• Low Risk High Reward

    From cecil2101@gmail.com@21:1/5 to All on Mon Jul 9 13:54:40 2018
    5 Dollar Gifting Program
    $5 cash gifting:
    Reap the Benefits FAST!
    THIS IS 100% LEGAL AND IS NOT A CHAIN LETTER!(READ THE BOTTOM OF THIS FOR PROOF) Its only $5, not $500 so what have you got to lose. Nothing! But you have everything to gain!

    This thing really works, all you have to do is be honest and you will love the benefits. This is a great way to make money using paypal.
    With just $5 and a Paypal PREMIER or BUSINESS account, you could make $$Thousands$$ in 2 SIMPLE STEPS!

    READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY THEN READ IT AGAIN. THIS IS FAST. THIS IS NOT THE ONE YOU WILL BE WAITING TO WORK GUARANTEED-you will have $10,000
    in two weeks. Only $5, a Paypal PREMIER or BUSINESS account and 30 min are all to get this going. GIFTING MADE EASY, PLEASE READ ON TO FIND OUT HOW...If you want to make a few thousand dollars real quick, then please take a moment to read and understand
    this program I'm sharing
    with you. NO IT'S NOT what you think. YOU DON'T have to send $5 to five or six people to buy a report, receipt, or get on their mailing list.
    Nor will you need to invest more money later to get things going. THIS IS THE FASTEST, EASIEST PROGRAM EVER, you will be able to complete it
    in LESS THAN 30 MINUTES and you will never forget the day you first viewed this online. This is the FASTEST and EASIEST way to earn serious money online that you've ever seen so far in the history of the Internet! This program works no matter what
    country you are in, or what currency you use. It
    doesn't matter how old or how young you are. And you certainly won't need any special knowledge or talent. You won't need to run a website,or make phone calls, or make photocopies, or send out letters through the mail, or pay for advertising, etc. The
    only things you will need are:
    * An email address
    * A Premier or Business PayPal account with at least $5 deposited in it
    * 30 minutes of your time
    ONLY 2 SIMPLE AND EASY STEPS!
    If you are doing other programs, by all means stay with them. The more the merrier, BUT PLEASE READ ON!! First of all, there are only TWO POSITIONS, not four, five or six like many other programs. This program is more realistic and much, MUCH FASTER.
    Because it is so easy, the response rate for this program is VERY HIGH and VERY FAST, and you will receive your reward in FOURTEEN DAYS. That's only TWO WEEKS - not one or two months. Just in time for next months BILLS. TRUE STORY --> June Alscar tells
    how she ran this gifting summation four times last year.The first time, she received $6,000+ in cash in two weeks and then
    $14,000+ in cash the next three times. When this program is continued,as it should be, EVERYONE PROFITS!! DON'T BE AFRAID to send gifts to
    strangers. It will come back to you ten folds. A person can gift you up to $10,000 per year and you don't have to report it to the IRS.
    THIS CAN AND WILL WORK FOR YOU! HERE ARE THE DETAILS: Post this letter in 50 message boards, chat rooms, or newsgroups. You don't need to
    post 200 like others programs or email 40 people just to get started. Even if you are already in a program like the send six dollars to six people. CONTINUE IT and stay with it, THOSE DO PAY OUT, but do yourself a favor, DO THIS ONE TODAY as well, RIGHT
    NOW!!! It is simple and takes
    a very small investment, only $5 and a Paypal PREMIER or BUSINESS account. IT WORKS AND IS DONE IN 2 SIMPLE AND EASY STEPS! This program WILL PAY FASTER before the other programs you are working
    on even trickle in! Just give one person $5. THAT'S IT! Follow the simple instructions and in two weeks, you should have $10,000 because
    most PEOPLE WILL RESPOND due to the LOW ONE TIME INVESTMENT, SPEED AND HIGH PROFIT POTENTIAL.
    PLUS, since it's done all ONLINE, there is no time wasted mailing out letters and such ! ! We are not even figuring a 10% response! So let's all keep it going and help each other in these tough times. We all owe money to bill collectors, and creditors.
    But, with this, if people take the time to help each other, the good fortune will follow. SO, Take
    the measly minutes this SIMPLE and REWARDING program offers and give the gift that gives back TODAY! Simply send a $5 gift to the person at POSITION #1, if your birthday is BETWEEN JAN 1 THRU JUNE 30, OR, if your birthday is BETWEEN JULY 1 THRU DEC 31,
    send the gift to the person at POSITION # 2. HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. . .

