In The

Court of Appeals

Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana

No. 06-13-00039-CR

BILLY JAY BURRIS, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the 6th District Court

Lamar County, Texas

Trial Court No. 24635

Before Morriss, C.J., Carter and Moseley, JJ.

Memorandum Opinion by Chief Justice Morriss
2

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Billy Jay Burris and two others with him were found in possession of a total of 7.2 grams 

of pseudoephedrine. As a result, Burris stands convicted by a Lamar County jury of conspiracy 

to manufacture methamphetamine in a quantity between one and four grams.1 We affirm the 

trial court’s judgment, because (1) no Batson2 error has been demonstrated, (2) admitting the 

report of Burris’ pseudoephedrine purchases was proper, (3) sufficient evidence established the 

quantity of methamphetamine to be manufactured, and (4) Burris’ complaint about being 

committed to SAFP was not preserved.

(1) No Batson Error Has Been Demonstrated

Burris claims the trial court erred in overruling his Batson challenges to the State’s use of 

peremptory strikes on four veniremembers. Burris also complains about a fifth veniremember 

who was not struck; but Burris still claims the treatment of this veniremember is a Batson

violation.

In Batson, the United States Supreme Court provided a three-step process for trial courts 

to use in adjudicating a claim that a peremptory challenge is based on racial discrimination. 

Batson, 476 U.S. at 96–98; see also Snyder v. Louisiana, 552 U.S. 472, 476–78 (2008); Miller-El 

v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 328–29 (2003); Watkins v. State, 245 S.W.3d 444, 447 (Tex. Crim. 

App. 2008). First, a defendant must make a prima facie showing that the peremptory challenge 

 1

See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 481.112(c) (West 2010); TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 15.02 (West 2011).

Burris was sentenced to five years’ confinement, probated. 

2

The use of a peremptory challenge to strike a potential juror because of race violates the Equal Protection Clause of 

the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 89 (1986). It also 

violates Texas law. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 35.261 (West 2006).
3

has been exercised on the basis of racial discrimination. Cockrell, 537 U.S. at 328–29. Second, 

if the prima facie showing has been made, the State must offer a race-neutral explanation for the 

strike. Id. Third, the trial court must decide whether the defendant has shown purposeful racial 

discrimination. Id.; Grant v. State, 325 S.W.3d 655, 657 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010).

‘“Pretext’ is solely a question of fact; there is no issue of law.” See Gibson v. State, 144 

S.W.3d 530, 534 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). On appeal, a trial court’s ruling on the issue of 

discriminatory intent must be sustained unless it is clearly erroneous. Snyder, 552 U.S. at 477–

78; Watkins, 245 S.W.3d at 448. The “critical question” in determining whether the opponent of 

a strike has proved “purposeful discrimination” is “the persuasiveness of the prosecutor’s 

justification for his peremptory strike.” Cockrell, 537 U.S. at 338–39. The State must “stand or 

fall on the plausibility of [its] reasons” for striking a juror. Miller-El v. Dretke, 545 U.S. 231, 

252 (2005). The State’s proffer of a “pretextual explanation naturally gives rise to an inference 

of discriminatory intent.” Snyder, 552 U.S. at 485. “[W]hen the State’s explanation for striking 

a juror is clearly contrary to the evidence, . . . there is no innocent mistake,” and the case must be 

reversed under Batson. Greer v. State, 310 S.W.3d 11, 16 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, no pet.).

Once a prosecutor gives a racially neutral explanation that supports adequately and 

legally a judgment in the State’s favor, a fact issue arises which the trial court can resolve only 

by its assessment of evidentiary weight and credibility. Tompkins v. State, 774 S.W.2d 195, 202 

(Tex. Crim. App. 1987). A defendant does not meet this burden just by disagreeing with the 

prosecutor’s explanation for its strike. Webb v. State, 840 S.W.2d 543, 544 (Tex. App.—Dallas, 

1992, no pet.). It is ultimately the defendant’s burden to prove that the State excluded 
4

veniremembers on the basis of race. Yarborough v. State, 947 S.W.2d 892, 906 (Tex. Crim. 

App. 1997).

