NO. 01-14-01023-CR

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON, TEXAS

CAUSE NO. 10-DCR-055898, COUNT TWO 240TH DISTRICT COURT, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS

STATE OF TEXAS, Appellant

VS.
SEAN MICHAEL MCGUIRE, Appellee

STATE'S AMENDED APPELLATE BRIEF

JOHN F. HEALEY, JR. District Attorney, 268th Judicial District Fort Bend County, Texas
Jason Bennyhoff Sherry Robinson Assistant District Attorneys --Oral argument requested-- Gail Kikawa McConnell Assistant District Attorney SBOT #11395400 301 Jackson Street, Room 101 Richmond, Texas 77469 (281) 341-4460 / (281) 238-3340 (fax) Gail.McConnell@fortbendcountytx.gov

Counsel for the State of Texas ACCEPTED 01-14-01023-CR FIRST COURT OF APPEALS

HOUSTON, TEXAS 6/10/2015 5:48:47 PM CHRISTOPHER PRINE

CLERKI DENTI TY OF PARTI ES AND COUNSEL

Pu rs uan t t o Tex

. R. Ap p

. P. 3 8 .1 (a)(1 )(A), t h e St at e s u pp l em en t s Ap p el l an t ’ s

l i st o f p art ies t o t h e t ri al co u rt 's fi n al ju d g m en t :
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Ap p el l an t

J o h n F. Heal ey , J r. Di s t ri ct At t o rn ey , 2 6 8 th J u d i ci al Di s t ri ct 3 0 1 J ack s o n St Fo rt Ben d Co u n t y , Tex as Ri ch m o n d , TX 7 7 46 9

J as o n Ben n y h o ff As s i st an t Di s t ri ct At t o rn ey s Sh erry Ro b i n s o n at t ri al

Gai l Ki k awa M cCo n nel l A s s ista n t D istr ic t A t

t o r n e y Fo rt Ben d Co u n t y

Di s tri ct At t o rn ey ’ s Offi ce o n ap p eal 3 0 1 J ack s o n St reet , Ro o m 1 0 1 Ri ch m o n d , Tex as 7 7 4 69

SEAN M ICHAEL M CGUIRE. Ap p el l ee

M i ch ael W . El l i ot t A t t orn ey fo r M cGu i re 9 0 5 Fro n t St reet Ri ch m o n d , TX 7 7 46 9

Kri s t en J ern ig an A t t orn ey fo r M cGu i re 2 0 7 So Au st i n Av e Geo rg et o wn , TX 7 8 62 6

iTRIAL COURT

Ho n . Do n al d Hi g g i nb o t h am J u d g e Pres i d i n g As s ig n ed J u d g e at Tri al o n t h e M eri t s c/ o Seco nd Ad m i n i s t rat i v e J ud i ci al Reg i o n o f Tex as 3 0 1 N. Th o m

p s o n, Su i t e 1 0 2 Co n ro e, TX 7 73 0 1

Ho n . Th o m as Cu lv er, III J u d g e Pres i d i n g 2 4 0 t h Di s t ri ct Co u rt , Fo rt Ben d Co u n t y at t h e W ri t Heari n g 3 0 1 J ack s o n St Ri ch m o n d , TX 7 7 46 9

i iTABLE OF CONTENTS

IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i i i

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

STATEM ENT OF THE CASE.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v i i

STATEM ENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUM ENT.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v i i i

POINTS OF ERROR.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

STATEM ENT OF FACTS.

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SUM M ARY OF THE ARGUM ENT.

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ARGUM ENT.

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A. Th e s t an d ard o f rev i ew.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

B. Ap p el l ee i n v it ed erro r i n l eav i n g Co un t II p en d i n g an d i s
es t o pp ed fro m

co m p l ai n i n g o f h is wro n g

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1

. Th e d o u b l e jeo pard y cl au s e p ro tect s ag ai n s t m ul t i p l e t ri al s
a n d m ul t i p l e p un i s h m en t s , n o t m u l ti p le co nv i ct i o n s in a
s i n g l e t ri al

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2

. Art i cl e 3 7 .0 7 , Sect i o n 1 (c) req u i res a v erd i ct o n each co u n t p res en t ed b y

t h e i n d i ct m en t.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3

. A d o u bl e jeo p ard y v i o l at i o n b y m u l t i p l e p u ni s h m en t s i s p rev en t ed b y i s s u in g m an d at e o n o nl y th e g reat er offen s e aft er ap p el l at e rev i ew.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

i i i4

. Ap p el l ee i n v i t ed erro r i n req ues t i n g o n l y o n e v erd ict , an d t h e t ri al co u rt ab u s ed it s d i s cret i o n in al l o w in g Ap p el l ee t o t ak e ad v an t ag e o f h i s o wn wro n g

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

C. Fi n al J eo p ard y has n ot at tach ed t o ei th er co u n t an d t h ere i s n o d ou b l e jeo p ard y

b ar t o a s eco n d t ri al

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

D. Th e St at e av ers t h at i f t h e co n v i ct i o n fo r fel o n y m u rd er i s affi rm ed , it wi l l di s m i ss t he ch arg e fo r i n t o xi cat i on m an s l au g h t er
u po n t h e recei p t o f m an d at e.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

PRAYER.

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CERTIFICATE OF COM PLIANCE.

