DocketNumber: WR-22,772-05
Filed Date: 9/2/2015
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 9/29/2016
INMATE'S DECLARATION , am the applicant I petitioner (cirCle one) and being presently incarcerated in /.&A/kL Cowiii~Y ' , declare under penalty of perjury that, according to my belief, the facts stated in the above application are true and correct. ... ·; ... "•·: \\ This document contains some pages that are of poor quality at the time of imaging. <0!-. MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, TEXAS ROBERT LEE SMITH, NOS:961276 & 966324 APPLICANT, vs. DISTRICT CLERK, HARRIS COUNTY I TEXAS RESPONDENT I MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE \ APPLICATION FOR MANDAMUS TO THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS: NOW COMES ROBERT LEE SMITH. aoolicant. complaininq of District Clerk of ' Harris. Countv. Texas Resoondent. and oursuant to Rule 211 of the Texas Rule of Appellate p~cedure in criminal cas~s moves this court to Grant applicant leave to file this application for a Writ of Mandamus tendered contemporaneous- ly with this motion. Applicant prays that the motion be Granted, the said application for Mandamus be filed and set down for a hearing, that the relief requested be qranted, and for other relief, general and special, including a stay of the proceeding . below until the matters complained of in said application are cured. Ellis 980 Huntsville,Texas 77343 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that a copy of the above motion for leave to file for Mandamus was delivered or mailed to Resoondent at Resoondentis 'this,?J aav of 5-eo.f:.e.Pnb£/L , ,2o1s: I' I ~ '· IN THE COURT ' OF CRIMINAL .APPEALS OF TEXAS ! AT AUSTIN,TEXAS Robert Lee Smith Nos:961276 & 966324 Applicant, Vs. District Clerk., Harris Countv. Texas Resoondent. APPLICATION FOR MANDAMUS TO THE HONORABLE. COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS: ' NCM COMES ROBERT LEE SMITH. APPLICANT.ann asks t.his court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to the District Clerk, of Harris County, Texas respondent, to require the respondent describe relief requested and in support of this appli- cation would show the Court the following; That every since jury trial and on appeal applicant has been informing the respondent about all records along with transcripts, to allow applicant his constitutional rights to prepare for his appeal under the Six Amendment of the United Stat~~-~ns~i-~~.!:~~12..' Due Process Law and eaual Protection. I- FACTUAL BACKGROUND Applicant was tried for the offense of aqqravated sexual assault <:~·~-~I:!_i_l_?_i!:!_ a case stvled, The State___ ?!__T~x:.::a:.::s_..:..V::::s..:..._....:A:..:.P~::JP~::.:l:..:l::.:.c::;;:a:::n=t' Numbers 961276 & 9.6.6324, in the 184th. Judicial District Court Of Harris County, Texas. The Indic~- --- ---·- ------- --- ment was returned ~~~--24 · day of October, 2003. '!'rial was begun on the 3 day of August,2003, and completed on the 15 day of November,2003. A Jury ·-·---- ---- found applicant guilty and 1assessed punishment at fifty(50)years concurrent '7• in the Texas Department Of Corrections (see exibi t 'b' attached hereto.) Notice of Appeal was timely filed on the 28 day of November 2005. ('see lm' all exibits attached hereto) Aplicant filed defendant(applellant's request for a transcrip- tion of the Reoorter's ·Notes(see exibits A-B-D-E-F attached hereto). The onlv respondent response was held about request·on Feburary 28,2008,(see exibit C attached hereto). Subsequently, the court reporter has refused to prepare the transcript, contending that. the applicant was · not indigent. (see exibits ~~~· attached hereto) Applicant subseqvently requested the trial court to enfo- (l). rce his order(see exibit E.F.attached hereto). But the trial court has refused to do so. II. REQUEST FOR RELIEF Applicant requests in this application that this