In re Commitment of Jasper Lee Hill v. State of Texas

Summary

The Texas Court of Appeals, Third District, affirmed a judgment civilly committing Jasper Lee Hill as a sexually violent predator under the Texas Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators Act. The court held that legally sufficient evidence supported the jury’s finding that Hill had a behavioral abnormality making him likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence. The court rejected challenges concerning the expert’s testimony, the focus on sexually violent offenses, and the consideration of Hill’s age.

Holdings

1. The evidence was legally sufficient to support the jury's finding beyond a reasonable doubt that Hill was a sexually violent predator under the Act.
2. Hill's age, even if considered a protective factor in some cases, did not eliminate the evidence of risk factors or render the expert's opinion legally insufficient.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the evidence was legally sufficient to support the jury's finding beyond a reasonable doubt that Hill was a sexually violent predator under the Texas Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators Act.
2. Whether the State's expert testimony was legally insufficient because the expert allegedly focused on general criminal recidivism, failed to account adequately for Hill's age as a protective factor, or failed to establish a likelihood of future sexually violent offenses.

Disposition

affirmed