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3

ivINDEX OF AUTHORI TI ES

CASES Pa g e

Ab n ey v . Un i t ed St at es , 4 3 1 U.S. 6 5 1 (1 97 7 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Bi g on v . St at e, 2 5 2 S.W .3 d 3 6 0 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 0 0 8 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 -8

Bl u efo rd v . Ark an s as , 1 3 2 S.Ct . 2 04 4 (2 0 1 2 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

Bro w n v

. Oh io , 4 3 2 U.S. 1 6 1 (1 97 7 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Ex p art e Cav azo s , 2 0 3 S.W .3 d 3 3 3 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 0 0 6 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Ex p art e Ko es ter, 4 5 1 S.W .3 d 9 0 8 (Tex . Ap p .-Ho u s t o n [1 s t Di s t .] 2 0 1 4, n o p et .)..

. . . . . . . . . 5

Kn i at t v . St at e, 2 0 6 S.W .3 d 6 5 7 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 0 0 6 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

No rt h Caro l i n a v . Pearce, 3 9 5 U.S. 7 1 1 (1 96 9 ), o ver r u l ed o n o th er g r o u n ds b

y Al a b a ma v. S

mi th , 4 9 0 U.S. 7 9 4 (1 9 8 9 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Pry s t as h v . St at e, 3 S.W .3 d 5 22 (Tex

. Cri m . Ap p . 1 9 9 9 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Th i el em an v . St at e, 1 8 7 S.W .3 d 4 5 5 , 4 5 8 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 0 05 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

W as h i n g t o n v . St at e, 3 2 6 S.W .3 d 7 0 1 (Tex . Ap p .--Ho u st o n [1 st Di st .] 2 01 0 , n o p et .).

. . . . . . . . . 5

vW o o d al l v . St at e,

3 3 6 S.W .3 d 6 3 4 (Tex . Cri m Ap p . 2 0 1 1 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

CONSTI TUTI ONS

Un i ted St at es Co n s ti t u t i o n Am en dm en t V.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Am en dm en t XIV.

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STATUTES AND RULES

CODE OF CRIM INAL PROCEDURE Art i cl e 3 7 .0 7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 , 9

PENAL CODE Sect io n 1 9 .0 2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sect io n 4 9 .0 8

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viN O. 0 1-1 4 -0 1 0 2 3 -CR

I N THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FI RST J UDI CI AL DI STRI CT OF TEXAS A T HOUSTON, TEXAS

CAUSE NO. 1 0 -DCR-0 5 5 89 8 , COUNT TW O 2 4 0 TH DI STRI CT COURT, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS

STATE OF TEXAS, Appel l a nt

VS.

SEAN MI CHAEL MCGUI RE, Appel l ee

STATE' S APPELLATE BRI EF

TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS:

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

Th e St at e ap peal s t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er o f p re-t ri al h ab eas rel i ef d is m i s s i n g

Co u n t II-i n t o x i cat i o n m an s l au g h t er as a d o u bl e jeo p ard y v i o l at i o n aft er Ap p el l ee was

co n vi ct ed b y a ju ry in Co u n t I-fel o n y m u rd er. [2 CR6 3 5 ] Ap p el l ee ap p eal ed t h e
ju d g m en t fo r Co u n t I. McGu i r e v

. S t a t e , No

. 01 -1 4 -0 0 2 4 0 -CR. Co u n t II was t ri ed

t o g et h er wi t h Co u n t I an d fo r t h e o ffen se o f fai l u re to s t op an d ren d er ch arg ed i n a

s ep arat e i n di ct m en t

. [RR-wri t at 5 -6 ] Co u n t II rem ai n ed p en d i ng aft er t ri al b ecau s e
Ap p el l ee i n si s t ed t h at o n l y o n e g u i l t y v erd i ct or “ an acq u i t t a l ” b e ret u rn ed aft er

v i ic o n s i d erat i o n o f m u rd er, i nt ox i cat i o n m an s l au g ht er, DW I-3 rd , DW I-2 n d , o r DW I.
[RR-wri t at 5 , 2 CR4 74 -8 8 ]

Th e St at e ap p eal s t h e d i s m i s s al o f Co u n t II at t h e i n v it at io n o f th e tri al co u rt

an d so l el y t o p res erv e an d / o r i n s u re i t s ri g h t t o try A p p el l ee on Co u n t II if t h i s Co u rt

were t o rev ers e o r vacat e t h e ju d g m en t fo r fel o n y m u rd er. By t h i s ap p eal , t h e St at e

i n no way co nced es erro r i n No .0 1 -1 4 -0 0 2 4 0-CR o r b el i ev es it l i k el y to be fo u n d , b ut

s i m p l y reco g n i zes t h at s ev eral u n s et t l ed i s su es were p res en t ed i n t h at ap p eal

.

