Opinion
No. 13-07-00633-CR
Memorandum Opinion delivered and filed November 12, 2009. DO NOT PUBLISH. TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b)
On appeal from the 331st District Court of Travis County, Texas.
Before Chief Justice VALDEZ and Justices RODRIGUEZ and VELA.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
A jury found appellant, Eric Deshon Sorrells, guilty of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and assessed punishment at twenty years' imprisonment. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 29.03 (Vernon 2003). In four points of error, Sorrells contends that: (1) the trial court erred in refusing to charge the jury on the lesser-included offense of assault; (2) the evidence supporting his conviction is legally insufficient; (3) the evidence supporting his conviction is factually insufficient; and (4) the trial court erred in refusing to sever Sorrells's case from his co-defendant. Because we hold that the evidence is legally insufficient to prove aggravated robbery, we reform the judgment to reflect conviction of the lesser-included offense of assault by threat and affirm the judgment as reformed. We reverse the judgment as to punishment and remand the case for a new hearing on punishment.
I. BACKGROUND
In the early morning hours of January 30, 2005, after spending a Saturday night on Austin's Sixth Street, Frances Reynolds waited with a friend on a curb outside of the Spill club ("Spill") for her boyfriend, Nathaniel Rice, who was retrieving her car from a nearby parking lot. Reynolds had consumed a few cherry vodka sours, felt "a little bit" tipsy, and the heels that she wore caused her feet to hurt; she therefore leaned against a silver Mercedes SUV parked on the street. A white male approached Reynolds and told her to "get off the car" because "he knew whose car it was." Reynolds stood up for a moment, then leaned back onto the vehicle. The man walked away and into Spill. Moments later, a black male wearing a "block style" black and gray sweater and a black leather jacket, later identified as Sorrells, emerged from Spill. He approached Reynolds, and told her to "get the f*** off the car" because she was damaging it. Reynolds turned to see if there were any scratches on the hood; when she turned back around, she saw that Sorrells had a gun. With gun in hand, Sorrells hit Reynolds across the side of the head. Reynolds swung back in "self-defense." Sorrells pushed her, and she pushed back. The events that ensued are best described from the vantage point of each witness.1. The Altercation
Reynolds testified that shortly after the scuffle between she and Sorrells ensued, her boyfriend, Rice, arrived on the scene. As Rice approached, Sorrells turned, pulled back the slide of the gun, and said, "[D]o you have a problem with me, too?" Rice swung and punched Sorrells, and the two started fighting. A man wearing a blue, "flannel-type" jacket ran up to Rice and punched him. Rice fell to the ground. Reynolds then saw the man in the flannel jacket hold a gun to the back of Rice's head. Reynolds ran to Spill's entrance and asked for someone to call 911, but no one complied. When she turned back to check on Rice, the altercation had ended. Rice had a bloody mouth, a black eye, and a ripped shirt. He told Reynolds that his jewelry had been stolen. Rice testified that after retrieving Reynolds's car, he drove to the front of Spill and saw three black males standing at arms length from Reynolds. As Rice stepped out of the car, he noticed Reynolds "scuffling, fighting, and arguing" with Sorrells. Rice approached, asking, "[W]hat the h***?" At that moment, Sorrells "pulled out a gun and cocked it at [Rice]"; this was the first time that Rice saw the gun. Sorrells pointed the gun at Rice's torso, and Rice "pushed the gun out of the way and swung at Sorrells." Sorrells struck back, hitting Rice with the gun. At that moment, a man wearing a flannel jacket punched Rice on the right side of the head, Rice was knocked to the ground, and "jumped by multiple people." At some point, the beating ceased, and the people hitting him dispersed. Rice became aware that he was no longer wearing his Figaro necklace with a Versace lion medallion, valued at approximately $1,000, or his three to four inch Versace cross embellished with several diamonds, worth approximately $2,200. When police arrived moments later, Rice told them that his jewelry had been stolen. As a result of the altercation, Rice sustained scrapes, bruises, and a busted lip. Reynolds and Rice's friend, Kevin Fritz, also testified. Fritz had accompanied Rice to the parking lot to retrieve Reynolds's car. As the men drove to the front of Spill, Fritz saw Reynolds arguing with Sorrells. Sorrells hit Reynolds, pulled out a gun, pulled the slide back, and hit Reynolds again. Fritz followed as Rice got out of the car and approached Sorrells. Upon noticing Rice, Sorrells turned and pointed the gun at Rice. Rice took a swing at Sorrells, and then another man came up behind Rice and hit him in the head. A third man joined the fight, and the two men "jumped" Rice. Fritz saw Sorrells point a gun at Rice. Fritz ran up and pushed Sorrells out of the way. The men turned their attention from Rice and began fighting with Fritz. Someone hit Fritz with a gun; after being "dazed" and stumbling for a few seconds, Fritz looked up and saw the three men running into Spill. At some point during the altercation, Fritz noticed Rice's lion medallion necklace on the ground. Rice's friend, Omar Ponce, testified that he was outside Spill on the night in question and saw Rice arguing with a black male that he later identified as Andre Oliver, the co-defendant in this case. Ponce testified that as he moved towards Rice in an attempt to intervene, Oliver pointed a gun at him. However, on cross-examination, Ponce testified that a man wearing a black leather jacket pointed a gun at him, and that the man in the black leather jacket was the only person that Ponce saw in possession of a gun.2. The Apprehension
