No. 05-14-00076-CR The State requests argument

IN THE only if Appellant argues

FIFTH COURT OF APPEALS

OF TEXAS

AT DALLAS, TEXAS

______________________________

JAMES LOYD BANKSTON

V.

STATE OF TEXAS

______________________________

On Appeal from the County Court at Law, Kaufman County, Texas, in Cause Number 31508CC

_______________________________

BRIEF OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

_______________________________

Counsel of Record:

ERLEIGH NORVILLE WILEY

KAUFMAN COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY

SUE KORIOTH

ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY

SBN# 11681975

100 W. MULBERRY KAUFMAN, TEXAS 75142

972 932-0260 ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPELLEE, fax 972 932-0357

THE STATE OF TEXAS suekorioth@aol.com ACCEPTED
05-14-00076-CR
FIFTH COURT OF APPEALS

DALLAS, TEXAS
3/13/2015 10:27:52 AM

LISA MATZ
CLERKIDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL:

Ap p el l an t : J am es Lo y d Ban k s to n

APPELLANT’ S TRIAL COUNSEL: An d rew J ord an

APPELLANT’ S COUNSEL ON THIS APPEAL: Lara Bracam o n t e

APPELLEE: t he St at e o f Tex as

A PPELLEE’ S TRIAL COUNSEL: Erl ei gh No rv il l e W i l ey , Kau fm an Co u n t y Cri m i n al Di s t ri ct At to rn ey , an d As si s t an t Cri m i n al Di s t ri ct At to rn ey s

Ph i l W i l l i am s an d Dan i el T Fl o y d

APPELLEE’ S COUNSEL ON THIS APPEAL: Erl ei g h No rv i l l e W i l ey , Kau fm an Co un t y Cri m i n al Di s t ri ct At t o rn ey ; Su e Ko ri ot h , As s i s tan t Cri m i n al Di s t ri ct
At t o rn ey

-ii-TABLE OF CONTENTS

IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -i i

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -v

STATEM ENT OF THE CASE.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1

-

STATE’ S COUNTERPOINT ONE Ap p el l an t wai ved rev i ew o f t h e i s s u e h e arg u es o n ap p eal ; hi s co m p l ai n t at t ri al

d o es n o t co m

p o rt w i t h t h e i s s u e o n ap p eal

. In an y ev en t

, t h e t ri al co u rt act ed

wi t h in i t s d i s cret i o n i n d en y i n g ap pel l an t ’ s m o t i on t o s up p res s

STATE'S COUNTERPOINT TW O

Th e ev i d en ce was s uffi ci en t t o s u p po rt t he ju ry 's v erd i ct

.

STATE'S COUNTERPOINT THREE

Th e t ri al co u rt d i d n ot ab u s e i t s d i scret i o n i n refu si n g ap p el l an t 's req u es t ed

l es s er-i ncl u d ed -o ffen s e i n s t ru ct i o n

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2

-

SUM M ARY OF THE ARGUM ENT.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2

-

STATEM ENT OF PERTINENT FACTS.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2

-

ARGUM ENT.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1 2

-

STATE’ S COUNTERPOINT ONE, res t at ed

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1 2

-

STATE’ S COUNTERPOINT TW O, res t at ed

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1 6

-

STATE’ S COUNTERPOINT THREE, res t at ed

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2 0

-

CONCLUSION.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2 2

-

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2 2

-

RULE 9 .4 CERTIFICATE OF COM PLIANCE.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2 2

-

-iii-INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

CASES

Beken d am v. S t a t e , 4 4 1 S.W .3 d 2 9 5 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 0 1 4 ) .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1 3

-

Bu r rel l v. S t at e , 4 4 5 S.W .3 d 7 6 1 (Tex . Ap p . – Ho u s to n [1 s t Di s t .] 2 0 14 , p et . ref’ d ). .

. . . -1 7

-

Eva ns v. S t a te

, 2 0 2 S.W .3 d 1 5 8 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 0 0 6 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1 7 -, -1 8

-

Ga r ci a v. S t a t e, No . 0 5 -1 0 -0 0 5 2 1-CR, 2 0 1 1 W L 5 2 31 4 2 6 (Tex . Ap p . –

Dal l as No v . 3 , 2 0 1 1 , n o p et

. ) (n o t d es ig n at ed fo r p u b l icat i o n ). .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1 5

-

Go a d v. S t a t e, 3 5 4 S.W .3 d 4 4 3 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 0 1 1 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2 1

-

Mo s key v. S t a t e, 3 3 3 S.W .3 d 6 9 6 (Tex . Ap p . – Ho u s to n [1 s t Di s t .] 2 0 10 , n o p et .).

. . . . . . -1 5

-

STATUTES

Tex

. Co d e Cri m . Pro c. art i cl e 5 9 .0 4 (j).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1 9

-

Tex

. Tran s p . Co d e Sec. 6 0 1 .0 5 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1 4

-

RULES

-iv-No . 0 5 -1 4 -0 0 0 7 6 -CR

IN THE

FIFTH COURT OF APPEALS

OF TEXAS

AT DALLAS, TEXAS

__ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _

J AM ES LOYD BANKSTON

V.

STATE OF TEXAS

__ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _

TO THE HONORABLE J UDGES OF SAID COURT:

Th e St at e o f T ex as , ap p el l ee h erei n , res p ect fu l l y s u b m i t s t hi s bri ef i n res p o n s e

t o ap p el l an t ’ s b ri ef, an d wo u l d s h o w t h e Co urt :

STATEM ENT OF THE CASE

Ap p el l an t J a m es Lo y d Ban k s t o n was i n d i ct ed fo r p o s s es s i o n o f

m et h am p h et am i ne, fo u r g ram s or m o re b u t l es s t h an 2 0 0 g ram s , wi t h i nt en t t o d el i v er.

(CR: 7 ). He p l ead ed n o t g u i l t y b u t w as co n v i ct ed b y a ju ry , wh i ch fo u n d t h e

en h an cem en t p arag rap hs t o b e t ru e an d as s es sed h i s p u n i s h m en t at co n fi n em en t fo r

4 5 y ears i n TDCJ

. (CR: 2 2 6 ). A p p el l an t g av e n o t i ce o f ap p eal o f h i s co n v ict i o n t o t h i s

Co u rt

.

-1-STATE’ S COUNTERPOINT ONE

Ap p el l an t wai v ed rev i ew o f t h e i s s u e h e arg u es o n ap p eal ; h i s co m p l ai n t at t ri al

d o es n o t co m

p o rt wi th t h e i s s u e o n ap peal . In an y ev en t , t h e t ri al co u rt act ed

wi t h i n i t s d i s cret i o n i n d en y i n g ap p el l an t ’ s m o t io n t o s up p res s.

STATE'S COUNTERPOINT TW O

Th e ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t t o s up p ort t h e ju ry 's v erd ict

.

STATE'S COUNTERPOINT THREE

T h e t ri al co u rt d i d n o t ab u s e i t s d i s cret i o n i n refu s i n g ap p el l an t 's req u es t ed

l es s er-i n cl u d ed -o ffen s e i n s t ru ct i o n ; i n an y ev en t , an y

erro r was h arm l es s

.

SUM M ARY OF THE ARGUM ENT

Ap p el l an t cl ai m s t h at t h e t ri a l c o u rt erred in d en y i n g h i s m o t i o n to s u p p res s ;

t h e St at e co n t en d s ap p el l an t wai v ed t h e i s s u e reg ard i n g p r o p r iet y o f t he i n v en t o ry

s earch b y fai l i n g to p res en t i t to t h e t ri al co u rt an d t h at

, i n an y ev en t

, t h e t ri al c o u r t

p ro p erl y d en i ed t he m o ti o n t o s u p p res s

. In res p o n s e t o ap pel l an t ’ s s eco n d an d t h i rd

i s su es , t h e St at e co n ten d s th at t h e ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t t o l i n k ap p el l an t t o t h e

co n tra b an d an d t h at t h e t ri al co u rt p ro p erl y refu s ed t h e req u es ted l es s er i n cl u d ed

o ffen s e.

STATEM ENT OF PERTINENT FACTS

Th e i n d i ct m en t al l eg ed t h at ap p el l an t di d “ in t en t i o nal l y or k n o wi n g l y p o s s es s ,

w it h i nt en t t o d el i v er, a co n t ro l l ed s u b s t an ce, n am el y m et ham p het a m ine

, in a

n a m ount

o f fo u r g ram s o r m o re bu t l es s t h an 2 0 0 g ra m s

. ” ( C R: 7). Th e t ri al co urt h eard

ap p e l l a n t ’ s m o t i o n t o s up p res s o n Oct o b er 2 5

, 2 0 1 3

. (RR2 : 4 ). Defen s e co u n s el

-2-co m

m en ced th e h eari ng b y an n o u n ci n g to t h e co u rt t h at ap p el l an t wo u l d o n ly co n tes t

“ t h e ba s i s f

o r t h e s t o p

. . . . W e’ re n arro wi n g o ur M o t i o n to Su p pres s to t h e s t o p.”