    STEP 1 Ok, if you're not already a PayPal user, the very first thing you need to do is use the PayPal link below and SIGN UP. It takes just
    two minutes! Here's the URL: Be sure to use this
    link so you can sign up for a free PREMIER or BUSINESS account. You'll need to have a PREMIER or BUSINESS account (and not a PERSONAL account)
    otherwise you won't be able to receive credit card payments from other people. STEP 2 It is an undeniable law of the universe that we must first give in order to receive. So the first thing to do when you have your
    Premier/Business PayPal account is to IMMEDIATELY send a $5 payment from your PayPal account to the email address in the position (1 or 2 depending on your birthday in the timeline), along with a note saying: "HERE IS A $5 GIFT FOR YOU." Be certain to
    add this note, as this is what KEEPS THIS PROGRAM LEGAL. Instructions on how to send a payment are under "SEND MONEY" at the Paypal Site. It's so Easy!! When you send your $5 payment to either address in the list, do it with a great big smile on your
    face because "as you sow, so shall you
    reap!" After you have transferred a $5 payment to the email address, something very eerie happens. It gives you an indescribable, overwhelming sense
    of certainty, belief and conviction in the system. You've just proved to yourself that, because you have done it, there must be a great number of other people ready to do exactly the same. Thus you have now seen for yourself, first hand, that this
    business actually works! REMOVE the email address you are replacing (the one you sent $5 to), and REPLACE it with your own email address. REMEMBER: Use the same EMAIL ADDRESS that is used with YOUR Paypal account!! Paste your newly typed email address
    over the old one and then post to
    50 Message Boards, Chat Rooms, or Newsgroups. DON'T MULL OVER IT, JUST 30 MIN OF YOUR TIME, THAT'S IT THERE IS NO MORE TO DO!! ACT FAST AND
    GET THE GIFT. HONESTY AND INTEGRITY MAKE THIS PLAN WORK!! DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU!

    POSITION#1
    if your birthday is BETWEEN JAN 1 THRU JUNE 30 send $5

    dr.cakes83@gmail.com

    POSITION#2
    if your birthday is BETWEEN JULY 1 THRU DEC 31 send $5

    cecil2101@gmail.com


    YOUR NAME COULD CYCLE FOR A LONG TIME! THIS MAKES IT THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING. This is excellent seed money to start or expand a
    business, buy your dream home, car and pay off whatever bills you may have. Good luck and God Bless.Play fairly and good fortune will
    follow. WHY THIS PROGRAM WORKS: Straight to the point, the reason this program is SO SUCCESSFUL is because this in 50 different message boards, there
    are only TWO outcomes (1) A person's birthday will fall on the same half as yours YOU GET $5.00..OR (2) A person's birthday will fall on the other half of the timeline, therefore, YOU STAY IN YOUR POSITION posted in 50 other MESSAGE BOARDS, etc.
    BOTTOMLINE: Either you get the $5 or your name gets passed on for other people to give YOU $5 or pass YOUR name on to other people that will.
    It makes you think though, the more you post YOUR OWN POSTS, the BETTER the results! 4 FACTORS THAT MAKE THIS PROGRAM SO SUCCESSFUL. . .
    * EXTREMELY FAST RESPONSE
    * EXTREMELY HIGH RESPONSE RATE
    * UNLIMITED PROFIT POTENTIAL
    * QUICK, SIMPLE AND CHEAP TO GET STARTED
    So there it is. You now have the knowledge that will enable you to make over $10,000 within the next few weeks. The only thing that can hold
    you back now is a lack of faith or a lack of self-belief. However, any doubts you may currently have will disappear within a few days of putting this plan into practice. Trust me on this! You certainly won't regret it. Best Regards,
    P.S. Does this sound too good? Well maybe to some skeptics it is. But it actually works, and is worth the 30 minutes of your time now. So,
    just make a nice cup of tea and get started on it now. After all, you can't lose, and you stand to gain more in the next few weeks than many
    people earn in a year!

