Boyd v. State

McKAY, Justice.

Appellant Raymond Clay Boyd was convicted by a jury of theft over $200 and less than $10,000. The jury assessed punishment at confinement for eight years, probated. The sufficiency of the evidence is not challenged.

Appellant’s sole ground of error is that the trial court coerced the jury into re*858turning a verdict at the punishment phase of the trial by giving an “Allen charge” or “dynamite charge.”

The record reflects that the jury deliberated on the issue of punishment from 6:10 p.m. to 7:35 p.m. on August 24, 1978, at which time they were allowed to separate for the night. The…