(RR2 : 4 ).

Th e St at e’ s fi rs t w i t nes s, Kau fm an Co un t y Sh e r i ff’ s Dep u t y Kei t h W h eel er

t es t i fi ed t h at h e w as as s ig n ed t o p at ro l an d was wo rk i n g “ ru n n in g t raffi c u p aro u n d

El m o ” o n Oct o b er 1 6

, 2 0 1 2 fro m 6 a.m

. t o 6 p .m

. (RR2 : 5 -6 ). H e was w o rk i n g al o n e

i n a m ark ed p at ro l un i t wh en h e s aw a t ru ck l eav i n g a kn o wn d ru g h o u s e o n Co u n t y

Ro ad 3 52

. (RR2 : 6 ). He co u l d s ee t h at t h e t ru ck h ad t w o o ccu p an t s ; h e fo l l o wed t h e

t ru ck to t h e i nt ers ect i on o f co u n t y ro ad s 3 5 2 an d 3 9 0

, wh ere it m ad e a ri gh t h an d t u rn

wh i le fai l i n g t o u s e a t u rn s i g n al

. (RR2 : 7 -8 ). W heel er t es t i fi ed t h at t h e i n ters ect i o n

w a s o n e at wh i ch a t u rn s i g n al wo u l d b e req u i red b efo re m ak in g a t urn

. (RR2 : 9 ).

W h eel er t es t i fi ed t h at h e fo l l owed t h e t ru ck an d i ni t i at ed a t raffi c s t op as s oo n as t h ey

reach ed a s afe l o cat i o n . (RR2 : 1 0 ).

W h eel er t es t i fi ed t h at th e d ri v er o f t h e t ru ck s t o p p ed i n a d ri veway o n co u n t y

ro ad 2 7 2 8. (RR2 : 1 1 -1 2 ). Ap p el l an t was n o t dri v i n g b u t was i n t h e fro nt p as s en g er

s eat

. (RR2 : 1 2 ). Defen s e co u n s el s h o wed W h eel er a Go o gl e M ap s aeri al p ho t o , an d

W h eel er t es t i fi ed t h at t h e p ho to d i d n o t accu rat el y d ep i ct t he i n ters ect i o n i n q u es t i o n.

(RR2 : 1 4 -1 5 ). W h eel er d es cri b ed t h e i n t ers ect i o n i n q u es t i on , Co u nt y Ro ad s 3 5 2 an d

3 9 0 as “ a cro s s s t reet . It ’ s t wo co u n t y ro ad s , t h ey m eet ; 3 9 0 cro s s es 3 5 2 . 3 5 2 h ead s

-3-n o rt h an d 3 9 0 cro s s es i t, an d t h ere’ s a s t reet o n b o t h s i d e s

. It ’ s a fo ur-way s t o p.

(RR2 : 1 5 ).

Th e St at e res t ed on t h e m o t i on t o s u p pres s aft er W h eel er’ s t es ti m o n y , an d

ap p el l an t p res en t ed n o wi t n es ses

. (RR2 : 1 7 ). Th e St at e arg u ed t o t he co u rt t h at t h e

t raffi c v i o l at i o n w as s u ffi ci en t t o ju s t i fy th e t raffi c s t o p ; ap pel l an t arg ued t hat i t was

a “ p ret ex t u al s t o p .” (RR 2 : 1 7 -1 8 ). Defen s e co u n s el as k ed th e co u rt “ t o co n d u ct i t s

o wn i n ves t i g at i on ” an d u rg ed t h e co u rt t o fi n d, bas ed u po n d efen s e aeri al p h o t o s

wh i ch h ad n o t b een o ffered o r ad m i t ted i n ev i d en ce, t hat t he l o cat i o n o f th e s t o p was

n o t an i nt ers ect i o n an d t h at ap p el l an t was no t req u i red t o s i g nal h is t u rn th ere. (RR2 :

1 8 -1 9). T h e co u rt d en i ed t h e m o t i o n t o s up p res s b as ed u p on t he offi cer’ s t es t i m o ny

an d t h e ab s en ce o f an y

ev id en ce t o t h e co n t rary

. (RR2 : 2 0 -2 1 ).

Th e t ri al co u rt cal l ed t h e cas e fo r ju ry t ri al o n J an u ary 1 3

, 2 01 4

, aft er wh i ch

t i m e d efen s e co u n s el n o ted t h at t h e co u rt h ad p rev i o u sl y heard ap p el l an t ’ s m o t i o n to

s u p p res s an d den i ed i t

. (RR3 : 7 -9 ). Aft er t h e ju ry was s e l e c t ed

, t h e St at e cal l ed

Dep ut y Kei t h W h eel er ag ai n t o t es t i fy b efo re th e j u ry

. (RR3 : 1 3 2 ). W h eel er t es t i fi ed

t h at h e had wo rk ed fo r Kau fm an Co u n ty Sh eri ff’ s O ffi ce fo r ap p ro x i m at el y t en y ears ,

t h at h e ach i ev ed t h e ran k o f Co rp o ra l

, t h at he h ad wo rk ed as a Can i n e Offi cer, an d

t h at h e was a Fi el d Trai n i ng Offi cer (FTO). (RR3 : 1 3 2 -3 3 ). W h eel er t es ti fi ed t o h i s

act i vi t i es o n t h e d at e o f t h i s o ffen s e, Oct o ber 1 6

, 2 0 12

. (RR: 1 3 3 -3 4 ). He d es cri b ed

-4-t h e l o cat io n n ear th e El m o co m m u n i t y wh ere h e w a s p at ro l l i n g t hat aft ern o o n an d

ex p lai n ed t h at h e w as wat ch i n g a d ru g h o u s e o n t he n o rt h s i d e of Hi gh way 8 0

. (RR3 :

1 3 5 -3 6 ). He ex pl ai n ed t h at h e was aware o f n u m ero us s t o p s an d arres t s o f p ers on s

i n v eh i cl es co m i n g fro m t h a t h o u s e; m et h am p h et am in e was t h e d ru g t h at h ad b een

reco v ered p rev i ou s l y

fro m v i s i t o rs t o t h at h o u se. (RR3 : 1 3 6 ).

W h eel er t es t i fi ed t h at at ab o ut 2 : 4 3 p .m

. t h at d ay , h e saw a Do d g e pi ck u p t ru ck

p u l l o u t of t h e d ri veway at t h at l o cat i o n; h e pu l l ed o u t t o fo l l o w t h e Do d g e p i ck u p,

i n t en d i n g t o s t op t h e veh i cl e i f t h e dri v er co m m it ted a traffi c v i o lat i o n

. (RR3 : 1 3 8 ).

W h eel er t es t i fi ed t h at h e fo l l o wed t h e t ru ck d o wn co u n t y ro ad 3 5 2 u nt i l i t t u rn ed o n to

co u nt y ro ad 3 9 0 wi t h o ut u s i n g t h e t u rn s i g n al as req u i red

. (RR3 : 1 3 8 -3 9 ). W h eel er

t es t i fi ed t h at he co n t in ued t o fo l l o w th e t ru ck aft er t h e t raffi c v i o l at i o n u n t i l t h e t ru ck

t u rn ed o n t o co u n t y ro ad 2 7 2 8

, at wh i ch t i m e h e i n i t i at ed a t raffi c st o p

. (RR3 : 1 4 0

-

4 1 ). W heel er ex p l ai n ed th at h i s d as h

- c am vi d eo d o es n o t reco rd al l t he t i m e b ut

i n s t ead reco rd s aft er h e t u rn s o n h i s em erg en cy l i g h t s

. (RR3 : 1 4 1 ).