court~·direct respondent to order the court reporter to prepare copy of the trial proceedings below without charge to applicant, as required by law. III. JURISDICTION This court has iurisdiction to consider this aoolication oursuant to art-5,5 of the Texas Constitution and article 4.04 Of Criminal Procedure. IV. AUTHORITIES AND ARGUMENT Applicant contends that he is indegent without funds, property or securities in which to pay for trial court records, Therefore, the documents and records should be afforded at no cost to defendant in order that he mav construct an Aooeal. and. suooort of the foreaoina defendant cites the followina cases~ ECKRIDGE V. WASHINcm::>N. 357 U.S.214. 7R S.GT. 1067(1959). SMITH V. RF.NNETT.365 U.S. 477
,83'-:.S.CT. (1963): ORAPER V. WASHINGTON, 372 U.S.487. S.CT. 774ll963l: GRIFFIN V. ILLINOIS,35 U.S. 2
. 76 S.CT.5R5(1956): LONG V. DISTRICT muRT OF I~A,385 U.S. 92
, 87 S.CT.362Cl966): WILLIAMS V. OKI.AHOMA.::\Q'l TT.S. 458,89 S.CT. 1818(1969): GARDNER. V. CALIFORNIA. ::\91 TLS 370~89 S CT.582(1969):NEVER V.CHICAGO, 404 U.S.189,92 S.CT.30(197ll:CURRY V-STATE488 S.W.2d 606
Tex.CR.APP.(l973): U.S.V. DAVIDSON,483 F.SUPP.l253(1977): EX PARTE MAYS,510 S.W.2d 606
(TEX.CR.APP.- 1975): CAR'l'UERIGHT V. STATE,527 S.W.2d 535 CTF.X-CR APP.l975}:COVILLOR V.STATE,577 S.W.2d 118
. 120-128(TEX.CR.APP.l977}: ABNOR V. STATE.712 S.W.2d l3HTEX.- rn.APP.l986). (2) ·, :V. CONCLUSION (1) Aoolicant has no other leaal remeov available to him other than this aooli- cation for mandamus (2) This action sought is, order the facts of this case, is essence, a mere ministerial act which respondent has a legal duty to perform. (3} Aoolicant has orooerlv requested respondent to perform which respJndent has refused. COPIES OF EXHIBITS SHOULD BE CERTIFIED COPIES ATTACH AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESS TO FACT: WHEREFORE,PREMISES CONSIDERED. applicant prays that this application be Granted and that respondent be ordered continue with relief requested. .. ·:-. Respectfullv 7~'> Robert Lee Smith {pro se) Ellis Unit/1697 FM 980 Huntsville,Texas 77343 ( 1). -~· ~ ~ ... '--. -.r _ _._~:·.:'_ -····· AFFIDAVIT STATE OF TEXAS· COUNTY OF WALKER BEFORE ME. the undersigned authority, on this date personally appeared applicant who upon being duly sworn did depose and state; My name is Robert Lee Smith and I am the relator in the above cause. I have read the above application for Mandamus and state that the- factual allegations and correct. SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME.the undersigned authority, by the said applicant on this the]/ day of Jee/eJ?16.Etf. 2015, to certify which witness my hand and seal of office. N9TARX ~UBLIC IN AND FOR ~~~tv.P~ ,COUNTY,TEXAS~ CERTIFICATR :oF SERVICE I herebv c~rtffv that a coov of the above Aonli~Rtion for Mandamus was delivered or mailed address on this ~) day of_5_·~~-=~l:..¥~~ .. EXHIBIT-A) EXHIBIT-Al \ . November 2812007; CAUSE NOS:#961276 & 966324 L365 U.S. 477 , 83 ·:s;CT.(l963}: ORAPER V. WASHING'1'0N, 372 U.S.487. S.CT.774(1963}: GRIFFIN V. ILLINOIS. 3§1 U.S.12. 76 S.CT. 585(1956}: LONG V. DISTRICT COURT OF IOWA, 385 U.S.192, 87 S.CT. 362(1966}: WILLIAMS V. OKLAHOMA, 395 U.S.458. 89 S.CT. 1818(1969}: GARDNER V. CALIFORNIA, 393 U.S.370, 89 S.CT.582(1969}: NEVER V. CHliCAGO.404 U.S. 189. 92 S.CT.30(197ll :Currv V.STATE. 488 S.W.2d. 606 Tex.cr.APP. (1973): U.S. V. DAVIDSON. 483 F.SUPP.1253(1977):EX PARTE- MAYS,510 S.W.2d 606(TEX.CR.APP.1975): CARTUERIGHT V. STATE. 527 S.W.2d. 535(TEX.CR.APP.1975 )COUILLOR V. STATE. 577 S.W.2d. 118. 120-12HTEX.CR.APP. 1977): ABNOR V. STATE. 