Officer Charles Riley testified that in the early morning hours of January 30, 2005, he was dispatched to an incident outside of Spill. Officer Riley arrived on the scene within twenty or thirty seconds and saw several people in front of Spill; everyone was loud and yelling that "someone had taken something" and "someone had a gun." Officer Riley learned that the gunman, a black male wearing a black leather jacket, had gone inside Spill. Concerned he would have trouble entering Spill, Officer Riley ran down the block, turned the corner and ran into the alley behind Spill. Officer Riley saw three individuals in the otherwise desolate alley. The individuals were about three-quarters of the way down the alley and were walking in the direction opposite Officer Riley. Officer Riley shouted, "Austin police, show me your hands." The individuals continued walking, with their hands in their pockets. Officer Riley quickly walked towards the individuals, continued to identify himself, and asked to see their hands. He also radioed to other officers that three potential suspects were in the alley. One individual, later identified as Rachel Hardeman, turned and looked at Officer Riley, then, while still walking, removed her hand from her jacket pocket and deposited an object into the side of a cardboard recycling receptacle. She then placed her hand back inside her pocket. When additional officers arrived, Officer Riley directed one to secure the receptacle, and the others assisted Officer Riley in detaining the individuals. After the individuals were secured, Officer Riley searched the receptacle. Inside, he found "a bunch of boxes" and "a pistol." Officer Riley began his investigation by focusing on Hardeman because she had thrown the gun into the receptacle. Officer Riley noticed that the black leather jacket Hardeman was wearing was too big for her. Inside a pocket of the jacket, Officer Riley located a lion medallion necklace, which was later identified as the one Rice reported stolen. The other individuals detained were both black males. One, later identified as Oliver, wore a blue denim jacket. An empty, collapsible shoulder holster was found in an interior pocket of his jacket. The other man, later identified as Sorrells, wore a black and tan sweater, but was not wearing a jacket. Rice's $2,200 Versace cross was never found. The officers placed each suspect in a separate patrol car and drove them to the front of Spill. The officers separately asked Reyonlds, Rice, and Fritz if they could identify any of the individuals in the patrol cars. No one identified Hardeman. Officer Brian Green testified that he separately took Reynolds, Rice, and Fritz to the car where Sorrells was seated. Each identified Sorrells as the man who had been wearing a black leather jacket. On June 14, 2006, Sorrells was indicted by a grand jury for aggravated robbery. Sorrells pleaded not guilty and, on August 14, 2007, was tried with Oliver by jury. After the State's case in chief, Oliver called one witness, and Sorrells called none. The State tendered the charge that was ultimately submitted to the jury. The tendered charge abandoned the first paragraph of the indictment. Sorrells requested the lesser-included offense of assault, but his request was denied. The jury found Sorrells guilty of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, the only offense the jury was instructed on, and assessed punishment at twenty years' imprisonment. This appeal ensued.II. LEGAL SUFFICIENCY
In his second point of error, Sorrells challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction.A. Standard of Review and Applicable Law
In conducting a legal sufficiency review, the reviewing court must ask whether "` any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt' — not whether ` it believes that the evidence at the trial established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.'" Laster v. State, 275 S.W.3d 512, 518 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009) (quoting Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 318-19 (1979) (emphasis in original)). We do not reevaluate the weight and credibility of the evidence, and we do not substitute our own judgment for the trier of fact. King v. State, 29 S.W.3d 556, 562 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) (en banc); Beckham v. State, 29 S.W.3d 148, 151 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, pet. ref'd). Instead, we consider whether the jury reached a rational decision. Beckham, 29 S.W.3d at 151. We must resolve any inconsistencies in the evidence in favor of the judgment. Curry v. State, 30 S.W.3d 394, 406 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Legal sufficiency is measured by the elements of the offense as defined by a hypothetically correct jury charge. Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); Adi v. State, 94 S.W.3d 124, 131 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2002, pet. ref'd). Under a hypothetically correct jury charge, a person commits aggravated robbery "if he commits robbery . . . and he . . . uses or exhibits a deadly weapon. . . ." TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 29.03. A firearm is a deadly weapon. Id. § 1.07(a)(17) (Vernon Supp. 2009). Robbery requires a nexus between the assault and the theft. See Cooper v. State, 67 S.W.3d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). A person commits robbery "if, in the course of committing theft . . . and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, he . . . intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death." TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 29.02 (Vernon 2003). "In the course of committing theft" is defined as "conduct that occurs in an attempt to commit, during the commission, or in immediate flight after the attempt or commission of theft." Id. § 29.01(1) (Vernon 2003). A person commits theft if he unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of property; appropriation of property is unlawful if it is without the owner's effective consent. Id. § 31.03(a), (b)(1) (Vernon Supp. 2009). The penal code defines "[a]ppropriate" as "bring[ing] about a transfer or purported transfer or title to or other nonpossessory interest in property, whether to the actor or another" or "acquir[ing] or otherwise exercis[ing] control over property other than real property." Id. § 31.01(4) (Vernon Supp. 2009). A person acts intentionally with respect to a result of his conduct when it is his conscious objective or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result. Id. § 6.03(a) (Vernon 2003).B. Legally Insufficient Evidence of Theft
Although juries are permitted "to draw multiple reasonable inferences as long as each inference is supported by the evidence presented at trial," a jury is "not permitted to draw conclusions based on speculation." Hooper v. State, 214 S.W.3d 9, 15-16 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). In order to reach the conclusion that Sorrells committed aggravated robbery, the jury was first required to find that he committed theft. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 29.02. The jury heard testimony that Rice's necklace was found in the pocket of the jacket worn by Hardeman. To support a finding of theft, the jury had to draw multiple inferences; the jury had to infer that Sorrells gave his jacket to Hardeman after inferring that Sorrells appropriated Rice's necklace and placed it in the pocket of the black leather jacket. The first inference the jury had to make was that the black leather jacket worn by Hardeman at the time of her apprehension belonged to Sorrells. The jury heard testimony that Sorrells was wearing a black leather jacket at the time of the altercation and that after the altercation he ran inside Spill. Shortly after the altercation, Sorrells, no longer wearing a jacket, was found walking with Hardeman and Oliver in the alley behind Spill. When police spotted the trio in the alley, officers testified that Sorrells was no longer wearing a black leather jacket, and Hardeman was wearing a black leather jacket that appeared to be too big for her. Based on this circumstantial evidence, the jury could have reasonably inferred that the jacket worn by Hardeman belonged to Sorrells. See Hooper, 214 S.W.3d at 16. The next inference the jury had to make was that Sorrells committed theft. There is no direct evidence that theft occurred at the time of the assault. Similarly, there is scant circumstantial evidence that Sorrells committed assault "in the course of committing theft." The only evidence regarding the necklace that was presented to the jury was that: (1) Rice was wearing his necklace when he confronted Sorrells; (2) after Oliver and another man joined the altercation against Rice, Fritz saw Rice's necklace on the ground; (3) none of the witnesses to the altercation identified Hardeman as being present at the time of the altercation; (4) Sorrells, Oliver, and Hardeman were arrested behind Spill; and (5) Hardeman was wearing a black leather jacket that contained Rice's necklace. 1. Aggravated Robbery as a Party Texas law provides that a person is criminally responsible as a party to an offense if the offense is committed by his own conduct, by the conduct of another for which he is criminally responsible, or both. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 7.01(a) (Vernon 2003). For a defendant to be guilty under the law of parties, the State must prove the guilt of another as the primary actor. Richardson v. State, 879 S.W.2d 874, 882 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993); Barnes v. State, 62 S.W.3d 288, 296 (Tex. App.-Austin 2001, pet. ref'd). Because the trial court provided a parties charge to the jury, the State could establish the offense of theft by showing that: (1) Sorrells himself unlawfully appropriated the lion medallion necklace; or (2) Sorrells solicited, encouraged, directed, aided, or attempted to aid the primary actor with the intention of promoting or assisting the primary actor with the theft. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. §§ 7.01, 7.02 (Vernon 2003). The only evidence the State presented that Oliver or the other unidentified man involved in the assault committed theft was their participation in the assault. The State's evidence does not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that either Oliver or the unidentified man was the primary actor. Additionally, the only evidence the State presented to prove that Hardeman was the primary actor was that Rice's necklace was found in the pocket of the jacket that she was wearing. The possession of stolen property may justify an inference of guilt if that possession is personal, recent, and unexplained and involves a conscious assertion of control over the property. Grant v. State, 566 S.W.2d 954, 956 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978). Assuming, without deciding, that the State met its burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Hardeman was the primary actor, there is no evidence that Sorrells solicited, encouraged, directed, aided, or attempted to aid Hardeman in committing the theft. Therefore, the law of parties provides no support for the State's argument that the evidence was legally sufficient. 2. Aggravated Robbery as a Principal Mere presence of an accused at the scene of an offense is not alone sufficient to support a conviction; however, it is a circumstance tending to prove guilt which, combined with other facts, may suffice to show that the accused was a participant. Valdez v. State, 623 S.W.2d 317, 321 (Tex. Crim. App. 1979). We, therefore, must determine whether Hardeman's possession of the necklace, coupled with Sorrells's presence at the scene of the assault, provided the jury with sufficient evidence to infer that Sorrells, acting as the principal, acquired Rice's necklace. Where a defendant is found in unexplained possession of recently stolen property, the fact finder is permitted to draw an inference of guilt. Hardesty v. State, 656 S.W.2d 73, 76 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983). "To warrant such a presumption the possession must be personal, recent, and unexplained, and must involve a distinct and conscious assertion of right to the property." Todd v. State, 601 S.W.2d 718, 720 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980). At the time of Sorrells's arrest, although the necklace was found in a jacket that the jury could have inferred belonged to Sorrells, neither the jacket, nor the necklace were found on his person; instead, Hardeman was wearing the jacket. This evidence is insufficient to show that Sorrells had personal possession of the necklace at any point in time or that he asserted a distinct and personal right to it. Cf. Rodriguez v. State, 549 S.W.2d 747, 749 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977) (finding evidence insufficient to support a theft conviction where a stolen file box was found in a closet of a bedroom which the defendant shared with another). Therefore, evidence that the necklace was found in the pocket of Sorrells's jacket does not create the permissible inference that he committed theft. Based on the foregoing, there were no facts in evidence from which a rational jury could infer that Sorrells committed theft. See Laster, 275 S.W.3d at 518. Accordingly, the evidence is legally insufficient to support a conviction of aggravated robbery.C. Evidence is Insufficient to Prove a Nexus Between the Assault and the Theft
Even assuming that the evidence is sufficient to prove that Sorrells committed theft, as previously noted, robbery requires a nexus between the assault and the theft. See Cooper, 67 S.W.3d at 223 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002) ("the nexus requirement for capital murder involving murder in the course of a robbery is the same as the nexus requirement in a robbery between the assault and the theft"). Proof that theft was committed as an afterthought, and unrelated to the assault, does not support a conviction for robbery. See e.g., Moody v. State, 827 S.W.2d 875, 892 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992) ("proof of a robbery committed as an afterthought and unrelated to a murder would not provide sufficient evidence of capital murder"). In the present case, no evidence was presented that an intent to commit theft arose before the assault. However, Hardeman's possession of the necklace provides some evidence that the intent to commit theft could have arisen during or immediately after the assault. The general rule is that "a theft occurring immediately after an assault will support an inference that the assault was intended