Foreman, Freddie James ( 2015 )


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    MO.
    RIGINAL
    IN    THE   CORT     OF    CRIMINAL        APPEALS
    AUSTIN,       TEXAS
    FREDDIE       J.    FOREMAN
    REC'D IN COURT OF APPEALS
    RECEIVED IN                      DEFENDANT           -    APPELLANT
    2th Court of Appeals District
    COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
    VS.                       12.
    JUL 2 2 2015
    SVIEW
    THE    STATE       OF   TEXAS
    "IVLER TEXAS
    Abel Acosta, Cleit                 PLAINTIFF          -    APPELLEE               CATHY S. LUSK, CLERK
    REVIEW     SOUGHT      FROM     THE       12TH.     COURT   OF    APPEALS
    NO.    12-14-00232-CR
    FILED IN
    APPEALLED          FROM    THE
    COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
    349th.       JUDICIAL          DISTRICT      COURT
    JUL 22 2C.5                     HOUSTON        COUNTY,          TEXAS
    CAUSE    NO.       13CR-184
    Abel Acosta, Cierk
    THE    HONORABLE           MARK     A.   CALHOON
    PRESIDING           JUDGE
    APPELLANT'S       PETITION        FOR       DISCRETIONARY          REVIEW
    FREDDIE       JAMES   FOREMAN
    #925367       ELLIS   UNIT
    1697     FM   980
    HUNTSVILLE,         TEXAS
    77343
    PRO     SE
    TffiBLE   OF      CONTENTS
    INDEX       OF   AUTHORITIES                                                                                  1
    STATEMENT         OF    JURISDICTION                                                                          2
    STATEMENT         OF    THE    CASE                                                                           2
    PROCEDURAL         HISTORY                                                                                    2
    APPELLANT'S            GROUND FOR       REVIEW.                                                               3
    THE    TRIAL        COURT        COMMITTED           REVERSIBLE         ERROR     IN    NOT    ALLOWING
    APPELLANT'S            REQUESTED JURY INSTRUCTION UNDER                         TEXAS      CODE OF CRINI-
    NAL     PROCEDURE             ARTICLE        38.23:        EVIDENCE          OBTAINED         IN    VIOLATION
    OF    THE        CONSTITUTION           OR     LAWS        OF       THE   UNITED    STATES     OR    THOSE   OF
    TEXAS       MAY     NOT       BE      ADMITTED        IN        A    CRIMINAL      CASE.     SEE    TEX.   CODE
    CRIM.    PROC.     ART.       38.23     INSTRUCTION.
    ARGUMENT                                                                                                      3
    PRAYER      FOR   RELIEF                                                                                     10
    CERTIFICATE        OF     SERVICE                                                                            10
    INDEX      OF   AUTHORITIES
    STATE      CASES
    ATKINSON V-   STATE,
    
    923 S.W.2d 21
         (TX.CR.APP.        1996)                          3
    MADDEN V.   STATE,
    242 S.W 3d 504 (TEX .CR. APP. 2007 )                                 5
    STATE       STATUTES
    TEXAS CODE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ART.                38.23   (A)            5
    TEXAS   CODE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE           ART.    38.23          3,5,8
    TEXAS CODE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ART.                18.01   (B)   6,7,8,9
    TEXAS CODE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ART.                18.06   (B)            6
    TEXAS RULE APP.      PROC.   ANN.    68.2 (VERN.2003)                    2
    TEXAS RULE APP.      PROC.   ANN.    68.4 (VERN.2003)                    2
    TEXAS RULE APP.      PROC.   ANN.    69.1   (VERN.    2003)              9
    (PAGE ONE)
    STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
    APPELLANT           WAS     CHARGED              WITH     THE OFFENSE OF POSSESSION OF
    A     CONTROLLED           SUBSTANCE              ON        SEPTEMBER 26,2013.    APPELLANT WAS
    CONVICTED           OF     POSSESSION              OF A CONTRILLED SUBSTANCE ON AUGUST
    06.2014,           AND     WAS     SENTENCED TO TWENTY (20) YEARS CONFINEMENT
    IN     THE        TEXAS     DEPARTMENT                 OF     CRIMINAL JUSTICE INSTITUTIONAL
    DIVISION,           AND     A     TEN-THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE.                  NO MOTION FOR NEW
    TRIAL        WAS        FILED.     NOTICE OF APPEAL WAS FILED AUGUST 06,2014.
