
In The


Court of Appeals


Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont


____________________


NO. 09-06-243 CV

____________________


IN RE COMMITMENT OF JAMES GOLLIHAR




On Appeal from the 9th District Court
Montgomery County, Texas

Trial Cause No. 05-07-06646 CV




OPINION
 The Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators Act ("Act") (1) provides for the
involuntary civil commitment of an offender to outpatient treatment and supervision if the
offender is found to be a sexually violent predator.  See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann.
§ 841.081 (Vernon Supp. 2006). (2)  A jury determined that James Gollihar was a sexually
violent predator under Texas law by finding that he suffers from a behavioral abnormality
that makes him likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence.  See id. § 841.003
(Vernon 2003).  Gollihar challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence
establishing that he is likely to engage in a future predatory act of sexual violence.  He also
challenges the reliability of the testimony of Dr. Sheri Gaines, the State's expert witness.  We
affirm the trial court's judgment and order of civil commitment.  
Issue One:  Legal and Factual Sufficiency  
	In issue one, Gollihar challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence
supporting the jury's verdict.  Under the Act, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt
that a person is a sexually violent predator.  See id. § 841.062 (Vernon 2003).  Because the
statute employs a beyond-a-reasonable-doubt-standard, on appeal we review legal sufficiency
issues by the standard of review applied in criminal cases for legal sufficiency of the
evidence.  See In re Commitment of Mullens, 92 S.W.3d 881, 885 (Tex. App.-Beaumont
2002, pet. denied) (citing Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d
560 (1979)).  To test the legal sufficiency of the evidence that supports an affirmative jury
finding, we review all of the evidence in a light most favorable to the verdict.  See id.  In this
case, we review the evidence at trial to decide if a rational jury could have found beyond a
reasonable doubt that Gollihar suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes him likely
to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence.  See id. at 887.
	With respect to our factual sufficiency review, we apply the factual sufficiency
standard applied in criminal cases.  In a factual sufficiency review, we view all of the
evidence in a neutral light and ask whether a jury was rationally justified in finding guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt.  See Watson v. State, 204 S.W.3d 404, 415 (Tex. Crim. App.
2006).  To reverse a case on a factual sufficiency challenge, we must be able to say that the
great weight and preponderance of the evidence contradicts the jury's verdict or that the
verdict is clearly wrong or manifestly unjust.  See Marshall v. State, 210 S.W.3d 618, 625
(Tex. Crim. App. 2006) (citing Watson, 204 S.W.3d at 414-15). Evidence
	Gollihar's first issue asserts the State's evidence fails to establish that he is likely to
reoffend. (3)  During the trial, the State offered the testimony of James Gollihar, Sheri Gaines,
M.D., and Antoinette McGarrahan, Ph.D.  The trial court also admitted other evidence: 
Gollihar's pen packet and his answers to requests for admission.   
	Dr. Sheri Gaines, a board-certified psychiatrist, testified that she met with Gollihar
in January 2006 and interviewed him to evaluate whether he had a behavioral abnormality
making him likely to reoffend.  In reaching her opinion, Dr. Gaines reviewed the offense
reports, victim statements, the records from Gollihar's sex offender treatment program, his
education records, and his medical records.  During the interview with Dr. Gaines, Gollihar
related that one month prior to the interview he had a fantasy about a sexual encounter with
a minor female.  Gollihar also told Dr. Gaines that he could not say that he would not
reoffend.  Based upon her interview of Gollihar and his records, Dr. Gaines diagnosed him
as suffering from pedophilia.  She also testified that, in her opinion, Gollihar has a behavioral
abnormality that makes him likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence, and she
specifically stated that Gollihar is "highly likely to reoffend sexually on a child, on a female
child."  When she offered this opinion during trial, Gollihar's attorney made no objection.
	The State also called Dr. Antoinette McGarrahan, a psychologist.  Dr. McGarrahan
interviewed Gollihar and administered two psychological tests, the MnSOST-R and the Static
'99.  Dr. McGarrahan testified that Gollihar's test results placed him in a group with the
following recidivism rates:  nine percent, five years after release; thirteen percent, ten years
after release; and sixteen percent, fifteen years after release. (4)  During his interview, Gollihar
related to Dr. McGarrahan that two days prior to the interview he had a fantasy about  a child. 
Dr. McGarrahan testified that she would slightly increase Gollihar's risk and, thus, would
classify it as moderate "due to recent fantasies [associated with] masturbation of children." 
	The State also introduced portions of Gollihar's deposition testimony.  There, he
admitted to a 1987 incident that resulted in his conviction for indecency with a child by
contact.  Gollihar also testified that he had been convicted for aggravated sexual assault of
a child related to an incident in 1990.  Gollihar testified that his sexual conduct with his
victim in 1990 occurred up to three times per week over an eight month time period.  In
addition, Gollihar testified that before his imprisonment he had engaged in improper relations
with children other than the two children involved in the 1987 and 1990 incidents.  Gollihar
denied knowing how many children he had victimized.  
	During the State's presentation of its case, the trial court admitted several of
Gollihar's answers to requests for admission.  Among these answers, Gollihar admitted that
he suffers from a behavioral affliction that causes him to sexually abuse children.  
	Gollihar was the sole witness called to testify in his defense.  During his testimony,
Gollihar related that he entered a sexual abuse therapy program in January 2006.  At the time
of trial, Gollihar testified that he had completed phase one and was entering phase three. 
Gollihar did not mention whether he had successfully completed phase two.  During his
cross-examination, Gollihar testified that he gave a written statement during 2006 in which
he said:  "I have a thing about younger women and little girls. . . .  I know I have this
problem."  At the time of his 2006 trial, Gollihar was 65 years of age.  
Application of Law to Facts
	At the outset, we note that a jury is entitled to make reasonable inferences from basic
facts to determine ultimate fact issues.  Lacour v. State, 8 S.W.3d 670, 671 (Tex. Crim. App.
2000). The jury judges the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to accord their
testimony.  See Barnes v. State, 876 S.W.2d 316, 321 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994); Mullens, 92
S.W.3d at 887.  
	In this case, Dr. Gaines diagnosed Gollihar with pedophilia.  This Court has
previously recognized that mental health professionals consider pedophilia a serious mental
disorder.  Mullens, 92 S.W.3d at 885 (citing  Kansas v. Crane, 534 U.S. 407, 413, 122 S.Ct.
867, 871, 151 L.Ed.2d 856 (2002) and Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. 346, 360, 117 S.Ct.
2072, 138 L.Ed.2d 501 (1997)).  In Crane, the U.S. Supreme Court referred to pedophilia as
"a mental abnormality that critically involves what a lay person might describe as a lack of
control.  DSM-IV 571-572 (listing as a diagnostic criterion for pedophilia that an individual
have acted on, or been affected by, 'sexual urges' toward children)." Crane, 534 U.S. at 414. 
Here, Dr. Gaines's diagnosis of pedophilia is uncontradicted by any other diagnosis. 
Additionally, no witness testified that Gollihar's underlying condition had been cured or that
he did not have ongoing symptoms consistent with the condition.  
Likely to Reoffend

