Court Opinion

ID: 9699703
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 20:47:20.239523+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:55.997364
License: Public Domain

BURGESS, Justice,
dissenting.
I respectfully and reluctantly dissent. My dissent is reluctant because this appellate issue could have been easily avoided or convincingly resolved had the state called Mr. Courtney’s trial counsel to testify at the motion for new trial hearing.1 The lawyer would have either controverted or collaborated the testimony that Courtney had been advised his punishment would not exceed ten years.2 Had the lawyer denied the assertion, then the trial *738judge would have been tasked to resolve the controverted issue and this court would have readily upheld that resolution, resulting in a unanimous affirmation. If the lawyer agreed he had made the misrepresentations then the trial judge may have very well granted a new trial, or, if not, this court would have most certainly reversed for ineffective assistance of counsel. See Helton v. State, 909 S.W.2d 298, 301 (Tex.App.—Beaumont 1995, pet. ref'd); accord Ex Parte Moody, 991 S.W.2d 856, 857 (Tex.Crim.App.1999).
Clearly the trial judge has the authority to determine the credibility of the witnesses, but when the evidence is uncontro-verted, the failure to grant a new trial may amount to an abuse of discretion. Smith v. State, 530 S.W.2d 827, 830 (Tex.Crim.App.1975); State v. Hartman, 810 S.W.2d 22, 23 (Tex.App.—Beaumont 1991, no pet.); Bader v. State, 777 S.W.2d 178, 181 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1989, no pet.). Consequently, I would hold the trial judge erred in failing to grant the motion for new trial and reverse and remand.

. At the close of Courtney’s evidence in the motion for new trial hearing, the state initially stated it would like the opportunity to confer with Courtney’s trial counsel. When asked if the state was asking for a recess, the state responded "Well, no. I’ll pass on it."

. Courtney’s mother and Courtney both testified the lawyer told Courtney the punishment would not exceed the offer of ten years.