    THE     COURT           OF APPEALS AFFIRMED APPELLANT'S CONVICTION ON JUNE
    17.2015.           NO     MOTION       FOR         REHEARING WAS FILED.          THIS COURT HAS
    JURISDICTION              PURSUANT           TO        TEX.     R.    APP.   P. ANN. 68.2(VERN.
    2003).
    STATEMENT OF THE                   CASE
    THIS        APPEAL        LIES     FROM           APPELLANT'S FELONY JURY TRIAL AND
    CONVICTION.              THIS     ISSUE           BROUGHT FORWARD WAS DEVELOPED IN THE
    TRIAL COURT OR OTHERWISE APPEAR                               IN THE RECORD.
    PROCEDDRAL              HISTORY
    APPELLANT           RAISED        ONE        GROUND        OF    ERROR FOR REVIEW IN THE
    COURT        OF     APPEALS.           THE        COURT        CONSIDERED THIS GROUND ON THE
    MERIT,        AND DECIDED THE SAME ADVERSELY TO APPELLANT. THE COURT
    OF     APPEALS           RENDERED IT'S JUDGMENT ON JUNE 17,2015. NO MOTION
    FOR     REHEARING           WAS FILED. TEX. R. APP. P. ANN. 68.4(e) (VERN.
    2003).
    (PAGE TWO)
    APPELLANT'S          GROUND       FOR    REVIEW
    THE     TRIAL        COURT        COMMITTED       REVERSIBLE         ERROR   IN   NOT   ALLOW
    ING        APPELLANT'S           REQUESTED        JURY       INSTRUCTION UNDER TEX.             CODE
    OF  CRIMINAL  PROCEDURE    ARTICLE  38.23;  EVIDENCE OBTAINED IN
    VIOLATION  OF  THE   CONSTITUTION OR LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES,
    OR  THOSE  OF  TEXAS   MAY   NOT BE ADMITTED IN A CRIMINAL CASE.
    SEE        TEX.     CODE        CRIM.     PROC.    ANN.      ART. 38.23 (A) (WEST 2005) .
    APPELLANT           DISAGREES WITH          THE 12TH.         COURT OF APPEALS          ARGUE-
    MENT        THAT     APPELLANT           WAS     NOT     ENTITLED          TO AN ARTICLE 38.23
    INSTRUCTION,             AND AFFIRMED THE JUDGMENT OF THE TRIAL COURT.
    ARGUMENT
    THIS        COURT     SHOULD        GRANT THIS PETITION ON THE GROUND THAT
    THE        TRIAL     COURT        ERRED BECAUSE THE EVIDENCE OBTAINED IN THIS
    CASE        WAS     ILLEGALLY           SEIZED     EVIDENCE,          ARTICLE       38.23 (TEXAS
    EXCLUSIONARY              RULE));        PERMITS THE JURY TO DISREGARD ILLEGALLY
    SEIZED       EVIDENCE.
    THE     COURT        IS     REQUIRED        TO INSTRUCT THE JURY TO DISREGARD
    INCRIMINATING              EVIDENCE        USED        AGAINST       THE     DEFENDANT         IF THE
    JURY        BELIEVES        OR     HAS     A     REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THE EVIDENCE
    WAS        OBTAINED        IN     VIOLATION        OF        THE    LAW, ARTICLE 38.23. SEE
    ATKINSON V. STATE,
    923 S.W.2d 21
        (TX.CR.APP.1996):              WHEN    A
    FACTUAL           ISSUE     IS RAISED, THE DEFENDANT HAS AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT
    TO    AN    INSTRUCTION.
    IN     THIS CASE, A FACTUAL ISSUE WAS RAISED IN THE ILLEGALITY
    OF     THE        SEIZED        EVIDENCE.        CROCKETT           POLICE    OFFICER, CLAYTON
    SMITH,        FAILED        TO     PROVIDE        THE        APPELLANT WITH A COPY OF THE
    SEARCH       WARRANT.