STATEMENT OF ORAL ARGUMENT

Wh et h er t h e t ri al co u rt erred in d i s m is s i n g Co u n t II as a d o u b le j e o p a r d y

v i o l at i o n , i s o n e of l aw. H o w ev er, oral arg u m en t m ay b e h el p fu l t o t h e Co urt b ecau s e

o f t h e co m

m o n co n cep t t h at t h e Do u b l e J eo p ard y Cl au s e pro t ect s ag ai n s t “ m u l t i p l e

co n vi ct i o n s ,” wh en i t s p ro t ect io n p rev en t s m u l t i pl e t ri al s an d m

u l t i p l e pu n i s h m en t s

fo r t h e s am e o ffen s e.

v i i iPOI NTS OF ERROR

Po i n t o f Erro r On e: Th e t ri al co u rt ab u s ed it s di s cret i o n i n al l owi n g Ap p el l ee t o t ak e ad van t ag e o f h is wro n g in i n s i s t i n g t h at o n l y o ne
v erd ict b e ret u rn ed wh en t h e i n d i ct m en t al leg ed t wo co un t s

.
Po i n t o f Erro r Two : Th e t ri al co u rt ab u s ed i t s d i s cret i o n i n d is m i s s i n g Co u nt II w h en n o v erd i ct h ad b een ren d ered , th e ju d g m en t i n Co un t I

was no t fi n al , an d t h e Do u b l e J eo p ard y Cl au s e d id no t b ar a s eco n d tri al

.

ixSTATEMENT OF FACTS 1

Ap p el l ee was ch arg ed i n a s i n g l e i n d i ct m en t w i t h t h e o ffen ses o f fel o n y m u rd er

an d i n to x i cat i o n m an s l au gh t er i n cau s i ng t h e d eat h o f Dav i d St i d m an :

COUNT I

d i d t h en an d t h ere u n l awfu l l y co m m i t or at t em

p t t o co m m i t a fel on y , t o wi t : Dri v in g W h il e In to x i cat ed (Th i rd Offen s e), an d i n fu rt h eran ce o f t h e co m m i s s i o n , or in i m

m ed i at e fl ig h t fro m t h e co m m i s s io n o f s ai d fel o n y , h e co m

m i tt ed o r at t em

p t ed t o co m

m i t an act cl earl y d a n g ero u s t o hu m an l i fe, to wi t: w h il e d ri v i n g a m o to r v eh i cl e o n a p u b l i c st reet th e d efen d an t f

a i l ed to m ai n t ai n an ad eq uat e l o o ko u t fo r t raffi c an d ro ad

co n d i t i o n s an d b y fai l i n g t o t a k e p r o p er ev as i v e act i o n s , an d t h u s
co l l i d ed wi t h a m ot o rcy cl e d ri v en b y Dav i d St i d m an cau s i n g t h e d eat h

o f Dav i d St i d m an

.

1 No ev i den ce w as offered at t h e w ri t h eari n g , w h i ch was n o t h eard b y t h e ju d g e wh o p res i ded at Ap p el lee’ s ju ry t ri al . [RR-wri t at 4 ] Th e St at em en t o f Fact s i s d rawn fro m :
(1 ) t h e p art ies ’ b ri efs , wh i ch t h e t ri al co u rt as s u red t h e p art i es i t h a d r e a d

. [RRwri t at 3 ] No ob

ject i o n s w ere l o d g ed b y ei t h er s i d e t o an y p art o f th e o t h er p art y ’ s b ri ef. [RR-wri t at 3 -4 ] Th es e b ri efs are i n cl ud ed i n th e Cl erk ’ s Reco rd at p ag es 5 1 9

- 6 2 9

. (2 ) t h e u nco n t ro v ert ed s tat e m e n t s o f t h e at to rn ey s referen ci n g ev en t s an d ci rcu m s t an ces at t ri al t h at are co rro b o rat ed b y t h e rep o rt er’ s reco rd o f th e ch arg e
co n feren ce i n c l u d ed i n t h e St at e’ s b ri ef at 2 CR5 5 0-7 3 , an d t h e ju ry ch arg e at 2 CR4 6 1 -9 3. S

ee Th i el ema n v. S t a t e , 1 8 7 S.W .3 d 4 55 , 4 58 (Tex . Cri m

. Ap p

. 2 0 0 5 ) (u n co n t ro v ert ed as sert i o n b y co u n s el ab o u t an ev en t m ay be t ak en as t ru e i f “ (1 ) t h e
ev en t co u l d n o t h av e h ap p en ed wi t h o u t b ei ng n o t i ced ; an d (2 ) t h e as sert i o n i s o f t h e
s o rt t h at wo u l d p ro v o k e a d en i al b y o p p o si ng co u ns el i f i t were n ot t ru e. If t hes e t wo
co n di t i o n s are m et , t h e o p p o s i n g p art y m ay b e h el d t o h av e ad op t i v el y ad m i t t ed t h e
as s ert i o n , an d t h e as s ert i o n w il l b e accep t ed as b o t h t ru e an d s u ffi ci en t to p res erv e an i s su e fo r ap p el l at e rev i ew”).

1COUNT II

It i s fu rt h er p res en t e d t h at o n o r ab o ut Au g us t 2, 2 01 0 i n Fo rt Ben d Co u nt y, T e x a s t h e Defen d an t , Sean M i ch ael M cGu i re, d i d t hen an d t h ere u nl awfu l l y , b y acci d en t an d m i st ak e, wh i l e o p erat i n g a m o t o r
v eh i cl e i n a p u b l i c pl ace wh i l e in t o x i cat ed , n am el y by r e a s o n o f i n t ro d u ct i o n of al co h ol i n t o t h e d efen d an t ’ s b o d y , an d b y reas o n o f t hat i n t o xi cat i on , d i d t h en an d t h ere cau s e th e d eat h o f D av id St id m an b y d ri v in g s ai d m o t o r v eh i cl e an d s t ri k i n g a m o t o rcy cl e d r i v e n b y Dav i d St i d m an

. [1 CR1 0 ]

Th es e o ffen s es were t ri ed t o a ju ry t o get h er wi t h t he o ffen s e o f fai l u re t o s t o p

an d ren d er ai d (“ FSRA”) t h at was ch arg ed i n a sep arat e i n d i ct m en t

. [RR-wri t 5 -6 ]
Ap p el l ee ap p eal ed h i s co n v i ct i on fo r FSRA, an d t h at ap p eal is pen di ng i n t h i s Co u rt

.
McGu ir e v. S t a t e , No . 0 1 -1 4 -0 0 2 4 1 -CR.