    What is Cash Gifting?

    Cash Gifting is the act of giving another person a declared sum of cash as a gift and giving it freely without force or concern. It's called a cash gift because that's exactly what it is...a gift of cash. Through the simple principle
    of helping your fellow man or woman through giving, members of cash gifting programs
    are immediately recognized and rewarded for their participation in the giving process.

    Is Cash Gifting Legal?

    According to United States IRS tax codes cash gifting is legal. The law states that individuals can give a gift to another individual of up to $11,000 each per calendar year without any tax liability to either the giver or receiver of the gift, because
    the tax on the gift has already been paid. For more information on IRS Tax Codes
    regarding cash gifts see: Title 26, Sections 2501-2504, 2511.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From grimtinafan@gmail.com@21:1/5 to Cecil Overstreet on Mon Jul 9 14:21:49 2018
    Cecil is located in Texas.
    Under Texas state laws, "cash gifting" is a felony crime. All IRS claims he makes are invalid and can get him even more grief from the police.


    Court of Appeals of Texas,Houston (14th Dist.).
    Harvey Joseph DOCKSTADER, Jr., Appellant v. The STATE of Texas, Appellee. No. 14-06-00182-CR.
    Decided: July 31, 2007
    Panel consists of Justices YATES, ANDERSON, and HUDSON.Henry W. Curtis, Houston, TX, for appellants. Jessica Alana Caird, Houston, TX, for appellees.
    OPINION
    A jury convicted appellant Harvey Joseph Dockstader, Jr. of promoting a pyramid promotional scheme and assessed punishment at two years' incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, State Jail Division, and a $10,000 fine.   Appellant
    raises nine issues on appeal.   We affirm.
    Factual And Procedural Background
    Appellant is the founder of an organization known as Elite Activity.   Since 2001, Elite Activity has maintained an internet website where people are invited to participate in a “cycle of abundance” through the giving and receiving of monetary “
    gifts.”   Participation in Elite Activity is based on the payment of money, the receipt of money, and the recruitment of new members.   No products or services are sold.   For a monthly fee, participants in Elite Activity may subscribe to the
    organization's internet service and track their progression through pyramid-shaped “panels” of “gifting.”   Appellant traveled to numerous churches across the southern United States to speak about Elite Activity, which he claims is inspired by
    God and based on the teachings of the Bible.
    On June 24, 2005, in response to the arrest of one of Elite Activity's participants, appellant held a press conference on the front steps of the Harris County Criminal Justice Center.   In his statement to the media, appellant repeatedly invited people
    to participate in Elite Activity.   A videotaped excerpt of appellant's statement was broadcast on the Channel 39 evening news in Houston.   On July 1, 2005, a Harris County grand jury indicted appellant.   The indictment alleged that “on or
    about June 24, 2005, [appellant] did then and there unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly contrive, prepare, establish, operate, advertise, sell, and/or promote a pyramid promotional scheme.”   Appellant was convicted and sentenced to the maximum
    punishment allowed by law.   This appeal followed.
    In nine issues, appellant challenges the constitutionality of the pyramid promotional scheme statute, the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence, the trial court's refusal to include a proposed mistake of fact defense instruction in the jury
    charge, and the conduct of the trial judge which appellant claims denied him his right to a fair and impartial trial.
    Discussion
    I. Appellant Failed to Preserve His Constitutional Challenges to the Pyramid Promotional Scheme Statute
     In his first, fourth, fifth, and sixth issues, appellant argues that section 17.461 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code (“the pyramid promotional scheme statute”) is unconstitutional as applied to appellant.   Appellant contends the pyramid
    promotional scheme statute violates his rights to free speech, free association, and free exercise of religion, pursuant to the United States and Texas Constitutions.   See U.S. Const. Amend.   I;  Tex. Const. art.   I, §§ 6, 8, 19, 27.
     A party may challenge a statute on the grounds that it is facially unconstitutional or unconstitutional “as applied” to the party.  Curry v. State, 910 S.W.2d 490, 496 (Tex.Crim.App.1995) (en banc);  Briggs v. State, 789 S.W.2d 918, 923-24 (
    Tex.Crim.App.1990).   In order to review an attack on the constitutionality of a statute as applied, the party challenging the statute must have raised the issue in the trial court.  Tex.R.App. P. 33.1(a);  Curry, 910 S.W.2d at 496;  King v.
