Rehearing En Banc and Rehearing Overruled November 10, 2005.
OPINION
Opinion by Justice CASTILLO.
A jury convicted appellant Gayle King of two counts of promoting a pyramid promotional scheme
I. BACKGROUND
In late 2000, a program referred to as Women Helping Women ("WHW"), Original Dinner Partyr ("ODP"), or "birthday club" became popular as a "gifting club." Women who wished to join WHW would pay $5,000 for a "plate," designated as a "gift," with the expectation that their $5,000 gift would be returned to them, multiplied, as other women joined the club and paid the $5,000 gift.
II. ISSUES PRESENTED
By her eight issues, King complains: (1) the trial court reversibly erred in denying her requested jury charge instruction on a defensive issue; (2) restitution is unsupported in law or fact; (3) section 17.461 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code is unconstitutional; (4) the evidence is legally insufficient; (5) prosecution was selective; (6) the jury charge omitted a requisite knowledge element; (7) the double jeopardy
III. LEGAL SUFFICIENCY
By her fourth issue, King asserts that the evidence is legally insufficient to prove the essential elements of (1) a pyramid scheme in Counts 1 and 2, and (2) theft in Count 5. The State counters that the evidence is sufficient to sustain the convictions.
A. Legal Sufficiency Standard of Review
A legal-sufficiency challenge requires us to review the relevant evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, and then to determine whether a rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Escamilla v. State, 143 S.W.3d 814, 817 (Tex. Crim.App.2004) (citing Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979)); see Swearingen v. State, 101 S.W.3d 89, 95 (Tex.Crim.App. 2003) (en banc); Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 7 (Tex.Crim.App.2000) (en banc). This standard is designed to give "full play to the [jury's] responsibility fairly" to "draw reasonable inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts." Sanders v. State, 119 S.W.3d 818, 820 (Tex.Crim.App.2003). We consider all the evidence that sustains the conviction, whether properly or improperly admitted. Conner v. State, 67 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex.Crim.App.2001) (citing Garcia v. State, 919 S.W.2d 370, 378 (Tex.Crim.App.1994) (en banc)). Similarly, we consider all the evidence that sustains the conviction, whether submitted by the prosecution or the defense, in determining the legal sufficiency of the evidence. King v. State, 29 S.W.3d 556, 562 (Tex.Crim. App.2000) (en banc); Cook v. State, 858 S.W.2d 467, 470 (Tex.Crim.App.1993) (en banc). In this review, we are not to reevaluate the weight and credibility of the evidence; rather, we act only to ensure that the jury reached a rational decision. Muniz v. State, 851 S.W.2d 238, 246 (Tex. Crim.App.1993) (en banc).
The legal sufficiency of the evidence is measured against the elements of the offense as defined by a hypothetically correct jury charge for the case. Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997).
If we reverse a criminal case for legal insufficiency, we reform the judgment of conviction to reflect conviction for a lesser offense only if a jury charge on the lesser offense was either submitted or
B. Pyramid Promotional Scheme
1. The Law
"Pyramid promotional scheme" means a plan or operation by which a person gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation that is derived primarily from a person's introduction of other persons to participate in the plan or operation, rather than from the sale of a product by a person introduced into the plan or operation. TEX. BUS. & COM.CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(6) (Vernon 2002). "Promoting a pyramid promotional scheme" means (1) inducing or attempting to induce one or more other persons to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme, or (2) assisting another person in inducing or attempting to induce one or more other persons to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme, including by providing references. TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(5)(A)-(B) (Vernon 2002). "Compensation" means payment of money, a financial benefit, or another thing of value. TEX. BUS. & COM.CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(1) (Vernon 2002). The term does not include payment based on the sale of a product to a person, including a participant, who purchases the product for actual use or consumption. Id. "Product" means a good, a service, or intangible property of any kind. TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(4) (Vernon 2002).
2. The Record
Counts 1
a. The State's Witnesses7
Sandra Garcia testified that, in late 2000, she became involved with WHW after speaking with her friend, Bartolita Torres. On October 19, 2000, she attended what she thought was a WHW meeting at a residence. Instead, the event was a "gifting party," which Garcia described as "several persons give money to one person and it comes out to either 10 or 20,000." King and two other women received $20,000 in cash each. Garcia signed her name on a list which was passed around for attendees who wished to participate in the future. From Garcia's perspective, King was in charge because she did most
On a later date, Garcia gave $2,500 she obtained from her credit card.