Th e t ri al co urt ad o p t ed Ap p el l ee’ s ju ry ch arg e, i n s t ru ct in g t h e ju ry t o “ ch o o s e

fro m fo u r sep arat e an d d i s t i n ct o f f e n s e s or acq u i t t al .” [RR-wri t at 5 , 2 CR4 7 4 -8 8 ]

Th e St at e o b

j ect ed an d , p u rs u an t t o Art i cl e 3 7 .0 7 , req u es t ed t hat t h e ju ry be i n s t ru ct ed

t o ret urn a v erd ict o f g u i l t y or n o t g u i l t y o n each c o u n t

. [RR-wri t at 9 ] Ap p el l ee

“ p o i n t ed o ut ” t h at t h e St at e was “ req u es t i n g t h at t h e Co urt i nt en t io n al l y en gag e i n a

d o u b l e jeo p ard y v i o l at i o n , ” t h e t ri al co u rt o v erru l ed t h e St at e’ s o b ject i o n

. [RR-wri t

8 ]

Th e ju ry co n v i ct ed Ap p el l ee fo r fel o n y m u rd er an d as s es s e d p u n i s h m en t at

ei g h t een y ears im

p ri s o n m en t an d a $ 5 ,0 0 0 fi n e. [RR-wri t 5-6 ; 2CR4 8 3 , 4 9 3 ] On

2M arch 2 0 , 2 0 1 4 , t h e Di s t ri ct At t o rn ey w ro t e a l et ter t o T DCJ , Cl as s ifi cat i o n s an d

Reco rd s, ex p l ai n i n g t h at Co un t II o f t he i n di c t m e n t fo r in t o xi cat io n m an s l au g h t er

rem ai n ed p en d i n g b ecau se n o v erd i ct had b een ret u rn ed

. [RR-wri t at 7 ; 2 CR5 2 5 -2 6 ]

On Sep tem

b er 2 , 2 0 1 4 , Ap p el l ee fi l ed a p re-t ri al m o t io n fo r w ri t o f h ab eas

co rp u s as s ert i n g , “ Ap p li can t is cu rr e n t l y s u fferi ng a Do u b l e J eo p ard y vi o l at i o n

b ecau s e h e h as al read y b een co n v i ct ed of m u rd er fo r cau s in g t he deat h o f Dav id

St i d m an an d i s cu rren t l y ch arg e d w i t h I n t ox i cat i o n M an s l au g h t er fo r cau s i n g t h e

d eat h o f Dav id St i d m an .” [2 CR5 1 8 -4 5 ] T he St a t e f i l e d a wri t t en res p o n s e.
[2 CR5 3 9-6 2 9 ]

On D e c e m

b e r 9 , 20 1 4 , t h e t ri al co u rt as su red co u n sel i t h ad read t hei r b ri efs

an d i n vi t ed arg u m en t s

. [RR-wri t 3] Aft er h eari n g t h e a r g u m en t s o f co u n s el , an d

en co urag i n g t h e St at e t o ap p eal i t s o rd e r , th e t ri al co urt g ran t ed rel i ef, d i s m i s s ed

Co u n t II, an d d en i ed th e St at e’ s m o t i o n t o s t ay

. [RR-wri t at 1 , 1 4 ; 2 C R 6 3 5 ] Th e

St at e fi l ed i t s t im el y

n o t i ce o f ap p eal . [2 CR6 3 6 -6 4 1]

3SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT

Th e Do u bl e J eo p ard y Cl au s e p ro t ect s ag ai n s t m u lt i p l e t ri al s an d m

u l t i p l e

p u n i s h m en t s , no t m

u l t i p le co nv i ctions in a s in g l e t ri al

. An y do u bl e jeo p ard y vi o l at i o n

fo r m u l t i pl e p u n is h m en t s can b e p rev en t ed b y t h e i s su a n ce o f m an dat e o n o n l y o n e
ju d g m en t aft er ap pel l at e rev i ew.

Th e t ri al co u rt erred i n d i s m i s s i n g Co u nt II-i n t o x i cat i o n m a n s l a u g ht er as a

d o u b l e jeo p ard y

v i o l at i on fo r t wo reas o n s :

On e, Ap p el l ee creat ed h i s o wn d o u bl e j eo p ard y d il em m a b y i n si st i ng , co n t rary

t o s t at u t e, t h at o n l y o ne v erd i ct s h o u l d b e ret u rn ed wh en t h e in d i ct m en t al leg ed t wo

co u nt s

. Becau s e h e in v i t ed erro r, Ap p el l ee was es t o p p ed fro m co m p lai n in g ab o u t t h e

p en den cy o f Co u n t II.

