ODOM, Judge.
APPENDIX I
Q Now, a murder case becomes a capital murder case in one of five or six different ways and I would like to tell you how that happens. If the victim of the murder is a law enforcement officer or a fireman in pursuit of his job at that time. Then, the law classifies that, as a capital murder case for which those two punishments are the range and that's the full range, either life or death. The law also classifies murders for hire, such as if I hired someone for a certain amount of money, to kill someone else, then the law classifies that as capital murder. And, the law also classifies that if a person commits murder while he is committing or attempting to commit burglary, robbery, arson, kidnapping or rape, that this is also classified under our laws as capital murder. Now, do you understand the distinction between just plain murder and how it can become capital murder?
A Yes, sir.
Q All right. And the law also says, in a capital murder case, you must consider the full range of punishment before assessing punishment. You must consider both life imprisonment and death. Now, in a capital murder case, could you follow the law and consider both punishments before assessing what you thought was proper under the facts of the case?
A Yes, sir.
Q In other words, there are some people, I'm sure, that would just think that a capital murder case, well, I think that the death penalty is the only punishment, and that's all they could consider, but you could consider both punishments, before you actually assessed what you thought was proper. If you felt like imprisonment was proper under the facts, you could assess life imprisonment, if you thought the death penalty was proper after hearing the facts, you would assess the death penalty, do I understand you ?
A That's correct.
Q All right. Now, we I've explained murder to you for this reason. I'm sure that the court will instruct you, that in a capital murder case, that if you fail to find the defendant guilty of capital murder, that you must then consider whether he's guilty of some lesser included crime, such as murder. Now, murder being lesser included because it is a similar type crime, but it carries a lesser punishment range possibilities.
Q Have you ever talked to anyone of your family or someone at work or anyone really, about what should be done with a person who has committed a capital offense?
A Well, I made the statement to my wife, I feel very strongly if a person, after pushing to take somebody's life, he should give his life.
Q Well, do you have some pre-conceived notion as to that there ought to be only one punishment for murder?
A No, no, I'm talking about exactly knowing without a shadow of a doubt if he is guilty or not, a person actually took another persons life then he should the person should remember the fact that he should give his life for another person's life.
Q Well, if I can talk with you a minute on that. You understand as the district attorney explained to you, that there are two phases of trial, as what we refer to as the guilt and innocence stage where a defendant is proven innocent or guilty and at then at that point, if a criminal defendant in any trial, if the jury returns the verdict of guilty, they would be saying, by that verdict, that yes, they believed beyond any reasonable doubt, that beyond a reasonable doubt, that that person did commit murder or capital murder, and then, after that, there is what we refer to as the punishment stage of the trial, and what I'm saying is, do you feel like, that if you were selected as a juror, if the jury and you were participating as a member of the jury, find the defendant guilty of, say capital murder, and that wouldn't necessarily mean that in your mind as well in other people's minds, that you found beyond a reasonable doubt, that a defendant was guilty of capital murder. Do you feel like, at that point, that you have such an idea about a murder, and please understand me, no one would disagree with your opinion, no matter what it is, but at that point, there would only be, really one possible punishment, that being death that would be proper?
A It shouldn't be.
Q All right, sir. Is is this a firm conviction in your mind?
A Well, I ought to call it firm, yes, I've always felt that way about it, I feel that if somebody knowingly takes some else's life
Q Yes, sir.
A Then they should be willing to forfeit theirs.
Q All right, sir. Do you feel like it would be possible for you to consider a life sentence as a possible form of punishment in a capital murder case where ?
A I'd say, really as far as I'm concerned about a life sentence in a murder case is a capital murder
Q Yes.
A I don't I don't go with them too good because they turn them loose too quick.
Q All right, sir. Well, do you feel like you could really consider life as a proper form of punishment?
A Well, it would depend on the evidence of course.
Q Well,
A I would say this, if it was like I said earlier, if it was proved beyond a reasonable doubt
Q Yes, sir, well, may I stop you here at this point, where where we get to the point where we are talking about punishment
A Un uh.
Q At that point, it's been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, okay?
A Okay.
Q Now, assuming that, do you feel like that you could honestly and only you know what's in your heart, I don't or no one else does, and really, all we are interested in is finding out, what your ideas are so we can make intelligent selection of jurors.
A Yes.
Q Do you feel like that this has transpired and
A Yes.