712 S.W.2d. 136(TEX.CR.APP.1986). v. The Supreme Court held that States are required to established avenues of Appellate review but it not fundamental that once established these avenues must be kebt free from unreasonable distinctions that can onlv imoede ooen and eoual access to the courts. Defendant contends that, If denied the reauested ohotostat cooies of the trial court reporter's/Clerk's Records, he is therefore, beina denied the riaht to Appeal. said denial would be a violation of the Fourt- eenth Amendment to the u.s. Constitution. To imoose anv further financial con- dition between an indiaent orisoner of the State and his execise of a State riaht to sue for Libertv, is to denv that prisoner the "EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW" In the case of LANE V. BRCIW. SUPRA THE COURT REAFFIRMED THE FUNDAMENTAL PRI- NCIPLES OF GRIFFIN V. ILLINOIS SUPRA, BY STATING TO FOLLOWING: A DESTI'l'l:n' DEFENDANT .MUST BE AFFORDED AS ADEQUATE APPELLATE REVIEW AS DEFENDANT WHO MAY HAVE TO BUY TRANSCRIPP IrtLane Supra, The court went on to observe that Smith v. Bennett,. 365 U.S.477 83 S.CT. 768 reaffirmed these Principles when iustices sais in pertinent part: "That; these Princioles were Not"Limitted .to D1'rect Apn.o.=-ls" F · ~~~-;~:::=-::-~~~-=~~~------~~==:~=:::~::r:o:m~c~r~~minal Con- ~--dner.• Sup-a victions: It is further stated in UCU.' ._, that a layman actina in his .:.: own defense, or his own behalf, ·~needs the court records even more so that an Attornev actina in his behalf would." In the case at bar, defendant asserts that his need of the records are essential, and are reauired to present his case in the most favorable liaht, and he must procure said records to prove his errors pertaininq to the issues in a 11.07 Writ Of Habeas Corpus to the trial court and the Court Of Appeals, .as well as the higher court. Defendant asserts that . his Constitutional Guaranteed Rights have been violated, but cannot be pursued by Post-Conviction Writ Of Habeas Corpus::;due to .the lack of his trial records and other essental documents. Defendant avers that if he is denied the right to the trial records of his case in the above styled and number cause, that he would be denied the Right to Adequate Remedy Of Equal Access To Exhaustion The Issues Regarding his Illeqal Convictions, and The Judae may not deny Defendant the trial Court Records On Discretion That A Fair Trial Was Held. Eskeridqe v. Washinqton, 78 S.CT. 1061(1961): Smith V. Bennett,365 U.S. 70881 S.CT. 895. THE COURT MADE CLEAR THAT THESE PRINCIPLES WERE NOT TO BE LIMITED TO DIRECR APPEALS FROM CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS, BUT EXTENDED TO STATE POST-CONVICTION PROCEEDINGS. The court also stated in Smith v. Bennett, 81 S.CT. at 898 that the Fourteenth Amendment weiqhs the interest of Rich and poor criminai in equal scale and its hand extends as for to each. The court also· stated in Griffin v. People, 76 S.CT.at 590----'- "THUS TO , DENY ADEQUATE REVIEW TO THE POOR MEANS THAT MANY OF THEM MAY LOSS THEIR LIFE LIBERTY AND OR PROPERTY BECAUSE OF UNJUST CONVICTION WHICH APPELLATE COURTS WOULD SET ' ASIDE." .• Defendant avers that·all said NOTES and Documents Of The Proceeding Occur- rina before, during.and after the trial on the instant case are in the possess- ion of the Court Reporter and The Court Clerk Of The 184th. Judicial District CdlitETin Harris Countv,Texas The Cost Of Said Records Must be Assumed By the State In This Regard Under The Jurisdiction, citing, Griffin Supra. WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the defendant respectfully request and beseech this Honorable Court To Grant The Relief Sought herein, or in the alte- rnative, set this matter on the Docket for an evidentiary hearinq on the merits, or Grant any further Relief that this court deems proper and/or just. U338999 Ellis Unit/1697 FM 980 Huntsville.Texas 77343 AFFIDAVIT OF INDIGENCE I ROBERT LEE SMITH, Do hereby swear and certify under the penality of perjury that I am indigent and destitute and have no money, funds nor assets or financial ability to retain counsel are pay for court records in the above cause are oav the cost of these leoal oroceedinos. Robert Lee Smithil338999 pro se. Litiqent ·(_S) DECLARATION I, ROBERT LEE SMI~, TDCJ NUMBER-1338999, being presently incarcerated in The O.B.Ellis Unit Of The Texas Department Of Criminal Justice rin:;G:!375 U.S. 277 84 S.CT. 424 111. Ed.2d 33(1964). In view of the foregoing and above petitioner heretofore request's this court to produce the Audio Tape Recording's and Transcripts pertinent to petitoner's sentence in which was held "SEPTEMBER,l7,2005,' see HANDSON V. STATE, 956 F.2d 245(11 CIR.