	Gollihar's principal argument attacks the sufficiency of the evidence that he will likely
reoffend.  He relies heavily on Dr. McGarrahan's classification of his recidivism risk as
moderate.  Because he likely viewed this opinion as favorable to his case, Gollihar made no
pretrial challenges to Dr. McGarrahan's testimony.  However, during the trial, Dr.
McGarrahan also related that Gollihar described his recent sexual fantasy involving a child
and explained that his test scores are consistent with a sixteen percent recidivism rate.  While
Dr. McGarrahan characterized Gollihar's test score results as showing a low-to-moderate
risk, she also said she would adjust Gollihar's risk slightly upwards "due to recent fantasies
and masturbation of children."  But, Dr. McGarrahan offered her opinion during the trial that
"Mr. Gollihar did not meet the statutory criteria as a sexually violent predator" and that he
was not likely to reoffend in a sexually violent manner.   
	Dr. McGarrahan's testimony, however, was not the only evidence addressing the risk
that Gollihar might reoffend.  Dr. Gaines, a board-certified psychiatrist, characterized this
risk in Gollihar's case as "highly likely."  In addition to the testimony of the two experts,  the
jury also was entitled to consider Gollihar's testimony that he continued to fantasize about
minor children and that he had not completed therapy.  Gollihar also gave no indication of
any treatment plans following his release from prison. 
	When the record contains disputed testimony, "[t]he jury is the exclusive judge of the
credibility of witnesses and of the weight to be given testimony, and it is also the exclusive
province of the jury to reconcile conflicts in the evidence."  Wesbrook v. State, 29 S.W.3d
103, 111 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).  More recently, the Texas Supreme Court explained: 
"Jurors are the sole judges of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to give their
testimony.  They may choose to believe one witness and disbelieve another.  Reviewing
courts cannot impose their own opinions to the contrary."  City of Keller v. Wilson, 168
S.W.3d 802, 819 (Tex. 2005) (footnotes omitted).
	Gollihar asserts that Dr. McGarrahan's opinion shows "there is hardly any likelihood
that he is going to reoffend at all."  We disagree.  Although Dr. McGarrahan's opinion was
that Gollihar was not likely to reoffend, her testing was consistent with the State's contention
that he carried a significant objective risk of reoffending.  In our opinion, Dr. McGarrahan's
test results, when considered along with his recent sexual fantasies involving children, tend
to support the jury's conclusion that Gollihar posed a serious and well-founded risk of
reoffending.  See Crane, 534 U.S. at 413 ("It is enough to say that there must be proof of
serious difficulty in controlling behavior.").  Therefore, Dr. McGarrahan's testimony, when
viewed as a whole, does not contradict the jury's finding.  See id.  ("[T]he Constitution's
safeguards of human liberty in the area of mental illness and the law are not always best
enforced through precise bright-line rules.").
	Our review of the record finds fact witness testimony, expert witness testimony, and
exhibits from which reasonable jurors could conclude that Gollihar suffers from a behavioral
abnormality that makes him likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence.  His
history, both recent and past, is consistent with a conclusion that he has serious difficulty
controlling his behavior.  Having carefully reviewed the record, we find the evidence legally
sufficient to support the jury's finding.  We also find the evidence factually sufficient under
the relevant factual sufficiency standards of review to support the jury's verdict.  Issue one
is overruled. 
Issue Two:  Failure to Strike Dr. Gaines
	Gollihar's second issue contends the trial court erred in permitting Dr. Gaines to
testify that he is highly likely to reoffend.  Gollihar premises his second issue on six
arguments.  First, Gollihar asserts that Dr. Gaines applied a "possibility" standard rather than
a "probability" standard in reaching her conclusions.  Second, he argues Dr. Gaines failed
to demonstrate her competence to testify.  Third, Gollihar contends Dr. Gaines applied a
meaning of "sexually violent offense" that differs from the statute's definition.  Fourth,
Gollihar argues that his two previous sex crimes against children are insufficient to support
his diagnosis of pedophilia.  Fifth, he asserts that Dr. Gaines's opinion about the chance he
will reoffend is based solely on her clinical judgment of him and that the State did not prove
her clinical judgment was  reliable.  Finally, Gollihar argues that the alleged error in
admitting Dr. Gaines's testimony was harmful to him. (5) 
Expert's Standard