Initially we point out that, while the parties referred to juror questionnaires during 

voir dire, no such cards or questionnaires are included in the record presented to this Court. It 

was incumbent on Burris to request the jury information cards or questionnaires be included in 

the record. See Vargas v. State, 838 S.W.2d 552, 556–57 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992). In the 

absence of a complete record, we presume the trial court found facts necessary to support its 

order. Gaitan v. State, 905 S.W.2d 703, 706 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1995, pet. ref’d). 

The only record of the race of the five veniremembers of whom Burris complains is a statement 

by the defense attorney that the discussed persons were “black.” 

Harvey Attrell and Joseph Finch

Burris made Batson challenges to the State’s peremptory strikes of veniremember Harvey 

Attrell and Joseph Finch. The State gave the following explanation for its strike of Attrell: 

Your Honor, regarding Mr. Attrell, he’s an older man. We were concerned that 

he was of an age group that would not really identify with and be able to 

appreciate the fact that this involves methamphetamine. . . . Mr. Attrell is an 

elderly person -- is older. We were concerned, not because he’s elderly, but 

because he really did not respond to any of the questions about 

methamphetamine[,] about intent, about conspiracy. We were concerned about 

his ability to understand concepts.

Youth has been held to be a racially neutral reason for exercising a peremptory strike. Moss v. 

State, 790 S.W.2d 731, 732 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1990, no pet.); Rasco v. State, 739 

S.W.2d 437, 439 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1987, pet. ref’d, untimely filed). By 

extension, lack of youth would appear to be a race-neutral reason for a peremptory strike. See 
5

James v. State, No. 06-04-155-CR, 2005 Tex. App. LEXIS 9246, at *8 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 

Nov. 8, 2005, no pet.) (not designated for publication) (“Age may be a legitimate neutral reason 

for a peremptory challenge.”) However, the State’s explanation “must be closely examined,” lest 

“an attorney [] unintentionally find reasons other than race to strike a black veniremember when 

race was actually the motivating factor.” Chivers v. State, 796 S.W.2d 539, 543 (Tex. App.—

Dallas 1990, pet. ref’d). In Chivers, the State struck a veniremember because he was thirty-five

years of age, but did not explain to the trial court why the State found that age to be too young. 

Additionally, the State compared the thirty-five year-old to another, white, veniremember who 

had also been struck; but that second venireman was ten years younger than the contested, 

African-American, juror.3

 In contrast, here, the State explained that it was “concerned about 

[Mr. Attrell’s] ability to understand the concepts” and his failure to “respond to any of the 

questions about methamphetamine” or conspiracy. The State gave a race-neutral explanation for 

its strike of Attrell.

For Finch, the prosecutor said,

Mr. Finch, we were concerned with him for the same reasons that we were 

concerned with Attrell; he showed very little inclination or ability to answer the 

question about methamphetamine, about the conspiracy questions. We were 

concerned about his educational level and his ability to understand the concepts.4

 3

Additionally, the State claimed it struck the African-American, thirty-five year-old because of his lack of ties to the 

community; however, the older African-American veniremember had been at his current job five years, in which he 

had lived in Dallas County. Conversely, the white, younger veniremember had lived in the county only one and 

one-half months and had no job. Further undermining the State’s explanation, half the selected jurors were younger 

than thirty-five. Chivers, 796 S.W.2d at 543.

4

Initially, regarding Finch, the prosecutor stated, “[Y]es, he is a black male but I would point out we left four black 

people on the jury. We struck and [sic] equal number of men and women.” After consulting her notes, the 

prosecutor gave the above quoted explanation. We offer no opinion as to whether this statement, that the State left 

other African-Americans on the jury, constitutes a race-neutral explanation, because without juror questionnaires or 

any other evidence in the record, it is impossible to know the make-up of the venire or final panel.
6

Education may be the basis of a racially neutral peremptory strike. Rice v. State, 746 S.W.2d 

356, 357 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1988, pet. ref’d) (veniremember misspelled several words on 

information card); see also Hastings v. State, 755 S.W.2d 183, 186 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 

1988, pet. ref’d) (veniremember misspelled word and wrote date of birth in wrong space on

information card). The State gave a race-neutral reason for its strike of Finch.