    State, 174 S.W.3d 796, 815 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 2005, pet. ref'd).   Appellant's first, fourth, fifth, and sixth issues challenge the constitutionality of the pyramid promotional scheme statute “as construed and applied to appellant.”   Our
    review of the record shows that appellant did not object to the constitutionality of the statute at trial.   Appellant argued to the jury that his conduct was justified by his religious beliefs.   However, he did not move to quash the indictment or
    present his constitutional arguments to the court, and he did not request a ruling that the statute was unconstitutional.   Because no specific, timely objection was made, appellant's challenges to the constitutionality of the pyramid promotional
    scheme statute as applied to appellant were not preserved for our review.   See Tex.R.App. P. 33.1;  Curry, 910 S.W.2d at 496;  King, 174 S.W.3d at 815.   Additionally, appellant's brief contains no arguments in support of his fifth and sixth
    issues and thus presents nothing for our review.   See Tex.R.App. P. 38.1(h) (An appellant's brief “must contain a clear and concise argument for the contentions made, with appropriate citations to authorities and to the record.”).   Appellant's
    first, fourth, fifth, and sixth issues are overruled.
    II. The Evidence is Legally and Factually Sufficient to Sustain Appellant's Conviction
    In his seventh issue, appellant argues the evidence is factually insufficient to support his conviction.   Appellant's eighth issue challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence, and his second issue contends the trial court erred in denying his
    motion for instructed verdict.   Because a complaint about the denial of a motion for instructed verdict is an attack upon the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we address appellant's second and eighth issues together.  McDuff v. State, 939 S.W.2d
    607, 613 (Tex.Crim.App.1997);  Myles v. State, 946 S.W.2d 630, 636 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, no pet.).
    A. Standards of Review
     In a legal sufficiency review, we view all the 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.  Jackson v. Virginia,
    443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979);  Salinas v. State, 163 S.W.3d 734, 737 (Tex.Crim.App.2005).   The jury, as the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses, is free to believe or disbelieve all or part of a witness's
    testimony.  Jones v. State, 984 S.W.2d 254, 257 (Tex.Crim.App.1998).   We do not engage in a second evaluation of the weight and credibility of the evidence, but only ensure the jury reached a rational decision.  Muniz v. State, 851 S.W.2d 238, 246
    (Tex.Crim.App.1993);  Harris v. State, 164 S.W.3d 775, 784 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, pet. ref'd).
     In a factual sufficiency review, we consider all the evidence in a neutral light.  Prible v. State, 175 S.W.3d 724, 730-31 (Tex.Crim.App.2005).   The evidence may be factually insufficient in two ways.   Id. at 731.   First, when considered by
    itself, evidence supporting the verdict may be so weak the verdict is clearly wrong and manifestly unjust.   Id. Second, where the evidence both supports and contradicts the verdict, the contrary evidence may be strong enough that the beyond-a-
    reasonable-doubt standard could not have been met.  Id. In conducting a factual sufficiency review, we must employ appropriate deference so that we do not substitute our judgment for that of the fact finder.  Jones v. State, 944 S.W.2d 642, 648 (Tex.
    Crim.App.1996).   Our analysis must consider the evidence appellant claims is most important in allegedly undermining the jury's verdict.  Sims v. State, 99 S.W.3d 600, 603 (Tex.Crim.App.2003).
    B. Analysis
    Under the pyramid promotional scheme statute, a person commits an offense if the person contrives, prepares, establishes, operates, advertises, sells, or promotes a pyramid promotional scheme.  Tex. Bus. & Com.Code Ann. § 17.461(c) (Vernon 2002).  
    “Pyramid promotional scheme” means a plan or operation by which a person gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation that is derived primarily from a person's introduction of other persons to participate in the plan or operation
    rather than the sale of a product by a person introduced into the plan or operation.  Id. § 17.461(a)(6).  “Compensation” means payment of money, a financial benefit, or another thing of value.  Id. § 17.461(a)(1).   The term does not
    include payment based on the sale of a product to a person, including a participant, who purchases the product for actual use or consumption.  Id. “Product” means a good, a service, or intangible property of any kind.  Id. § 17.461(a)(4).
     1. Elite Activity is a Pyramid Promotional Scheme
     We first consider whether the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support the jury's finding that Elite Activity is a pyramid promotional scheme.   Pastor Sean Riley of the Secret Place International Church testified he became involved