	With respect to the standard Dr. Gaines employed in reaching her opinion, we find
that Gollihar did not preserve this complaint for our review.  At the pretrial hearing on
Gollihar's motion to exclude Dr. Gaines's  testimony, she testified:
Q.	And based on your psychiatric assessment of Mr. Gollihar, do you
believe he has a behavioral abnormality which makes him likely to
engage in predatory acts of sexual violence?

A.	Yes.

Q.	And what is your opinion on that?

A.	My opinion is that Mr. Gollihar has a behavioral abnormality,
specifically pedophilia, that makes him likely to reoffend in a sexually
violent way.

	At the pretrial hearing, Gollihar raised no objection that the expert was applying a
"possibility" standard rather than a "probability" standard-- the argument he now raises on
appeal.At trial, Dr. Gaines also addressed her prediction of the likelihood that Gollihar
would reoffend.  Dr. Gaines testified as follows:
Q.	Dr. Gaines, do you believe that Mr. Gollihar has a behavioral
abnormality which makes him likely to engage in predatory acts of
sexual violence?

A.	Yes, I believe he does.

Later, the State's attorney again asked Dr. Gaines to address the risk that Gollihar
would reoffend:
	Q.	And when you say he is likely to reoffend, is that using the definition
of "likely" as "probable" or "beyond a mere possibility"?
 