to facilitate the theft." Cooper, 67 S.W.3d at 224. Although the court of criminal appeals has recognized that there may be circumstances where "evidence of a motive other than theft can negate the natural inference that arises when a theft immediately follows an assault," the court has held that "the inference will not be negated by evidence of an alternative motive that the jury could rationally disregard." Id. In the present case, the evidence revealed that Sorrells's motive for the assault was to get Reynolds away from the silver Mercedes SUV and to keep Rice from interfering. In light of the fact that (1) there is no evidence that Sorrells approached Reynolds in an attempt to appropriate her property; (2) Sorrells did not approach Rice in an attempt to appropriate his necklace; (3) there is no evidence that Sorrells was a party to theft; and (4) no words, actions, or conduct during the commission of the assault indicate that Rice's assault was committed to facilitate the appropriation of his necklace, a juror could not rationally disregard that Sorrells's only motive was to move Reynolds from the vehicle and keep Rice from interfering. While we do not condone Sorrells's heinous actions, based on the evidence, we cannot conclude that Sorrells's assault of Rice was intended to facilitate the theft of Rice's necklace. Therefore, the evidence is legally insufficient to support Sorrells's conviction of aggravated robbery because no rational juror could have found a nexus between Rice's assault and the appropriation of his necklace. Sorrells's second issue is sustained.III. REFORMATION OF JUDGMENT
A court of appeals may modify the trial court's judgment to reflect guilt of a lesser-included offense and affirm it as modified. TEX. R. APP. P. 43.2(b); Bigley v. State, 865 S.W.2d 26, 27-28 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). However, the court may do this only if (1) the court finds that the evidence is insufficient to support conviction of the charged offense but sufficient to support conviction of the lesser-included offense and (2) either the jury was instructed on the lesser-included offense or one of the parties asked for but was denied such an instruction. Collier v. State, 999 S.W.2d 779, 782 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (plurality opinion); Ross v. State, 9 S.W.3d 878, 882 (Tex. App.-Austin 2000, pet. ref'd). In the present case, Sorrells requested an instruction on the lesser-included offense of assault. The statutory definition of simple assault sets out three distinct criminal offenses under section 22.01(a)(1)-(3). TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 22.01(a) (Vernon Supp. 2009). The penal code provides:(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another, including the person's spouse;
(2) intentionally or knowingly threatens another with imminent bodily injury, including the person's spouse; or
(3) intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with another person when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative.Id. These offenses are often referred to as: "bodily injury" assault, assault by threat, and "offensive contact" assault. Landrian v. State, 268 S.W.3d 532, 540 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). Because neither bodily injury nor offensive contact are required to prove aggravated robbery as charged, neither section 22.01(a)(1) or (a)(3) are lesser-included offenses. See Hall v. State, 225 S.W.3d 524, 535-36 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); see also TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 22.01(a). However, because the elements required to prove assault by threat are "established by proof of the same or less than all the facts required to establish the commission of the offense charged," assault by threat, a Class C misdemeanor, is a lesser-included offense. TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 37.09 (Vernon 2006); see TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 22.01(a)(2); (c). The State offered ample evidence that Sorrells intentionally or knowingly threatened Rice with imminent bodily injury. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 22.01(a)(2). "The gist of the offense of assault, as set out in [s]ection 22.01(a)(2), is that one acts with intent to cause a reasonable apprehension of imminent bodily injury (though not necessarily with intent to inflict such harm)." Garrett v. State, 619 S.W.2d 172, 174 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981). Rice testified that Sorrells pointed a gun at him and hit him several times. The jury heard similar testimony from Fritz and Reynolds. Additionally, Rice testified that he was "afraid" when he saw Sorrells point the gun at him. Viewing this evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude that a rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Sorrells intentionally or knowingly threatened Rice with imminent bodily injury. See McGowan v. State, 664 S.W.2d 355, 357-58 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984). We therefore hold that the evidence is legally sufficient to support a conviction of assault by threat. The evidence is also factually sufficient to support a conviction of assault by threat. Reynolds testified that Sorrells pointed a gun at Rice. She testified that during the encounter, Sorrells was wearing a "block-style" black and gray sweater with a leather jacket. Additionally, Rice and Fritz also testified that a black male wearing a black leather jacket pointed a gun at Rice. There were some inconsistencies in the manner and at which point of the altercation Sorrells pointed a gun at Rice; however, Reynolds, Rice, and Fritz each identified Sorrells as the man who pointed a gun at Rice. The jury heard conflicting testimony from Ponce, who testified on direct examination that, Oliver, Sorrells's co-defendant, was the only man who had a gun. However, on cross-examination, Ponce testified that a man wearing a black leather jacket was the only man who had a gun. Reviewing the evidence in a neutral light, we cannot conclude that the evidence is so weak that a conviction would be clearly wrong and manifestly unjust or that it would be against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence. See e.g., Watson, 204 S.W.3d at 414-15. We conclude that the evidence is factually sufficient to support a conviction of assault by threat. Accordingly, we will reform the judgment to reflect a conviction of the lesser-included offense of assault by threat. See English v. State, 171 S.W.3d 625, 629-30 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist] 2005, no pet.). Because the punishment for Sorrells's original conviction differs from the conviction as reformed, we reverse that part of the judgment assessing punishment. See id. at 631; see also Garrett v. State, 161 S.W.3d 664, 672 (Tex. App.-Fort Worth 2005, pet. ref'd).