    with Elite Activity after watching a D.V.D. given to him by another pastor.   Riley testified appellant came to Secret Place Church and introduced himself as the founder of Elite Activity.   Riley began promoting Elite Activity and was arrested and
    charged with promoting a pyramid promotional scheme.   At appellant's trial, Riley testified about the structure and purpose of Elite Activity.   Riley testified new members of Elite Activity were invited to give a $100 “gift” to the senior
    member of a “panel” or “board” to begin their participation.   A panel consisted of fifteen participants:  eight “freshman,” four “sophomores,” two “juniors,” and one “senior.” An individual became a freshman by contributing $
    100 to the senior member of the panel.   Elevation in status could be obtained only by recruiting additional people to participate.   Recruiting two new people “pushed” the freshman invitee to the level of sophomore. To move from sophomore to
    junior, each of the two people recruited by the invitee had to recruit two more people.   After becoming a senior, the invitee received the $800 in gifts paid by the freshman members of the panel.   The invitee then restarted as a freshman on a
    different panel by making a new gift and recruiting new members.   The amount of the gift required for participation increased as an invitee progressed from one panel to the next.   Elite Activity panels required gifts ranging from $100 to $6,000.
    Riley testified participation in Elite Activity was strictly an exchange of money and did not involve the sale of any product or service.   Riley further testified, “if I come into Elite Activity and give a hundred dollars, I cannot move through the
    activity unless I go get two people.   I have to go get two people to do what I did.   I can't just give it to you and then expect something in return if I do nothing ․ that's how it works.”   Riley testified he did not know anyone who
    participated in Elite Activity without expecting to receive payment in return for their participation.
    Russell Turbeville, the chief of the Consumer Fraud Division of the Harris County District Attorney's Office, testified as an expert on pyramid promotional schemes.   Turbeville described Elite Activity as a typical “doubling” pyramid scheme in
    which each participant is required to recruit two new participants in order to receive compensation.   Turbeville testified perpetrators of pyramid schemes frequently describe their activity as “gifting.”   Turbeville further testified
    participants in Elite Activity were required to pay $100 and “were encouraged to recruit at least two people who in turn would pay and recruit other people and ․ you would eventually receive an $800 payment.”   Participants then had the option of
    reentering the scheme by “paying $250 into the chart that had a larger payoff and you could progress through a series of charts and possibly receive as much as $82,000.”   Participants in Elite Activity were also required to pay a monthly fee in
    order to track their participation on the Elite Activity website.
    Appellant testified that the Elite Activity website provides an accurate description of how Elite Activity works.   State's Exhibit 6 consists of printed pages of information from the Elite Activity website, which provide that “the goal” of
    participation in Elite Activity is “to qualify for receiving gifts.”   The website provides that participation begins by entering the “Head Start” panel “with your $100 gift and your two invitees ready to accept your invitation.   You are
    now qualified to become a senior and start receiving gifts on that panel.   You will need to have at least two invitees accept your invitation before you move to a forward panel.”   Participants progress through seven categories of panels, each of
    which requires a greater monetary gift.1  When a participant becomes the senior member of a panel, he receives payment from each of the panel's eight freshman members.   The website makes it clear that gifts are “not given in exchange for a product
    or service.” 2
    Appellant testified in his own defense and gave the following description of Elite Activity:  “When a participant chooses to participate, they give a gift.   They start at the giving designation․They progress from the giving designation down to
    the receiving designation and then they have the potential to receive eight gifts, period.”   Appellant further testified that Elite Activity would continue to exist without the recruitment of new members because the existing participants would “
    continually give and receive.”   However, on cross-examination appellant testified that “new participants coming in helps the activity grow.”   Appellant further testified Elite Activity formerly had more than 250,000 participants, and
    currently has approximately 3,500 active participants.
    In his factual sufficiency argument, appellant fails to identify any specific evidence which he claims is contrary to the jury's finding that Elite Activity is a pyramid promotional scheme.   See Sims, 99 S.W.3d at 603 (holding appellate court must