Ludivina Vega testified that in October 2000, she attended a meeting at a residence involving a "club of women helping women." At the meeting, King told the attendees that the club was to help people with their debt or college funds for their children. King stated that the program was "legal ... she had her attorneys in the case of emergency." King further stated that the money need not be deposited in the bank "so we didn't have to pay the IRS, for us not to be worried that it could be some kind of fraud." Vega's testimony regarding the fees for the plates and the "gifting" mirrored Garcia's testimony.
Enedelia Tijerina testified that, sometime in October 2000, she became involved with WHW after King spoke with employees at her work. Tijerina understood that "you gave some money and a few weeks
The complainant, Bartolita Torres, testified that King approached her co-workers and her at work on October 16, 2000, and explained how the "dinner party" worked. King explained the program and returned another time to notify them about a party on October 19, 2000. Torres attended and gave King $5,000, money from her children's college education fund. King told her the money would be given to King's mother who was out of town. After attending additional parties, four total, and learning that King, King's mother, and a pet belonging to one of King's friends "birthdayed," Torres gave an additional $2,500 at a November party, hoping to "birthday."
b. The Defense's Witnesses
Raul Balli testified that he knew King for many years. He told King he had heard about a "women helping women club" from someone else. King told him she knew about the club and was involved. Balli opted to participate by giving $5,000 in his dog's name because the club was limited to women. Ultimately, Balli received $20,000, representing $5,000 he gave and $15,000 "gifted" to him. Balli testified he participated because he "wanted to make a little extra money ... although it was risky, I still went ahead and tried to make some money.... It was certainly a gamble." Balli testified:
Balli admitted that he was an exception because he participated in a club exclusively for women and he did not attend any meetings or parties.
King testified on her own behalf. She denied intent, culpability, and criminality of the program. She denied she invented, prepared, contrived or established the gifting club. She learned that the gifting club originated in Canada. From Austin, King reached the five thousand participants in the county. King attended the first meeting of WHW in August of 2000. There, she saw prominent people in the community. She learned the gifting club was a way for women to support each other, secure scholarship money, or help other women who were in trouble. Her role at subsequent meetings she attended was as a translator and not a speaker. King testified as follows as to how the plan worked:
King admitted: (1) she distributed documents for "gifting" participants to sign; (2) she distributed and explained diagrams of the "dinner tables" showing the three levels of gifting; (3) she explained the club to women who were "going to those meetings and they weren't understanding what they were doing"; and (4) her mother, Balli, and she "birthdayed" out when each received $20,000. Finally, King admitted that she forwarded one and generated another e-mail regarding the club's activities. Both e-mails were admitted in evidence. The e-mail she wrote states:
King forwarded another e-mail on October 25, 2000. That e-mail reflects the time and place for various meetings throughout October and November in various locations, identifying hostesses and speakers for each site.
King's best friend, Sandra Hamlin, testified that she attended one WHW meeting with King. King told Hamlin that King had "to talk to these women, that they are needing this explanation as to what this is, and we are going to go on." When asked why she did not join the club, Hamlin testified, "Because I didn't believe in it. I made a choice not to get involved with that."
3. Pyramid Scheme Analysis
The hypothetically correct jury charge against which we measure legal sufficiency in Count 1 of the indictment would ask the jury if King: (1) on or about October 19, 2000;
In the September 23, 2000 e-mail, King (1) invited women to attend a Sunday "Original Dinner Party" where "strategy for 4 tables" would be addressed, (2) stated she would be a speaker, (3) encouraged the women to invite friends to attend the dinner "before they decide[d] to participate," (4) informed women that the next step would be a "birthday," (5) solicited women to work hard to "birthday" a participant, and (6) volunteered to speak at a similar Thursday meeting. On October 25, 2000, King forwarded an e-mail to women notifying of the time and place of club meetings.
Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, additional evidence demonstrates that the State's witnesses, including the complainant, joined a woman's club with a "gifting" plan in place. The plan involved a gift of $2,500 for a return of $10,000 and $5,000 for a return of $20,000, provided a sufficient number of women joined the club. Each witness paid the requisite gift of either $2,500 for half a plate or $5,000 for a full plate to enter the "soup and salad" level of a table. Torres "gifted" $5,000 to King. Later she "gifted" $2,500
We conclude that the evidence demonstrates that the "gift" club was a plan by which a person gave consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation that was derived primarily from a person's introduction of other persons to participate in the plan, rather than from the sale of a product by a person introduced into the plan. The evidence demonstrates that King induced one or more other persons to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme or assisted another person in inducing or attempting to induce one or more other persons to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme. TEX. BUS. & COM.CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(6). Thus, we conclude that a rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt the essential elements of a pyramid promotional scheme. TEX. BUS. & COM.CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(5)(A)-(B). We conclude the evidence is legally sufficient.