	A.	Yes.

Gollihar did not object that Dr. Gaines's opinion was based on a standard of "merely
possible" rather than "likely"-- the point he now raises.  Further, he did not object to the
compound nature of the State's question regarding the standard she used.  (6) 
	With respect to error preservation, the Texas Supreme Court held in Coastal
Transport Co., Inc. v. Crown Central Petroleum Corp. that an expert-reliability challenge 
asking the court to examine the expert's underlying methodology, technique, or foundational
data, requires a timely objection  "so that the trial court has the opportunity to conduct this
analysis." 136 S.W.3d 227, 232-33 (Tex. 2004); accord Guadalupe-Blanco River Auth. v.
Kraft, 77 S.W.3d 805, 807 (Tex. 2002);  Maritime Overseas Corp. v. Ellis, 971 S.W.2d 402,
409-12 (Tex. 1998); see Tex. R. Evid.103; Tex. R. App. P. 33.1.  Had Gollihar's complaint
regarding this question been lodged at trial, rather than on appeal, the trial court could have
required Dr. Gaines to identify the definition of "likely" that she used in determining Gollihar
is "likely to reoffend." 
	In our view, Gollihar's complaint--whether Dr. Gaines applied the proper standard
to the issue of the likelihood that he would reoffend--concerns the underlying methodology
she used to reach the conclusion that he would reoffend.    Here, an objection regarding the
standard Dr. Gaines applied, or an objection to the compound nature of the question was
required to preserve the complaint now made on appeal. See Coastal Transport, 136 S.W.3d
at 232-33.  Because Gollihar made no objections consistent with the complaint he now
makes, he waived this argument.  See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1.
Expert's Competence 

Gollihar's second argument under issue two concerns Dr. Gaines's competence as an
expert.  Gollihar challenged her qualifications in a motion to exclude her testimony.  At the
pretrial hearing on Gollihar's motion,  Dr. Gaines testified that she is a licensed and board-
certified psychiatrist with experience interviewing and testifying in this type of civil
commitment proceeding.  She personally interviewed Gollihar and reviewed his medical
records, the records of Texas Department of Criminal Justice, sex offender treatment records,
education records, and evaluations by other mental health professionals who had examined
him.
Gollihar criticizes Dr. Gaines's competence for two reasons.  First, Dr. Gaines
expressed an opinion that a pedophile with two prior offenses is likely to reoffend.  Second,
she testified that another psychiatrist could come to conclusions that differ from hers
regarding Gollihar's case.  However, Gollihar cites no authority for the proposition that these
criticisms render Dr. Gaines an incompetent witness or that her opinions are unreliable.  In
our opinion, Gollihar's criticisms go to the weight that a jury might give Dr. Gaines's
testimony, but they do not demonstrate that she was improperly trained, that she was an
incompetent psychiatrist, or that her opinion was unreliable.
Definition of Sexually Violent Offenses  

Gollihar's third argument concerns Dr. Gaines's definition for "sexually violent
offenses, " a term the statute defines.  See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 841.002(8)
(Vernon Supp. 2006). (7)  With respect to her understanding of the term "sexually violent
offense," Dr. Gaines testified before the jury as follows:
Q.  Dr. Gaines, what is a "sexually violent offense" under Texas Health and
Safety Code Chapter 841?

A.  Well, again, I will do my best, without having memorized that and without
having that statute in front of me.  A sexually violent offense is an offense
where someone has perpetrated a sexual act against someone in a violent way
for the purpose of violating them or abusing them.

Gollihar argues an offense need not necessarily be violent in any ordinary sense to be a
sexually violent offense as defined by the statute. See id. § 841.002(8)(E) (defining "sexually
violent offense" as including attempts, conspiracies, or solicitations to commit certain
offenses, such as indecency with a child (by contact) under Penal Code section 21.11(a)(1)). 
While Dr. Gaines's definition of the term is more narrow than the statute's, her definition
falls within the ambit of "sexually violent offenses" under the Act.  In our opinion, Dr.
Gaines's use of a more narrow definition for "sexually violent offense" goes to the weight
that a jury might choose to give her testimony.
	Further, in this case, Gollihar's pen packet proved that Gollihar, on more than one
prior occasion, had been convicted of sexually violent offenses as defined by the Act.  See
id. § 841.002(8)(A); Tex. Penal Code Ann. §§ 21.11(a)(1), 22.021.  In his testimony,
Gollihar admitted that he had been convicted of these two prior offenses.  Under the facts of
this case, Gollihar has not demonstrated that Dr. Gaines's definition of a sexually violent
offense rendered her opinion unreliable.  Despite her more narrow definition, Dr. Gaines's
opinion remains of assistance to the jury in determining a fact in issue.  See Tex. R. Evid.
702.  As a result, it was not error for the trial judge to allow Dr. Gaines to testify even though
she was unable to quote from memory the precise statutory definition of "sexually violent
offense."  