    consider evidence appellant claims is most important in undermining the jury's verdict).   Rather, appellant's brief recites a ten-page quotation from the reporter's record and summarily concludes the evidence shows Elite Activity is a “belief system
    in which “[b]elievers were requested to invite other believers to participate in the belief system.”
    We have reviewed the entire record in this case.   Pastor Riley's testimony, which is corroborated by the Elite Activity website exhibit and the testimony of appellant himself, shows that Elite Activity is a highly organized plan or operation in which
    people pay money for the opportunity to receive money.   Riley testified new participants pay $100 and recruit additional participants in order to achieve “senior” status and receive $800.   Riley testified he was not aware of anyone who “
    gifted” in Elite Activity without expecting payment in return.   Appellant's own testimony shows that participation in Elite Activity is based on the payment and receipt of money.   Appellant testified participants “start at the giving
    designation,” give a $100 “gift,” and progress to the “receiving designation” where “they have the potential to receive eight gifts.” It is of no consequence that the transfer of money is characterized as a “gift” by the person giving
    or receiving the payment.   See King, 174 S.W.3d at 808-09 (holding woman's club with “gifting plan” satisfied the statutory definition of pyramid promotional scheme where the “plan involved a gift of $2,500 for a return of $10,000 and $5,000 for
    a return of $20,000, provided a sufficient number of women joined the club”).   The statute requires only that the plan or operation is one in which “a person gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation that is derived primarily
    from a person's introduction of other persons to participate in the plan or operation rather than the sale of a product by a person introduced into the plan or operation.”  Tex. Bus. & Com.Code Ann. § 17.461(a)(6).
    Riley testified participation in Elite Activity did not involve the sale of a product or service.   Riley further testified participants in Elite Activity must recruit two additional people in order to “move through the activity” and become
    eligible to receive payment.   Riley's testimony is corroborated by the Elite Activity website exhibit which, appellant testified, provides an accurate description of how Elite Activity works.   The website provides that participation begins with a
    $100 gift and your two invitees ready to accept your invitation.”   The website further provides that a participant “will need to have at least two invitees accept [his] invitation” before moving to a forward panel.   Appellant testified Elite
    Activity currently has 3,500 active participants.
    We find the evidence legally and factually sufficient to support the jury's finding that Elite Activity is a plan or operation by which a person gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation that is derived primarily from a person's
    introduction of other persons to participate in the plan or operation rather than the sale of a product by a person introduced into the plan or operation.   See id.
     2. Appellant Promoted Elite Activity
     Next, we consider whether the evidence is legally and factually sufficient to support the jury's finding that appellant promoted Elite Activity, a pyramid promotional scheme.  “Promoting a pyramid promotional scheme” means inducing or attempting
    to induce one or more other persons to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme;  or assisting another person in inducing or attempting to induce one or more other persons to participate in a pyramid promotional scheme, including by providing
    references.  Id. § 17.461(a)(5).  “Participate” means to contribute money into a pyramid promotional scheme without promoting, organizing, or operating the scheme.   Id. § 17.461(a)(3).   Thus, we must determine whether the evidence is
    legally and factually sufficient to establish that appellant induced or attempted to induce one or more other persons to contribute money into Elite Activity on or about June 24, 2005.   See id. § 17.461(a)(3), (5).
    In his testimony at trial, appellant admitted he arranged and conducted a press conference on the front steps of the Harris County criminal courthouse on June 24, 2005.   We have reviewed State's Exhibit 1-A, a videotape of appellant's press conference,
    which shows the following statements were made by appellant:
    We invite people who can give in a possibility that being a blessing to someone else can, in turn, bless their own life․ Our activity is spelled out on our website․ We have a cycle.   We begin the cycle by giving a gift.   We complete the cycle
    by receiving the gift․ I invite you to participate in a belief system where giving opens the way to receiving․ Start at the giving designation.   Progress through the sharing and inviting designations and you complete by receiving.