    ON     SEPTEMBER 26,2013, THURSDAY MORNING AT 7:20am., OFFICER
    C.     SMITH        AND     FIVE        OTHER     OFFICERS CAME TO APPELLANT'S HOME
    AT     218        WOOD     STREET,        OFFICER        C. SMITH STATED , MR.                FOREMAN
    (PAGE THREE)
    WE    HAVE       A    SEARCH             WARRANT          TO   SEARCH        YOUR       HOUSE..
    APPELLANT                    ASKED           OFFICER       C.       SMITH    FOR    A    COPY OF THE     SEARCH
    WARRANT,              OFFICER                 C.     SMITH        STATED,         WE GOT        IT.    THE APPELLANT
    ASKED        AGAIN                 IN     HIS        BEDROOM,              OFFICER        C.    SMITH    REPLIED,    WE
    GOT        IT.        THIS              WAS        BEFORE        BEFORE           THE    SEARCH       BEGAN,   AN HOUR
    LATER        THE              APPELLANT WAS                ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH                      POSSESSION
    OF A       CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITHOUT A                                     SEARCH WARRANT.
    A     WEEK              AFTER           APPELLANT           WAS        ARRESTED,          THE APPELLANT       SAW
    OFFICER              C.        SMITH           AND        GOT A       COPY OF THE SEARCH WARRANT.                   THE
    APPELLANT                 REVIEWED                 THE     SEARCH           WARRANT AND NOTICED THE WORD
    COPY        AT        THE          TOP         OF        THE SEARCH WARRANT,                   IN BIG RED      LETTERS
    HE     ALSO              NOTICED THE DISTRICT CLERK OF HOUSTON COUNTY STAMP
    MARK        AT        THE          TOP         RIGHT           HAND        CORNER OF THE SEARCH WARRANT,
    IT        STATES              SEPTEMBER              27,2013              AT 9:43.       APPELLANT ARGUES THAT
    OFFICER C. SMITH CAME TO APPELLANT'S HOME ON SEPTEMBER 26,2013
    AT 7:20am.;                   STATING          HE    HAD A       SEARCH WARRANT.
    OFFICER                 C.        SMITH        DID NOT HAVE A SEARCH WARRANT UNTIL THE
    MORNING              OF        SEPTEMBER                 27,2013           AT 9:43.       THIS PROVES EVIDENCE
    WAS        OBTAINED                 IN        VIOLATION              OF     THE     LAW.       THE SEARCH WARRANT
    PROVES           THAT              OFFICER           C.        SMITH DID NOT PROVIDE THE APPELLANT
    WITH        A COPY OF THE SEARCH WARRANT ON SEPTEMBER 26,2013,                                                   WHICH
    IS    A    THURSDAY.
    THE APPELLANT CONTENDS,                                  THE        COPY     OF     THE     SEARCH       WARRANT
    THAT        HE        RECEIVED                 FROM OFFICER C. SMITH,                         A WEEK AFTER APPEL
    LANT'S ARREST, HAS THE CLERK STAMP-MARK DATED SEPTEMBER 27,2013,
    WHICH        IS           A        FRIDAY.          IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE OFFICER TO GIVE
    THE APPELLANT A COPY OF THE SEARCH WARRANT ON THURSDAY,                                                         SEPTE)-
    (PAGE          FOUR)
    MBER    26,2013.
    APPELLANT           ARGUED           AT     HIS     TRIAL,      THAT    HE DID NOT RCEIVE
    A     COPY     OF       THE        SEARCH WARRANT ON HIS AMENDED MOTION TO SUP
    PRESS.        THIS        WAS        FILED        WITH     THE COURT ON JULY 07,2,014.         THE
    MOTION        WAS       HEARD         ON        AUGUST     04,2014.         THE JUDGE DENIED THE
    MOTION A DAY BEFORE TRIAL.                         AT TRIAL,        ON AUGUST 05,2014,     DEFENSE
    COUNSEL        ASKED THE JUDGE FOR A JURY INSTRUCTION;                             CODE OF CRIM.