IV. CONCLUSION
We reform the judgment of guilt to reflect conviction of the lesser-included offense of assault by threat and affirm the judgment as reformed. We reverse the judgment as to punishment and remand the case to the trial court for a new hearing on punishment. Dissenting Memorandum Opinion by Justice Vela.DISSENTING MEMORANDUM OPINION
I respectfully dissent. Texas law no longer requires the State to prove that a completed theft occurred in order for a jury to convict a defendant of aggravated robbery. I believe the State proved that Sorrells committed the offense of attempted theft, which is required by Texas law for a jury to convict a defendant of aggravated robbery. After viewing all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, I conclude that the evidence is legally sufficient to support the conviction for aggravated robbery beyond a reasonable doubt. The majority states "[i]n order to reach the conclusion that Sorrells committed aggravated robbery, the jury was first required to find that he committed theft. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 29.02." Slip op. at 9. Because this is an incorrect statement of the law, the majority cannot hold that the evidence was legally insufficient to support the verdict on the basis that Sorrells did not commit theft. Section 29.03 defines aggravated robbery as follows:(a) A person commits an offense if he commits robbery as defined in Section 29.02, and he:
(1) causes serious bodily injury to another;
(2) uses or exhibits a deadly weapon; or
(3) causes bodily injury to another person or threatens or places another person in fear of imminent bodily injury or death, if the other person is:
(A) 65 years of age or older; or
(B) a disabled person.TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 29.03(a) (Vernon 2003). Section 29.02 defines robbery in the following language:
(a) A person commits an offense if, in the course of committing theft as defined in Chapter 31 and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, he:
(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; or
(2) intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death.Id. § 29.02(a). Section 29.01 defines "in the course of committing theft" as "conduct that occurs in an attempt to commit, during the commission, or in immediate flight after the attempt or commission of theft." Id. § 29.01(1) (emphasis added).Thirty-five years ago, our court of criminal appeals held that the offenses of robbery and aggravated robbery
do not require as an element thereof that the property sought actually be obtained. It is sufficient to show an intent to obtain (or maintain) control of the property, an accompanying theft or attempted theft, and the additional acts with requisite intent set forth in Sections 29.02(a)(1) or (2), 29.03(a)(1) or (2), [or (3)]. . . .
Since the actual success of obtaining the property sought is not an element of the offense of aggravated robbery, the fact that the acts tend but fail to obtain the property does not render them insufficient to effect the commission of the offense of aggravated robbery.Watts v. State, 516 S.W.2d 414, 415 (Tex. Crim. App. 1974). Texas courts have continued to follow this holding. See Bustamante v. State, 106 S.W.3d 738, 740 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003) (stating that "proof of a completed theft is not required to establish the underlying offense of robbery or attempted robbery."); Maldonado v. State, 998 S.W.2d 239, 243 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (stating that "[p]roof of a completed theft is not required to establish the underlying offense of robbery."); Wolfe v. State, 917 S.W.2d 270, 275 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996) (stating that "[p]roof of a completed theft is not required to establish a robbery."); Autry v. State, 626 S.W.2d 758, 762 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982) (stating that "[t]he actual commission of the offense of theft is not a prerequisite to the commission of the offense of robbery."); King v. State, 157 S.W.3d 873, 874 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, pet. ref'd) (stating that "[u]nder Texas law, actual commission of theft is not a prerequisite to the commission of robbery."); Garza v. State, 937 S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 1996, pet. ref'd) (stating that in aggravated-robbery case, "the actual commission of theft is not a prerequisite of the offense of robbery); Fortenberry v. State, 889 S.W.2d 634, 636 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1995, pet. ref'd) (stating that the fact that defendant unable to complete theft insufficient to negate criminal intent to commit aggravated robbery); Yarbrough v. State, 656 S.W.2d 200, 201 (Tex. App.-Austin 1983, no pet.) (stating that "[t]he actual commission of theft is not essential for an accused to be guilty of robbery."). Therefore, I conclude that the State did not have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Sorrells committed theft for the jury to convict him of aggravated robbery. See id. Texas law only requires that the State prove an attempted theft in order for a jury to convict a defendant of aggravated robbery. See Watts, 516 S.W.2d at 415.