    In his factual sufficiency argument, appellant fails to identify any specific evidence which he claims is contrary to the jury's finding that he promoted Elite Activity.   In his statements to the media, appellant repeatedly invited other persons to
    participate in Elite Activity by “giving a gift.”   Appellant also referred his audience to the Elite Activity website, where the “activity is spelled out.”   Our review of the record as a whole, and particularly the evidence from Elite
    Activity's website, shows that appellant's statements about the giving of “gifts” are references to the payment of money.   Therefore, by inviting people to participate in Elite Activity by giving “a gift,” appellant was inducing or attempting
    to induce one or more other persons to contribute money into Elite Activity, a pyramid promotional scheme.
    Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we find that any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of promotion of a pyramid promotional scheme beyond a reasonable doubt.   See King, 174 S.W.3d at 808-09. (
    holding evidence supporting conviction for promotion of pyramid promotional scheme was legally sufficient where the defendant distributed information regarding the scheme and encouraged other persons to join).   Viewing the evidence in a neutral light,
    we find the evidence supporting the jury's verdict is not so weak that the verdict is clearly wrong or manifestly unjust, nor is the contrary evidence so strong that the beyond-a-reasonable doubt standard could not have been met.   Because we find the
    evidence is legally and factually sufficient to sustain the jury's verdict that appellant promoted a pyramid promotional scheme, appellant's second, seventh, and eighth issues are overruled.
    III. Appellant was Not Entitled to a Jury Instruction on the Mistake of Fact Defense
     In his third issue, appellant claims the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on appellant's mistake of fact defense. Section 8.02 of the Penal Code provides that “[i]t is a defense to prosecution that the actor through mistake formed
    a reasonable belief about a matter of fact if his mistaken belief negated the kind of culpability required for the commission of the offense.”  Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 8.02(a) (Vernon 2003).   An accused has the right to a jury instruction on any
    defensive issue raised by the evidence, whether that evidence is weak or strong, unimpeached or contradicted, and regardless of what the trial court may or may not think about the credibility of the evidence.  Murchison v. State, 93 S.W.3d 239, 252 (
    Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2002, pet. ref'd).   However, if the evidence viewed in a light favorable to appellant does not establish a mistake of fact defense, then the trial court did not err in refusing an instruction.  Id. Therefore, the issue
    is whether the evidence cited by appellant, if believed, raises a mistake of fact defense by negating appellant's culpable mental state.  Id.;  Legere v. State, 82 S.W.3d 105, 109 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 2002, pet. ref'd).
    Appellant's arguments regarding this issue focus on statements made by appellant during the press conference on June 24, 2005.   According to appellant, the issue is “whether appellant's statements at a press conference to the media assembled in
    front of the court house to defend the integrity of his belief in Luke 6:38, if believed, raise a mistake of fact defense.”   Appellant does not direct us to any specific evidence introduced at trial which he contends raises an issue as to a mistake
    of fact.   During the press conference, appellant attempted to explain to the media why Elite Activity was not an illegal pyramid scheme.   In his appellate brief, appellant contends that “[a]ccepting appellant's statement to the press conference [
    sic] as true, he could not have ‘intentionally or knowingly’ promoted a pyramid promotional scheme, or ‘intended’ to violate any portion of the consumer protection act.”
    Under the pyramid promotional scheme statute, a person commits an offense if that person intentionally or knowingly contrives, prepares, establishes, operates, advertises, sells, or promotes a pyramid promotional scheme.  Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. §
    17.461(c);  King, 174 S.W.3d at 808.   The statute does not require appellant to have acted with the belief that his conduct was illegal, or with intent to violate the statute.  Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.461(c);  see also Austin v.
    State, 769 S.W.2d 369, 372 (Tex.App.-Beaumont 1989, pet. ref'd) (finding defendant who promoted endless chain scheme was not entitled to mistake of fact defense based upon his mistaken belief that his activity was lawful).   Based on our review of