(l992). In Re Jose A Coronado No;04-98-00596-CR.states an indiqent criminal defendant is entitle as a matter of equal protection or of Due Process to obtain a free statement of facts and transcrips in order to assist in perpration of a petition of habeas corpus"ABSENT" a showing that the Writ of Habeas "ACTION" is not" Frivolous" and there is a "SPECIFIC" need for the trial records which are sought. ESCOBAR V. STATE,880 S.W.2d 782, 873(TEX. APP.(HOUSTON lST.Dist.l993). Applicant/Petitioner claims he is ACTUAL INNOCENT, and without The Fundamental Miscarriage Of Justice Applicant/Petitioner would never been convicted and or illegally sentenced, so he need's these record's. Abuse of discretion and prosecutorial Misconduct by volume. Page and lines, to establish that there are unadjudicated meritoious allegations of United States Constit- utional Rights Violations. WHEREFORE, premises considered Appellant/Petitioner prays that this' court GRANT this motion. The court Reporter's to produce the entire volumes of Audio Sound Tape Re~ordinq Of the ~3 transcripts of Appellant/Petitioner Trial and Sentencinq proceedinq and exhibits. (2) . ~ ,,,. ,;;.:~ ; ... ':· ',\:~~. Jri'• Jt -~ ·'' AFFIDAVIT/UNSWORN DECLARATION CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE State Of Texas, County Of Walker County, I Robert Lee Smith, TDCJI- 1338999, du1tv sworn depose attest and.sav unde~ oena1tv or oreiurv that the foregoing and following statement are to the best of mv knowledqe pursuant 28 § u.s.c. 1746. I have serve. file this inst- rument bv ol~cihci ~am~ within ~.o.c:J~ID#. Irtternal mailina svstem an officiallv ~eoositorv of U.S.P.S. In a cost oaid orooerlv addr- e,~s wraooer to infra, and herebv veri tv under oen,al tv of ore iurv that the foreaoina is true and correct to the best of mv knowledae. EXCUTED THIS DAY 1 December. 21 1009 :··-· - ;: Robert -Ellis Unit/1697 FM 980 Huntsville,Texas 77343 ,I •'' (.~ ) .. r; EXHIBIT-E) \,_ EXHIBIT-E) / ··~· ROBERT LEE SMITHil338999 ElliS UNIT 1697 FM 980 Huntsville.Texas 77343 JUNE 15.2010: ( RE:TRIAL COURT N0Si961276 & 966324) APPEAL COURT NOS·: 01-05-01095 & 01-05-01096- CR.)). DEAR CLERK, Enclosed, please find mv motion, for the l84th.Judicial District Court to Produce trial court transcriPt for on a Temporarv Loan 1 Basis. Under both Texas & Federal Law. Petitioner has The Riaht t to Pursue Post-conviction habeas Relief from the iudaement and sentenced imposed on him. Please Clerk of the court. Please file this Motion with the Judae of this court for inspection olease. r. also reauest that vou-notifv court's,rulina on mv motion. (l). .f ',0 CAUSE NOS:#961276 ~ 966324 IN THE 184th.JUDICIAL DISTRLCT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS THE STATE OF TEXAS vs. ROBERT LEE SMITH MOTION TO OBTAIN TRANSCRIPTS RECORD To THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT: COMES NOW, Robert Lee Smith, defendant 1n the above entitled ~nd numbered ~aused, and move~this Court for an Order to Grant Records of Transcriptss from hearing. ) __!_•• Defendant was convicted on 11/17/05, for the offense of aggrava- ted sexual assault. II. Defendant was confined at Harris Countv Jail, 1200 Baker Street. Houston.Texas 77002~and is indiaent. Sa. such defendant is unable to oav anv and all costs of transcrios records. WHEREFORE. DEFENDANT PRAYS, that this court Grant this motion and have all said transcriots records forward to the defendant. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, THIS 17th DAY OF DECEMBER. K~~ RJbert Lee Smith CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I Robert Lee Smith, beinq presently incarcerated in Harris Countv, Texas declare under oenaltv of puriurv that the foreaoina is true and correct. EXECUTED ON DECEMBER 17, 2005: 1 ORDER on this,the 14 dat of December 2005, came to be heard defendant's motion and it should be. GRANTED DENIED ------- (2) -------------- ) SO ORDERED JUDGE PRESIDING GRANTED ---------------- DENIED ----------------- (3). . .. .!; ' ~ ........... ' . , ......... .. I ~ )Afi' .l~, /' . . EXHIBIT-F) EX·HIBIT.\}) . EXHIBIT-F) '\ t;J;f)tr [,1ft( Cause No;i961276 & 966324 · Robert Le Smith In The 184th District Court §f pro se, vs. Harris County, Texas The State Of Texas MOTION TO REVIEW THE TRIAL RECORDS ON TEMPORARY BASIS: Dear Ms Jackson, greeting, I pray all is well with you and yours, Ms Jackson this motion I am filing in The 184th. District Court please, file said motion and bring it to the attention of the Honorable Judge of said court. ,- Your Assistance and consideration and cooperation with regards to this matter will be most sincerely appreciated. Thank you in advance. I look forward to receiveing your reply in the near furture; Res~~ 9/19/011 ~prose ·' Cause No;#961276 & 966324 Robert Lee Smith In The 184th District Court· Of Vs. Harris County, Texas The State Of Texas MOTION TO REVIEW THE TRIAL RECORDS. ON TEMPORARY LOAN BASIS: To The Honorable Judge Of Said Court; comes's now, Robert Lee Smith, Movant, pro se in the above styled and numbered cause, and would respectfully move this honorable court to provide Movant with a copy of the trial records herein referredto as the the"Records" in trial cause ·numbers 961276 & 966324, on a temporary loan basis, in support of this Honorable Court is the following; I. JURISDICTION This Honorable court has original and continuing jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter raised within this faith motion. II. OPEN RECORDS ~T Movant's request is made, in part, pursuant to those provisions enacted through legislation under The Texas Public Information Acts, Codified Under Government Code§ 552.000 Ct.Seg. V.T.C.A., III. RECORDS FOR REVIEW [A] Movant have in the furture have tried to prepare and submit a pro-se application for Writ Of Habeas Corpus, Pursuant to Texas Code Of Criminal Procedures Annoate Article 11.07. {1). \ [B] within the body of the application for Writ Of Habeas Corpus Movant expects to raise the following constitutional Error's but not limited to these alone; 1). Ineffective Assistance Of Counsel; 2). Insufficiency Of Evidence; 3 ) . That •.• ect. [c) as a matter of law Movant would state further that undser the proof Stand~ ard of Tex.code crim. pro. Ann. Art.ll.07 and exparte Maldonado688 S.W. 2d. 114 (Tex. cr. app. 1985) The applicant must state facts which, if true would entitle the applicant to relief. ID merely stating Legal Conclusion is not enough see Exparte Hernandez705 S.W.2d 700(Tex.cr.app.l996). Futher more an applicant, ,to be entitled to relief, must plead and prove that the complained of error did infact, contribute to his conviction and / punishment. Exparte Barber 879 S.W.2d 889(Tex.cr.app.l994) Movant would respect- fully contend that, there is no way for him to be able to raise and or/plead factual errors on an application for Writ Of Habeas corpus without first being able to both review the "CLERK" RECORDS AND THE "REPORTERS RECORDS"within this cause; [D] Movant would futthermore point out as a matter of law that in the event he was thus, forced to raise claims on his state writ, which were the denied thereafter, both by the Honorable Court and then the Court Of Criminal Appeals The overall harm from such a denied would not just stop here. This harm would follow Movant into the Federal Courts as well. Under the Antiterrorsim and effective