A. Standard of Review
In reviewing a claim that the evidence is legally insufficient to support a judgment, the relevant question on appeal is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Young v. State, 283 S.W.3d 854, 861 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). This standard accounts for the factfinder's duty to resolve conflicts in the testimony, to weigh the evidence, and to draw reasonable inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts. Id. Therefore, an appellate court will determine whether the necessary inferences are reasonable based upon the combined and cumulative force of all the evidence, both direct and circumstantial, when viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict. Id. at 861-62. Although an appellate court considers all evidence presented at trial, we may not substitute our judgment for that of the jury. King v. State, 29 S.W.3d 556, 562 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Any inconsistencies in the evidence are resolved in favor of the verdict. Curry v. State, 30 S.W.3d 394, 406 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).B. Whether The Evidence Showed That Sorrells Committed Attempted Theft
A person commits theft if he or she "unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of property." TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 31.03(a) (Vernon Supp. 2009). "`Appropriate' means: (A) to bring about a transfer or purported transfer of title to or other nonpossessary interest in property, whether to the actor or another, or (B) to acquire or otherwise exercise control over property other than real property." Id. § 31.01(4). "`Deprive' means: (A) to withhold property from the owner permanently . . . or (C) to dispose of property in a manner that makes recovery of the property by the owner unlikely." Id. § 31.01(2)(A), (C). Thus, theft has three elements: (1) an appropriation of property; (2) that is unlawful; and (3) is committed with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. Hawkins v. State, 214 S.W.3d 668, 670 (Tex. App.-Waco 2007, no pet.). Asportation — the act of carrying away or removing property-is not an element of statutory theft. Id. Under the law of criminal attempt, "[a] person commits an offense if, with specific intent to commit an offense, he does an act amounting to more than mere preparation that tends but fails to effect the commission of the offense intended." TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 15.01(a) (Vernon 2003). "[T]he law of criminal attempt does not require that every act short of actual commission of the offense be accomplished." Santellan v. State, 939 S.W.2d 155, 163 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). "While an intent to steal must be shown in order to prove an attempted theft, this intent may be inferred from circumstantial evidence." Wolfe, 917 S.W.2d at 275. "Intent may . . . be inferred from circumstantial evidence such as acts, words, and the conduct of the appellant." Guevara v. State, 152 S.W.3d 45, 50 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). "Intent is a fact issue for the jury." Rodriguez v. State, 793 S.W.2d 744, 748 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 1996, no pet.). "In a sufficiency review, the jury's inference of intent is afforded more deference than the evidence supporting proof of conduct." Margraves v. State, 34 S.W.3d 912, 919 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). Circumstantial evidence of an accused's intent is not "`required to meet the same vigorous criteria for sufficiency as circumstantial proof of other offensive elements.'" Id. (quoting Brown v. State, 911 S.W.2d 744, 747 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995)). "`It is not necessary that this Court find to its own satisfaction that such was the defendant's intent. It is enough for us to find that `any' rational jury could have so found beyond a reasonable doubt.'" Id. (quoting Brimage v. State, 918 S.W.2d 466, 476 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994)). Mere presence at the crime scene or flight therefrom, either standing alone or combined, is insufficient to sustain a conviction. King v. State, 638 S.W.2d 903, 904 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982). These are, however, circumstances from which the jury may draw an inference of guilt. See Thompson v. State, 697 S.W.2d 413, 417 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989); Scott v. State, 946 S.W.2d 166, 168 (Tex. App.-Austin 1997, pet. ref'd). The evidence showed that Sorrells's conduct at the crime scene constituted far more than just mere presence and flight. Shortly before his arrest for the aggravated robbery, Sorrells, while wearing his jacket, pointed a gun at Rice, who was wearing a necklace. The two fought each other, and another man punched Rice and held a gun to Rice's head. During the altercation, Kevin Fritz saw Rice's necklace on the ground. After the altercation, Fritz saw Sorrells, Andre Oliver, and the other man run inside of Spill. After the trio ran inside of Spill, Rice could not find his necklace and told Frances Reynolds that it had been stolen. When Sorrells and Hardeman were arrested in the alley behind Spill, Rice's necklace was found in the jacket worn by Hardeman. I agree with the majority's statement that "[b]ased on th[e] circumstantial evidence, the jury could have reasonably inferred that the jacket worn by Hardeman belonged to Sorrells." Slip op. at 10. The question remains: Who picked up Rice's necklace off the ground outside of Spill? There is no evidence to show that Hardeman was outside of Spill either before, during, or after the altercation. Thus, a rational jury could reasonably conclude that she did not pick up Rice's necklace. The evidence does show that Sorrells was outside of Spill before, during, and after the altercation and that Andre Oliver and the other man were with him. Even though Oliver and the other man were present during the assault, and thereafter, ran inside Spill, this does not mean that the jury had to conclude that either of them picked up the necklace. Sorrells was the first to point a gun at Rice and assault him. Thereafter, he ran inside of Spill. It is just as likely that Sorrells picked up the necklace. The court of criminal appeals has addressed the question of logical inferences in a legal-sufficiency review, stating that "`[w]here there are two permissible views of the evidence, the fact finder's choice between them cannot be clearly erroneous.'" Evans v. State, 202 S.W.3d 158, 163 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006) (quoting Anderson v. City of Bessemer, 470 U.S. 564, 574 (1985)). Thus, a rational jury could reasonably conclude that Sorrells attempted to appropriate Rice's necklace by picking it up and putting it in his jacket pocket. This evidence also showed Sorrells's intent to deprive Rice of the property. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 31.03(a). To prove the element of intent to deprive for theft, the State does not need to prove that an actual deprivation occurred. See Rowland v. State, 744 S.W.2d 610, 612 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988). What is relevant is the defendant's intent at the time of the taking, not the actual length of deprivation. See id.; see also Griffin v. State, 614 S.W.2d 155, 159 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981) (stating that the element which must be proved is not a deprivation, but the defendant's intent to deprive at the time of the taking). Sorrells's attempt to conceal the necklace in the pocket of his jacket is probative of wrongful conduct and is also a circumstance of guilt. See Guevara, 152 S.W.3d at 50 (stating that "[a]ttempts to conceal incriminating evidence, . . . are probative of wrongful conduct and are also circumstances of guilt."). Furthermore, Sorrells's acts of pointing a gun at Rice, assaulting him, and then hiding Rice's necklace in his jacket showed his intent to steal, i.e., an intent to obtain control of Rice's property. This amounted to more than mere preparation. Thus, viewing all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, there is legally sufficient evidence to support a reasonable conclusion by a rational jury that Sorrells committed the offense of attempted theft beyond a reasonable doubt.C. Whether The Evidence Showed A Nexus Between Sorrells's Assaultive Conduct And The Attempted Theft Of The Necklace
The majority states that "[t]here is no direct evidence that theft occurred at the time of the assault. Similarly, there is scant circumstantial evidence that Sorrells committed assault `in the course of committing theft.'" Slip op. at 10. Texas law only requires that the State prove an attempted theft in order for a jury to convict a defendant of aggravated robbery. See Watts, 516 S.W.2d at 415. Thus, whether the direct evidence failed to establish that theft occurred at the time of the assault is irrelevant. The robbery statute provides that in order for a person to commit robbery, there must be a nexus between the assaultive conduct and the taking or attempted taking of property. McGee v. State, 774 S.W.2d 229, 234 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989); Ibanez v. State, 749 S.W.2d 804, 807 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). If there is evidence showing the defendant formed the intent to obtain or maintain control of the victim's property either before or during the commission of the assault, then the State has proved the theft or attempted theft occurred in the course of the assault. See Conner v. State, 67 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). A jury can infer the intent to assault from circumstantial evidence, and an accused may form that intent at any time during the course of committing theft or attempted theft in the context of a robbery. See Matlock v. State, 20 S.W.3d 57, 63 (Tex. App.-Texarkana 2000, pet. ref'd). The evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, supported a reasonable conclusion by a rational jury that before Sorrells pointed his gun at Rice, Rice was wearing a necklace around his neck, that either before, during, or after the time Sorrells pointed his gun at Rice, he saw that Rice was wearing the necklace, and that when Sorrells saw the necklace, he formed the intent to rob Rice. See Bustamante, 106 S.W.3d at 741 (explaining that the fact that defendant saw the victim's gold watch indicates that robbery was "on his mind."). In addition to pointing the gun at him, Sorrells physically assaulted Rice and during this assault, the necklace came off of Rice's neck and fell to the ground. The court of criminal appeals has stated that the "requisite intent to rob may be inferred from circumstantial evidence, particularly the appellant's assaultive conduct." Young, 283 S.W.3d at 862. There is no direct evidence that the necklace just happened to come off of Rice's neck during the assault. Therefore, the jury did not have to conclude that the necklace just happened to come off of Rice's neck during the assault. "`Where there are two permissible views of the evidence, the fact finder's choice between them cannot be clearly erroneous.'" Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 163 (quoting Anderson, 470 U.S. at 574). Accordingly, a rational jury could reasonably conclude that the necklace came off Rice's neck because of Sorrells's attempt to steal it. Sorrells's attempt to conceal the necklace in the pocket of his jacket is probative of wrongful conduct and is also a circumstance of guilt. See Guevara, 152 S.W.3d at 50. Thus, the evidence viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, supported a conclusion by a rational jury that Sorrells assaulted Rice in the course of attempting to obtain control of the necklace. The majority states that "Hardeman's possession of the necklace provides some evidence that the intent to commit theft could have arisen during or immediately after the assault." Slip op. at 13. However, Texas law does not require a completed theft in order for a jury to convict a defendant of aggravated robbery; rather, the State only has to prove an attempted theft. See Watts, 516 S.W.2d at 415. Accordingly, Hardeman's possession of the necklace is irrelevant to this case, because the evidence supported a reasonable conclusion by a rational jury that Sorrells picked up the necklace and put it into his jacket pocket, fulfilling the offense of attempted theft. See Harris v. State, 29 Tex. App. 101, 14 S.W. 390, 391 (1890) (setting out that the momentary taking of money from drawer, though immediately returned to the owner when caught, was sufficient to constitute theft). A theft or attempted theft occurring immediately after an assault will support an inference that the assault was intended to facilitate the theft for the purposes of proving robbery. Russo v. State, 228 S.W.3d 779, 793 (Tex. App.