    appellant's statements at the press conference, we find that the only “mistake” appellant made was believing his actions were lawful.   Such a belief is not a mistake of fact.  Vitiello v. State, 848 S.W.2d 885, 887 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.]
    1993, pet. ref'd).   Accordingly, appellant was not entitled to a jury instruction on mistake of fact, and his third issue is overruled.
    IV. Appellant was Not Denied His Right to Fair and Impartial Trial
    In his ninth issue, appellant claims he was denied his right to a fair and impartial trial because the trial judge showed favoritism towards the State's case.   Appellant directs us to an excerpt from the reporter's record of the punishment hearing,
    which he contends “shows favoritism towards the State's case [and] that the judge appeared to be partial which lead to suspicions as to the fairness and integrity of the court.”   The State argues appellant failed to show the trial judge acted
    improperly or that her comments prejudiced him.   We agree with the State.  The parties have a right to a fair trial.  Markowitz v. Markowitz, 118 S.W.3d 82, 86 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. denied).   One of the most fundamental components of a fair trial is a neutral and detached judge.  Id. A judge should
    not act as an advocate or adversary for any party.  Id. To reverse a judgment on the ground of improper conduct or comments of the judge, we must find (1) that judicial impropriety was in fact committed, and (2) probable prejudice to the complaining
    party.  Id. The scope of our review is the entire record.  Id. at 87.   Judicial remarks during the course of a trial that are critical or disapproving of, or even hostile to counsel, the parties, or their cases, ordinarily do not support a bias or
    partiality challenge.   Id. Such remarks may constitute bias if they reveal an opinion deriving from an extrajudicial source;  however, when no extrajudicial source is alleged, such remarks will constitute bias only if they reveal such a high degree
    of favoritism or antagonism as to make fair judgment impossible.  Id.  Appellant claims the trial judge showed favoritism by stating, “I told you that I have made my ruling and that if I am incorrect, you got me [on appeal].”   The trial court's comment, which was made in the context of a discussion regarding
    appellant's request for a jury charge on the defense of mistake of fact, does not show impropriety or prejudice.   The trial judge was merely informing appellant that if her ruling was incorrect appellant would prevail on appeal.
     Appellant next argues the trial judge demonstrated bias by refusing to answer the following question:
    [Appellant's counsel]:  Do you acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being? [The Court]:  I am not here to answer your questions, sir.   Do you have any objections or anything else that you would like to put on the record before we get started with the punishment phase?
    The trial judge's refusal to answer appellant's trial counsel's question regarding her personal beliefs does not demonstrate impropriety or prejudice.   To the contrary, the trial judge's refusal to respond avoided the introduction of extrajudicial
    information into the proceeding.
     Finally, appellant claims the trial judge showed favoritism by denying his motion for mistrial.   Appellant moved for mistrial on the ground that the State failed to produce a copy of a D.V.D. made by Pastor Riley.3  The trial court ruled that
    appellant was not entitled to a copy of the D.V.D. because it was not part of the State's file in appellant's case.   Appellant does not raise this evidentiary issue on appeal, and has failed to demonstrate that the trial judge acted with bias or
    impropriety in denying his motion for mistrial.
    We have reviewed the entire record in this case and find no indication of judicial impropriety or bias in favor of either party.   Appellant's ninth issue is overruled.
    Conclusion
    Having overruled each of appellant's issues, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
    FOOTNOTES
    1.  The “panel values” described on Elite Activity's website are “Head Start ($100), Elementary ($250), High School ($500), Junior Varsity ($1,000), College ($2,000), Masters ($4,000), and Graduate ($6,000).”
    2.  The Elite Activity website contains the following information:  “Since the taxes on the gift have already been paid and because the gift is not given in exchange for a product or service and is NOT and [sic] investment, these gifts are not
    required to be reported as gross income of the recipient (See 26 USC § 102).”
    3.  The State obtained a copy of a D.V.D. made by Pastor Riley in connection with the prosecution of Pastor Riley for promotion of a pyramid promotional scheme.   However, according to the prosecutor, Pastor Riley's D.V.D. was not made part of the
    State's file in appellant's case because appellant denied having any involvement with the D.V.D.
    JOHN S. ANDERSON, Justice.



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