Pedophilia Diagnosis

	Gollihar's fourth argument under issue two attacks Dr. Gaines's diagnosis that he is
a pedophile.  With respect to this claim, Gollihar refers us to Dr. Gaines's trial testimony:	Q.	Did not you state, at that time, that anyone who has committed
two sexual offenses, "Yes, has a behavioral abnormality that
makes them likely to reoffend"?

	A.	Well, now that, I would have to read my exact words, because
my intention was to qualify that the behavioral abnormality is
pedophilia.
 
	Q.	Okay.  I'm going to direct your attention to Page 35 of
your deposition, Lines 16 through 21, and have you read
that silently and see if that refreshes your recollection.
 
	A.	Yes.
 
	Q.	All right.  And did I quote you accurately?
 
	A.	I don't remember, but what I said was behavioral - I
mean, two sexual offenses on children.  I think that's the
key words, "on children."
 
	Q.	Isn't it true that under some of the offenses that are
sexually violent offense in the statute, those offenses can
only be committed against children?
 
	A.	Could you repeat the question, please?
 
	Q.	Isn't it true - out of the list of sexually violent offenses,
isn't it true that some of those offenses can only - that
those actions are only criminal if they occur between an
adult and a child?  Is that a fair statement?
 
	A.	Well, I don't really know what document you're referring
to; but what you're saying makes sense to me.

The testimony Gollihar cites occurred during Dr. Gaines's cross-examination by Gollihar's
attorney.  However, Gollihar's argument ignores other support for Dr. Gaines's diagnosis,
namely, her interview of him, his admission of current symptoms consistent with pedophilia,
and his history of offenses against children for which he was not prosecuted.  Thus, it does
not appear that Dr. Gaines's pedophilia diagnosis is based solely on Gollihar's two prior
convictions, as he asserts.  The record does not support his contention. 
Clinical Judgment 

	Gollihar's fifth complaint about Dr. Gaines's testimony contends her opinion was
based on unreliable clinical judgment.  Gollihar maintains Dr. Gaines's clinical judgment is
unreliable for two reasons: first, she used flawed methodology; and, second, there has been
no peer review. 
Methodology

	 Gollihar specifically points to Dr. Gaines's admission that it was possible (although
hard for her to imagine) other experts might disagree with her that Gollihar would likely
reoffend.  Gollihar asserts Dr. Gaines's admission supports his argument that her clinical
opinion is unreliable.  
	Gollihar maintains an expert's admission that others might disagree reveals a flaw in
the expert's methodology.  However, when Dr. Gaines testified that it was possible other
experts might disagree with her conclusion, Gollihar did not move to strike her prior opinion
as unreliable.  Gollihar also fails to explain why experts following the same methodology in
assessing a risk of recidivism should necessarily reach the same conclusion.  We see no
reason why experts who are predicting future events would always reach the same
conclusions regarding their risk evaluations, and we are aware of no legal authority holding
that an expert's recognition that other experts may reach different conclusions renders the
expert's opinion unreliable.  Moreover, Gollihar did not make a pretrial objection that Dr.
Gaines's opinion was unreliable based on this testimony, nor did he object on that basis at
trial.  Because Gollihar made no objection to the trial judge consistent with the one he now
urges, we hold that he waived this reliability argument regarding Dr. Gaines's methodology. 
 Peer Review