Q Okay, now you are faced with the punishment phase of the trial. Do you feel like, honestly, you could could consider life imprisonment or a sentence of life, do you feel like that your mind your conviction is, that at that point, your mind is made up that death would probably be, at least in your mind, the only proper punishment for the defendant that you had found guilty of capital murder?
A Yes.
Q Is this a firm conviction?
A Yes, sir.
Q You feel like you could be swayed or persuaded by someone?
A No, I wouldn't think so it's just one of those things that I've read what education I'm sure about, had two murdered and then give them the life sentence and turn them back on the streets in a few years and done it all over again.
Q Then, you really wouldn't consider life you wouldn't even consider it?
A That's right.
The Court: Let me interrupt you just a minute, counsel, because I think what we are getting astray here. You recall your questions by the district attorney and by also by Mr. Knapp, that we have in this state what's known as the two phase system. There is two phases to the trial. Of course they've explained to you that if you find a defendant not guilty of capital murder then you, could not under any circumstances, assess anyone the death penalty. You understand that?
A Right.
The Court: However, if you did find the defendant guilty of capital murder, that that jury only has two alternatives. However, as the district attorney pointed out to you, you might have to either find death or life, you are you will be ask two questions in any case, whatever that case is, or where ever you may serve in this state under our present law, on a case that involves capital murder. And if you found a defendant guilty of capital murder, then on the second phase of the case, the jury, as the district attorney pointed out to you, the jury would be ask two questions. Now, the first question that you would be ask, would be substantially here as follows or substantially as follows. Do you find from the evidence beyon a reasonable doubt, that the conduct of the defendant caused the death of the deceased was committed deliberately and with the reasonable expectation that the death of the deceased of the deceased would result. Do you understand that question?
A Yes.
Now, the best in order to answer that yes, you have to find from beyond from the evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt that fact. Could you follow that instruction of the court and would you follow that instruction of the court?
A I would.
The Court: And if you failed to find from a reas from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant caused the death of the deceased, deliberately and with the reasonable expectation that the death of the deceased would result, would you answer the question no, if you failed to find that beyond a reasonable doubt?
A Yes, sir.
The Court: All right, the second question, assume that you answered that question and did find in that case, that that the answer to that question should be answered yes, you stated that you would find so find that you thought the evidence did establish it beyond a reasonable doubt, then you would have a second question to answer. That second question would either be as follows or substantially as follows, do you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a probability that the defendant would commit criminal acts of violence that would constitute a continuing threat to society. Do you understand that question?
A Yes, sir.
The Court: Now, would you require the State of Texas to establish that to your satisfaction beyond a reasonable doubt, before you answer that question yes?
A Yes, sir.
The Court: And if they failed to prove to you beyond a reasonable doubt, that the answer to that question was yes, would you answer it no?
A Yes, if I had doubts on it.
The Court: If you had a reasonable doubt?
A Yes, sir.
The Court: Then, in effect, you are saying that if you that you understand that if either of those questions were answered no, that the only sentence that this court or any court could assess in any capital case would be life would be, therefore to your and is it your answer that you would is it your answer under the question that was submitted to you that you would require the state to meet it's burden of proof burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, before you would assess death as the penalty for the crime?
A Yes, sir
The Court: All right.
Mr. Thompson: Your Honor, we still would like to challenge this juror because and point out to the court that defense, as we pointed out yesterday, the defense feels that we do have the right to ask the juror whether or not he can consider the full range of punishment and we have the right to know whether he can consider the full range of punishment, just as the state does and he has the juror has testified that he cannot consider the full range of punishment, although he could answer those two questions if the if the court ordered him to do so, he's testified under oath that he cannot consider the minimum punishment in a capital murder case and if nothing else, we feel that that will have a definate effect on his answering the final questions as the statutes set out and we would challenge the juror for cause.
The Court: In view of the answers that you have given the court, you have said that you could consider the full range of punishment, there being only two ranges and you are required and you would require the state to meet it's burden of proof on both of those, beyond a reasonable doubt, is that your testimony?
A That's right.
The Court: I'll overrule your motion, counsel.
By Mr. Knapp:
Q In deciding whether to believe any witness, you've got to you wouldn't necessarily believe a police officer simply because he was a police officer?
A Not necessarily, I might not even know he was a police officer.
Q Well, I mean even if he were in uniform?
A I'm sure that a police officer will have a certain degree of influence on anyone
Q Yes, sir, do you feel like you would tend to hear more truth in what a law enforcement officer said opposed to some other witness?