W h eel er s p on s o red i n t ro d u ct i o n o f St at e’ s ex h i b i ts 1 an d 2

, t h e d as h cam v i d eo

an d a m ap o f t h e area. (RR3 : 1 4 2 -4 4 ). He p o i n ted o u t t h e l o cat i o n s wh ere h e s aw t h e

v eh icl e l eav e t he d ru g h o u se, s aw t h e t raffi c vi o l at i o n, an d s t op p ed t h e v eh i cl e. (RR3 :

1 4 4

- 4 7 )

. W h eel er t es t i fi ed t hat h e s t op p ed t h e veh i cl e, an d h e i d en t i fi ed ap p el l an t

i n o p e n c o u rt as t h e p as s en g er. (RR3 : 1 49 -5 0 ). W h eel er ex p l ai n ed t h at wh en h e

-5-s t o p p e d th e veh i cl e, h e ap p ro ach ed o n fo o t, s p o k e to t h e d ri v er, an d req ues t ed h e r

d ri v er’ s l i cen s e an d p ro o f o f i n s u ran ce. (RR3 : 1 5 0 ). He t o l d h er wh y s h e was

s t op p ed

, fo r fai l i n g t o s i g n al a t u rn , an d s h e ex p lai n ed t h at s h e was o n l y ju s t l earn i n g

t o dri ve a s t an d ard t ru ck an d t h at t h e tru ck b el o n g ed t o ap p el lan t

. W h eel er i d en t i fi ed

St at e’ s ex h i b i t 3

, a cert ifi cat e o f t it l e s h o w i n g t h at t h e t r u ck b el o n g ed t o J am es C

Ban ks t o n an d ap p e l l a n t ’s m o t h er Bert h a Ban k s t o n fro m No v em b er 20 0 0

. (RR3 :

1 5 2 ). He t es t i fi ed fu rt h er t h a t aft er t h i s arres t

, i n Jan u ary 2 01 3

, t h e v eh i cl e t i t l e

s h o wed p rev i o u s o wn ers as “ Sh a i l a S h i rl ey an d J am es Ban k s t on .” St at e’ s ex h i b i t

t h ree in cl u d es fo rfei t u re ju d g m en t s s h o wi n g t hat fo rfei t u re p ro ceed i n g s fi l ed ag ai n s t

t h e veh i cl e n am e d b o t h Sh i rl ey an d ap p el l an t as pu t at i v e o wn ers an d t hat d efau l t

ju d g m en t s were en tered ag ai ns t each o f t h em . (RR3 : 1 5 2 ).

W h eel er tes t ifi ed t h at wh en h e s t o p p e d t he v eh i cl e h e as k ed fo r

– an d b o th

d ri v er an d p as s en g er p ro v id ed

– i d en ti fic a tion. N ei t h er co u ld p ro du ce an y v al i d p ro o f

o f i n s uran ce. (RR3 : 1 5 2 -5 4). W h eel er i n fo rm ed b ot h o ccu pan t s o f t h e v eh i cl e t h at

t h ey co u l d recei v e a ci tat io n an d t h e veh i cl e co u l d b e t o w ed i f t h ere w as n o i n s u ran ce,

b ecau s e wi t h o ut i n s u ran ce t he v eh icl e co ul d n o t be d ri v en o n p u b l i c ro ad way s

. (RR3 :

1 5 4 )

. W h eel er d et erm i n ed t h at t h ere was n o i n s u ran ce b as ed u p o n t h e ab s en ce o f

p ro o f as wel l as ap p el l an t ’ s ad m i s s i o n t o h im t h at t here was n o c urren t i n s u ran ce.

(RR3 : 1 5 5 ). W h ee l e r i n f o r m ed t h em t h at t h e v eh i cl e wo u l d b e i m p o un d ed ; t h e

-6-o ccu pan t s were o u t o f th e v eh i cl e, an d h e p erfo rm ed an in ven t o ry o f i t s co n ten t s p ri o r

t o it b ei n g t o w ed to prev e n t ci v il l i ab i l i t y fo r l at er cl ai m s o f lo s t i t em s an d to

s afeg u ard v al u ab l es t h at were p res en t . (RR3 : 1 5 5 -5 6 ).

W h eel er t es t ifi ed t h at i n th e co u rs e o f perfo rm i n g t h e i n ven t o ry , h e fo u n d d ru g s

an d d ru g p arap h ern al i a in t he car: a u s ed s y ri n g e w i t h a red s u b s t an ce (b l o o d ) at t h e

en d in t h e d ri v er’ s s i d e fl oo r; a s m al l p ack et o f a cry s t al l i ne s u b s t an ce wh i ch ap p eared

t o b e m et h am

p h et am i n e wrap p ed i n m al e cl o t h i n g i n t he b ack s eat ; an d s c a l e s a n d

em pt y p l as t i c bag s i n s o m e b l ack p o u ch es h i dd en un d er o r b et w een t h e d r i v er an d

p as s en g er seat s

. W h eel er t es t i fi ed th at t h es e b ag s an d s cal es co ul d b e u s ed t o d i v i d e

l arg e r p ack et s o f d ru g s i n t o s m al l er p o rt i o n s fo r res al e. (RR3 : 15 6 -5 8). W h eel er

s p o k e t o b o t h o ccu p an t s , a n d w h en n ei t her cl ai m ed o wn ers h i p o f t h e d ru g s an d

p arap h ern al i a, h e ad v i sed t hem t h at t h ey wo ul d b o t h b e arres t ed fo r p o ss es s i o n o f

d ru g p arap h ern al i a. (RR3 : 1 5 8 -5 9 ). A f t e r h e i n fo rm ed th em t h at t h ey were b ei n g

arres t ed

, Sh ai l a Sh i rl ey (t h e d ri v er) s p ok e t o h i m an d ad v i s ed th at s h e h ad

m et h am p h et am i ne in h er p an t s. W h eel er h ad h er ret ri ev e it ; h e t e s t i f i ed t h at m al e

o ffi cers d o n ot p at d o w n fem al e o ffen d ers an d t h at t he p at ro l di v i s i o n o f t h e K au fm an

Sh eri ff’ s Offi ce i s m os t ly m al e o ffi cers

. (RR3 : 1 5 9 -6 0). Sh i rl ey h ad fi ve p ack et s o f

wh at h e b el i ev ed t o b e m et h am p h et am i n e a n d 1 3 p r e s cri p t i o n pi l l s h i d d en i n h er

p an ts . (RR3 : 1 6 1 ).

-7-W h eel er t es t i fi ed th at h e al s o fo u n d $1 9 0 0 .0 0 i n cas h i n Sh i rl ey ’ s p urs e i n t h e

t ru ck

. (RR3 : 1 6 1 -6 2 ). W h eel er p o i n ted o u t o n p h o to s , St at e’ s ex hi b it s 1 an d 2

, wh ere

h e fo u n d t h e v ari o u s it em s in t h e t ru ck o n th e i n ven t o ry s earch

. (RR3 : 1 6 4 -6 6 ).

W h eel er t es t i fi ed t h at wh en he as k ed ap p el l an t wh et h e r t h e r e was an y t h i n g i n t h e

t ru ck t h at h e (W h eel er) n eed e d t o k n o w ab o u t an d ap p el lan t res p o n d ed

, “ i f t h ere i s

i t i s n ’ t m i n e,” W h eel er t ho u g h t t h at was s u s p i ci ou s

. Ap p el l an t s h o wed W h eel er t h e

p l ace o n h i s arm wh ere h e “ s h o t u p ,” an d ap p el l an t t o l d W h eel er h e h ad s h o t u p t h at

m o rn i n g. (RR4 : 8 -1 0 ). W h eel er t e s t i fi ed t h at d eal ers m ay h av e b u y ers u s e i n t h ei r

p res en ce t o p ro v e t h ey are no t wo rk i n g fo r l aw en fo rcem en t

, b ecau s e i n fo rm an t s are

n o t p erm i t t ed t o u s e d ru g s . (RR4 : 1 0 ).

Wh e e l er s p o n s o red ad m i s s io n o f St at e’ s ex h ib i t 8

, wh ich was t he s i x p l as t i c

b ag gi es o f d ru g s h e s ei zed t h at d ay , an d St at e’ s ex h ib i t 9, wh i ch co n t ai n ed t h i rt een

p i l l s co n t ai n i n g cl o zap i n e h y d ro ch l o ri d e (an an ti p s y ch o t i c )

. (RR4 : 1 1 -1 3 ). He

i d en t i fi ed St at e’ s ex h i b i t 1 0 an d 1 0 A, t h e s y ri n g e h e reco v ered fro m t h e fl o o r o f t h e

t ru ck an d t h e co n t ai n er i t was s t o red i n

. (RR4 : 1 3 -1 5 ). He i d en t i fi ed St at e’ s ex h i b i t

1 1

, t h e bag co n t ai ni n g two b l ack p o u ch es w h i ch h el d em p t y p l as t i c b ag s an d a s cal e,

wh i ch W heel er reco v ered fro m t h e tru ck

. (RR4 : 1 5-1 6 ). Fi n al l y , h e i d en t i fi ed St at e’ s

ex h ib i t 1 2

, t h e co nt ai n er h o l d i n g $ 1 9 2 0 .0 0 fo u n d i n s i d e Sh i rl ey ’ s p u rs e. (RR4 : 1 6

-

1 7 ). Th e ex h i b i t s were ad m i t t ed . (RR4 : 2 5 -2 6 ).

