinion by Justice ROSS.
Concurring Opinion by Justice ROSS.
I agree that the trial court did not err in overruling Wilder‘s objection to the prosecutor‘s comments during voir dire concerning the State‘s burden of proof. As pointed out by the majority, it is proper in a criminal case for the attorneys to question members of the jury panel concerning their understanding of the term “reasonable doubt.” The rules governing what attorneys may say during voir dire, however, are different from those governing what the trial court may say in its charge to the jury. The majority reasoned that the prosecutor‘s statements were proper because the court‘s charge to the jury stated, “[I]t is not required that the prosecution prove guilt beyond all possible doubt. It is required that the prosecution‘s proof excludes all reasonable doubt concerning the defendant‘s guilt.” I disagree with this part of the majority‘s analysis for the reasons stated in my concurring opinion in Fluellen. Fluellen v. State, 104 S.W.3d 152 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, no pet.). The majority in the instant case cautions the prosecutor against quantifying the concept of beyond a reasonable doubt during voir dire, but apparently feels it is permissible for the trial court to do so in its charge to the jury. I respectfully disagree.