Court Opinion

ID: 2888321
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-07 20:07:00.666249+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:36:29.701703
License: Public Domain

NO. 07-02-0243-CR
					NO. 07-02-0244-CR
 
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

AT AMARILLO

PANEL A

SEPTEMBER 24, 2003

______________________________

JESUS ALBERTO HERNANDEZ, APPELLANT

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE

_________________________________

FROM THE 121ST DISTRICT COURT OF TERRY COUNTY;

NO. 4778, 4779; HONORABLE KELLY G. MOORE, JUDGE

_______________________________

Before JOHNSON, C.J., and REAVIS and CAMPBELL, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
	Appellant Jesus Alberto Hernandez appeals from his convictions for aggravated
robbery and escape and from his sentences of 30 years and 10 years incarceration,
respectively.  We affirm.
	On April 8, 2002, appellant pled guilty to charges of aggravated robbery and
escape.  The judge of the 121st District Court of Terry County found that the evidence
substantiated appellant's guilt, accepted appellant's guilty pleas and found appellant guilty. 
A consolidated sentencing hearing was held on April 29, 2002.  Both the State and
appellant presented evidence at the sentencing hearing.  At the conclusion of the hearing,
the trial judge sentenced appellant to serve 30 years imprisonment for the aggravated
robbery conviction, and 10 years imprisonment for the escape conviction.
	Appellant filed a motion for new trial on May 22, 2002.  On May 24, 2002, appellant
filed general notices of appeal.    
	Counsel for appellant has filed a Motion to Withdraw and a Brief in Support thereof. 
In support of the motion to withdraw, counsel has certified that, in compliance with Anders
v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744-45, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967), the record has
been diligently reviewed and that in the opinion of counsel, the record reflects no
reversible error or grounds upon which a non-frivolous appeal can arguably be predicated. 
Counsel thus concludes that the appeal is frivolous.  Counsel has discussed why, under
the controlling authorities, there is no reversible error in the trial court proceedings or 
judgment.  See High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807, 813 (Tex.Crim.App. 1978).   
	In reaching the conclusion that the appeal is frivolous, counsel advances two
possible issues.   In the first possible issue advanced by counsel, counsel argues that the
trial court potentially erred by admitting appellant's written statement as evidence against
him during the punishment hearing.  Counsel argues that it is unclear that the procedural
requirements of Tex. Crim. Proc. Code Ann. art. 38.22(2)(a) (Vernon 1979) (1) were
sufficiently complied with so as to render appellant's statement admissible as evidence. 
Specifically, counsel argues that it is unclear whether the person to whom appellant gave
his written statement was present when appellant was given the warnings required by art.
38.22.  In the second possible issue advanced by counsel, counsel identifies several
instances during the punishment hearing where the trial court allowed evidence pertaining
to appellant's juvenile record over appellant's objection.  
	After referencing, analyzing and discussing both the record, counsel has discussed
why, under the controlling authorities, there is no arguably reversible error in the trial
court's judgment.  See High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807, 813 (Tex.Crim.App. 1978).  In
concluding that the appeal is without merit, counsel notes that in regard to appellant's
written statement, the evidence contained in the statement was largely duplicative of other
evidence that was properly before the court.  In addition, counsel notes that parts of
appellant's statement could have been properly admitted to impeach appellant's testimony
during the hearing which was inconsistent with appellant's version of events as detailed
in the written statement.  Tex. R. Evid. 613.  Therefore, counsel concludes that it is unclear
how admission of the statement could have affected appellant's substantial rights.
	Counsel notes that the written statement reflects that it was made to the same
officer who administered the warning required by art. 38.22.  Therefore, the statement
facially complies with art. 38.22's requirements.  According to that officer's testimony, he
was in and out of the room while appellant gave his statement.  Counsel directs our
attention to evidence that another officer was in the same room when appellant was giving
his statement.  See, e.g., Dowthitt v. State, 931 S.W.2d 244, 258 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996)
(holding that the requirements of art. 38.22 are satisfied if the person who takes the
statement is present when another person administers the statutory warnings).  That
officer had previously been released from his subpoena with appellant's consent and was
no longer available to testify.  We also note that the witness to whom the statement was
nominally given testified that appellant signed the statement.  We further note that there
was no objection to the effect that appellant's statement was not voluntarily made or that
the statutory warnings were not administered.  See, e.g., Hulen v. State, 145 Tex. Crim.
344, 346-47, 167 S.W.2d 752, 753 (1942). 
	Regarding the second possible issue advanced by counsel, the Legislature has
provided that evidence of juvenile adjudications are admissible during the punishment
phase of trial.  See Tex. Crim. Proc. Code Ann. § 37.07(3)(a) (Vernon Supp. 2003).
	Counsel has attached exhibits showing that a copy of the Anders brief and Motion
to Withdraw have been forwarded to appellant, and that counsel has appropriately advised
appellant of appellant's right to review the record and file a response to counsel's motion
and brief.  Appellant has not filed a response to counsel's motion and brief.
	We have made an independent examination of the record to determine whether
there are any other arguable grounds for the appeals.  See Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75,
109 S. Ct. 346, 102 L. Ed. 2d 300 (1988); Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 511
(Tex.Crim.App. 1991).  We have found no such grounds.  We agree that the appeals are
frivolous. 
	Accordingly, counsel's Motion to Withdraw is granted.  The judgment of the trial
court is affirmed.
 
							Phil Johnson
							Chief Justice
 

Do not publish.
1. Further reference to Tex. Crim. Proc. Code Ann. art. 38.22 shall be by reference
to "art. 38.22."