The burden shifted to Burris to rebut the State’s race-neutral explanation on both Attrell 

and Finch. Burris’ attorney said to the trial court, 

I was looking at the jurors. I certainly didn’t see any problems with Mr. Attrell or 

Mr. Finch and their ability to understand the questions. In fact, they were 

engaged in answering questions and answered the questions that were put to them. 

. . . As far as Mr. Attrell and the question about, well, because of his age -- age is 

also a cognizable group and is subject to a Batson challenge. 

Burris did not cross-examine the prosecutor or offer any testimony or evidence to rebut 

the State’s explanation of its strike of Attrell or Finch. Cf. Satterwhite v. State, 858 S.W.2d 412, 

424 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993) (defendant failed to rebut State’s reason where did not crossexamine prosecutor and offered no evidence to rebut State’s race-neutral reasons for strike). As 

for Burris’ claim that Attrell was “engaged in answering questions and answered the questions” 

put to him, our reading of voir dire reveals no instances where Attrell was directly questioned or 

made answers. The trial court was best positioned to evaluate the credibility of the prosecutor, as 

well as to observe any behaviors by Attrell and the rest of the venire. Burris did not rebut the 

State’s explanation for its strike of Attrell.

On one occasion, Finch was directly questioned by Burris, who asked Finch why, in 

some circumstances, police may be required to record a suspect’s statement. Finch answered, 
7

“For evidence.”5 It is true that the State did not question Finch or develop any record as to his 

education or intelligence level—and, again, the juror information cards are not part of the record, 

so we have no way of knowing if the cards gave indications of any of the veniremembers’ 

education levels. But the ultimate burden to rebut the State’s race neutral reason and to prove to 

the trial court that the State’s reason was a pretext to hide a racial motivation “rests with, and 

never shifts from, the opponent of the strike.” Purkett v. Elem, 514 U.S. 765, 767–68 (1995); 

Ford v. State, 1 S.W.3d 691, 693 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999).

Burris argues the record shows the State’s disparate treatment of Finch versus another 

veniremember. After Finch said a statement might be recorded to be used as evidence, Burris 

asked another veniremember, identified as Zimmerman, why such a recording requirement might 

exist. Dr. Zimmerman replied, “For accuracy.” Burris argues that, because Zimmeran made it to 

the jury, but Finch was struck, despite their giving similar answers to the question about 

recording statements, this reveals a pretextual basis for the State’s peremptory strike. But part of 

the State’s stated reason for striking Finch was concern “about his educational level and his 

ability to understand the concepts” at issue in the case. Zimmerman said during voir dire that he 

specialized in pulmonary and critical care medicine, and he was addressed as doctor throughout 

the jury selection. Burris did not rebut the State’s reasons for striking Finch.

 5

We find only one other moment where Finch appears to have been addressed directly. While the State’s attorney 

was explaining the law of conspiracy, she asked the venire what kind of act – a legal or illegal action – she should be 

required to commit in order to be subject to prosecution and punishment. The prosecutor then said, “You’re making 

a face, Mr. Finch. Are you kind of -- are you thinking about that? Does something about that statement bother 

you?” Mr. Finch answered, “No.” 
8

Natasha Frieson

Burris claims error where the State struck Natasha Frieson. The State answered Burris’ 

Batson challenge as follows:

Mrs. Frieson appeared to be asleep during part of the questioning. She never 

made eye contact with either attorney[] and she appeared to be irritated at having 

to be in the room, by her facial expressions.

A veniremember falling asleep during voir dire is a race-neutral basis for exercising a 

peremptory strike. See Ivatury v. State, 792 S.W.2d 845, 847–48 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1990, pet. 

ref’d). The State also said Frieson appeared irritated at having to be in the courtroom. The 

demeanor of a potential juror is a valid basis to exercise a peremptory strike. Yarborough v. 

State, 947 S.W.2d 892, 896 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); see also Nieto v. State, 365 S.W.3d 673, 

680 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) (State’s description of veniremember’s demeanor “considered 

proved on the record” where defendant failed to rebut State’s explanation). The State’s 

explanation for its strike of Frieson was race neutral.

