Charles Bernard Baxter Junior v. the State of Texas ( 2021 )

Affirmed and Memorandum Majority and Concurring Opinions filed June
29, 2021.
In The
Fourteenth Court of Appeals
NO. 14-19-00980-CR
NO. 14-19-00981-CR
CHARLES BERNARD BAXTER JR., Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the 179th District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause Nos. 1487829 & 1487830
MEMORANDUM CONCURRING OPINION
I agree with most of the majority’s analysis, including (1) its recognition that
Appellant’s appellate argument alleged fundamental error with respect to the
State’s jury argument and (2) said argument (under these facts) does not constitute
fundamental error. Therefore, we should analyze and reject Appellant’s contention
on its merits (see Tex. R. App. P. 47.1) instead of analyzing whether Appellant
waived an unwaivable fundamental error. See Carriera v. State, 663 S.W.2d 1, 1
& n.1 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983) (en banc) (noting unassigned fundamental error
concerning prosecutorial misconduct and reversing defendant’s conviction); FDIC
v. Roberson, 603 S.W.2d 278, 279 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1980, no
writ) (intermediate courts of appeal are tasked with the duty to examine record for
fundamental errors, even without briefs) (citing Ramsey v. Dunlop, 205 S.W.2d
979, 982 (Tex. 1947)). Because the jury argument at issue does not constitute
fundamental error, I concur.
/s/ Meagan Hassan
Justice
Panel consists of Chief Justice Christopher and Justices Wise and Hassan. (Wise,
J., majority).
Do Not Publish — Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b).
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