C. Theft by Deception
By her fourth issue, King also asserts that the evidence is legally insufficient to prove she committed theft by deception as alleged in Count 5 of the indictment.
1. The Law
Count 5 of the indictment charged King with theft of property by deception. The hypothetically correct jury charge against which we measure the sufficiency of the evidence would ask the jury if King, (1) on or about October 19, 2000, (2) unlawfully, (3) appropriated property, (4) with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. TEX. PEN.CODE ANN. § 31.03 (Vernon Supp. 2004-05); Thomason v. State, 892 S.W.2d 8, 10 (Tex.Crim.App.1994) (en banc). "Appropriate" means to bring about a transfer of title or other non-possessory interest in property or to acquire or otherwise exercise control over property. See TEX. PEN. CODE ANN. § 31.01(4) (Vernon Supp.2004-05). The statute defines three ways in which an appropriation is unlawful, including "without the owner's effective consent." TEX. PEN.CODE ANN. § 31.03(b)(1), § 31.01(4); Stockman v. State, 826 S.W.2d 627, 636 (Tex.App.-Dallas 1992, pet. ref'd).
Thus, the crucial element of theft is the deprivation of property from the
2. The Record
King focuses her argument on a document admitted in evidence. The document signed by the complainant Torres on October 19, 2000, states:
King argues that the document demonstrates that the $5,000 was Torres' gift to King's mother without any expectation of return, and thus the evidence negates the essential elements of the offense of theft. King admitted that she returned money to another participant who did not "birthday." She further admitted that she did not really know the women involved in the plan. When the prosecutor asked why Torres would give $5,000 to someone she really did not know without expecting something in return, King answered, "We were all in the same thing together. We all came in for the same reason and the same way." King explained that the plan was part of giving back to the community, including assisting an orphanage in Mexico and helping women. King's witnesses, Hamlin and Balli, unequivocally testified that participation in the plan was a gamble, a risk. Hamlin did not assume the risk. Balli did and received a return. Balli further testified that he signed a document, indicating that his $5,000 was a gift. However, he did not know who he was helping. Balli did not attend meetings. The record does not establish that he was asked to invite friends to participate in the plan, as King encouraged in her e-mail.
Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict under the Jackson standard, the evidence shows that King touted the success of the plan to women both by personal contact and by speaking at WHW gatherings, whether dinner parties or meetings. The State's witnesses uniformly testified that King represented that they need not "recruit" participants because people as far away as San Antonio were lined up to participate in the plan. King's e-mail confirms she would be contacting people "I know, even people I may not know well." When the plan reached a "standstill," however, and women had gifted, King encouraged the participants to bring others, stating
The State's witnesses testified they saw Torres give King $5,000 in cash on October 19, 2000. King's mother was not present. King admitted she provided Torres the document to sign. Torres testified that she did not read the document before signing it. King admitted that she explained the plan to participants because they did not know what they were doing. King's mother "birthdayed," receiving $20,000. Torres did not. Torres testified that she expected that her $5,000 would multiply to $20,000. When that did not occur, Torres requested that King return the money. King refused. King testified that, although the return was not effected, she agreed to return the money to Torres because King "felt responsible for her mother."
3. Theft By Deception Analysis
Torres attended a party on October 19, 2000, and delivered $5,000 in cash to King. Torres unequivocally testified that she expected a return of her $5,000, multiplied, based on King's representations. King, her mother, and her friend Balli "birthdayed," receiving $20,000 in return for their $5,000 "gift." King "birthdayed" at the October 19, 2000 meeting. The gifts of King and persons related to or acquainted with her resulted in a return of their gifts. King made an exception to the all women rule for Balli by using his female pet's name as the participant. Torres and the State's witnesses complied with the terms of their gifts, including recruitment, expecting a return that did not materialize.