    PROC.        ART.       38.23:         THE        EVIDENCE      IN        THIS CASE WAS OBTAINED
    ILLEGALLY..             WHEN         EVIDENCE           PRESENTED         BEFORE THE JURY RAISES
    A     QUESTION OF WHETHER THE FRUITS OF A POLICE-INITIATED SEARCH
    OR ARREST,          WERE ILLEGALLY OBTAINED;                    "THE       JURY   SHALL   BE   IN
    STRUCTED           THAT       IF      IT        BELIEVES,      OR     HAS A REASONABLE DOUBT,
    THAT     THE        EVIDENCE WAS OBTAINED IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISION
    OF     THIS        ARTICLE,           THEN        AND     IN   SUCH EVENT,        THE JURY SHALL
    DISREGARD ANY SUCH EVIDENCE SO OBTAINED".
    THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS HELD IN,MADDEN V. STATE,                                   
    242 S.W.3d 504
           (TX.CR.APP.2007)                 WHEN A DISPUTED,         MATERIAL ISSUE
    OF     FACT        IS     SUCCESSFULLY              RAISED,         THE     TERMS OF THE STATUTE
    ARE     MANDATORY              AND     THE        JURY MUST BE        INSTRUCTED ACCORDINGLY.
    EVIDENCE TO JUSTIFY AN ARTICLE 38.23(A)                                   INSTRUCTION CAN DERIVE
    "FROM        ANY        SOURCE"        NO        MATTER WHETHER "STRONG, WEAK,            CONTRA
    DICTORY,           UNIMPEACHED              OR     UNBELIEVEABLE." BUT IT MUST,            IN ANY
    EVENT,        RAISE        A       FACTUAL         DISPUTE         ABOUT HOW THE EVIDENCE WAS
    OBTAINED"           APPELLANT              ARGUES HE RAISED A FACTUAL DISPUTE ABOUT
    HOW     THE        EVIDENCE WAS OBTAINED WITHOUT A SEARCH WARRANT UNDER
    CHAPTER 18.(R.R.,                  VOL.1,        p. 185).
    (PAGE FIVE)
    AT        TRIAL,              OFFICER           C.     SMITH    TESTIFIED THAT,           HE GAVE THE
    APPELLANT A COPY OF THE SEARCH WARRANT ON                                          SEPTEMBER           26,2013,
    AT APPELLANT'S HOME, AND AT'THE JAIL.(R.R. VOL. 1 p. 122).
    THE        SEARCH              WARRANT,              ITSELF,     SHOWS THAT OFFICER C.              SMITH
    IS    NOT       TELLING             THE    TRUTH.
    THE        DISTRICT                 CLERK'S           STAMP-MARK STATES SEPTEMBER 27,2013
    AT     9:43           ON        A     FRIDAY MORNING.                APPELLANT ARGUES THAT OFFICER
    C.     SMITH              AND        FIVE        OTHER        OFFICERS CAME TO HIS RESIDENCE ON
    SEPTEMBER 26,2013                         AT 7:20am.          WHICH    IS A    THURSDAY.
    THE        COPY           OF        THE     SEARCH WARRANT IS TWENTY-SIX (26) HOURS
    LATE.           THIS        PROVES              THAT        APPELLANT        WAS NOT SERVED A COPY OF
    THE        SEARCH           WARRANT              BY        OFFICER C.       SMITH ON THURSDAY MORNING
    SEPTEMBER             26,2013             AT    7:20am.
    IT        IS        ILLEGAL              FOR A POLICE OFFICER,               OR OFFICERS,         TO COME
    TO     A        PERSON'S              HOME        AND        STATE,     I HAVE A SEARCH WARRANT TO
    SEARCH           YOUR           HOME           AND NEVER PRODUCE THE SEARCH WARRANT UNTIL
    DAYS       LATER.
    APPELLANT                 ARGUES           THE        TEX.     CODE     OF    CRIM.   PROC.       CHAPTER
    18,        ARTICLE              18.06,           WAS        VIOLATED        IN THIS CASE, SEE SECTION
    (B)        OF        THIS           ARTICLE           WHICH        STATES,     ON SEARCHING THE PLACE
    ORDERED              TO        BE     SEARCHED,              THE     OFFICER EXECUTING THE WARRANT
    SHALL PRESENT A COPY OF THE WARRANT TO THE OWNER OF THE PLACE,
    IF     HE        IS        PRESENT.              THE        APPELLANT WAS AT HOME,              BUT,    DID NOT
    RECEIVE          A    COPY          SEARCH       WARRANT.