-8-Ov er ap p el l an t ’ s o b j ect i o n , W h eel er t es t i fi ed t o “ wh at s i t u at i o n ” h e

en co un t ered t h at d ay :

I s een t h e v eh i cl e park ed at a k n o wn d r u g h o u s e k n o wn fo r d eal i n g d ru g s , s el l i n g d ru g s

. Th e v eh i cl e l eft

, I s t o p ped t h e v eh i cl e, fo u n d

p arap h ern al i a i n si d e. It 's a co m m o n pract ice fo r, i n m

y ex p eri en ce t h at

, t h e m al e wi ll fi n d a f

e m al e to d ri v e t h e v eh i cl e p referab l y wi t h o u t a cri m i n al hi st o ry b ecau s e t h ey k n o w i f t hey d o g et s t o p p ed by t h e p o l i ce

an d t h ey h i d e t h e d ru g s o n a fem al e's p ers o n t h at t h ere's a b et t er ch an ce

t h at i t w i ll n o t b e fo u n d ju s t d u e t o t h e fact th at we're no t al l o wed t o

s earch cert ai n areas o n a fem al e. W i t h t h e p arap hern al i a i n s i d e th e tru ck

, h e i n fo rm ed m e th at h e s h o t u p t h at m o rn i n g. Yo u kn o w , th at to m e t hat

s h o ws th at h e was s ho wi n g th e d eal er, y o u kn o w , t h at h e co u l d t ru s t h i m

an d t o p u rch as e t h e n arco t i cs fro m h i m

.

(RR4 : 2 8 ). In res p o n s e t o ad d i t i o n al q u es t i o n s fro m t he p ro s ecu t o r, W h eel er t es t i fi ed

t h at h e n o t ed t h e am ou n t of m et h am p h et am i ne s ei zed t h a t d a y an d t h at wh en

co n si d ered wi t h t he p arap h ern al i a sei zed

, i t was co n s is t en t wi t h i n t e n t t o d el i v er.

(RR4 : 2 8). W h eel er tes ti fi ed t h at t h e am ou n t of m e t h am ph et am i n e s ei zed was

i n co n s i s t en t w i t h p o s s es si o n on l y fo r p ers o n al u se. (RR4 : 2 9 ). W heel er t es t i fi ed t h at

t h e s i xt h b ag g ie was fo u n d i n m al e cl o th i n g i n s i d e a b l ack d u ffel b ag t h at ap p el l an t

cl ai m ed was h is b ag . (RR4 : 3 3).

Th e St at e n ex t cal led Tex as DPS Fo ren s ic Sci en t is t Ni ck Gri zzl e, wh o t es t i fi ed

t h at h e was as s i g n ed t o wo rk at t h e DPS l ab o rat o ry i n G arl an d

, ab o u t t h e p ro ces s o f

fo ren s i c dru g t es t i n g , an d ab o u t t es t i n g t h e d ru g s i n th is cas e. (RR4 : 4 4-4 9 ). Gri zzl e

t es t i fi ed t h at he tes ted al l s i x o f t h e b ag g i es o f d ru g s s ei zed i n t hi s cas e an d co n t ai n ed

-9-i n S t a t e’ s ex h i b i t 8

. In ad d i t i o n , h e an al y zed t h e p res cri p t i on dru g s co n t ai n ed i n

St at e’ s ex h i b i t 9

. (RR4 : 4 9 -5 0 ). He sp o ns o red ad m i s si o n o f h i s r e p o r t

, St at e’ s

ex h ib i t 1 3, wh i ch refl ect s t h at t h e n et wei g h t o f m et h am p h et am in e i n t h e s i x b ag s was

1 5 .9 5 g ram s

. (RR4 : 5 1 -5 2 ). H e al s o d et erm i n ed t h at t h e i l l eg al l y p os s es s ed p i l l s

h i d d en i n Sh i rl ey ’ s p an ts were cy cl o b en zap ri ne (a m u s cl e rel ax er). (RR4 : 5 3 -5 5 ).

Gri zzl e d i d n o t wei gh each o f t h e s i x b ag g i es s ep arat el y . (RR4 : 5 6 -5 7 ).

Kau fm an Co u n t y Sh eri ff’ s Serg ean t K ei t h Ram s ey n ex t t es t i fi ed t h at h e was

t h e n arco t i cs i nv es t i g at or fo r t h e co u n t y ; h e t es t i fi ed t o h i s t rai n i n g an d ex p eri en ce

i n n arco t i cs i n v es t i g at i on

. (RR4 : 5 8 -6 0 ). Ram s ey t es t i fi ed t h at m o s t u s ers p u rch as e

o n l y 1 o r 2 g ram s at a t i m e; h e ex p l ai n ed t hat d eal ers wi ll s om et i m es g i v e a p ri ce

b reak o v er 1⁄2 o un ce an d th at a b u y er wi l l s o m et i m es s el l en ou g h t o fi nan ce wh at t h ey

p ers o n al l y u s e. Ram s ey ex p l ai n e d t h a t m o s t m et h am p h et am i n e n o w i n K au fm an

Co u n t y co m es fro m M ex i co

. (RR4 : 6 2 -6 3). Ram s ey t es t i fi ed t h at h e us es i n fo rm an t s

i n h i s i n v es t ig at i o n s b ut t h at t h ey are n o t p erm i t t ed t o u s e d ru g s o r co m m i t cri m es

t h em s el v es

. (RR4 : 63 -6 4 ). Ram s ey t es t i fi ed th at i t i s co m m on fo r p eo p l e t o s am

p l e

d ru g s o r b e as k ed t o u se at t h e t i m e o f p u rch as e, “ k i nd o f a t ru s t i s s u e.” (RR4 : 6 4 ).

He ex pl ai n ed t h at t h e ex p ect at i o n t hat a b u y er wi l l u s e d ecreas es wh en l arg er am o u n t s

o f d ru g s are i n v o l ved . (RR4 : 6 5 ).

Ram s ey t es t i fi ed th at m et h am p het am in e i s g en eral l y in g es t ed by s m o k i n g ,

- 10-i n

ject i n g , o r eat i n g i t

. (RR4 : 67 -6 8 ). Th e m o st co m m o n do s e i s l es s t h an o n e g ram ,

m o st o ft en o n e t en t h of a g ram , wh i ch i s referred t o as a d i m e-b ag o r d i m e-ro ck an d

wh i ch u s ual l y co s ts t en t o t wen t y do l l ars

. (RR4 : 6 8 ). He ag reed t h at t h e 1 5 .9 5 g ram s

o f m et ham

p h et am i n e s ei zed i n t h i s cas e co u l d h av e m ad e n earl y 1 6 0 t en t h o f a g ram

h i t s o r d o s es

. (RR4 : 7 1 ). Ram s ey t es t i fi ed t h at b efo re m et h am p h et am in e is s o l d at

t h e s t reet l ev el

, th e s el l er freq u en t l y “ s t ep s ” o n i t

, d i l u ti n g it wi th an o th er su b s t an ce

t o m ak e m o re m o n ey

. By “ s t ep p i n g o n ” t h e 1 5 .9 5 g ram s o f m et h am p h et am i n e i n t h i s

cas e, t h e re-s el l er co u l d s el l 3 20 h i t s o r d o s es . (RR4 : 7 3 -7 5).

Ram s ey t es t i fi ed t h at i n h i s ex p eri en ce, t h e 15 .9 5 g ram am o u nt in th i s cas e was

n o t fo r pers o n al u se, p art i cu l arl y i n l i g h t o f t h e p res en ce of bag g i es an d s cal es i n t h e

v eh icl e, b ecau se t h ere w o ul d be n o n eed t o wei g h o r rep ack ag e t he d ru g s fo r p ers o n al

u s e. (RR4 : 7 5

- 7 6 )

. R am s ey t es t i fi ed t h at h e was fam i l i ar wi t h th e W h i t es i d e

res i den ce o n Hi gh w ay 80 n ear El m o ; h e h ad ex ecu t ed s earch warran t s t here an d h eard

i t m e n t i o n ed as a s ou rce fo r d ru g s

. (RR4 : 7 7 -7 8 ). He tes t ifi ed t h at wh en trav el i n g

t o an d fro m a k no wn d ru g h ou s e, i t i s co m m o n p ract i ce to u se wo m en t o carry t h e

d ru g s b ecau s e i t is m o re cu m b ers o m e fo r m al e l aw e n f o r c e m en t offi cers t o s earch

t h em w i t h o u t m a k i n g a fo rm al arres t an d t ak i ng t h em t o jai l t o b e search ed b y a

fem al e o ffi cer. (RR4 : 79 -8 0). He ex p l ai n ed t h at i n h i s ex p eri en ce so m e wo m en are

u s ed as deco y s wh i le o t h ers are act u al l y p art o f th e d ru g g an g o f d eal ers

. (RR4 : 8 4

-

- 11-8 5 ).