The legal sufficiency standard of review is meant to give "full play to the [jury's] responsibility fairly" to "draw reasonable inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts." Sanders, 119 S.W.3d at 820; Griffin, 614 S.W.2d at 159. We consider all the evidence that sustains the conviction, whether properly or improperly admitted. Conner, 67 S.W.3d at 197 (citing Garcia, 919 S.W.2d at 378); see Moff v. State, 131 S.W.3d 485, 489-90 (Tex.Crim.App.2004). Similarly, we consider all the evidence that sustains the conviction, whether submitted by the prosecution or the defense, in determining the legal sufficiency of the evidence. King, 29 S.W.3d at 562; Cook, 858 S.W.2d at 470. In this review, we are not to reevaluate the weight and credibility of the evidence, but rather, we act only to ensure that the jury reached a rational decision. Muniz, 851 S.W.2d at 246. The standard of review is the same in both direct and circumstantial evidence cases. Kutzner v. State, 994 S.W.2d 180, 184 (Tex. Crim.App.1999). We are mindful that every fact need not point directly and independently to the accused's guilt. Vanderbilt v. State, 629 S.W.2d 709, 716 (Tex. Crim.App.1981). A conclusion of guilt can rest on the combined and cumulative force of all the incriminating circumstances. Id.; Beardsley v. State, 738 S.W.2d 681, 685 (Tex.Crim.App.1987) (en banc).
In this case, the ultimate facts in question were (1) appropriation of the currency and (2) the specific intent to deprive the owner of it by deception. A jury may infer intent from any facts which tend to prove its existence, including the method of committing the crime. See Manrique v. State, 994 S.W.2d 640, 649 (Tex.Crim.App. 1999) (en banc). The evidence demonstrates that King knew that the plate plan could not, would not, and did not work without regular recruitment of women with $2,500 to $5,000 to gift. A return on Torres' $5,000 was contingent upon continued recruitment of women with $2,500 to $5,000 to gift. The jury could have reasonably inferred that King's representation that people were lined up for the
On this record, we cannot say that a jury would have unfairly or irrationally inferred that King appropriated the property with the specific intent to deprive Torres, the owner, of it by deception. See Sanders, 119 S.W.3d at 821; see also Griffin, 614 S.W.2d at 159. We assume that the jury resolved conflicts in testimony, weighed the evidence, and drew reasonable inferences in the manner that supports the verdict. Griffin, 614 S.W.2d at 159. Thus, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and measuring it against the essential elements of theft by deception as defined in a hypothetically correct jury charge, we conclude that a rational jury could have inferred the ultimate facts that King appropriated the currency, by acquiring or otherwise exercising control over it, with the intent to deprive Torres, the owner, of the currency by deception. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781; Malik, 953 S.W.2d at 240. We overrule King's fourth issue.
IV. CHARGE ERROR-MISTAKE OF FACT DEFENSE
By her first issue and a sub-issue in her third issue, King asserts that the trial court reversibly erred by refusing to include a proposed mistake of fact defense instruction in the jury charge. By her sixth issue, King argues that omission of the requisite knowledge instruction was egregious error. King argues that the instruction would have told the jury to acquit if it found King, through mistake, formed a reasonable belief about a factual matter, if her mistaken belief negated the kind of culpability required for commission of the offense. The State counters that King's claim that she was unaware the plan was a pyramid scheme is not a mistake of fact defense.
A. Standard of Review
Our first duty in analyzing a jury-charge issue is to determine whether error exists. Middleton v. State, 125 S.W.3d 450, 453 (Tex.Crim.App.2003) (en banc) (citing Hutch v. State, 922 S.W.2d 166, 170-71 (Tex.Crim.App.1996) (en banc)). Then, if we find error, we analyze that error for harm. Middleton, 125 S.W.3d at 453. Preservation of charge error does not become an issue until we assess harm. Id. The degree of harm necessary for reversal depends on whether the appellant preserved the error. Id. (quoting Hutch, 922 S.W.2d at 171); see Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157, 171 (Tex.Crim.App.1984) (op. on reh'g) (en banc). Thus, we review alleged charge error by answering two questions: (1) whether error existed in the charge; and (2) whether sufficient harm resulted from the error to compel reversal. See Posey v. State, 966 S.W.2d 57, 60 n. 5 (Tex.Crim. App.1998) (en banc); see Ngo v. State, 175 S.W.3d 738, 744, 2005 WL 600353, at *6, 2005 Tex.Crim.App. LEXIS 457, at *8 (Tex.Crim.App. March 16, 2005) (en banc). Under the Almanza standard, the record must show that a defendant has suffered actual, rather than merely theoretical, harm from jury instruction error. Posey, 966 S.W.2d at 60 n. 5. Errors that result in egregious harm are those that affect "the very basis of the case," "deprive the defendant of a valuable right," or "vitally affect a defensive theory." Id.; Ngo, at 750, 2005 WL 600353, at *6, 2005 Tex.Crim. App. LEXIS 457, at *8. Under Almanza, to determine whether the error was so egregious that a defendant was denied a fair and impartial trial, a reviewing court
B. The Law
A defendant is entitled to the submission of every defensive issue raised by the evidence, even if the defense may be inconsistent with other defenses. Bowen v. State, 162 S.W.3d 226, 229 (Tex.Crim. App.2005). Furthermore, an accused has the right to an instruction on any defensive issue raised by the evidence, whether that evidence is weak or strong, unimpeached or contradicted, and regardless of what the trial court may or may not think about the credibility of the defense. Hamel v. State, 916 S.W.2d 491, 493 (Tex.Crim.App.1996).