Two , t h e d eci s i o n i n nei t h er co u n t i s fi n al

. Ap p el lee ap p eal ed t h e ju d g m en t in

Co u n t I-fel o n y m

urd er, wh i ch rem ai n s p en d i n g ; an d n o verd i ct was ren d ered i n Co u nt

II-i n t o x i cat i o n m an s l au g h t er. W h il e Do u b l e J eo p ard y p o ses n o bar to a seco n d t ri al ,

t h e St at e h as n o i nt en t i o n o f p ro s ecu t i ng Co u nt II u n t i l aft er m an d at e is s u es i n t h e

ap p eal o f t he ju dg m en t i n Co un t I.

4STATE’S ARGUMENT

Th e t ri al co u rt erred i n d i s m i s s i n g Co u n t II-i n t o xi cat i on m an s l au g h t er.

A. Th e s t an d

a r d o f r evi ew.

W e rev i ew a t ri al co u rt 's ru l i n g o n a p ret ri al wri t o f h ab eas co rp us fo r an ab u s e o f di s cret io n

. S

ee Kn ia t t v. S ta t e , 2 0 6 S.W .3 d 6 5 7 , 6 6 4 (Tex

. Cri m

. Ap p. 2 0 0 6 ); Wa s h i n g t o n v. S t a te , 3 26 S.W .3 d 7 0 1 , 7 0 4 (Tex

. Ap p

. --Ho u s t o n [1 s t Di s t .] 2 0 1 0 , no p et .). In co nd u ct i n g t h i s rev i ew, we
v i ew t h e fact s i n t h e l i g h t m o s t fav o rab l e t o t h e t ri al co u rt 's ru l i n g

. S ee Kn i a t t , 2 0 6 S.W .3 d at 6 6 4 ; W a s h i n g t o n , 3 2 6 S.W .3 d at 7 0 4

.
Ex p a r t e Ko es t er , 4 5 0 S.W .3 d 9 0 8, 9 1 0 (Tex

. Ap p .-- H o u s t o n [ 1 st Di s t .] 2 0 1 4 , n o p et .).

B. Ap

p el l ee i n vi ted er r or i n l ea vi n g Co u nt II p en di n g a nd i s
es t o pp ed f r o m co mp l a i n i n g o

f h i s wr o ng

.
A t t he wri t h eari n g , t h e St at e t o l d t he t ri al co u rt t h at Ap p el l ee req u es t e d t h a t

o n l y o n e v erd i ct o f g ui l t y b e ret u rn ed , t h u s l eav i n g Co u n t II pen d i ng

. [RR-wri t 9;

2 CR5 6 7 -7 1] Th e St at e arg ued t h at Ap p el l ee “ creat ed t h e s i t u at i o n wh ere h e wen t to

t ri al an d en d ed u p wi t h o u t a v erd i ct .” [RR-wri t at 9 ]

Th e l aw o f in v i t ed erro r p ro v i d es t h at a part y can n o t t ak e ad v an tag e o f

an erro r t h at i t i n v it ed o r cau s ed , ev en i f s u ch erro r i s f u n d a m en t al

. Pr ys t a s h v. S t a t e , 3 S.W .3 d 5 2 2 , 5 3 1 (Tex

. Cri m

. Ap p

. 1 9 99 ) (en b an c). In o t h er wo rd s , a part y i s es t o p ped fro m s eek i n g ap p el lat e rel ief b as ed

o n erro r t hat i t i n d u ced

. Id

. “ To h o l d o t h erwi s e wo ul d be t o perm it h i m t o t ak e ad v an t ag e o f h i s o wn wro n g.” Id

.
W o o d a ll v. S t a t e , 3 3 6 S.W .3 d 6 3 4 , 64 4 (Tex

. Cri m A p p

. 2 0 11 ) (fo o tn o t e o m i t t ed ,

ap p el l an t es to p p ed fro m

co m p l ai n i n g o f a v i o lat i o n o f co n fro n tat i on ri g h ts ).

5Th e t ri al co u rt ab u s ed i t s d i s cret i o n i n al l o w i n g Ap p el l ee t o t ak e ad v an t ag e o f

h i s o wn wro n g

.

1

. Th e d

o u b l e j eo p a rd y cl au s e p r o t ect

s a ga i n s t mu l t ip l e t r i a l

s
a nd m ul t i p l e p un i s h men t

s , n ot mu l t i

p l e co n vi ct i o n s i n a
s i n g l e t r ia l

.
Th e Fi ft h Am en d m en t , ap p l i cab l e t o t h e St at es u n d er t h e Fo u rt een th

A m e n d m en t , p ro vi des t hat n o p ers o n s h al l "b e s u b ject fo r t h e s am e o ffen ce t o b e

t wi ce p u t i n jeo p ard y o f l i fe o r li m b .” U.S. Co ns t

. am en d

. V & XIV; Br o wn v. Oh i o,

4 3 2 U.S. 1 6 1 , 1 6 4 (1 9 7 7 ).

