X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
Appellant Raymond McDonald, Jr., appeals his conviction for cruelty to animals. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. � 42.09(a)(3) (West Supp. 2001). After a jury found him guilty, McDonald’s attorney and the prosecuting attorney agreed on a punishment of fifty days of confinement to be served on weekends. In this appeal, McDonald alleges that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to establish two elements of the offense and insufficient to support the punishment, that he was denied a punishment hearing and a chance to present mitigating evidence before sentencing, that the trial court erred in not admonishing McDonald as to the range of punishment, and that he personally did not agree to the sentence. We conclude that the evidence was factually sufficient to support the verdict and that McDonald voluntarily agreed to the sentence; therefore, the sufficiency of the evidence for the punishment is irrelevant. We also determine that after entering into a punishment agreement, McDonald was not entitled to present evidence or have a punishment hearing and that the court’s failure to admonish was not error.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

On July 24, 1999, McDonald stopped his van on the side of the road in front of the Holly Street power plant near an entrance to the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail. McDonald opened the back doors of the van, pulled out a black bag, and dropped it on the ground next to the van. A puppy came out of the bag and ran toward the trail. Two security guards from the power plant witnessed these events. One guard approached McDonald and told him to take the dog with him. McDonald refused, saying “[t]hat dog ain’t even mine.” McDonald presented evidence at trial showing that his son’s friend had found the stray dog and placed it in the van without McDonald’s knowledge. McDonald and his wife were on their way to the grocery store when his wife first heard a noise coming from the back of the van. McDonald stopped the van by the trail to investigate. He opened the rear doors and saw a black bag that was moving. McDonald testified that he became scared, grabbed the bag, and dropped it on the ground, which is when the puppy jumped out.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More
March 24, 2025
New York, NY

Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives.


Learn More
March 24, 2025 - March 27, 2025
New York, NY

Legalweek New York explores Business and Regulatory Trends, Technology and Talent drivers impacting law firms.


Learn More

Our close client, an AmLaw 200 Firm, has asked our office to assist them in finding a business transactions/tax associate with 2+ years of e...


Apply Now ›

Our client, a boutique full-service firm established by former BigLaw partners, is seeking to hire an Of Counsel or Junior Partner to work o...


Apply Now ›

Our close client, a global multinational firm, is seeking an Associate to work with the Energy practice group in their Austin office. They a...


Apply Now ›