C. The Record
King testified about the origins of the club in Canada and how it reached the county through Austin. She surmised that the club was legal because she observed prominent people at the meetings. She testified that the local district attorney announced publicly that he would prosecute participants in the club. When participants contacted her after learning of the district attorney's announcement, King told them that the club was not a pyramid. Regarding her denial that the club was a pyramid scheme, the following colloquy occurred during cross-examination:
King further testified that, of all the persons involved including the State's witnesses, she was singled out for prosecution.
The defense called an expert to testify as to whether the WHW plan was a pyramid scheme. The expert testified that in a pyramid scheme, "the bottom line is that people go in there for a particular reason and they want to make money and, of course, basically it's — they want to end up [at the top]." He further testified, "And, of course, the bottom line is that people can move up, you know, and, of course, everybody wants the American dream. They want to make a lot of money and they can eventually — that is the pyramid scheme." The defense expert enumerated the variables indicating that the WHW plan was not a pyramid: (1) the person would make $20,000 and "get out"; in the traditional pyramid scheme, that person would continue making money; (2) the participants' money was a gift — there was no commission, no payment; (3) there was no trade or commerce; usually in a pyramid scheme there is a sale of a product, but here "it was a one-shot deal and that person could make $10,000 or $20,000." The expert emphasized that the gifting document proved the money was "a gift... that was given with nothing in return." He also emphasized that the money was presented "wrapped" as a gift and was "not a payment." The expert's opinion was that, given all these considerations,
The State's evidence demonstrated that King assured one participant that "this was not a pyramid and it was legal ... that the original dinner party had attorneys... that they were speaking to." The gifting documents admitted in evidence required the participants to acknowledge "informed consent" and "waive any and all liability" for not meeting ODP guidelines.
The State argued that ignorance of the law was no defense. King represented there would be a return and, when a person presents a gift, "gifting documents" are not required by the gift recipient as King required. The defense argued that King was unaware the club was a pyramid or that it was illegal.
D. Charge Error Analysis
The trial court charged the jury on the offense of promoting, organizing, or operating a pyramid promotional scheme. King asserts in her first issue on appeal that the trial court erroneously denied her a requested instruction on mistake of fact based on her testimony that she did not know the plan was illegal or was a pyramid scheme. The State responds that the trial court properly denied the instruction.
King preserved error. See TEX.R.APP. P. 33.1. There are eight court charges, one for each of the indicted counts. The charges instruct the jury on the culpable mental state instruction under section 6.03 for each of the eight indicted offenses. TEX. PEN.CODE ANN. § 6.03 (Vernon 2003). The pyramid-promotional-scheme charges contain King's requested instruction on complicity involving the State's witnesses, see TEX. PEN.CODE ANN. § 7.01 (Vernon 2003), and the statutory definition for the offense. See Tex. Bus. & Com.Code Ann. § 17.461(a)(6). King argues that, by its terms, section 8.02 of the penal code involves a mistaken belief that negates culpability for all the charged offenses. See TEX. PEN.CODE ANN. § 8.02 (Vernon 2003). The State counters that ignorance of the law is no defense under section 8.03(a) of the penal code, and the evidence does not raise a mistake of fact defense. See TEX. PEN.CODE ANN. § 8.03(a) (Vernon 2003).
The burden lies with the appellant to persuade the reviewing court that the error was harmful. See Abdnor v. State, 871 S.W.2d 726, 732 (Tex.Crim.App. 1994) (en banc). If the appellant is unable to do so, the error will not result in reversal. Id. We conclude that King has not shown, nor do we find, error in the trial court's charges to the jury. King testified as to her understanding of a pyramid scheme. Her understanding is not inconsistent with the definition of a pyramid promotional scheme. See TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(6). King does not address how a mistaken belief that the club was not a pyramid scheme negates culpability for the offense of theft by deception. She argues that she suffered actual harm from the faulty jury instruction and that she was, in fact, deprived of an acquittal on all charges. However, the jury convicted King on three out of eight counts, demonstrating careful deliberation
We overrule King's first issue, the sub-issue asserted in her third issue, and her sixth issue.
