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Mendez v. State

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

575 S.W.2d 36 (1979)

Facts

Guadalupe Mendez (defendant) was drinking with William Robinson and Alfred Fuschak when Robinson suggested that they find and shoot someone they knew. Mendez and the others retrieved firearms and proceeded on a shooting spree at two locations. Robinson subsequently began shooting his firearm at several random houses, hitting and killing a man asleep in one of the houses. Mendez was indicted for murder. Mendez was acquitted of the murder charge but found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Mendez appealed his conviction as an accomplice, arguing that the principal perpetrator of involuntary manslaughter acts without specific intent and therefore cannot be assisted by an accomplice.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Douglas, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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