Burris answered the State’s race-neutral explanation in this way:

As far as Mrs. Frieson being asleep, I saw Mrs. Frieson. At times she had her 

eyes closed but it was only for a couple of seconds at a time. She opened them 

and looked immediately back at the prosecution again while they were going 

through their spiel in voir dire. Mrs. Frieson was not asleep. She was being 

attentive.

Burris, though, did not offer any evidence to rebut the State’s explanation. He did not crossexamine the prosecutor or ask Frieson to offer testimony about whether she had been asleep 

during voir dire. The State claimed that Frieson appeared to sleep through part of the voir dire. 

Both the prosecutor and Burris attorney could have been correct. Burris also offered nothing to 
9

contradict the State’s observation that Frieson appeared “irritated at having to be in the room, by 

her facial expressions.” The trial court was in a position to consider any demeanor or behavior 

of the venireperson as well as the credibility of the prosecutor and her explanation. Burris has 

provided nothing in the record to establish that the trial court’s ruling on the Batson challenge to 

Frieson was clearly erroneous.

Emma Simmons

The State struck Emma Simmons because “she didn’t complete her questionnaire, which 

we felt indicated a resistance to following the law and the instructions.” On its face, this is a 

racially neutral explanation. Failure to complete a juror information card may be a race-neutral 

reason to strike. See Satterwhite, 858 S.W.2d at 423; Roy v. State, 813 S.W.2d 532, 538 (Tex. 

App.—Dallas 1991, pet. ref’d). An inability to follow the law, even if only surmised by the 

prosecutor, would also be a race-neutral reason to strike a veniremember. See Nieto, 365 S.W.3d 

at 679 (State may strike based on hunch or past experience if racial discrimination is not motive). 

Burris offered no rebuttal of the State’s explanation regarding Simmons. In his appellate 

brief, Burris complains that the juror questionnaires are not part of the record. Burris’ failure to 

rebut the State’s explanation amounts to a failure of his burden to show purposeful 

discrimination. As for the contents of the appellate record, it is the appellant’s burden to present 

a record to the appellate court supporting his or her points of error. See TEX. R. APP. P. 34.5; 

Ortiz v. State, 144 S.W.3d 225, 230 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, pet. ref’d).

Having reviewed the record, we cannot say that Burris demonstrated that the State’s 

explanations for its strikes were pretexts for racial discrimination. We give great deference to 
10

the trial court’s Batson rulings, as such determinations often turn on the credibility of the 

prosecutor and the veniremembers. See Yarborough, 947 S.W.2d at 896. Because the record 

does not establish that any of the trial court’s rulings were clearly erroneous, we will not disturb 

those rulings. See Watkins, 245 S.W.3d at 448.

Burris also raises a point of error complaining of the State’s choice not to exercise a 

peremptory strike on veniremember Michael Hayes. Burris complains that, when asked why the

State did not exercise a peremptory strike against Hayes, the prosecutor told the trial court the 

State had the right not to exercise all its strikes and pointed out that other African-Americans had 

been seated on the jury. We agree with Burris that even a single strike based on race offends the 

United States Constitution. See Turner v. State, 827 S.W.2d 333, 334 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992). 

That said, Burris offers no authority or clear argument for his proposition that the State had to 

offer a racially neutral explanation for not striking Hayes.6

 We cannot see how not exercising a 

peremptory strike falls within the realm of Batson. We overrule this point of error.

(2) Admitting the Report of Burris’ Pseudoephedrine Purchases Was Proper

Burris also complains of the trial court’s admission of records documenting Burris’

multiple purchases of pseudoephedrine. The State filed the records along with a business records 

affidavit in the trial court about six months before trial. See TEX. R. EVID. 803(6), 910(10). 

Burris claims that, because the requisites of Rule 803(6) were not satisfied, the records were 

 6

Burris’ only argument is that, “Having made an explanation for excluding Mr. Hayes [i.e., the prosecutor’s 

statement that she had a right not to exercise all her strikes, and pointing out that four members of the jury were 

black], it has to be a race neutral reason.” 
11

inadmissible hearsay. Burris argues, alternatively, that the records were police reports and 

therefore inadmissible.