    MOREOVER,                 OFFICER           C. SMITH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS
    TO     OBTAIN              A        SEARCH        WARRANT           IN THIS CASE.        OFFICER C. SMITH
    VIOLATED              TEX.           CODE        OF        CRIM.    PROC.    CH.   18,   ART.    18.01,    SEC
    TION (B),             WHICH STATES:
    (PAGE SIX)
    "NO        SEARCH           WARRANT           MAY NOT ISSUE          FOR   ANY PURPOSE      IN THIS
    STATE           UNLESS        SUFFICIENT FACTS                   ARE FIRST PRESENTED TO SATISFY
    THE    ISSUING MAGISTRATE THAT PROBABLE CAUSE                                    DOES   IN FACT EXISTS
    FOT        ITS        ISSUING.           A        SWORN AFFIDAVIT SETTING FORTH SUBSTANT
    IAL FACTS ESTABLISHING PROBABLE                                  CAUSE SHALL      BE FILED IN EVERY
    INSTANCE              IN     WHICH           A     SEARCH        WARRANT     IS REQUESTED.        EXCEPT
    AS     PROVIDED              BY        ARTICLE 18.011,             THE    AFFIDAVIT     IS PUBLIC    IN
    FORMATION              IF     EXECUTED,              AND     THE       MAGISTRATE'S       CLERK SHALL
    MAKE        A     COPY        OF THE AFFIDAVIT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC                          INSPECT
    ION IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE DURING                                  NORMAL    BUSINESS     HOURS.
    IN        THE        PRESENT           CASE,       OFFICER C.        SMITH'S SWORN AFFIDAVIT
    IS     NOT        IN        PLACE:      HIS SWORN AFFIDAVIT IS NOT FILED UNTILTWO-
    DAYS (2) AFTER THE SEARCH WARRANT WAS ISSUED. THE                                                  SEARCH
    WARRANT           WAS        ALLEGEDLY              ISSUED        TO     OFFICER C.     SMITH ON SEPT
    EMBER           25,2013           AT     4;25pm.           HIS     SWORN AFFIDAVIT IS NOT FILED
    UNTIL SEPTEMBER 27,2013 AT 9:43;                                  HIS SWORN AFFIDAVIT IS FILED
    TWO-DAYS          (2)       LATER.
    OFFICER              CLAYTON           SMITH,        AND     FIVE OTHER OFFICERS,           CAME TO
    APPELLANT'S                 HOUSE        ON        SEPTEMBER           26,2013 AT 7:20am,      ALLEGING
    THEY        HAD        A     SEARCH              WARRANT.        OFFICER C.      SMITH DOES NOT HAVE
    A    FILED SWORN AFFIDAVIT                         IN PLACE,       WHICH    IS USED TO OBTAIN A
    SEARCH           WARRANT.              APPELLANT WAS ARRESTED ON SEPTEMBER 26,2013.
    OFFICER           C.       SMITH'S SWORN AFFIDAVIT TO OBTAIN A SEARCH WARRANT
    IS     NOT        FILED           UNTIL           SEPTEMBER        27,2013       AT 9:43..   ACCORDING
    TO     ARTICLE              18.01,           SECTION (B),          OFFICER C. SMITH'S SWORN AF
    FIDAVIT           SHOULD           HAVE           BEEN     FILED        BEFORE    THE SEARCH WARRANT
    WAS        ISSUED,           IT IS NOT,             IT IS FILED TWO-DAYS AFTER THE SEARCH
    (PAGE SEVEN)
    WARRANT           WAS        ISSUED.        THIS        VIOLATED ARTICLE 18.01 OF CHAPTER
    18,     CODE           OF     CRIM.        PROC,            BECAUSE OFFICER C. SMITH'S SWORN
    AFFIDAVIT              WAS     NOT     FILED        WITH        THE       DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE
    BEFORE THE SEARCH WARRANT WAS                               ISSUED IN THIS CASE.
