Kenton Lance Light v. State

Fourth Court of Appeals
San Antonio, Texas
August 27, 2019
Nos. 04-18-00802-CR & 04-18-00803-CR
Kenton Lance LIGHT,
Appellant
v.
The STATE of Texas,
Appellee
From the 216th Judicial District Court, Gillespie County, Texas
Trial Court Nos. 6330 & 6328
Honorable N. Keith Williams, Judge Presiding
ORDER
Sitting: Sandee Bryan Marion, Chief Justice
Rebeca C. Martinez, Justice
Liza A. Rodriguez, Justice
On August 19, 2019, Appellant Kenton Lance Light filed a pro se Motion to Dismiss
Counsel and Invoke Right to Self-Representation. A defendant does not have a right under either
the United States Constitution or the Texas Constitution to represent himself in a direct appeal
from a criminal conviction. Martinez v. California, 528 U.S. 152, 154-64 (2000); Cormier v.
State, 85 S.W.3d 496, 498 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, pet. ref’d); Hadnot v. State, 14
S.W.3d 348, 350 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, no pet.); Cain v. State, 976 S.W.2d
228, 235 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998, no pet.); see also Phynes v. State, 828 S.W.2d 1, 2
(Tex. Crim. App. 1992) (no guaranteed right to appeal criminal conviction under Texas
Constitution). Whether to allow an appellant to proceed pro se in a criminal appeal is left to the
discretion of the court of appeals. Martinez, 528 US. at 163; Hadnot, 13 S.W.3d at 350.
At the time Light filed his notice of appeal in October 2018, he asked the trial court to
appoint appellate counsel. His appointed counsel timely filed the appellant’s brief on July 8,
2019. The brief raises proper points of error and is supported by argument and citation to
authority. Light voiced no dissatisfaction with counsel until after the brief was filed. Further, the
State filed its appellee’s brief on August 7, 2019. Under these circumstances, the government’s
interest in the fair and efficient administration of justice outweighs Light’s interest in self-
representation. See Martinez, 528 U.S. at 163. Therefore, we DENY the motion.
It is so ORDERED on August 27, 2019.
PER CURIAM
ATTESTED TO: _______________________
Keith E. Hottle
Clerk of Court