V. CONSTITUTIONALITY CLAIMS
By her third issue, King argues that the pyramid promotional scheme statute is unconstitutional as worded and applied. See TEX. BUS. & COM.CODE ANN. § 17.461. She asserts that the statute: is overbroad and violates her right to free speech under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. See U.S. CONST. amend. I, XIV. The State responds that the issue is inadequately briefed and without merit.
A. Standard of Review
When reviewing the constitutionality of a statute, we presume that the statute is valid and that the legislature acted reasonably, not arbitrarily, in enacting the statute. Rodriguez v. State, 93 S.W.3d 60, 69 (Tex.Crim.App.2002). The burden rests on the individual who challenges the statute to prove its unconstitutionality. Id. If a reasonable construction of the statute will render it constitutional, the court must uphold the statute. Ely v. State, 582 S.W.2d 416, 419 (Tex.Crim.App. 1979) (en banc).
B. Constitutionality Analysis
King argues that the statute unconstitutionally (1) criminalizes conduct without proof of time, place, or knowledge that conduct is criminally proscribed and (2) contains vague words that are not statutorily defined.
1. As Applied
In order to review an attack on the constitutionality of a statute "as applied," the one challenging the statute must have raised the issue in the trial court. TEX.R.APP. P. 33.1(a)(1); Curry v. State, 910 S.W.2d 490, 496 (Tex.Crim.App. 1995) (en banc); Bader v. State, 15 S.W.3d 599, 603 (Tex.App.-Austin 2000, pet. ref'd). Since King did not raise an as-applied objection at trial, she has failed to preserve this objection for appellate consideration. Thus, we need not consider whether the statute was unconstitutionally applied to her.
2. Overbreadth
In analyzing a facial challenge to the overbreadth and vagueness of a law, the Supreme Court has stated that the first task is to determine whether the statute reaches a substantial amount of constitutionally protected conduct. Village of Hoffman Estates v. Flipside, Hoffman Estates, Inc., 455 U.S. 489, 494, 102 S.Ct. 1186, 71 L.Ed.2d 362 (1982). Criminal statutes must be scrutinized with particular care. City of Houston v. Hill, 482 U.S. 451, 459, 107 S.Ct. 2502, 96 L.Ed.2d 398 (1987). A statute is overbroad if it sweeps within its coverage speech or conduct that is protected by the First Amendment.
Essentially, King asserts that her sole conduct was to interpret presentations of speakers who explained the pyramid scheme during the WHW gatherings. She argues that, because her conviction was based on that conduct, the statute impermissibly and unconstitutionally proscribed her right to free speech. However, King testified that she received monetary gifts for purchases of plates at her "dinner table" in the club, and thus, she promoted the scheme by means other than her speech. The statute defines "promoting a pyramid promotional scheme" to mean (1) inducing or attempting to induce one or more other persons to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme, or (2) assisting another person in inducing or attempting to induce one or more other persons to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme, including by providing references. TEX. BUS. & COM.CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(5)(A)-(B). We have concluded the evidence was sufficient to sustain her conviction under the statute for other than her constitutionally protected speech, either oral or written. Even so, we find no authority for the proposition that translating a presentation that explains a prohibited criminal scheme is protected by the First Amendment. The statute does not proscribe mere communication. King's overbreadth challenge fails. See Clark, 665 S.W.2d at 482.
3. Vagueness
We turn to King's facial vagueness challenge. Because the statute implicates no constitutionally protected conduct, we uphold the challenge only if the enactment is impermissibly vague in all of its applications. Village of Hoffman Estates, 455 U.S. at 494, 102 S.Ct. 1186.
King focuses on evidence that she did not know that the WHW club's gifting activity was illegal. She argues that the complained-of words are capable of different meanings, and so, the statute contains no standard for determining what a suspect must do in order to satisfy, among other elements, the mens rea requirement of the prohibited conduct. Thus, she argues, the statute is void for vagueness because it does not provide fair notice of the prohibited conduct. When a statutory term is not directly defined, the term
The statute defines the conduct that is proscribed. See TEX. BUS. & COM.CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(5)(A)-(B). King's understanding of what an illegal pyramid scheme involved is not inconsistent with the statute's terms. The complained-of words are accorded their ordinary usage. Thus, read in the statutory context and construed accordingly, they provide due notice of the proscribed conduct. King's vagueness challenge fails.