One exception to the rule against hearsay is for records or reports

made at or near the time by, or from information transmitted by, a person with 

knowledge, if kept in the course of a regularly conducted business activity, and if 

it was the regular practice of that business activity to make the memorandum, 

report, record, or data compilation, all as shown by the testimony of the custodian 

or other qualified witness . . . .

TEX. R. EVID. 803(6). Such evidence may also be admitted if the above requisites are satisfied 

by an appropriate affidavit. Records “shall be admissible in evidence in any court in this state on

the affidavit of the person who would otherwise provide the prerequisites of Rule 803(6) or (7).” 

TEX. R. EVID. 902(10)(a).

We review for an abuse of discretion a trial court’s decision to admit or exclude evidence. 

Willover v. State, 70 S.W.3d 841, 845 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). A trial court does not abuse its 

discretion if the decision to admit evidence is within the “zone of reasonable disagreement.” 

Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990) (op. on reh’g). We may not 

substitute our own decision for that of the trial court. Moses v. State, 105 S.W.3d 622, 627 (Tex. 

Crim. App. 2003). If the trial court’s decision on the admission of evidence is supported by the 

record, there is no abuse of discretion, and the trial court will not be reversed. Osbourn v. State, 

92 S.W.3d 531, 537 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002); Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 379. We will also 

sustain the trial court’s ruling if it is correct under any theory of law applicable to the case. State 

v. Ross, 32 S.W.3d 853, 856 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).
12

Some eight months before trial, the State filed its records of Burris’ purchases of 

pseudoephedrine. The records were accompanied by an affidavit executed by James Acquisto, 

who swore to be the custodian of the records for a company called Appriss, Inc.; Acquisto’s 

affidavit was in the necessary format. See TEX. R. EVID. 902(10). The affidavit stated that the 

attached records were kept in the regular course of business by Appriss by an employee or 

representative of Appriss who had knowledge of the acts, events, conditions, opinions, 

diagnostics, or results in said records and that the records were made at or near the time of the 

occurrence of the events described in the records.

Burris first complains that there was no evidence the business records were made in the 

course of a regularly organized business activity. This overlooks the affidavit that accompanied 

the records: the affidavit and records were filed in the trial court more than fourteen days before 

trial and were all admitted into evidence. The affidavit recited that the affiant was the custodian 

of the attached records, that the records were kept by the company Appriss in the regular course 

of business, and that the regular course of that business included an employee or representative 

of the company making such records. The affidavit also said that such employee or 

representative had knowledge of the events, acts, conditions, or results depicted in the records 

and that the events chronicled in the records occurred at or near the time the records were made. 

The affidavit is sufficient. See TEX. R. EVID. 803(6); see also TEX. R. EVID. 902(10). The 

affidavit was evidence of matters contained in the records. See Barnes v. LPP Mortg., Ltd., 358 

S.W.3d 301, 308 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2011, pet. denied) (affidavit accompanying business 
13

records sufficient to establish amount due on note). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in 

admitting the records.7

Burris also complains that, even if the records were admissible under the business records 

exception, the records were effectively police records and thus not admissible under the business 

records exception. See Davenport v. State, 856 S.W.2d 578, 579 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st 

Dist.] 1993, no pet.). The investigating officer, Anson Amis of the Lamar County Sheriff’s 

Department, testified that the records compiled by Appriss were available only to law 

enforcement. Amis said the company compiled records of purchases of pseudoephedrine, and 

these records were monitored by law enforcement. Amis also said he was able to get email 

notifications when specific persons bought pseudoephedrine advising him of the locations of 

those sales. We disagree with Burris’ argument that this makes the records effectively law 

enforcement reports. He cites Davenport and Berman. Berman v. State, 798 S.W.2d 8 (Tex. 

App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1990), pet. dism’d, improvidently granted, 817 S.W.2d 86 (Tex. Crim. 