Death Penalty Act Of 1996, [AEDPA] habeas relief under title 28-USCA §2254?, will not be granted for any claim adudicated on the merits in state courts unless the decision was (l)contrary to (2) or involved an unreasonable application of "FEDERAL LAW" CLARLY established by The Supreme Court, or (2)" BASED ON AN UNREASONABLE DETERMINATION OF FACTS," see 28-USCA 2254 (d)(l) & (2). Movant would in same likeness, be unable to meet these required standards with- out first being able to review the records, since Movant is indigent (see attached declaration in support, tThis failure or denial of the right to raise such claims on habeas corpus, because the Honorable court would not allow Movant a free viewing of the records would both be unconstitutional and against the Well Established holding under The United States Court Case Law. IV. AS A MATTER OF THE SUPREME COURT LAWS OF THE LAND [a] Movant would contend that the United States Supreme Court has consistently held under certain circumstances, that trial records should be made availiable to indigent prisoners without prepayment of the cost and fee's proving such records and that prisoners access to the courts cannot be condition upon the amount of money he/or she may have, (see M.L.B.V.S.L.J., 117 S.CT. 555 (1996), Griffin v. Illonis 351 US 12,-76 s. CT. 35 (1956, The Plurality in Griffin reconized "The Importance Of Habeas Review To Correct Adjudication of guilt or innocenceId. at 18,76s. Ct. St 590 .. [T]O deny adequate review to the poor. "The Plurality Observed" means that many of them may loose their life, liberty or property, because of unjust conviction which habeas courts would set aside.Id. at 19,-76S.CT. 590 The rational has been applied various other forms of review. [C] as a matter of facts Movant would point out that it is common practice on the prison Unit that prisiners receive records from the courts as loan basis to the "Warden Of The Unit" The Warden Allow offenders to review said re cords within the Unit Library, Under the constance supervision of its staff off- icers. (3) When the pre-established viewing time limitations by the Honorable court has been exhausted, The Warden then mails the Records back to the court, at the offenders expense. v. PLEA Movant spectfically request this Honorable court to allow him in same, as the above said section IV. Subsection(C) and would plea that he only wishes to review the records, not retain a free copy of said records on the Unit that he is signed to. If the court is in agreement of this request, then Movant would specifically request the court for the following; [A] that the above mentioned trial appeallate records in this cause Number 961276 & 966324, including(l) The clerks records and/or transcripts, and (2) The reporteds records and/or testimonal minutes. (B) that the court . Order the District Clerk Of Harris County, Texas to Mail the complete Records to Senor Warden Of The Ellis Unit, 1697 FM 980 Huntsville, Texas 77343 , to confirm receipt by calling the Wardens Secretary, at________________________; [C] Movant specifically request Ninety(90)days to Review the Records in the Law Library, on the Ellis Unit Under Supervision Of The Warden Designee .• VI CONCLUSION Movant is making this reasonable and just request in good faith, to deny this request after having made this good faith attempt, as an indigent prison- er of this state, would be for the court to deny Movants constitutional vested rights to equal protection and due process of the law under both u~s. constitu- tion Amendment(S) and XIV: and Texas Constitutions Article 1 & 10, § § 19. let this Honorable Court make the fair and just decision to uphold Movants constit- utionally protected rights by granting this motion. VII. PRAYER Wherefore Premises considered, Movant would Respectfully pray thatt this motion to review trial records on temporary ;nos#961276 & 966324. 9/19/011 (4).