Welch v. State

OPINION ON MOTION POR REHEARING

DOYLE, Justice.

In our original opinion, 680 S.W.2d 834, we found that the evidence was insufficient to sustain a conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine. We reversed and acquitted.

The state now contends, among other things, that this court should have reversed and remanded the case, because the evidence showed appellant to be guilty of possession of methamphetamine, a lesser included offense of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.

Under the peril of double jeopardy, we were required to order an acquittal of appellant on the possession with intent to deliver charge under the authority of Supreme Court of the United States in Burks v. United States, 437 U.S. 1, 98 S.Ct. 2141, 57 L.Ed.2d 1, (1978); Greene v. Massey, 437 U.S. 19, 98 S.Ct. 2141, 57 L.Ed.2d 15 (1978). However, the Court of Criminal Appeals has held that “once this Court has found the evidence insufficient on an alleged aggravating element, retrial on the lesser included offense is not precluded.” Moss v. State, 574 S.W.2d 542 (Tex.Crim. App.1979); Ex parte Harris, 600 S.W.2d 791 (Tex.Crim.App.1980); Granger v. State, 605 S.W.2d 602 (Tex.Crim.App.1980).

A reading of the foregoing authorities will reveal that this court’s opinion as issued is appropriate under its findings and needs no reformation. The state is free to retry appellant for the lesser included offense of possession.

The motion for rehearing is denied.