A Not necessarily, but you should be able to believe them more than
Q Yes, sir.
A They are supposed to know the law.
Q But, you can understand that law enforcement officer's are just like everyone else, that they are subject to particular biases and prejudices themselves?
A Yes, sir
Mr. Thompson: Your Honor, before we pass judgment on this juror, we'd like to reurge our challenge on this juror and submit to the court that the defense feels we are entitled to a juror who qualified on the minimum punishment as well as the state is qu is entitled to a juror who is qualified on the maximum punishment, expecially when talking about a capital murder case. The state had an opportunity to say, can you give the death penalty and will you give the death penalty, with nothing about those two questions that were ask of the juror, and I think we have a right to say can you give life in a capital murder case, can you consider the right in that case. This juror, as the court heard, testified that in a capital murder case, the death penalty was the only penalty to be in that would be inflicted in the case, or it should be, that he could not consider life as a punishment in a capital murder case and the because of that, we feel like the juror is not qualified as to the full range of punishment in the case, even though he can answer those other two questions yes, but if I've been instructed to answer those questions, only if I have a certain amount of evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, I'll answer them that way, but still, I feel like we are entitled to have him corssed out on the full range of punishment.
The Court: Well, he stated, counsel, as I understand his answer, that he he's subject would would consider two range that he would answer each of those questions no if they did not, and that he knew the effects of that would be to assess life imprisonment rather than death, do you agree with that, that that's his answer?
Mr. Thompson: I agree
The Court: Just misunderstand his answer?
Mr. Thompson: I agree that he said that.
The Court: Mr. Payne, I want to ask you, you understand again, and I want to make certain that you do understand this question, that you understand that in a capital murder case where a jury has found a defendant guilty of the offense of capital murder, that a jury has only two options
A Yes, sir.
The Court: Either to assess life imprisonment or death, you understand that, that's the only two
A Yes.
Options in a capital murder case that a jury has. And is it your testimony that you would and could consider both options available by answering the questions as the law requires?
A Both the options, right.
The Court: And, you would consider both of them?
A The second option being if if I will
The Court: If you felt that
A I will
The Court: If you felt either
A
The Court: Your answer to either of those questions, that I heretofore directed to you should be answered no, that the state had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you could answer yes to those questions, that you would answer each of them no, is that your is that your ar the one that was failed in which they failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, you would answer that no, is that your answer?
A If they can't prove it beyond a reasonable doubt
The Court: And then would you conclude by that answer, tell this court that you would consider the full range of punishment, that is either death or life imprisonment?
A If they failed to prove the case, yes, sir.
The Court: If the state failed to prove it.
Mr. Knapp: Prove what case, sir?
A Prove prove the failed to prove the case of capital murder.
Mr. Knapp: That's not the case, Your Honor.
The Court: Well, they failed to prove the two special issues that I've ask you by preponderance by beyond a reasonable doubt, you would answer those questions no?
A If he'll prove that the person only killed another person or they fail to prove that the probability of committing future crimes
The Court: Then you would answer it no?
A No.
The Court: All right, I'll overrule it.
Mr. Thompson: Your Honor, I want to reurge then, and in saying that I feel like the court has so mingled the two questions, that I realize that you've ask the questions, but I think you've ask the questions including the punishment, thereby forcing the juror to answer the question that he could consider the full range of punishment. I feel that we are entitled to ask the juror whether or not he can consider the full range of punishment and disregard those two questions right now. The state can say can you give him this penalty, we ought to be able to say can you give life and forget about those two questions when we are asking that.
The Court: The state said that he could, though, counsel.
Mr. Thompson: The state is not the state is not restricted by having to say can you give a death penalty by answering these questions yes or no, if they were, we'd have so many people that said they couldn't give a death penalty on the jury. By qualified, says well, if the court said
The Court: The juror has stated, though, that he would consider both of them, he told the court that he would consider both punishments.
Mr. Thompson:
The Court: Or death or or or life death in the electric chair or life imprisonment, depending on what the evidence, the side reached at the punishment phase of the case. Now, is that your answer?
A Yes, sir.
Mr. Thompson: Your Honor, I don't feel that the juror understands that question, may I may I ask just one that one simple question to give us the opportunity?
The Court: All right, I want you to give him your answer you can ask that question again, I'll give you that opportunity.
By Mr. Thompson:
Q When we were talking before, when you and Mr. Knapp were talking before, he ask you if you had any
The Court: Who is questioning the juror
Mr. Knapp: I was.