App. 1991). Davenport involved testimony by a crime laboratory chemist, who testified that 

resin found on a pipe contained cocaine, but whose report was excluded. Davenport, 856 

S.W.2d at 579. Berman involved documents generated at the jail from which the defendant was 

 7

Burris cites West v. State, 124 S.W.3d 732 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d). West involved a 

testifying witness, not an affidavit, and the witness failed to state that the records were kept as part of the regular 

business activity of the bank supplying the records—she just said the records were kept. This was held insufficient 

to meet Rule 803(6)’s requirements. Id. at 736–37. Here, the affidavit stated the records were kept in the regular 

course of business.
14

accused of escaping. These cases involved documents or records generated by law enforcement 

or at the behest of law enforcement in the course of an investigation.8

In Cole, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals held that a chemist’s report from the 

Department of Public Safety (DPS) crime laboratory was not admissible under Rules 803(6) or 

803(8). Cole v. State, 839 S.W.2d 798, 812–13 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992) (op. on reh’g). “A DPS 

laboratory is a uniquely litigious and prosecution-oriented environment.” Id. at 809–10. The 

court noted that the DPS laboratory reports bore insignia of the State of Texas and law 

enforcement, suggesting the proffered records were generated in an adversarial context. In 

contrast, the court cited United States v. Orozco, 590 F.2d 789, 793–94 (9th Cir. Cal. 1979), 

where records compiled of license plate numbers on vehicles passing through a border station 

were deemed not to have been collected in an adversarial setting, and nothing about the 

collection procedure was seen as indicating a lack of trustworthiness. In the situation here, there 

is no indication that the company that collected records of persons buying pseudoephedrine was 

associated with law enforcement or that the records were gathered as part of any adversarial 

process. The company collected records of sales and made the records available to law 

enforcement. That is not the same as saying the records were those of a law enforcement 

agency. We reject Burris’ claim that the records were essentially police reports. This point of 

error is overruled.

 8

The arrest blotter records were “statements made in an adversarial setting” and were “not merely made as a result of 

ministerial objective observations.” Berman, 798 S.W.2d at 12.
15

(3) Sufficient Evidence Established the Quantity of Methamphetamine to be Manufactured

Next Burris complains that the evidence was insufficient to prove how much 

methamphetamine could be manufactured from the pseudoephedrine possessed by Burris and his 

two associates. The State presented testimony from Tommy Moore, a detective with the Paris 

Police Department who had significant experience in narcotics investigations. Moore testified 

that the 7.2 grams of pseudoephedrine bought by Burris and the two other individuals would 

yield about 3.5 grams of methamphetamine. The evidence was sufficient.

Detective Moore testified that, through a company that collects information on the 

purchase of pseudoephedrine, Moore became aware that Burris and co-defendants Karen and 

Brandy Goodwin were making repeated purchases of pseudoephedrine. Moore had spent about 

thirteen of his eighteen years on the police force working on narcotics cases and had been trained 

in the procedures for making methamphetamine at the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) 

training program. Suspecting that the three individuals planned to manufacture 

methamphetamine, Moore began an investigation. The three suspects were found with several 

boxes of pseudoephedrine, which they had purchased at various pharmacies in Paris. Moore also 

found receipts documenting the purchase of drain cleaner and an instant cold compress. Moore 

explained that these items, along with pseudoephedrine, were used in the manufacture of 

methamphetamine.

Among them, the three alleged conspirators had 7.2 grams of pseudoephedrine. Moore 

testified that he had spoken to chemists and “actual meth cooks” and that these parties had told 

him that pseudoephedrine would yield about half its weight in methamphetamine. 
16

I’ve talked to chemists who’ve told me what they see and I’ve talked to actual 

meth cooks -- I’ve interviewed numerous meth cooks and they -- almost all of 

them will tell you about the same -- what the yield is from a certain amount of 

ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, what you get on your finished product . . . [is] 

[a]bout half. If you have 4 grams of ephedrine, then you’re probably going to get 

two grams of meth.

Moore said this was a “conservative estimate.” On November 9, 2011, Burris and the two 

women with him each bought 2.4 grams of pseudoephedrine. These 7.2 grams of 

pseudoephedrine would yield approximately 3.5 grams of methamphetamine.9

 Moore made this 

calculation based on his experience making methamphetamine at the DEA training program and 

his other training and experience in his narcotics investigations over the course of his career. 