    THE     PROCEDURE              OUTLINED           IN     ARTICLE        18.01,   SECTION (B),
    HAPPENS           FIST        BEFORE        A     SEARCH        WARRANT IS ISSUED. THE 12TH.
    COURT        OF        APPEALS        STATED           IN     IT'S OPINION AT PAGE THREE: WE
    NOTE        THAT        THE SEARCH WARRANT IS NOT IN THE APPELLATE RECORD.
    THEREFORE, THE COURT OF APPEALS DID NOT REVIEW THE APPELLANT'S
    SEARCH        WARRANT              WHICH        WOULD        HAVE     SHOWN     THAT APPELLANT DID
    NOT     GET        A        COPY     OF THE SEARCH WARRANT ON SEPTEMBER 26,2013.
    THE APPEALS COURT ALSO NOTED , AT PAGE THREE,OF IT'S OPINION
    THAT        APPELLANT'S              MOTION        TO        SUPPRESS       WAS NEVER RULED UPON.
    HOWEVER,           THIS        IS     NOT        TRUE.        APPELLANT FILED TWO-MOTIONS TO
    SUPPRESS           THE.        THE     FIRST           MOTION       WAS     INCORRECT. THE SECOND
    MOTION        WAS           HEARD     ON        AUGUST 04,2014; AMENDED MOTION TO SUP
    PRESS.        IT        WAS        FILED        JULY        07,2014,       WITH THE COURT NOT THE
    CLERK.        IT        WAS        DENIED BY THE HONORABLE JUDGE MARK A.                      CALHOON
    AUGUST       04,2014.
    IMPORTANT              DOCUMENTS           AND        TRIAL     RECORDS     WERE LEFT OUT OF
    THIS        APPEAL           FOR     SOME REASON. THE AMENDED MOTION TO SUPPRESS
    ARGUED        THAT APPELLANT WAS DENIED A COPY OF THE SEARCH WARRANT
    AND THE POLICE OFFICERS VIOLATED APPELLANT'S STATE AND FEDERAL
    CONSTITUTIONAL                    RIGHTS,        ARTICLE        ONE,       SECTION     NINE   OF THE
    TEXAS        CONSTITUTION              AND        UNDER        ARTICLE        li.23    CODE OF CRIM.
    PROC.         DEFENSE ALSO ARGUED AT TRIAL THAT APPELLANT WAS DENIED
    A     COPY        OF        THE     SEARCH        WARRANT AND A JURY INSTRUCTION 3§.23
    IS REQUIRED (R.R. VOL. 1, p. 185).
    THE     APPEALS        COURT     DID    NOT    HAVE       THE      SEARCH          WARRANT,       OFFI
    CER     C,     SMITH'S        SWORN        AFFIDAVIT,       AMENDED MOTION TO SUPPRESS,
    THE     REPORTER           RECORDS    WAS    NOT    EVER    MADE         TO    THE       AMENDED    MOTION
    TO SUPPRESS HEARING;                THAT WAS HELD ON AUGUST                     04,2014.
    THERE    IS    TO    MANY    COURT    RECORDS       AND       DOCUMENTS            MISSING
    IN     THIS     APPEAL        FOR     THE     APPEALS           COURT         TO MAKE       A    DECISION
    THAT        APPELLANT        WAS     NOT     ENTITLED       TO      TO    AN    ARTICLE          38.23    IN
    STRUCTION.          DEFENSE        COUNSEL     RAISED           A   FACTUAL          DISPUTE       IN    THIS
    AMENDED        MOTION        TO     SUPPRESS        AND    DURING         TRIAL;"MY CLIENT WAS
    NOT     SERVED        A    SEARCH      WARRANT        UNDER           CHAPTER 18            (R.R.,       VOL.
    1, p. 185).
    THIS     COURT       SHOULD      GRANT       APPELLANT'S            PETITION          FOR    DISCRE
    TIONARY        REVIEW       ON      THIS     GROUND,        AND          ORDER       A    FULL    BRIEF    ON
    THE MERIT.          TEX.   RULE APP.        P. ANN.       69.1       (VERN.      2003).