Th e St at e res t ed aft er Ram s ey ’ s t es t i m o n y

. (RR4 : 8 7 ). Ap p el l an t d ecl i n ed to

t es t i fy

, t h e d efen s e m o v ed fo r i n s t ru ct ed v erd ict aft er re-u rg in g ap p el l an t ’ s p rev i ou s

o b ject i on t o ev i den ce ob t ai n ed aft er t h e t raffi c s t o p

. Th e co u rt d en i ed ap p el l an t ’ s

m o ti o n s, aft er wh i ch t h e d efen se recal l ed Co rp o ral W h eel er t o t es t i fy t h at o n e o f t h e

recei p t s i n St at e’ s ex h i b it 1 1, t h e b ag i n wh i ch t h e s cal es were fo u n d

, was fro m

Sh ep p l er’ s i n M es q u it e, cl o s er t o wh ere Sh i rl ey l i v ed t h an t o wh ere ap p el l an t l i v ed

.

(RR4 : 9 2 -9 4 ).

Bo t h s i d es res t ed an d cl o s ed

. (RR4 : 9 4 ). A p p el l an t req u es ted t h at a l es s er

i n cl u d ed o ffen s e i n s t ru ct i o n o f p o s s es s io n o f l e s s th an o n e g ram b e i ncl u d ed i n t h e

ju ry ch arg e, b as ed u p o n t h e ev i den ce t h at o n e o f th e s i x b ag g i es o f m et h am p h et am i n e

cam e fro m t h e b u nd l e o f m en ’ s cl o t h i n g in t h e back s eat of t h e p ick u p t ru ck an d t h at

t h e s i x b a g g i e s were n o t in d i v i d u al l y wei g h ed

. Th e co urt den i ed th e req ues t fo r a

l es s er i n cl u d ed o ffen s e. (RR4 : 9 5 -9 6 ).

ARGUM E NT

STATE’ S COUNTERPOINT ONE, res t at ed Ap p el l an t wai v ed rev i ew o f t h e i s s u e h e arg u es o n ap p eal ; h i s co m p l ai n t at t ri al

d o es n o t co m

p o rt wi th t h e i s s u e o n ap peal . In an y ev en t , t h e t ri al co u rt act ed

wi t h i n i t s d i s cret i o n i n d en y i n g ap p el l an t ’ s m o t io n t o s up p res s.

Ap p el l an t co m

p l ai n s t hat t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g h i s m o t i o n t o s u p p res s

ev i d en ce wh i ch was o b tai n ed aft er

– ap p el lan t cl ai m s – t h e o f fi cer perfo rm ed a

- 12-warran t l es s s earch of t h e v eh i cl e o u t s i d e t h e au t o m ob i l e ex cep t i o n an d n ot o t h erwi s e

au t h o ri zed b y l aw. Th e St at e fi rs t co n t en d s t h at ap pel l an t fai l ed to p res erv e an y s u ch

cl ai m fo r rev i ew b y

t h is Co u rt

.

Ap p e l l a n t f

i l ed a p re-t ri al m o t i o n t o s u p p res s an d o b t ai ned a heari ng o n t h e

m o ti o n

. W h en t h e h eari n g co m m en ced

, h o wev er, d efen se co u n s el i n fo rm ed t h e co u rt

t h at ap p el l an t wo u ld o n l y co n t es t “ t he b as i s fo r t h e st o p

. . . . W e’ re n arro w i n g o u r

M o t i on t o Su p pres s t o t h e s t o p .” (RR2 : 4 ). Hav i n g fai l ed t o as sert i n t h e t ri al co u rt

an y i ll eg al i t y i n reg ard t o t h e i n v en t o ry s earch w h i ch W heel er co n d uct ed aft er

i m p o u n d i n g t h e u n in s ured v eh i cl e, an d h av i n g s p eci fi cal l y l i m i t ed h i s co m p l ai n t t o

t h e in i t i al s t o p , ap p el l an t has w ai v ed rev iew o f t h at is su e in th i s Co urt

. Tex

. R. Ap p.

P. 33 .1 ; Beken da m v. S t a t e , 44 1 S.W .3 d 29 5

, 3 0 0 (Tex

. C r i m

. Ap p

. 2 0 1 4 ) (To

p res erv e erro r t he p o i n t o f erro r o n ap p eal m u s t co m po rt wi t h t he o bject i o n m ad e at

t ri al ).

In t h e ev en t t hi s Co urt s h ou l d fi nd fo r s o m e reas o n th at ap p el l an t d i d n o t wai v e

rev i ew of t h is p o in t o f er r o r, t h e St at e co n t en d s t h e t ri al co u rt was wi t h i n i t s

d i s cret i o n i n d en y i n g t h e m o t i o n t o s u p p res s

. Co rp o ral W h eel er tes t ifi ed t h at h e

s t op p ed t h e v eh icl e fo r a t raffi c o ffen s e i n v i ew, (RR2 : 7 -8 ; RR3 : 1 38 -3 9 ), an d t h at

wh en h e as k ed fo r id en t i fi cat i o n an d p ro of o f i n s u ran ce, h e q u i ck l y d et erm i ned fro m

t h e veh i cl e’ s o cc u p a n t s t h a t t h ere was n o cu rren t i n s u ran ce fo r t h e veh i cl e. (RR3 :

- 13-1 4 9

- 5 0

, 15 2 -5 5). W heel er t es ti fi ed t h at wi t h o u t i ns u ran ce, n ei th er occu p an t co u l d

d ri v e t h e v eh i cl e, an d he det erm i n ed t h at i t wo ul d need t o b e i m p o u n d ed

. W h eel er

t h en t es ti f

i e d t h a t h e p erfo rm ed an i n ven to ry o f t h e veh i cl e’ s co n t en t s fo r t h e d u al

p erm i s s i b l e p u rp o s es o f p ro t ect i ng th e o ccu p an t s ’ p ro p ert y an d p ro tect i n g t h e

d ep art m en t fro m

l i ab i l i t y fo r wro n g fu l cl ai m s o f s t o l en p ro p ert y . (RR3 : 1 5 5 -5 6 ).

Ap p el l an t d i d n o t d irect th e t ri al co urt t o an y fl aws in t h e o ffi cer’ s act i o n s , n o r

d i d h e p res en t an y co nt ro v ert in g ev i d en ce wh i ch m ig h t

– i f t ru e – h av e dem o n s t rat ed

t h at t he i n v en t o ry search was no t l awfu l

. Defen s e co u n s el d i d n o t d irect an y q u es t i on s

t o t he o ffi cer at t h e m o t i on t o s u p p res s h eari n g o r at t ri al q u es ti o n in g t h e p ro ced u re

u s ed t o in v en t o ry t h e v eh i cl e. Th e o ffi c e r w a s j u s t i fi ed i n i m p o u n di n g t h e v eh i cl e

b ecau s e, p u rs u an t t o Tex

. Tran s p

. Co d e Sec. 6 0 1.0 5 1

, i t co u l d n o t b e d ri v en wi t h o ut

i n s u ran ce.

W e rev i ew t h e tri al co u rt 's ru li n g o n a m o t i o n t o s u p p res s u nd er a b i fu rcat ed s t a n d a r d o f rev i ew. Hu b er t v. S t a t e, 3 1 2 S.W .3 d 55 4

, 5 5 9 (Tex

. C r i m

. Ap p .2 0 1 0 ); Va l t i er r a v. S t a t e, 3 1 0 S.W

. 3 d 4 4 2

, 4 4 7 (Tex

. Cri m

. A p p.2 0 1 0 ). W e affo rd al m o s t t o t al d eferen ce t o t h e t r i a l c ou rt 's

r u l i n g s o n (1 ) q u es ti o n s o f h i s t o ri cal fact t h at t he reco rd su p p o r t s , p a rt i cu l arl y w h en t h e t ri al co urt 's fact fi nd i n g s are b as e d o n a n

ev al uat io n o f cred i b i l i ty an d d em ean o r, an d (2 ) “ a p p l i c a t i o n o f l aw t o fact q ues t i o n s ” th at t u rn o n an ev al u at io n o f cred i b i l i t y an d d em ean o r. Va l t ier r a

, 3 1 0 S.W .3 d at 4 47 ; Ama d o r v. St a t e, 22 1 S.W. 3 d 6 6 6

, 6 7 3 (Tex .Cri m .Ap p .2 0 0 7 ). W e ap p l y a d e n o v o rev i ew t o t h e t ri al co u rt 's

ap p l icat i o n o f t h e l aw t o t h e fact s

. Hu b er t

, 3 1 2 S.W .3 d at 5 5 9; A m a d or

, 2 2 1 S.W .3 d at 6 73

.