-Austin 2007, pet. ref'd) (citing Cooper v. State, 67 S.W.3d 221, 224 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). "This inference is not negated by an alternative motive that a jury could rationally disregard." Id. The majority states that "a juror could not rationally disregard that Sorrells's only motive was to move Reynolds from the vehicle and keep Rice from interfering." Slip op. at 14. The majority supports this conclusion with the following arguments. First, the majority states that "there is no evidence that Sorrells approached Reynolds in an attempt to appropriate her property[.]" Id. There is no direct evidence, such as a statement by Sorrells, that he did not intend to rob Rice. The fact that Sorrells did not attempt to steal from or rob Reynolds does not mean that either before, during, or after the time Sorrells pointed his gun at Rice he did not form the intent to rob him. "Where there are two permissible views of the evidence, the fact finder's choice between them cannot be clearly erroneous." Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 163 (quoting Anderson, 470 U.S. at 574). Thus, a rational jury could reasonably conclude that even though Sorrells did not intend to rob Reynolds, his mind changed and that he formed the intent to rob Rice. Second, the majority states that "Sorrells did not approach Rice in an attempt to appropriate his necklace[.]" Slip op. at 14. However, the jury could reasonably conclude that when Sorrells saw the necklace around Rice's neck, he formed the intent to appropriate the necklace from Rice. The evidence showed that 1) Rice was wearing a necklace around his neck when Sorrells pointed the gun at him and physically assaulted him, 2) the necklace came off of Rice's neck during the assault, 3) Sorrells ran inside Spill after the assault, 4) Rice's necklace turned up in the jacket worn by Hardeman, and 5) "the jury could have reasonably inferred that the jacket worn by Hardeman belonged to Sorrells." Slip op. at 10. When Officer Riley commanded Sorrells to stop, he kept walking. Flight upon the approach of an officer "is evidence of guilt." Bouchillon v. State, 160 Tex.Crim.R. 79, 267 S.W.2d 554, 555 (Tex. Crim. App. 1954). Thus, a rational jury could reasonably conclude that Sorrells assaulted Rice in the course of attempting to obtain his necklace. Third, the majority states that "there is no evidence that Sorrells was a party to theft." Id. at 14. The charge did not require the State to prove that Sorrells acted under the law of parties in order for the jury to convict him of aggravated robbery. The evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, supported Sorrells's conviction for aggravated robbery as a principal. Fourth, the majority states that "no words, actions, or conduct during the commission of the assault indicate that Rice's assault was committed to facilitate the appropriation of his necklace,. . . ." Id. There is no direct evidence that Sorrells assaulted Rice for some reason unrelated to the attempted theft of the necklace. Even though Sorrells did not tell Rice of his intent to rob him, "[a] verbal demand is not the talisman of an intent to steal. Such intent may be inferred from actions or conduct." Butler v. State, 769 S.W.2d 234, 239 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989); Johnson v. State, 541 S.W.2d 185, 187 (Tex. Crim. App. 1976). Sorrells's acts of pointing the gun at Rice, physically assaulting him, hiding the necklace in his jacket, fleeing the crime scene, and failing to stop when commanded by police indicate that Rice's assault was committed to facilitate the appropriation of his necklace. Thus, the jury could have rationally refused to conclude that Sorrells intended only to assault Rice because of Reynolds's conduct outside of Spill.D. Aggravated Robbery As A Principal
The majority states that because mere presence at the crime scene is not alone sufficient to support a conviction, "[w]e, therefore, must determine whether Hardeman's possession of the necklace, coupled with Sorrells's presence at the scene of the assault, provided the jury with sufficient evidence to infer that Sorrells, acting as the principal, acquired Rice's necklace." Slip op. at 12. The majority further states that when Sorrells was arrested,although the necklace was found in a jacket that the jury could have inferred belonged to Sorrells, neither the jacket, nor the necklace were found on his person; instead, Hardeman was wearing the jacket. This evidence is insufficient to show that Sorrells had personal possession of the necklace at any point in time or that he asserted a distinct and personal right to it. Therefore, evidence that the necklace was found in the pocket of Sorrells's jacket does not create the permissible inference that he committed theft.Id. (citation omitted). Proof of a successfully completed theft was not required, however. See Watts, 516 S.W.2d at 415. The evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, supported a finding by a rational jury that Sorrells threatened or placed Rice in fear of imminent bodily injury or death by use of the handgun while he "was in the course of committing theft" and "with intent to obtain or maintain control" of the necklace. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. §§ 29.02(a)(2), 29.03(a)(2). I would hold that the evidence is legally sufficient to sustain a finding that Sorrells, personally committed an aggravated robbery against Rice. I would overrule the issue. The majority has stated that I have attempted "to lessen the amount of evidence required to support Sorrells's aggravated robbery conviction,. . . ." Slip op. at 9 n. 2. I have made no such attempt. Under the Penal Code of 1925, the offense of robbery required a completed theft as an element of the crime. Ex parte Hawkins, 6 S.W.3d 554, 559 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Under section 29.03 (aggravated robbery) of the new penal code, however, "no completed theft is required." Id. at 559-60. I took no part in drafting the new penal code, and I took no part in writing Ex parte Hawkins. I have stated the facts as they appear in the record, and I have stated the law as established by the Texas Legislature and interpreted by our court of criminal appeals. I have made no "attempt to lessen the amount of evidence required to support Sorrells's aggravated robbery conviction,. . . ." For these reasons, I respectfully dissent.