    (PAGE NINE)
    PRAYER       FOR   RELIEF
    WHEREFORE          PREMISES       CONSIDERED,           APPELLANT       PRAYS    THIS       HONOR
    ABLE        COURT    TO CONSIDER             THIS      GROUND    FOR REVIEW         RAISED    HEREIN,
    TO        GRANT   THIS    PETITION FOR            DISCRETIONARY          REVIEW,      AND    TO    ORDER
    A    FULL    AND COMPLETE         HEARING         ON    THE MERIT,       AND WITH      BRIEF.
    RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
    -fAJ^Mjf^ id.
    A defendant's 
    right to the submission of an Article 38.23 jury instruction is limited to
    disputed issues of fact that are material to his claim of a constitutional or statutory violation that
    would render evidence inadmissible. Madden v. State, 
    242 S.W.3d 504
    , 509-10 (Tex. Crim. App.
    2007) (citing Pierce v. State, 
    32 S.W.3d 247
    , 251 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000)). To be entitled to an
    Article 38.23 jury instruction, the defendant must establish that (1) the evidence heard by the jury
    raises an issue of fact, (2) the evidence on that fact is affirmatively contested, and (3) the contested
    factual issue is material to the lawfulness of the challenged conduct. Hamal v. State, 
    390 S.W.3d 302
    , 306 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012). If there is no disputed factual issue, the legality of the conduct
    is determined by the trial judge alone as a question of law. 
    Madden, 242 S.W.3d at 510
    . "The
    disputed fact must be an essential one in deciding the lawfulness of the challenged conduct." 
    Id. at 511.
    Discussion
    Appellant contends in his brief that the officers had no probable cause to search his
    bedroom, and that the officers exceeded the scope of the search warrant. Appellant did not provide
    any analysis in his brief showing that the evidence raised an issue of material fact on these issues.
    However, he cited various pages of the record he believed supports his argument. At trial, he
    asked for an Article 38.23 instruction based on "the pictures being changed, the material being
    placed. That the scope was exceeded and the fact [that Appellant was not] served a search warrant
    under Rule 18."
    The issue of whether the officers had probable cause to search his room was not a contested
    issue of material fact at trial.         Appellant filed a pretrial motion to suppress evidence stating
    generally that the officers violated his state and federal constitutional rights pertaining to search
    and seizure, along with his rights under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.23.
    However, he never obtained a ruling on the motion, and the issue was not litigated at a pretrial
    hearing or at the trial itself. Consequently, the issue of probable cause was not affirmatively
    contested, and Appellant was not entitled to an Article 38.23 instruction on that basis.           See
    
    Madden, 242 S.W.3d at 510
    . Moreover, since the facts do not raise the issue of probable cause to
    search his room, the issue was to be decided by the trial court as a question of law. See 
    id. With regard
    to Appellant's remaining argument concerning the scope of the search warrant,
    we note that the search warrant is not in the appellate record, nor was it admitted into evidence at
    trial. The detective who obtained the warrant testified that the warrant directed him to search the
    residence at the specified address. He was not asked whether it covered the entire residence or
    only a portion of it. None of the testimony or other evidence raised the issue concerning the search
    warrant's scope. Therefore, an Article 38.23 instruction was not required on this ground. See 
    id. Appellant's sole
    issue is overruled.
    Disposition
    Having overruled Appellant's sole issue, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
    James T. Wqrthen
    Chief Justice
    Opinion delivered June 17, 2015.
    Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.
    (DO NOT PUBLISH)
    COURT OF APPEALS
    TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS
    JUDGMENT
    JUNE 17, 2015
    NO. 12-14-00232-CR
    FREDDIE JAMES FOREMAN,
    Appellant
    V.
    THE STATE OF TEXAS,
    Appellee
    Appeal from the 349th District Court
    of Houston County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 13CR-184)
    THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed
    herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no error in the
    judgment.
    It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment
    of the court below be in all things affirmed, for which execution may issue, and that this
    decision be certified to the court below for observance.
    James T. Worthen, Chief Justice.
    Panel consisted ofWorthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Nee ley, J.
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Document Info

Docket Number: PD-0909-15

Filed Date: 7/22/2015

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 9/29/2016