Th e tri al co u rt i s t h e s o l e t ri er o f fact an d th e ju d g e o f w i t nes s cred i b i l i t y

- 14-an d t h e w ei gh t t o be g i v en t o w i t n es s t es ti m o n y

. Va lt i er ra

, 3 1 0 S.W .3 d

at 4 4 7

. W h en , as h ere, th e t ri al co u rt d o es n ot m ak e ex p li ci t fi n d i n g s o f

f a ct

, t h e ap p el l at e co urt m u s t v i ew t h e ev i d en ce i n t h e l i g h t m o s t
fav o rab le t o t h e t r i al co urt 's ru l i n g an d as su m e t h e t ri al co urt res o l v ed

an y i s s u es o f h i st o ri cal fact o r cred i b i l i t y co n s is ten t l y wi th i t s u l t i m at e

ru l i n g

. Hu b er t

, 31 2 S.W .3 d at 5 6 0

. W e m u s t u p h o l d t h e t ri al co u rt 's

ru l i n g i f i t is “ reas o n ab l y s u p p o rt ed b y t h e reco rd an d i s co rrect o n an y

t h eo ry o f l aw ap p l i cab l e t o t h e cas e.” Va l t i er r a

, 3 1 0 S .W

. 3 d at 4 47

– 4 8 (q u o t i n g S t at e v. Di

xo n, 2 0 6 S.W .3 d 5 8 7 , 5 9 0 (Tex .Cri m .Ap p .2 0 0 6 )).

Ga r ci a v. S t a te, N o

. 0 5 -1 0-0 0 5 21 -CR, 20 1 1 W L 5 2 31 4 2 6

, at * 2 (Tex

. Ap p.

– Dal l as

No v . 3 , 2 0 1 1 , n o p et .)(n ot d es i g n at ed fo r p u b l i cat i o n ).

Al t h ou g h ap pel l an t cl ai m s t h at t he o ffi cer’ s i m p ou n dm en t o f t h e v eh i cl e was

n o t s p eci fi cal l y au t h o ri zed b y t h e Tr a n s p o rt at i o n Co d e, t h e St at e co n t en d s t h e

i m p o u n d m en t w as l awfu l u n d er ap p l i cab l e law. S ee Mo s key v. S t a t e, 3 33 S.W .3 d 6 9 6

(Tex

. Ap p

. – Ho u s to n [1 s t Di s t .] 2 0 1 0

, n o p et

. ). Ap p el l an t ad m i t t ed t h at h e h ad n o

cu rren t i n s u ran ce o n t h e tru ck

, i t was s t o pp ed on t h e s i d e o f t h e ro ad m il es fro m ei t h er

ap p el l an t ’ s o r Sh i rl ey ’ s h o m e , ( RR3 : 1 6 2 ), an d t he offi cer p ro p erl y ex erci s ed h i s

d i s cret i o n in i m

po u n d i n g t he u n i ns u r e d v eh i cl e. Al t h o u g h t h e offi cer co u l d h av e

b e e n m o r e t h o ro u g h i n d es cri b i ng th e i m po u n d an d i nv en t ory p o l i ci es o f h i s

d ep art m en t i f ap p el l an t h ad m ad e an y o b ject i o n at t ri al

, an y v ag uen es s i n h i s

t es t i m o ny s h o u l d b e ev al u at ed i n t h e co n t ex t o f t h e en t i re reco rd , i n cl u d i ng t h e fact

t h at d efen s e co u n sel h ad d i rect ed t h e co u rt ’ s an d t h e pro s ecu t or’ s at ten t io n o n l y t o h i s

co m p l ai n t reg ard i n g t h e i n i t i al b as i s fo r t h e t raffi c s t o p. T he t ri al co urt act ed wi t h in

i t s d i s cret i o n i n d en y in g t he m o t i o n t o s u p p res s

.

- 15-STATE’ S COUNTERPOINT TW O, res t at ed

Th e ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t t o s u pp o rt t h e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct

.

Ap p el l an t n ex t co m

p l ai n s t h at t h e ev i d en ce was i n s u ffi c i e n t to s u p p o rt t h e

ju r y’s v e r d i ct b ecau s e i t fai l s t o ad eq u at el y l i n k ap p el l an t to t h e co n t rab an d

. 1 Th e

St at e co n t en d s t h at t h e ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t to l i n k ap p el l an t t o t h e co n t rab an d an d

t h at ap p el l an t h as u t i li zed an i nco rrect s t an dard t o arg u e t h e co n trary

.

A. St an d ard o f Rev i ew Ev i d en ce i s i n s uffi ci en t to s u p p o rt a co n v i ct i on if, co n s i d eri n g al l reco rd

ev i d en ce in t h e l i g h t m os t fav o rab l e to th e verd i ct

, a fact fi n d er co ul d n o t
h av e rat i o n al l y fo un d t hat each es s en t i al el em en t o f t h e ch arg ed offen s e

was p ro v en bey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o u bt

. G o n z a l ez v. S t a te

, 3 37 S.W .3 d

4 7 3

, 4 7 8 (Te x

. Ap p

. - Ho u s t o n [1 s t Di st .] 2 0 1 1

, p et

. ref'd ) (ci t i n g Ja cks o n v. Vi r

g i n i a , 4 4 3 U.S. 3 0 7

, 3 1 9

, 9 9 S.Ct

. 2 7 8 1

, 2 7 89

, 6 1 L. Ed

. 2 d 5 6 0 (1 9 79 )). E v i d en ce i s i n s u ffi ci en t u n der t h is s t an d ard in fo u r ci rcu m s t an ces : (1 ) t h e reco rd co n t ai n s no ev i den ce p ro b at i v e of an el em en t o f t h e o ffen se; ( 2 ) t h e reco rd co n t ai n s a m ere “ m o d icu m ” o f

ev i d en ce p ro b at i v e of an el em e n t o f t h e o ffen s e; (3 ) t h e ev i d en ce

co n cl u s i v el y es t ab l is h es a reas o n ab l e d o u b t ; an d (4 ) t h e act s al l eg ed d o

n o t co n st i t ut e t he cri m i n al o ff e n s e ch arg ed

. Go nz a l ez

, 3 3 7 S.W .3 d at

4 7 9

. If an ap p el l at e co u rt co n c l u d es t h at t h e ev i d en ce i s in su ffi ci en t

u n d er t h i s s t an d ard

, i t m

u s t rev ers e t h e ju d g m en t an d en t er an o rd er o f

acq u i t t al

. Go n za l ez , 3 37 S.W .3 d at 4 7 9 ( ci t i n g Ti b b s v. Fl o r i d a , 4 5 7

U.S. 31

, 4 1

, 1 0 2 S.Ct

. 2 2 1 1

, 2 2 18

, 7 2 L.Ed .2 d 6 5 2 ( 1 9 8 2 )).W e d et erm i ne wh et h er th e n eces s ary i n feren ces are reas o n ab l e b as ed u p o n

t h e co m b i n ed an d cu m

u l at i v e fo rce o f al l th e ev i d en c e v i ewed i n th e l i gh t m o s t f

a v o r ab l e t o t h e v erd i ct

. Cl a yt on v. S t a te, 2 3 5 S.W .3 d 7 7 2

, 7 7 8 (Tex

. Cri m

. Ap p

. 2 0 0 7 ) (q u o t i n g Ho o p er v. S t a t e , 2 1 4 S.W .3 d 9

, 1 6

- 1 7 ( T e x

. Cri m

. Ap p

. 2 0 0 7 )). W h en t h e reco rd s u p p o rt s co n fl i ct i n g i n feren ces , we p res um e t hat t h e fact fi n d er res o l v ed t h e co nfl i ct s in fav o r

o f t h e v erd i ct an d d efer t o t h at res o l u t i o n

. Ja cks o n , 4 4 3 U .S. at 3 2 6, 9 9

S. C t

. a t 2 7 93 ; Cl ayt o n , 2 3 5 S.W .3 d at 7 7 8

. W e li k ewi s e d efer t o th e

1 Ap p el l an t d oes n o t co n t es t t h e ev i den ce ad d u ced t o p ro ve i n t en t t o d el i v er.

- 16-fact fi n d er's ev al u at i o n o f t h e cred i b il i ty o f t h e ev i d en ce an d t he wei g h t

t o g i v e th e ev i d en ce. Go n z a l ez , 3 3 7 S.W .3 d at 4 79 ( ci t i n g W il l i a ms v. S t a t e , 23 5 S.W .3 d 7 4 2

, 7 5 0 (Tex

. Cri m

. Ap p

. 2 0 0 7)). Th e rev i ewi n g

co u rt m u st a l s o “ c o n s id er al l ev id en ce wh ich t h e ju ry w as p erm i t t ed

, wh et h er ri g h t l y o r wro n g l y , t o co n s id er.” Th oma s v. St a t e, 7 53 S.W .2 d

6 8 8

, 6 9 5 (Tex .Cri m .Ap p .1 9 8 8 ) ( en b a n c ) (em ph as i s om i t t e d ). If a

p o rt io n of t h is ev i d e n ce was erro neo u sl y ad m i t t ed

, t h e accu sed m ay

co m p lai n o n ap p eal o f s u ch erro r, an d a n ew tri al s h o ul d b e ord ered i f

t h e erro r i s rev ers i b l e. Id

. [fo o t n o tes o m i tt ed ]

Bu r rel l v. S t a t e , 4 4 5 S.W .3 d 7 6 1

, 7 6 4 (Tex

. Ap p

. – Ho u s t o n [1 s t Di s t.] 2 0 1 4

, p et

.

ref’ d ).