Moore’s testimony is sufficient evidence10 that Burris and his co-conspirators conspired 

to make one or more but less than four grams of methamphetamine.11

(4) Burris’ Complaint about Being Committed to SAFP Was Not Preserved

Burris also argues that the trial court erred in ordering him to attend and complete a 

Substance Abuse Felony Punishment (SAFP)12 program incident to his community supervision. 

 9

In asking for his estimate, the prosecutor asked Moore to “please err on the low side.” 

10In evaluating legal sufficiency, we review all the evidence in the light most favorable to the jury’s verdict to 

determine whether any rational jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt the essential elements of 

conspiracy to manufacture one or more but less than four grams of methamphetamine. Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 

893, 912 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) (citing Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979)); Hartsfield v. State, 305 

S.W.3d 859, 863 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2010, pet. ref’d) (citing Clayton v. State, 235 S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tex. Crim. 

App. 2007)). We examine legal sufficiency under the direction of the Brooks opinion, while giving deference to the 

responsibility of the jury “to fairly resolve conflicts in testimony, to weigh the evidence, and to draw reasonable 

inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts.” Hooper v. State, 214 S.W.3d 9, 13 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) (citing

Jackson, 443 U.S. at 318–19).

11The State points out that Burris objected only that Moore was not listed as an expert witness. But as this is a 

challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, the lack of such listing is irrelevant to our review.

12See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 42.12, § 14 (West Supp. 2013). 
17

The jury assessed a sentence of five years and recommended that the sentence be suspended. As 

conditions of community supervision, the trial court required Burris to spend 180 days in the 

county jail and be confined in and complete a SAFP program. Because Burris made no objection 

to this term of supervision, he preserved nothing for this Court to review.

A trial court may make participation in SAFP a term and condition of community 

supervision if the trial court affirmatively finds that (1) drug or alcohol abuse significantly 

contributed to the commission of the crime for which the defendant was convicted; and (2) the 

defendant is a suitable candidate for treatment, as determined by the suitability criteria 

established by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 42.12, § 

14(a), (b). Burris complains that the trial court ordered him to a SAFP facility without first 

ordering a substance abuse evaluation prescribed by law. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 

42.12, § 9(h) (West Supp. 2013). Burris did not object to the trial court’s imposition of the 

SAFP conditions at sentencing. Just as a presentence investigation may be waived,13 we find 

Burris waived this complaint. See Caster v. State, 87 S.W.3d 751, 752 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 

2002, no pet.). Further, Burris’ brief presents no argument on this point. See TEX. R. APP.

P. 38.1(i).

Burris also presents a related no-evidence point, arguing that there was no evidence that 

he had a drug or alcohol problem or that drugs or alcohol significantly contributed to the 

commission of the crime for which he was convicted. Thus, reasons Burris, a SAFP program

was not appropriate. While it is true the trial court made no explicit findings on the record to 

 13Eddie v. State, 100 S.W.3d 437, 445 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, pet. ref’d).
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support his findings that “drug abuse did significantly contribute to the commission of the 

[instant] crime” and that Burris was “a suitable candidate for treatment as determined by the 

Texas Board of Criminal Justice in accordance with Section 493.009 B [sic], Texas Government 

Code,” we presume the trial court made the necessary findings to support his ruling. Guzman v. 

State, 955 S.W.2d 85, 89 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); Ice v. State, 914 S.W.2d 694, 695–96 (Tex. 

App.—Fort Worth 1996, no pet.).

There was evidence Burris and his two co-defendants conspired to make 

methamphetamine. The arresting officer said that, when asked about the amount of 

pseudoephedrine the parties had been purchasing, Burris initially said he had allergy problems, 

but soon thereafter said it was going to be used to make methamphetamine. At the time of their 

arrest, one of the co-defendants had a pipe associated with smoking drugs and a small amount of 

methamphetamine. These facts are consistent with drug abuse and support the trial court’s 

finding that drug abuse significantly contributed to the commission of the offense for which 

Burris was convicted. We overrule Burris’ points of error related to the SAFP program.

We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Josh R. Morriss, III

Chief Justice

Date Submitted: November 4, 2013

Date Decided: February 12, 2014

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