Cameron James Sutor v. The State of Texas--Appeal from County Criminal Court No 3 of Dallas County

In The

Court of Appeals

Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana

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No. 06-03-00153-CR

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CAMERON JAMES SUTOR, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the County Criminal Court No. 3

Dallas County, Texas

Trial Court No. MB0343487-C

Before Morriss, C.J., Ross and Carter, JJ.

Memorandum Opinion by Justice Carter

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Cameron James Sutor was charged with theft of property of at least $50.00 but less than $500.00. He waived a jury trial. After a nonjury trial, Sutor was found guilty by the trial court and sentenced to 180 days' confinement in jail and a fine of $400.00. He was placed on community supervision for a period of twelve months. His appeal challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence.

Facts

Jessica Diane Zachary testified that she was the assistant manager of a Dollar Store and that, on the day in question, Sutor and a female entered the store and began placing merchandise in shopping carts. While Zachary was registering all of the items at the checkout, she allowed them to begin to take the merchandise to the car. Sutor began placing items in the car. After all items were loaded into the car, the female began to present a check to Zachary for payment, and Sutor left the store. The female did not have proper identification to accompany the check, and Zachary told her that, without proper identification, she could not accept the check. At that time, the female left the check and opened the door and loudly said, "We're going to have to bring all that stuff back in," and began to walk out of the store. She appeared to direct the statement to Sutor. The doors of the store are directly in front of the counter, with the parking lot to the left. The female opened the door and faced toward their vehicle when she made the statement. Zachary obtained a pen and paper and walked out to the car. As "they were driving off," she got the license plate number. The total amount of merchandise taken was $427.59. When the female made the statement that it was necessary to return the merchandise, Sutor was outside the store and Zachary did not know where he was at that time.

Sufficiency of the Evidence

Sutor contends there is legally and factually insufficient evidence for the court to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that he was either the primary actor or that he was criminally responsible as a party for the acts of the female. Sutor argues that the State's evidence shows only that the female knew the check was rejected and that there is no evidence Sutor had the intent to promote or assist in the commission of this offense.

In our review of the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we employ the standards set forth in Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979). This calls on the court to view the relevant evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 7 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); Turner v. State, 805 S.W.2d 423, 427 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991).

The State argues Sutor was properly found to be responsible as a party to the offense. To prove Sutor was a party, the State had to prove Sutor committed an act, which solicited, encouraged, directed, aided, or attempted to aid in the commission of the theft. See Tex. Pen. Code Ann. 7.02(a)(2) (Vernon 2003). The evidence must show that, at the time of the offense, the parties were acting together, each contributing some part toward the execution of the common purpose. Burdine v. State, 719 S.W.2d 309, 315 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). In determining whether a defendant participated in an offense as a party, the court may examine the events occurring before, during, and after the commission of the offense, and may rely on the actions of the defendant which show an understanding and common design to commit the offense. Beier v. State, 687 S.W.2d 2, 4 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985). Mere presence at the scene of a crime is not alone sufficient to prove that a person is a party to the offense, although it is a circumstance tending to prove guilt, which, combined with other facts, may suffice to show that the accused was a participant. Beardsley v. State, 738 S.W.2d 681, 685 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987); Barnes v. State, 62 S.W.3d 287, 297 (Tex. App. Austin 2001, pet. ref'd). To establish liability as a party, in addition to the illegal conduct by the primary actor, it must be proven that the secondary actor harbored the specific intent to promote or assist in the commission of the offense. Barnes, 62 S.W.3d at 296; Pesina v. State, 949 S.W.2d 374, 382 (Tex. App. San Antonio 1997, no pet.). The accused must know that he or she is assisting in the commission of an offense. Pesina, 949 S.W.2d at 382.

In this instance, Sutor could only be convicted as a party. As such, the State was required to prove the theft, plus an act by Sutor done with the specific intent to promote or assist in the commission of theft.

This is where the evidence fails. There is no evidence that Sutor did any act with an intention to promote or assist a theft or that he knew he was assisting in the commission of an offense.

Reviewing the evidence that is most favorable to the verdict, we find that Sutor and a female loaded merchandise into shopping carts and, with permission of the clerk, took the merchandise to a vehicle. As the female was attempting to write a check for payment, Sutor left the premises. There is no evidence Sutor ever knew the clerk rejected payment by the check. The only evidence in that regard concerns the female shouting from inside the store that the merchandise had to be returned. The clerk acknowledged she did not know where Sutor was at that time. There is no evidence as to where either Sutor or the car was located in relation to the store or to the female when she made the statement. There is no evidence as to the size of the parking lot that might allow an inference Sutor heard the remark. None of Sutor's other actions show any intent to assist in the commission of a theft. There is no evidence as to which of the parties was driving the vehicle. There is no evidence of any actions showing the parties had an understanding or design to commit theft. After reviewing the relevant evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we have determined that a rational trier of fact could not have found beyond a reasonable doubt the essential elements to convict Sutor as a party to the offense.

We find that the evidence is legally insufficient, and we reverse the judgment and render a judgment of acquittal.

Jack Carter

Justice

Date Submitted: June 1, 2004

Date Decided: June 2, 2004

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