Court Opinion

ID: 2942495
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 23:33:57.59895+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:01:11.420402
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS

NO. AP-76,086

IN RE JOHN R. ROACH, CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY,
Relator-Movant

ON MOTION TO STAY PROCEEDINGS IN THE TRIAL COURT AND
MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS
FROM CAUSE NO. W296-80233-90 IN THE 366TH DISTRICT COURT
 OF
COLLIN COUNTY

           Per Curiam.  Price, J., not participating.

O P I N I O N

           This opinion concerns a request for a stay of the proceedings below and a motion for
leave to file a petition for writ of mandamus.
           On October 7, 2008, this Court received a subsequent writ application in which
applicant Charles Dean Hood asserted that he was denied a fair trial because of an alleged
romantic relationship between the trial judge and the prosecutor.  Hood asserted that the
claim met the dictates of Article 11.071, § 5, because he presented new facts gleaned from
depositions given pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 202.  On November 19, 2008,
we ordered the trial court to collect or adduce any evidence it deemed necessary to make a
recommendation on (1) whether the doctrine of laches bars the consideration of applicant’s
claim, and (2) whether applicant meets the dictates of Article 11.071, § 5.  Ex parte Hood,
No. WR-41,168-11 (Tex. Crim. App. Nov. 19, 2008).  We ordered the trial court to return
its recommendations and the record of any proceedings conducted to this Court within sixty
(60) days of the date of the order.  
           Shortly after receiving the order, the trial court (respondent), citing the authority
vested in it by this Court’s November 19th order, appointed a master to conduct any necessary
hearings and to otherwise take evidence in the court’s stead.  The State objected to the
appointment, and the court overruled its objections.
           The court’s appointment was not authorized.  The authority to appoint a master is set
out in statutes.  See Simpson v. Canales, 806 S.W.2d 802 (Tex. 1991)(holding that Texas
Rule of Civil Procedure 171 is the exclusive authority for the appointment of masters in our
state courts).  Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 171 provides for the appointment of a Master
in Chancery.  A court may make such an appointment only in exceptional cases and for good
cause.  The Texas Supreme Court made clear in the Simpson case that the “exceptional”
condition is not met merely by a showing that the case is complicated or time-consuming, or
that the court is busy.  Simpson, 806 S.W.2d at 811.  In fact, the court expressly stated that
the complex cases are actually the very cases which most need and benefit from the
supervision of an experienced trial judge.  Id.  These principles are likewise applicable to the
instant case.  Further, the fact that this is a death penalty case does not make it “exceptional”
as that term is contemplated in Rule 171.  
           Texas Government Code Chapter 54 also provides for the appointment of masters in
various cases and situations.  Each of the subchapters in this section provides for the
appointment of a master, magistrate, referee, or associate judge in a particular county or in
a particular circumstance.  However, none of them provide for the appointment of a master
in a death penalty case (trial or habeas) in Collin County.
           Given the circumstances of the instant case and the law as it currently stands, we find
that the respondent trial court has exceeded its authority in the instant case by appointing a
master to conduct the proceedings currently before it.  Accordingly, we conditionally grant
relator’s petition for writ of mandamus and direct the district judge to vacate its order
appointing a master in the case.  The writ will issue only if the district court fails to take
appropriate action in accordance with this opinion.  Further, we deny relator’s motion to stay
the proceedings below.  However, the trial court will be given an additional sixty (60) days
from the date of this order to comply with our order of November 19, 2008.  Any extensions
to this deadline shall be sought directly from this Court. 
Delivered: January 28, 2009
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