We overrule King's third issue.
VI. DOUBLE JEOPARDY
By her seventh issue, King asserts that the State was required to make an election to convict and punish on Counts 1 and 2 (pyramid promotional scheme) or Count 5 (theft by deception) because the convictions and sentences punish the same conduct and, thus, violate the double jeopardy clause. The State counters that, among other things, the case involves three convictions derived from a single trial and clearly involves the multiple punishment aspect of jeopardy protection.
A. The Law
The Fifth Amendment provides that "no person shall ... be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb. . . ." U.S. CONST. amend. V.; see Lopez v. State, 108 S.W.3d 293, 295 (Tex.Crim.App.2003). The United States Supreme Court stated that the Fifth Amendment guarantee against double jeopardy consists of three separate constitutional protections. North Carolina v. Pearce, 395 U.S. 711, 717, 89 S.Ct. 2072, 23 L.Ed.2d 656 (1969), overruled on other grounds, Alabama v. Smith, 490 U.S. 794-795, 109 S.Ct. 2201, 104 L.Ed.2d 865 (1989); Lopez, 108 S.W.3d at 295. First, it protects against a second prosecution for the same offense after acquittal. Lopez, 108 S.W.3d at 295. Second, it protects against a second prosecution for the same offense after conviction. Id. Last, it protects against multiple punishments for the same offense. Id. In Texas, "No person for the same offense shall be twice put in jeopardy of life or liberty; nor shall a person be again put upon trial for the same offense, after a verdict of not guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction." TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 1.10 (Vernon 2005).
B. The Record
The indictment alleged three statutory offenses occurring on two different dates. When the State rested its case in chief, King sought a directed verdict on all eight counts alleged. At that time, King argued that the State must elect to proceed on either a pyramid promotional scheme or the theft by deception offense, because they constituted the same offense. After the jury returned its guilty verdict on Counts 1, 2, and 5, King argued that the double jeopardy protections required punishment on either Counts 1 (pyramid promotional scheme) or 5 (theft by deception), not both, on grounds that she would be punished twice for the same offense involving Torres' $5,000 gift. The defense requested punishment on either Count 1 or 5, not both. The trial court denied the motion. The trial court assessed (1) concurrent punishment at two years in a State Jail facility, probated for five years, for Counts 1, 2, and 5; (2) a $500 fine on Count 1; and (3) $5,000 restitution for Count 1 and $2,500 restitution for Count 2.
C. Double Jeopardy Analysis
King argues that she was impermissibly convicted and sentenced on Counts 1 and 5
1. Preservation of Error
Although an appellant has the burden to preserve, in some fashion, a double jeopardy objection at or before the time the charge is submitted to the jury, Gonzalez v. State, 8 S.W.3d 640, 642 (Tex. Crim.App.2000) (en banc), a double jeopardy claim may be raised for the first time on appeal, or even for the first time on collateral attack, when: (1) the undisputed facts show the double jeopardy violation is clearly apparent on the face of the record; and (2) enforcement of usual rules of procedural default serves no legitimate state interests. Id. at 643. This Court concluded that under Gonzalez, "if a double jeopardy violation is clearly apparent, the defendant will prevail on appeal; if a double jeopardy violation is not apparent, the defendant's claim fails on the merits regardless of whether he objected at trial." Jimenez v. State, 67 S.W.3d 493, 509 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2002, pet. ref'd). We, therefore, analyze whether a violation of the prohibition against double jeopardy is apparent from the record.
2. Blockburger Test
The double jeopardy bar applies to multiple punishments where the two offenses for which the defendant is punished or tried cannot survive the "same-elements" or "Blockburger" test. United States v. Dixon, 509 U.S. 688, 696, 113 S.Ct. 2849, 125 L.Ed.2d 556 (1993) (citing e.g., Brown v. Ohio, 432 U.S. 161, 168-69, 97 S.Ct. 2221, 53 L.Ed.2d 187 (1977); Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299, 304, 52 S.Ct. 180, 76 L.Ed. 306 (1932) (multiple punishment); Gavieres v. United States, 220 U.S. 338, 342, 31 S.Ct. 421, 55 L.Ed. 489 (1911) (successive prosecutions)). When the same act or transaction violates two different penal statutes, the two offenses are the same for double jeopardy purposes if one of the offenses contains all the elements of the other; they are not the same if each offense has a unique element. Blockburger, 284 U.S. at 304, 52 S.Ct. 180.