In reg ard t o p ro s ecu t i o n s fo r p o s s es s io n o f co nt ro l l e d s u b s t an ces , wh en a

d efen d an t i s n o t i n ex cl u s iv e p o s s es s io n o f t h e co n t rab an d

,

" t h e St at e m

u s t p r o v e t h at : (1 ) t h e accu sed ex erci sed co n t ro l

,

m an ag em en t

, o r care o v er t h e s u b st an ce; an d (2 ) t h e accu s ed k n ew t he

m at t er p o ss es s ed was co n t rab an d ." Reg ard l es s o f wh et h er t he ev i d en ce i s d i rect o r ci rcu m s t an t i al

, i t m u s t es t ab l i s h t h at t h e d efen dan t 's

co n n ect i o n wi t h t h e d ru g was m o re t h an fo rt u i t o u s

. Th i s i s t h e s o -cal led

" affi rm at i v e l i n k s " ru l e wh i ch p ro t ec t s t he i n n o cen t by s t an d er

— a rel at iv e, fri en d

, o r ev en s t ran g er t o t h e act ual p o s s e s s o r

— fro m

co n v i ct i o n m erel y b ecau s e o f h i s fo rt u i t ou s p ro x i m i t y t o s o m eo ne el s e's

d ru g s

. M ere p res en ce at t h e l o cat i o n wh ere d ru g s are f o u n d i s t h u s i n s u ffi ci en t

, b y i t s e l f

, t o es t ab li s h act u al care, cu st od y , or co n t ro l o f

t h o s e d ru g s

. Ho wev er, p rese nc e or pr oxim ity

, wh en co m b i n ed wi t h o t h er

ev i d en ce, ei th e r d i r e ct o r ci rcu m s tan t i al (e.g

., " l in k s "), m ay wel l be

s u ffi ci en t t o es t ab l i s h t h at el em en t b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o u b t

. It i s , as

t h e co u rt o f ap p eal s co r r e ct l y n o t ed

, no t t h e n u m b er o f l i n k s t h at i s d i s p o s i t i v e, bu t rat h er t h e l o g i cal fo rce o f al l o f t h e ev i d en ce, di rect an d

ci rcu m s t an ti al

.

Eva ns v. S t a te , 2 0 2 S.W .3 d 1 5 8 , 1 6 1 -6 2 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 0 0 6 ).

Ap p el l an t d o es n o t arg u e t h at t h e co m b i ned fo rce of t h e li n k s es t ab l i s h ed by

- 17-t h e St at e’ s ev i den ce w ere i n s u ffi ci en t ; i n s t ead

, ap p el lan t t ak es each l i nk i n is o l at i o n

an d d i s m i s s es i t

, co n cl ud in g t h at t h i s Co u rt s ho u l d fi n d t he ev i d en ce in su ffi ci en t

b ecau s e each l in k i n i s o l at i on i s i n s u ffi ci en t t o l i n k hi m t o t h e co n trab an d

. Th e Co u rt

o f Cri m in al Ap peal s h as ex pl ai n ed t h at t h i s t y p e o f an al y s i s i s i n co rrect :

Th e co u rt o f ap p eal s , h o wev er, an al y zed each o n e o f th es e fact s o r l i n k s i n i s o l at i o n

. Ap p aren t l y rel y i n g o n al t ern at i v e i n feren ces fro m o r

ex p l an at i on s fo r a l m o s t ev ery p i ece o f ev i d en ce, i t d i s reg ard ed t hat

ev i d en c e an d co n cl u d ed t h at n ot h i n g b u t ap p el l an t's p res en ce an d

p r o x i m i t y li n k ed h i m t o t h e d ru g s

. It al s o reci t ed fu rt h er p o ss i bl e

“ affi rm at i v e l i n k s ” t h at m i g h t h av e co n n ect ed ap p el l an t t o t h e d ru g s (s u ch as i n t ox i cat io n, fl i g h t

, an d fu rt i v e g es t u res ) b u t di d n ot ex is t i n t h i s

cas e. Th e j u ry p res um ab l y w en t t h ro u g h ex act l y t h e s am e wei gh i n g o f

ev i d en ce, cred i b il i t y as s es s m en t s , an d al t ern at i v e-ex p l an at i o n ex erci ses

an d cam e to t h e op p o s i t e co n cl u s io n , i .e., ap p el l an t was co n n ect ed t o th e d ru g s

. Un d er fed eral an d Tex as l aw, ju ri es t ru m p b o t h tri al an d ap p el l at e ju d g es o n wei gh t -o f-ev id en ce d et erm i n at i o n s.

Eva ns v. S t a te , 2 0 2 S.W .3 d 1 5 8 , 1 6 4 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 00 6 ).

Th e St at e co n t en d s th at wh en t h e v ari ou s ci rcu m s t an ces p ro v en i n t hi s cas e are

ex am i n ed u n d er t he ap p ro p ri at e s t an d ard

, t h e co m bine d fo rces of t h o s e ci rcu m s t an ces

i s s u ffi ci en t to s u pp o rt t h e ju ry ’ s v erd ict

. In th e i n s tan t cas e, as i n Bu r r el l

, ap p el l an t

was i n t h e t ru ck wi th h i s fem al e co -d efen dan t S h i r l e y l eav i n g a k n o wn d ru g h o u s e

wh en Co rp o ral W h eel er fi rs t s aw t h em

. W h eel er an d Ram s ey bo t h t es t i fi ed t h at t h ey

h ad m ad e nu m ero u s d ru g arres t s o f o ffen d ers wh o acq ui red d ru g s at t h at l o cat i o n.

Th e o ffi cer t es t i fi ed t h at ap pel l an t ad m i t t ed th at h e h ad u s ed m et h am p h et am i n e t h at

m o rn i n g, an d a u s ed s yr i n g e w as fo u n d i n th e fl oo rb o ard o f t h e p ick u p

. Bag s an d

- 18-s cal es were fo u n d u n der th e s eat w i t hi n reach o f b o th ap p el l an t an d Sh i r l ey

. On e

b ag gi e o f m e t h a m

p h et am i n e w as fo u n d i n m al e cl o t h i n g i n a bag wh i ch ap p el l an t

cl ai m ed b el o n g ed t o h i m i n t h e b ack s eat

. An d fi v e ad d it i on al b ag g i es o f m et h were

fo u n d o n Sh i rl ey ’ s p ers o n

.

I n a d d i ti o n t o t h e ey ewi t n es s t es t i m o n y reg ard i ng the s e c i r c um sta nc e s, the S t a te

al s o p res en t ed ev i den ce t h at t h e p i ck u p t ru ck was n o t o wn ed b y co -d efen d an t Sh irl ey

p ri o r t o t he o ffen s e, b u t was in s t ead o wn ed b y ap pel l an t or h i s p a r en t s

. 2 Ap p el l an t

rel i es o n t h e fo rfei t ure p lead i n gs fi l ed aft er th i s offen s e t o d em o n s t rat e t h at Sh irl ey

was a co -o w n er o f t h e v eh i cl e; i t ap pears , h o wev er, t h at Sh irl e y w a s s im p l y n am ed

as a p u t at i v e o wn er in t h e fo rfei t u re p l ead i ng s becau s e s he was d ri v i ng t h e veh i cl e at

t h e t i m e o f s ei zu re. S

ee Tex

. Co d e Cri m

. Pro c. art i cl e 5 9 .0 4 (j)(“ a p ers o n wh o was in

p o s s es s i o n o f t h e p ro p ert y at t h e t i m e i t was s ei zed s hal l b e m ad e a p art y t o t h e

[fo rfei t u re] p ro ceed i n g

. ”). No t h i n g i n St at e’ s ex h i bi t 3 o r o th erwi se s h o ws t h at t h e

v eh icl e b el o n g ed t o an y o n e ex cep t ap p el l an t an d h i s m o t h er o n t h e d a te o f t h e

o ffen s e.

Fi n al l y , t h e St at e p res en t ed ex p ert tes t i m o n y fro m Co rp o r a l W h eel er an d

Serg ean t Ram s ey t h at th e l o cat i o n wh ere t h e t ru ck was fi rs t s een was a k n own d ru g

2 Althoug h the witness and the State assumed that the “J ames B ankston” named on title

documents with B e rtha B ankston was appellant, in fact State’s ex hibit 3 includes an affidavit of heirship for the vehicle which states that “J ames C. B ankston” died in 2008; appellant’s name is

J ames Loyd B a

nkston. The officer testified that B e rtha was appellant’s mother.