	Gollihar also questions the reliability of Dr. Gaines's clinical judgment in the absence
of a peer review process.  However, the record does not show that the clinical judgments of
physicians generally, or psychiatrists specifically, are subjected to peer review.
	When we review the trial court's admission of expert testimony, certain legal
principles guide us.  Generally, a trial court functions as a gatekeeper in deciding whether
to admit or exclude expert opinion.  See Harvey Brown, Procedural Issues Under Daubert,
36 Hous. L. Rev. 1133, 1158-59 (1999).  The Rules of Evidence permit expert testimony on
scientific, technical, or other specialized subjects if the testimony would assist the fact finder
in understanding the evidence or determining a fact issue.  See Tex. R. Evid. 702.  Absent
an abuse of discretion, an appellate court will not disturb a trial court's ruling on reliability
unless the record shows that the court acted without reference to the pertinent guiding rules
or principles.  E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. v. Robinson, 923 S.W.2d 549, 558 (Tex. 1995). 
	With respect to expert opinion in fields such as the social sciences or fields based
primarily on experience and training as opposed to the scientific method, the Court of
Criminal Appeals has directed trial courts to consider:  "(1) whether the field of expertise is
a legitimate one, (2) whether the subject matter of the expert's testimony is within the scope
of that field, and (3) whether the expert's testimony properly relies on or utilizes the
principles involved in the field."  Russeau v. State, 171 S.W.3d 871, 883 (Tex. Crim. App.
2005), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 126 S.Ct. 2982, 165 L.Ed.2d 990.  The Russeau Court
applied these considerations in a death penalty case to evaluate the admissibility of the
opinions of a psychologist and psychiatrist about a defendant's future dangerousness.  Id. at
883-84.  The Court characterized these types of opinions regarding future dangerousness as
"soft" science.  Id. at 883.  
	Because an opinion on future dangerousness is similar to a prediction that a person
will likely reoffend, we apply the Russeau factors to evaluate whether the trial court erred
in admitting Dr. Gaines's opinion.  First, we note that our courts accept that psychiatrists and
forensic psychiatrists may testify regarding future dangerousness.  Id. at 884.  Second, Dr. 
Gaines's opinion regarding the dangerousness of pedophiles appears to fall within her
training as a psychiatrist.  She testified that she had received training in risk assessment
during her formal schooling, during her residency, during her fellowship, and during her
eleven years since graduation.  Finally, her opinion was based upon the methodology
followed by experts in her field:  she reviewed the relevant records and conducted a
psychiatric interview of the defendant.  Although the testimony at the pretrial hearing could
have been more detailed, we conclude that the Russeau standards favor the trial court's
admission of Dr. Gaines's opinion. 
	Subsequent to Russeau, the Court of Criminal Appeals further instructed appellate
courts to consider certain factors in cases involving expert opinion.  Rodgers v. State, 205
S.W.3d 525, 528 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).  We are to consider:  (1) whether the field of
expertise is complex; (2) whether the expert's opinion is conclusive and, if so, to what
degree; and (3)  whether the testimony is dispositive on the disputed issues.  Id.  Using these
standards, the Court of Criminal Appeals held that a trial court did not err in admitting the
testimony of an expert who testified that the defendant's shoes and tires were similar to shoe
and tire imprints found at a crime scene.  Id. at 533.  In its analysis, the court noted:
		The reason this kind of testimony is liberally allowed is
that the field of tire and shoe comparisons is not particularly
complex, the witness's opinions are not conclusive, and
consequently, they are generally not pivotal to the resolution of
the case.Id.  
	First, in accord with Rodgers, we address the complexity of Dr. Gaines's opinion  that
Gollihar would reoffend.  Her testimony appears principally to be based upon Gollihar's
pedophilia diagnosis, his recent history of sexual fantasy, and his current enrollment in a
treatment program that he had not completed.  Generally, when a patient has not completed
his treatment program for a disease and a doctor concludes that the patient has a disease, had
past symptoms from the disease, and has current symptoms from the disease, the doctor's
opinion that the patient will continue to suffer symptoms does not strike us as difficult or
complex.  The evaluation that Gollihar is likely to reoffend is certainly not scientifically
complex, as is the science involved in DNA testing.  Thus, the first Rodgers factor favors
admissibility.  
	Next, we evaluate the conclusiveness of Dr. Gaines's opinion on the issue.  In this
trial, the jury heard testimony from Dr. McGarrahan that tended to contradict Dr. Gaines's
risk assessment.  Dr. Gaines testified that other qualified witnesses might have different
opinions on the issue.  In addition to expert testimony, the jury heard that Gollihar had
previously committed other sexually violent offenses and that he had not completed his
current treatment.  The jury also heard about the support system available to Gollihar upon
his release from prison and heard his testimony that he did not consider his reoffending to
be  likely.  Thus, the jury had data from which it could form its own conclusions about the
likelihood that Gollihar would reoffend.  Although the jury likely relied to some extent on
Dr. Gaines's opinion, her testimony was not conclusive and the jury could have rejected her
opinion.  This Rodgers factor also favors the admissibility of her opinion.  
	Third, we evaluate whether Dr. Gaines's opinion was pivotal.  She based her
testimony on facts and data gathered from her interview with Gollihar, his prior offenses, and
his records.  She explained the data that she used in forming her opinion and how she applied
the information to reach her opinion.  The jury heard testimony from sources other than Dr.
Gaines regarding Gollihar's past history and his history of recent sexual fantasy that involved
a child.  While Dr. Gaines's opinion assisted the jury in its decision, the jury was also entitled
to rely on its evaluation of all of the evidence.  Thus, while Dr. Gaines's opinion was
important, we cannot say that her opinion was pivotal to the jury's decision.  We consider
this factor as neither favoring, nor disfavoring, the trial court's decision in admitting the
opinion.  
 Having reviewed the various considerations potentially applicable to Dr. Gaines's
opinion concerning the likelihood of reoffending, we conclude the trial court acted within
its discretion in admitting her testimony.  We hold that the trial court did not abuse its
considerable discretion in allowing into evidence Dr. Gaines's opinion that Gollihar would
likely reoffend.  Appellant's issues are overruled, and we affirm the judgment and order of
civil commitment.  	
	AFFIRMED.
								___________________________
									HOLLIS HORTON
										Justice