Th e Fi ft h Am en dm en t o ffers t h ree d i fferen t co n s t i t u t i o n al p ro t ect i o ns

. Fi rs t , p ro t ect i o n ag ai n s t a s eco n d p ro s ecu t i o n fo r t h e s am e offen se aft er acq u i t t al

. Seco n d , p ro t ect i o n ag ai n s t a s eco n d p ro s ecu t i on fo r t he s am e
o ffen s e aft er co n vi ct i o n. Th i rd , p ro t ect i o n ag ai n s t m ultiple pun i s h m en t s f o r t h e s am e o ffen s e. No r t h Ca r o l i n a v. Pea r ce , 3 9 5 U.S. 7 1 1 , 7 1 7 , (1 9 6 9 ), o ver r u l ed o n o th er g r o un d s b y Al ab a ma v. S

mi t h , 4 9 0 U.S. 7 9 4 (1 9 8 9 ); Ex p a r te Ca va zo s , 20 3 S.W .3 d 3 3 3 , 3 3 6 (Tex

. Cri m

. Ap p

. 2 0 0 6 ).

Bi g o n v. S t a te , 2 5 2 S.W .3 d 3 60 , 3 6 9 -7 0 (Tex . Cri m . Ap p . 2 0 0 8 ).

Th e D o ub l e Jeo pard y Cl au s e do es n o t pro t ect ag ai n s t m u l t i p l e co n v ict i o n s in

a s i n g l e t ri al

. Here, fel o n y m

u rd er an d i n t o x i cat i o n m an s l au g h t er are n o t l es ser i n cl u d ed

o ffen s es

. Th e St at e k n o ws o f n o Tex as cas e req u iri n g t h e St at e t o p ro ceed to t ri al o n

ei t h er fel o n y m

u rd er or i n t o xi cat i o n m an s l au g h t er an d n o t b o th

. Lo g i cal l y , b o th

s h o u ld b e p res en t ed t o t h e ju ry fo r i t s co n s i derat i o n :

6• Fel o ny m u rd er 2 req u i res t wo p ri o r co n v i ct io n s fo r DW I an d i n to x i cat i o n
m an s l au gh t er do es n ot

. O n t h i s b as i s , a ju ry m i g ht fi n d t hat t h e St at e fai l ed in i t s p ro o f o f th e t wo p ri o r co n v i ct i o n s an d co n v i ct t h e d efen dan t of i n to x i cat i o n
m an s l au gh t er.

• In t o xi cat i o n m an s l au g h t er 3 req u i res t h e deat h t o b e cau s ed b y reas o n o f t h e i n t o xi cat i on an d fel o n y m u rd er d o es n o t. On t h i s b as i s , a ju ry m i g h t fi n d ag ai ns t i n t o x i cat i on m an s l au g h t er an d fi n d t he fel o n y m u rd er.

T h u s , t o en s u re a co nv i ct i o n fo r ei t h er fel o n y m u rd er o r m an s l au g h t er b o t h

o ffen s es m

u s t b e p res en t ed t o a ju ry , an d b o t h m u s t b e pres en t ed t o t h e s am e ju ry in

a s i n g l e tri al b ecau s e t h e “ al l o wab l e u n i t o f p ro s ecu t i o n ” is on e u n i t p er d eat h

. Bi g o n ,
2 5 2 S.W .3 d at 3 72

.

2

. Ar t i cl e 3 7 .0 7

, S ect i o n 1 (c) r eq u i r es a ver d i ct o n ea ch co u n t p res en t ed b

y t h e i n d i ct men t

.
At t h e wri t h eari n g, t h e St at e t o ld t h e t ri al co u rt th at i t h ad req u es t ed a v erd i ct

i n each co u n t an d was en t it l ed t o t h o s e verd i ct s u nd er Art i cl e 3 7 .0 7

. [RR-wri t at 9;

2 CR5 6 7 ] Art i cl e 3 7 .0 7 , Sect i o n 1 (c) p ro v i d es i n p ert in en t p art :

If th e ch arg i n g i n s t ru m en t co n t ai n s m o re t h a n o n e c o u n t

. . . t h e ju ry
s h al l b e i n s t ru ct ed t o ret u rn a fi nd i ng o f g u i l t y o r n o t gu i l t y i n a s ep arat e
v erd ict as t o each co un t an d o ffen s e s u b m it t ed t o t h em

.
Tex

. Co d e Cri m . Pro c. art . 3 7 .0 7 , § 1 (c) (W es t 2 0 1 0 ).

T h e S t a t e w as en t i t l ed to a ju ry v erd i ct fo r each co u n t o f th e i n d ict m en t a n d

2 Tex . Pen . Co d e § 1 9 .0 2 (b )(3 ) (W es t 2 0 1 0 ).

3 Tex . Pen . Co d e § 4 9 .0 8 (W es t 2 0 1 0).

7Ap p el l ee i n v i t ed erro r b y i n s i s t i n g t h at o n ly

o n e v erd i ct s h o ul d b e ren d ered

.
3

. A d o u bl e j eo p a r d y vi o l a t io n b

y mu l ti p le p u n i s h men t

s i s p r even t ed b y i s s u i n g ma n d

at e o n o n ly t h e g rea t er o ff en s e a f t er a p p el l a t e
r evi ew.