- 19-s o u rce l o cat i o n , t h at m o s t o f th e Kau fm an Co u n ty Sh eri ff’ s p at ro l o ffi cers were m al e

an d co u l d n o t fu l l y s earch fem al e s u s p ect s , an d t hat

– co n s eq u en t l y

– i t was a

co m m o n p ract i ce i n t he area fo r p ers o n s t ran s p ort i ng d ru g s t o u se a wo m an d eco y o r

co -co n sp i rat o r t o carry t h e d ru g s

. Th e ju ry was en t it l ed to co n s i der th i s t es t i m o n y in

co n j u n ct i o n wi t h th e p h y s i cal ci rcu m s t an ces o f t he o ffen s e an d th e t i t l e i n fo rm at i o n

an d t o det erm i n e t h at t h e co m bi n ed fo rce o f t h es e c i rcu m s t an ces was s u ffi ci en t to

en s u re t hat a p p e l l an t was n o t m erel y an i n no cen t b y s t an d er. Th i s p o i n t o f erro r i s

m eri t l es s

.

STATE’ S COUNTERPOINT THREE, res t at ed

T he t ri al co u rt d i d n ot ab u s e i t s d i s cret i o n i n refu si n g ap pel l an t ’ s

req ues t ed l es s er-i n cl ud ed -o ffen s e i ns t ru ct i o n

. Ap p el l an t req u es t ed a l es s e r i n c l u d ed o ffen s e i n s tru ct i on wh i ch wo u l d h av e

p erm i t t ed t he ju ry t o fi n d h i m g u i l t y o f p o s s es s io n o f m et h am p h et am i n e i n an am o u nt

l es s t h an o n e g ram , b u t t h e co u rt den i ed t h at i n s t ru ct i o n

. He d id n o t req u es t a l es s er

inc l ude d c ha

r ge o f posse s sion (o r p o s s es s i o n w i t h i n t en t t o d el i v er) m et h am p he ta m ine

i n an am o u n t o f o ne gram o r m o re b u t l es s t h an fo u r gram s

. Th e St at e co n t en d s t h at

t h e ev i d en ce d id n o t s u p po rt s u b m i s s io n o f t h e req u es t ed l es s er-i n cl ud ed p o s s es s i o n

ch arg e.

Th e ev i d en ce s u p po rt s an i n s t ru ct i o n o n a l es s er-i n cl ud ed offen s e i f i t p erm i ts a rat i on al ju ry t o fi n d t h e defen d an t g u il t y o n l y o f th e l es s er-i ncl u d ed o ffen s e. " [T] h e r e m u s t b e s o m e ev i d en ce d i rect l y

g erm an e to t h e l es s er-i n cl u d ed o ffen s e fo r t h e fi n d er o f fact t o co n s i d er b efo re an i n s t ru c t i o n o n a l es s er-i n cl u d ed o ffen s e is warran t ed ." W e

co n s i d er al l o f t h e e v i d en ce ad m i t t ed at t ri al

, n o t ju s t t h e ev i d en ce

- 20-p res en t ed b y t h e d efen d an t. Th e ev i den ce m u s t es t ab li s h t h at th e l es s e r -i n cl u d ed o ffen s e i s a v al i d

, rat i o n al al t ern at i v e t o t h e ch arg ed

o ffen s e. " An y t h in g m o re t h an a s ci n t i l l a o f ev i d en ce i s s u ffi ci en t t o

en t i t l e a d efen d an t t o a l es s er ch arg e."• Ho wev er, we m ay n o t co n s i d er

" [t ] h e cred i b i l i t y o f t h e ev i d en ce an d wh et h er i t co n fl ict s wi t h o t h er

ev i d en ce o r i s co n t ro vert ed ." [fo o t n o tes o m i t t ed ]

Go a d v. S t a t e, 3 54 S.W .3 d 4 4 3 , 4 4 6 -4 7 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p

. 2 0 1 1 ).

Th e St at e co n t en ds t h at al t h o ugh posse ssion of m et h am p het am i n e i n an am o u nt

l es s t h an on e g ram was an o ffen s e i n cl u ded wi t h in t h e i n d i ct ed o ffen s e o f p o s s es s i o n,

wi t h i n t en t t o d el i ver, o f m et h am p h et am i n e in an am o un t of 4 g ram s o r m o re b u t l es s

t h an 2 00 g ram s , n o e v i d en ce was ad m i t t ed w h i ch w o u l d “ es t ab l i s h t h at t h e

l es s er-i n cl ud ed o ffen s e i s a v al i d

, r a t i o n al al t ern at i v e t o t he ch arg ed o ffen s e.”

Ap p el l an t d i d n o t t es ti fy

, no r d i d h e o r th e St at e offer an y ev i den ce t h at h e p o s s es s ed

t h e s i n g l e b ag g i e of d ru g s b u t n o t t h e rem ai n d er o f t he d ru g s an d t h e d el i v ery -rel at ed

p arap h ern al i a i n h i s p i ck u p t ru ck

. In ad d i t io n , Serg ean t Ram sey ex pl ai n ed t o t h e ju ry

t h a t a si n g l e Sweet -n -Lo w p ack et i s ap p ro x i m at el y o n e gram i n wei g ht

, t h e si x

b ag gi es o f m et h am

ph et am i ne s ei zed were ad m i t t ed i n ev i d en ce, an d t h e j u ry c o u l d

read i l y d et erm i ne b y ex am i n i n g t h e ev i d en ce t h at n o n e o f th e s i x p a ck et s was l es s

t h an o n e g ram i n w ei gh t

. (RR4 : 6 8 ). Al t h o ug h th e p h y s i cal ev i d en ce b efo re t h e ju ry

m i g h t arg u ab l y h av e s u p p o rt ed an i n s t ru ct i o n o n t h e l es s er-i n cl u d ed o ffen s e o f

p o s s es s i o n o f o n e gram o r m o re b u t l es s t h an 4 g ram s o f m et h am p h et am i n e, ap p el l an t

d i d n o t req u es t t h at in s tru ct i o n

. Th e t ri al co u rt d i d n o t ab u s e i ts di s cret io n i n refu s i n g

- 21-t h e l es ser-i n cl ud ed i n s tru ct io n wh ich act u al l y was req u es t ed

.

CONCLUSION

W HEREFORE, PREM ISES CONSIDERED, th ere b ei n g l eg al an d co m p et en t

ev i d en ce s u ffi ci en t t o ju s t ify th e v erd i ct

, th e St at e req u es t s t h at t hi s H o n orab l e Co u rt

wi l l affi rm t he t h e ju dg m en t o f t h e Tri al Co u rt b el o w

.

Res pect fu l ly

s u bm i tt ed

,

ERLEIGH NORVILLE W ILEY

CRIM INAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY

KAUFM AN COUNTY, TEXAS

ATTORNEYS FOR THE STATE _ _ _/ s / Su e Ko ri ot h _

__ _ __ SUE KORIOTH,

St at e Bar No

. 1 1 6 81 9 7 5

ASST. CRIM INAL D.A.

1 0 0 W . M ULBERRY STREET

KAUFM AN, TEXAS 7 5 1 4 2 (9 7 2 ) 9 32 -4 3 3 1 ex t . 1 2 6 4 FAX (9 7 2 ) 9 32 -0 3 5 7

s u ek o ri o t h @ ao l .co m

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

Th e u n d ers i g n ed d o es hereb y cert i fy t h at o n th e 1 3 t h d ay o f March 2 01 5

, a co py

o f t h e fo reg o i n g wi l l b e s erv ed o n L ara Bracam o n t e, at t o rn ey fo r ap p el l an t

, b y es erv i ce i f av ai lab l e, o r b y p l aci n g i n U.S. M ai l an d b y em ai l t o h er em ai l ad d res s

.

_ _ _/ s / Su e Ko ri ot h _

__ _ __

RULE 9 .4 CERTIFICATE OF COM PLIANCE

Us i n g t h e W o rd p erfect 5 wo rd co u n t ut i l i t y , I h av e d et erm i n ed t h at t h i s d o cu m en t co n tai n s 5

, 2 7 1 w o r d s , n o t i n cl u di n g t h e " cap t i o n, i d en t i t y of p art i es an d

co u ns el

, s t at em en t reg ard i n g o ral arg u m en t

, t ab l e o f co n t en t s, i n d ex o f au t h o ri t i es ,

s t at em en t o f th e cas e, s t at em en t o f i s s u es p res en t ed

, s t at em en t o f ju ri s d i ct i o n,

s t at em en t o f pro ced u ral h i s t o ry , s i g nat u re, p ro of of s erv i ce, cert i fi cat i on , cert i fi cat e

o f co m p l i an ce, an d ap p en d ix ." TRAP 9 .4 (I).

/ s / Su e Ko ri o t h

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