Submitted on February 8, 2007
Opinion Delivered May 17, 2007
Before McKeithen, C.J., Kreger and Horton, JJ.
1. The Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators Act is located in Title 11,
Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.  See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann.
§§ 841.001-841.150 (Vernon 2003 & Supp. 2006).
2. In addition, the statute requires the trial court to conduct a biennial review of the
status of committed persons and to set a hearing if (1) the court determines that the
requirements imposed on the sexually violent predator should be changed, or (2) probable
cause exists to show that the person is no longer likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual
violence.  See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 841.102 (Vernon 2003).
3. To establish that a person is a sexually violent predator, the State must show that the
person:  "(1) is a repeat sexually violent offender; and (2) suffers from a behavioral
abnormality that makes the person likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence."
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 841.003 (Vernon 2003).  Gollihar does not contest the
State's evidence showing that he is a repeat sexually violent offender. 
4. From the record, we are unable to determine the measure used in the recidivism
statistics cited by Dr. McGarrahan.  Specifically, we cannot tell whether her testimony was
intended to demonstrate an offender's risk of being convicted of additional sex crimes; or,
whether her statistics included reoffenders who were convicted as well as those who were
not convicted of additional offenses.  With respect to recidivism statistics, one commentator
noted: 

	Recidivism can be defined in several ways, and recidivism rates are naturally
a function of the definition adopted.  Most recidivism studies use reconviction
as the outcome measure.  This has two problems:  First, sex offenses have very
low reporting rates (significantly lower than other offenses) and a reconviction
measure does not capture unreported sex offenses.  Second, even amongst the
reported sex offenses, many offenses are plea-bargained down to non-sexual
offenses (such as assault).  On account of both these factors, it is often argued
that reconviction is not a good measure of sex offender recidivism.  

Aman Ahluwalia, Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators: The Search for A
Limiting Principle, 4 Cardozo Pub. L. Pol'y & Ethics J. 489, 525 (2006) (footnote
omitted). 
5. Because we conclude that the trial court did not err in admitting Dr. Gaines's
testimony, we need not consider Gollihar's final argument.  See Tex. R. App. P. 47.1.
6. In general, where a compound question creates confusion, a party may lodge an
objection to the form of the question.  See Don D. Bush, Common Objections To the Form
of Questions, 47 Tex. B. J. 996, 1001 (1984);  8 William V. Dorsaneo III, Texas
Litigation Guide § 121.101 (2005).  The trial court is allowed, upon a party's objection, to
control whether such questions are asked or answered.  See generally Tex. R. Evid. 611(a). 
7. The following is a non-exclusive list of Texas Penal Code offenses that are included
in the statutory definition of "sexually violent offense": section 21.11(a)(1) (indecency with
a child by contact); section 22.011 (sexual assault); section 22.021 (aggravated sexual
assault).  See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 841.002(8)(A) (Vernon Supp. 2006);
Tex. Pen. Code Ann. §§ 21.11(a)(1), 22.011, 22.021 (Vernon Supp. 2006). 
 