At t he wri t h eari n g, t h e St at e arg u ed th at a d o u b l e jeo p ard y v i o l at i o n fo r

m u lt i p l e p u n i s h m en t s can be av o i d ed b y ab an d o n i n g t h e l es s er offen s e as d et erm i n ed

u n d er B i go n

. [RR-wri t at 9 -1 0 ]

In Bi g o n , t h e Co u rt o f Cri m i n al Ap p eal s res o l v ed a d o ub l e jeo pard y vi o l at i o n

i n Bi g on ’ s co n v ict i o n fo r b o t h fel o n y m u rd er an d in t o xi cat io n m an s l au g h ter b y t h e

“ m o s t s eri o u s offen s e t es t .” Bi g o n , 2 5 2 S.W .3 d at 2 7 3 . Th i s t es t i s u s ed fo r p o l i cy

reas on s i n cl ud i n g t h at “ t h i s t es t wo u l d el im i n at e arb i trary d eci s io n s b as ed u p o n t h e

o rd er o f offen s es i n th e ch arg i n g i n s t ru m en t , t h at i n m o s t ci rcu m s t an ces t h e St at e

wo u l d el ect to ret ai n t h e m o s t s eri o u s c o n v i ct i o n , an d t h at p u b l i c s afet y i s i n s u red

t h ro u g h t h e det erren t i n fl u en ce o f p en al t i es .” Id

. “ [T] h e m o st s eri o u s o ffen s e i s t h e

o ffen s e fo r wh i ch t h e g reat es t s en t en ce is as s es s ed

. ” Id

. In Bi g o n , t h e s en t en ces were

t h e s am e, s o th e co urt l o o ked t o t h e d eg ree o f fel o n y t o fi n d fel o n y m urd er t h e m o s t

s eri ou s o ffen s e an d v acat ed t he ju d g m en t fo r i n t o x icat i o n m an s l au gh t er. Id

.
Li k ewi s e, i n t h i s cas e, i f Ap p el l ee h ad b een co n v i ct ed of b ot h fel o n y m u rd er

an d i n t o x i cat i o n m an s l au g h ter, afte r ap p el l at e rev i ew, t h i s Co u rt co ul d ap p ly t h e m o s t

s eri ou s o ffen s e t es t t o prev en t a d o u b l e jeo p ard y v i o l at io n fo r m u l ti p l e p u n i s h m en t s

.

84

. Ap p el l ee in vi t ed er r o r i n r eq ues t i n g o n ly o n e ver di ct , a n d t h e t r i a l co u r t a b u s ed i t

s d is cr et io n i n a ll o wi ng Ap p el l ee t o t a ke a dva n t a g e o

f h i s o wn wr o ng

.
Co n trary t o l aw, Ap p el l ee i n s i s t ed o n o n e v erd i ct

. Ap p el l ee i s es t o p p ed fro m

co m p l ai n i n g ab o ut t h e p en d en cy o f Co u n t II w h en a v erd i ct sh o u ld h av e b een

ren d ered at t ri al

.
As s h o wn i n t h e fo reg o i n g arg u m en t, an d as A pp el l ee s t at ed i n h i s ap p l i cat i o n

fo r wri t o f h ab eas co rp u s , “ To b e s u re, t h e Do u b l e J eo p ard y Cl au se p ro t ect s ag ai n s t

b ei n g t wi ce co n v i ct ed fo r t h e s am e cri m e, an d t h at as p ect o f t h e ri g h t can b e fu l l y

v i n d i cat ed o n ap p eal fo l lo wi n g fi n al ju d g m en t .” [2 CR5 2 0 (q u o t i ng Ab ney v. Un i t ed

S t a t es , 4 3 1 U.S. 6 5 1 , 6 6 0 -6 1 (1 9 7 7 )]

Th e t ri al co u rt ab u s ed it s d i scret i o n i n al l o wi n g Ap p el lee t o tak e ad v an t ag e o f

h i s wro n g . Po in t o f Erro r On e s h o u l d b e s us t ai n ed an d Co u n t II rei n st at ed

.
C. Fi n a l Jeo

p a r d y h as n o t a t t a ch ed t o ei t h er co u n t a n d t h er e i s n o d ou b l e j eo p a r d y b a r t o a s eco n d t r i a l.

At t h e wri t heari n g , t h e St at e t o l d t h e t ri al co u rt th at i t h a d o b j e c t ed to
Ap p el l ee’ s req u es t fo r o n e v erd i ct an d as k ed fo r a v erd ict o n each co u n t p u rs u an t to

Art i cl e 3 7 .0 7 , C o d e o f Cri m i nal Pro ced u re. [RR-wri t at 9 , 2 CR5 6 7 ] Th e St at e

an al o g i zed t h e fai l u re t o ret u rn a v erd i ct o n Co u n t II t o an o t h er n o verd i ct s cen ari o --a

h u n g ju ry , an d arg u ed th ere was n o d o ub l e jeo p ard y v i o l at i on i n a s eco n d t ri al

. [RRwri t at 1 1 ]

9Th e Do u bl e J eo p ard y Cl au s e p ro t ect s ag ai n s t m u lt i p l e t ri al s an d m

u l t i p l e

p u n i s h m en t s fo r t h e s am e o ffen s e. Bi g o n , 2 5 2 S.W

. 3 d at 3 6 9 -7 0. At t h e t i m e
Ap p el l ee b ro u g h t hi s ap p l i cat i o n fo r p re-t ri al w ri t , A p p e l l ee’ s p en di n g ch arg e fo r

i n t o x i cat io n m an s l au gh t er had n o t b een s et fo r a s eco n d t ri al

. Nei th er m u l t i p l e t ri al s ,

n o r m u l ti p l e p u n i s h m en ts h as o ccu rred i n t h is cas e.
Ap p el l ee ap p eal ed h i s co n v i ct i o n fo r fel o n y m u rd er ( C o u n t I). McGu i r e v.