3. Analysis
The protection provided by the double jeopardy clause of the United States Constitution has no application where separate and distinct offenses occur during the same transaction. See Jones v. State, 514 S.W.2d 255, 256 (Tex.Crim.App. 1974). King was convicted on three offenses: (1) promoting, organizing or operating a pyramid promotional scheme on October 19, 2000; (2) promoting, organizing or operating a pyramid promotional scheme on November 2, 2000; and (3) theft by deception on October 19, 2000.
We first analyze whether it is apparent from the record that King's multiple convictions constituted a double jeopardy violation. The record shows that, on October 19, 2000, King induced Torres and other women to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme or assisted another person in inducing Torres and other women to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme. TEX. BUS. & COM.CODE ANN. § 17.461(a)(5)(A)-(B) (Vernon 2002). On
We overrule King's seventh issue.
VII. PRESERVATION OF ERROR
A. Standard of Review
To preserve a complaint for appellate review, a party must present a timely request, objection, or motion to the trial court stating the specific grounds for the desired ruling if the specific grounds were not apparent from the context. TEX. R.APP. P. 33.1(a); Blue v. State, 41 S.W.3d 129, 131 (Tex.Crim.App.2000) (en banc); see Keeter v. State, 175 S.W.3d 756, 760, 2005 WL 766974, at *3 n.11, 2005 Tex. Crim.App. LEXIS 521, at *9 n. 11 (Tex. Crim.App. April 6, 2005) (citing Lankston v. State, 827 S.W.2d 907, 909 (Tex.Crim. App.1992) (en banc) ("All the party must do to avoid the forfeiture of a complaint on appeal is to let the trial court know what he wants, why he thinks himself entitled to it, and to do so clearly enough for the trial court to understand him at a time when the trial court is in a proper position to do something about it.")). Generally, a party's failure to timely and specifically object at trial waives error. See Blue, 41 S.W.3d at 131. An accused may waive even constitutional rights. Saldano v. State, 70 S.W.3d 873, 891 (Tex.Crim.App.2002) (en banc); Jenkins v. State, 912 S.W.2d 793, 815 (Tex.Crim.App.1995) (op. on reh'g) (en banc). Nonetheless, rule 103(d) of the rules of evidence authorizes us in a criminal case to "take notice of fundamental errors affecting substantial rights although they were not brought to the attention of the court." TEX.R. EVID. 103(d). "Some rights are widely considered so fundamental to the proper functioning of our adjudicatory process as to enjoy special protection in the system." Blue, 41 S.W.3d at 131. "A principle [sic] characteristic of these rights is that they cannot be forfeited. That is to say, they are not extinguished by inaction alone." Id. Instead, an accused must expressly relinquish a fundamental right. Id.
B. Restitution
By her second issue, King asserts that the trial court reversibly erred by ordering restitution of $5,000 in the judgment for Count 1 and $2,500 in Count 2.
During the sentencing phase, after the trial court pronounced punishment, the trial court addressed restitution. The defense's sole request was that the trial court separate the restitution amounts and enter them in the judgments for Counts 1 and 2. King did not present her complaints to the trial court before raising them in one issue on appeal. Thus, she has forfeited her complaint. Id.; see also TEX.R.APP. P. 33.1.
We overrule King's second issue.
C. Selective Prosecution
By her fifth issue, King asserts that the conviction must be reversed on grounds that she was singled out for prosecution based on her race. Thus, she argues she was denied equal protection on grounds of invidious discrimination. King did not present her complaint to the trial court. Her complaint is forfeited. TEX. R.APP. P. 33.1.
We overrule King's fifth issue.
D. Motion for New Trial
By her eighth issue, King asserts that the trial court abused its discretion by refusing and failing to schedule a hearing on her motion for new trial. The reporter's record shows that, on January 21, 2003, the trial court acknowledged receipt of the motion for new trial. In open court, the trial court pronounced it would not grant the motion for new trial. Defense counsel's sole objection was, "We object to your not ruling on our Motion for New Trial." The trial court denied the motion. The record does not demonstrate that King requested that a hearing be scheduled. She forfeited her complaint. See TEX.R.APP. P. 33.1.
We overrule King's eighth issue.
VIII. CONCLUSION
Having overruled King's eight issues on appeal, we affirm the judgment of conviction and sentence on Counts 1, 2, and 5.
FootNotes
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