Virgilio Maldonado, Appellant v. the State of Texas

Summary

The Court affirmed the appellant's capital murder conviction and death sentence, rejecting all eleven points of error. It held that the evidence supported a robbery theory, the taped confession was admissible, no special jury instructions were required regarding the tape, consular rights were not violated, the confession was voluntary, the name discrepancy was not fatal, and the trial court did not abuse discretion in denying several challenges for cause. Concurring opinions addressed the scope of challenges for cause under Article 35.16.