S t a t e , 01 -1 4 -0 0 2 4 0 -CR. A p pel l ee’ s ap p e a l i s s ti l l p en d i n g i n t h i s Co u rt , an d t h e

co n vi ct i o n i s n o t fi n al

.
No v erd i ct w as ren d ered fo r i n to x icat i o n m an sl au g ht er (Co u n t II). W h ere n o

v erd i ct i s ret u rn ed , t h e Do u bl e J eo p ard y Cl au s e d o es n ot b ar a seco n d t ri al o n t h e

s a m e o ffen s e. S

ee Bl uef o r d v. Ar ka n s a s , 13 2 S.Ct

. 2 0 44 , 2 0 5 0 (2 0 1 2 ) (ab s e n t a

v erd i ct , t he fo rep ers o n ’ s rep o rt o f an acq u i t t al fo r cap i t al m u rd er an d m

u rd er “ was n ot

a fi n al res o l u t i o n o f an y t h i n g ”).

Th e t ri al co urt ab u s ed it s d i s cret i on i n di s m i s s i n g Co u n t II as a do u bl e jeo p ard y

v i o l at i o n

.
D. Th e S ta t e a ver

s t h a t i f t h e co n vi ct io n f

o r f el on y m u r d e r i s
a ff i rmed

, i t wi l l d is mi s s t h e ch a r

g e f o r in t o xi ca t io n ma n s l a ug h t er
u po n t h e r ecei

p t o f ma n d a t e.

Di s m i s s al o f Co u nt II m ean s t h at if t h i s Co u rt were t o fi nd erro r an d rev ers e o r

v acat e t h e ju d g m en t fo r fel o n y m u rd er, th e St at e wi l l n ot b e ab l e t o p res en t t h e

i n t o x i cat io n m an s l au gh t er o ffen s e o n ret ri al . Hen ce, t h is ap p eal

. 10Ho wev er, as s h o wn b y t h e reco rd , t h e St at e i s wel l aware t h at i t m ay n o t ret ai n

co n vi ct i o n s fo r b o t h fel on y m u rd er an d i nt o xi cat i on m an sl au g ht er. [RR-wri t at 1 0;

2 C R5 5 2 , 5 5 8 ] Th e St at e h as n o i nt en t io n o f p ro s ecu t i n g Ap p el l ee fo r i n t ox i c a t i o n

m u rd er i f t h e ju d g m en t fo r fel o n y m u rd er i s affi rm ed

. Th erefo re, i f t h i s Co u rt were

t o affi rm t h e ju dg m en t fo r fel o n y m u rd er, t h e St at e av ers i t wi l l d i sm i s s Co u n t II u p o n

recei p t o f t he Co u rt ’ s m an d at e.

Th e St at e’ s p o i n t s o f erro r s h o u l d b e s u s t ai n ed

.

11PRAYER

Th e St at e p ray s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er g ran t in g rel i ef b e rev e r s e d a n d

Co u n t II b e rei n st at ed , p en d i n g t h e o u t co m e o f t h e ap p eal o f t h e ju d g m en t i n Co u nt

I i n M cGu i r e v. S t a t e , 0 1 -1 4 -0 0 2 4 0 -CR.

Res p ect fu l ly

s u b m i t t ed ,
J o hn F. Heal ey , J r. SBOT# 0 9 3 2 8 30 0 Di s t ri ct At t o rn ey , 2 6 8 t h J u d ici al Di s t ri ct Fo rt Ben d Co un t y , Tex as

/ s / Gai l Ki kawa M cCo n nel l Gai l Ki k awa M cCo n n el l As s i s tan t Di st ri ct At t o rn ey SBOT # 1 1 3 95 4 0 0 3 0 1 J ack s o n St reet , Ro o m 1 0 1 Ri ch m o n d , Tex as 7 7 4 6 9 (2 8 1 ) 3 41 -4 4 6 0 / (2 8 1 ) 2 3 8-3 3 4 0 (fax ) Gai l .M cCo n n el l @ fo rt ben d co u n t y t x .g o v

Co u n sel fo r t h e St at e

CERTI FI CATE OF COMPLI ANCE

I h ereb y cert ify t h at t h e St at e’ s Ap pel l at e Bri ef, i n t o t a l t h ro u gh t h e p ray er,
co n tai n s 3 ,6 0 5 wo rd s as co u nt ed b y W o rd Perfect 6 X, wh i ch i s l es s t h an t h e 1 5 ,0 0 0

wo rd l i m i t fo r a b ri ef. / s / Gai l Ki kawa M cCo n nel l Gai l Ki k awa M cCo n n el l

12CERTI FI CATE OF SERVI CE

I hereb y cert ify t h at a co p y o f t h e St at e's ap p el l at e b ri ef w as s erv ed b y e-m ai l

o r t h e cas e fi l i n g m an ag er o n J u n e 1 0 , 20 1 5, an d by cert i fi ed m ai l , ret u rn recei p t req u es t ed # 7 0 1 2 3 4 6 0 0 0 0 2 4 09 7 9 2 75 o n J un e 1 1 , 2 0 1 5 , o n M s

. Kri s ten J ern i g an , At t o rn ey fo r Ap p el l ee, 2 0 7 S. Au s t i n Av e., Geo rg et o wn , TX 7 8 62 6

.
/ s / Gai l Ki kawa M cCo n nel l Gai l Ki k awa M cCo n n el l

13