The Court:
Mr. Thompson:
By Mr. Knapp:
Q Do you recall earlier when I explained to you that the trial was divided into two parts?
A Yes, sir.
Q And that at one part, if the jury found a criminal defendant guilty of capital murder, then they would have to consider punishment.
A Yes, sir.
Q At that point in the trial, let's assume that hypothetical question, that you are a juror and the jury has come back with a unanimous verdict, which is the only way it could be returned, of guilty of capital murder. Capital murder has been assessed. It is the knowing and intentional taking of an individuals life, without justification or excuse, and it fits into one of those categories, either in the commission rape or robbery or burglary or a police officer or fireman involved with the performance of their duties. That has been established at that point. Do you understand that?
A Yes.
Q There is no question about that, he knowingly and intentionally, it was murder it was capital at that point and in that frame of mind, knowing that that had been done and you are on the jury, could you consider the imposition of a life sentence?
A I'll say you are putting the question confusing
Q No, sir, I'm not, but the capital murder, forget those two questions right now, if you will.
The Court: You are not talking about any particular fact situation?
Mr. Knapp: No particular fact situation.
A No.
Q Except capital murder had been established and you were one of the jurors that said "yes" we find him guilty of capital murder
A (No response.)
Q Could you consider life?
A Say a capital murder had been proven?
Q Yes, sir.
A Without a reasonable doubt?
Q Yes, sir?
A And the the second was that the probability the person could commit
Q No, sir, no, I'm saying
The Court: You don't have the right to go into that now
Mr. Cummings:
Mr. Knapp: Well, all right
A Is this part of answering part of the question
Q Well, if I may I just want to know if you can, in your own mind consider a full range of punishment, if if you've got capital murder and there is beyond a reasonable doubt, can you consider, in your mind, the possibility of a life sentence, in a capital murder case that's been proved beyond a reasonable doubt?
A I'd say if it was proved beyond a reasonable doubt in a capital murder case I still go with the same thing statement I made before.
Q What is that, sir?
A Death.
Q And that is the only
A It's proved beyond a reasonable doubt?
Q Yes, sir.
The Court: I want to make sure this juror understands that, because he started to say provided that he had answered the other two questions "yes".
A If I had it would have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mr. Thompson:
The Court
Mr. Cummings
Mr. Knapp:
Mr. Cummings: The two questions are part of it
Mr. Thompson:
The Court: He said, and there is a probability that he would prob that he would probably do it in the future, that is he said that's part of the proof of this capital murder.
Mr. Knapp: No, Your Honor, that is not part of the proof.
The Court: Well, that's what he says in his answer, though.
Mr. Knapp: Well, that is not the definitation that would be used in this trial for it, Your Honor, or any capital murder case. Capital murder is the intentional knowing and taking of a
The Court: Now, I'm not going to make any mistake on this, because I want to make sure this juror understands
Mr. Knapp: That's what we are seeking
The Court: All right, I understand that you you have stated that you you could if you the defendant guilty of capital murder, you understand that?
A I I understand that.
The Court: Now, you've said that you think death is a prop proper punishment for capital murder?
A That's right.
The Court: But, could you assess death or would you assess death if you were unable to answer these other two questions "yes"?
A If you can't answer the other two questions "yes" then he wouldn't be subject to death.
The Court: As far as you are concerned, that he is not not subject to the death penalty, is that your answer?
A Well, I tell you this, if you answer the first one "yes" then the second one is only as to whether he's going to commit future crimes or not.
The Court: And, if you answer that with a "yes" you think it's capital murder?
A Capital murder.
The Court: And if you answer that with "no" you would not find him guilty of capital murder?
A No, sir.
The Court: And then, you would not assess his punishment at death?
A No, sir. I wouldn't.
The Court: All right.
Mr. Thompson: Not if what?
Mr. Knapp: Not if what?
A I'm saying that I understand that
Q Something about
A What I'm saying is if the man was found, by myself and the other eleven jurors, as being guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, and if we also had, or myself in particular, had assumed that he was going to commit future crimes, then my answer to both questions would be "yes".
Mr. Knapp: Your Honor, we would again
The Court: All right, I'll overrule your
Mr. Knapp: Reurge that our motion that this juror be striken from from that he has unequivocally stated that he could not consider the minimum range of punishment.
The Court: All right, I'll overrule your objection, counsel.
Mr. Knapp: Thank you very much, Your Honor.