Erric Anderson v. State ( 2012 )

NO. 07-11-00028-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AT AMARILLO
PANEL A
JULY 6, 2012
ERRIC ANDERSON, APPELLANT
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE
FROM THE 20TH DISTRICT COURT OF MILAM COUNTY;
NO. CR22,672; HONORABLE EDWARD P. MAGRE, JUDGE
Before CAMPBELL and HANCOCK and PIRTLE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant Erric Anderson appeals from his conviction for the offense of
aggravated assault of a public servant with a deadly weapon1 and the resulting
sentence of twenty-five years of imprisonment. Appellant's attorney has filed a brief in
compliance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493
(1967) and In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d 403 (Tex.Crim.App. 2008) and certifies that
1
Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.02 (West 2011). This is a first degree felony
punishable by imprisonment for life or for any term of not more than 99 years or less
than 5 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000. Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.32 (West
2011).
there are no non-frivolous issues to appeal. Agreeing with appointed counsel's
conclusion the record fails to show any arguably meritorious issue that could support
the appeal, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
In January 2010, appellant was indicted for attempted capital murder and
aggravated assault of a public servant with a deadly weapon. Appellant plead “no
contest” to aggravated assault of a public servant with a deadly weapon in September
2010.2 Appellant’s plea was supported by a document entitled “affidavit of probable
cause,” signed by a police officer, describing the officer’s version of an incident in which
appellant fired several shots at another officer with a 9mm pistol. The document was
admitted into evidence without objection. On October 15, 2010, after reviewing a
presentence report and hearing further punishment evidence, the trial court sentenced
appellant to twenty-five years of imprisonment.
Thereafter, appellant's appointed appellate counsel filed a motion to withdraw
and a brief in support pursuant to Anders in which he certifies that he has diligently
reviewed the record and, in his professional opinion, under the controlling authorities
and facts of this case, there is no reversible error or legitimate grounds on which a non-
frivolous appeal arguably can be predicated. The brief discusses the procedural history
of the case and the proceedings in connection with appellant’s “no contest” plea and
sentencing hearing. Counsel discusses the applicable law and sets forth the reasons he
believes there are no arguably meritorious issues on which to appeal. Counsel has
2
The State waived Count I, attempted capital murder, in open court prior to
appellant’s “no contest” plea.
2
certified that a copy of the Anders brief and motion to withdraw have been served on
appellant, and that counsel has advised appellant of his right to review the record and
file a pro se response. Johnson v. State, 885 S.W.2d 641, 645 (Tex.App.--Waco 1994,
pet. ref'd). By letter, this Court also notified appellant of his opportunity to submit a
response to the Anders brief and motion to withdraw filed by his counsel. Appellant has
not filed a response.
In conformity with the standards set out by the United States Supreme Court, we
will not rule on the motion to withdraw until we have independently examined the record.
Nichols v. State, 954 S.W.2d 83, 86 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 1997, no pet.). If this Court
determines the appeal has merit, we will remand it to the trial court for appointment of
new counsel. Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 511 (Tex.Crim.App.1991).
At the sentencing hearing, a Rockdale, Texas police officer testified to the events
of a night in November 2009 during which he encountered appellant in the parking lot of
a local pawnshop, and appellant fired several shots at him after he identified himself as
a police officer.
Counsel first notes the record does not support a contention that the court acted
outside the zone of reasonableness in imposing appellant's sentence as it was within
the range prescribed by the Penal Code for this offense. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. §
22.02 (West 2011); Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.32 (West 2011). See also Jordan v.
State, 495 S.W.2d 949, 952 (Tex.Crim.App. 1973); Rodriguez v. State, 917 S.W.2d 90,
92 (Tex.App.--Amarillo 1996, pet. ref'd) (Texas courts have traditionally held that as long
3
as the sentence is within the range of punishment established by the Legislature in a
valid statute, it does not violate state or federal prohibitions).
Counsel next notes no objections were made to the indictment and any appellate
challenges to it have been waived. Studer v. State, 799 S.W.2d (Tex.Crim.App. 1990).
Counsel further identifies objections during the sentencing hearing that were sustained,
withdrawn, not pursued due to an adverse ruling, or were clearly harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt. Tex. R. App. P. 44.2; Harris v. State, 790 S.W.2d 568
(Tex.Crim.App. 1989); Arnold v. State, 786 S.W.2d 295 (Tex.Crim.App. 1990). We
agree with counsel’s conclusion that none of these present any arguable grounds which
might support an appeal.
Our review convinces us appellate counsel conducted a complete review of the
record. We have also made an independent examination of the entire record to
determine whether there are any arguable grounds which might support the appeal. We
agree the record presents no arguably meritorious grounds for review. Accordingly, we
grant counsel's motion to withdraw3 and affirm the judgment of the trial court.
James T. Campbell
Justice
Do not publish.
3
Counsel shall, within five days after the opinion is handed down, send his client
a copy of the opinion and judgment, along with notification of the defendant’s right to file
a pro se petition for discretionary review. See Tex. R. App. P. 48.4.
4