Court Opinion

ID: 4066058
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 22:22:55.625276+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:43:37.439424
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                            14-15-00019-CR
                                            FOURTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
                                                         HOUSTON, TEXAS
                                                       5/8/2015 12:20:50 PM
                                                      CHRISTOPHER PRINE
                                                                     CLERK

       NO. 14-15-00019-CR

                                            FILED IN
IN THE 14TH COURT OF APPEALS         14th COURT OF APPEALS
                                         HOUSTON, TEXAS
     AT HOUSTON, TEXAS               5/8/2015 12:20:50 PM
                                     CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
                                              Clerk

      GEORGE CASTILLO,
          Appellant

               VS.

     THE STATE OF TEXAS
           Appellee

       Appealed From the
      179th District Court of
      Harris County, Texas
       Cause No. 1303207

 The Honorable Kristin M. Guiney,
        Judge Presiding

 APPELLANT’S ANDERS BRIEF

ORAL ARGUMENT IS WAIVED

                     KURT. B. WENTZ
                     5628 Cypress Creek Parkway
                     Suite 115
                     Houston, Texas 77069
                     E-mail: kbsawentz@yahoo.com
                     281/587-0088
                     TBA: 211779300
                     ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
                         TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                             Page

IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL                 2

STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT               2

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES                            3

STATEMENT OF CASE                               4

STATEMENT OF FACTS                              5-7

CERTIFICATE OF COUNSEL                          7-8

PRAYER                                          9

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE                          9

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE                       10

LETTER                                          11-12

                                 1
                     IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

       1.     The appellant, George Castillo, is incarcerated in the Harris County Jail

located at 701 North San Jacinto, Houston, Texas 77002 as of the date of the filing of

this brief.

       2.     The trial attorneys for the State of Texas were David Bernard and Beth

Exley whose address is 1201 Franklin, 6th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002.

        3.    The trial attorney for the appellant was J. Sidney Crowley whose address is

440 Louisiana, Suite 2050, Houston, Texas 77002.

       4.     The trial judge was The Honorable Kristin M. Guiney whose address is

1201 Franklin, 18th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002.

       5.     The appellate attorney for the State of Texas is Alan Curry whose address

is 1201 Franklin, 6th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002.

       6.     The appellate attorney for Mr. Castillo is Kurt B. Wentz whose address is

5628 Cypress Creek Parkway, Suite 115, Houston, Texas 77069.

                 STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT

   Pursuant to TEX. R. APP. P. § 38.1(e) and 39.7, the appellant waives oral argument.

                                            2
                             INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

                                                              Page

                                        CASE

Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967)                     8-9

Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W. 3rd 824 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005)     8

High v. State, 573 S.W. 2nd 807, 812 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978)   9

                                            STATUTE

TEX. R. APP. PROC. 38.1(e) and 39.7                           2, 8, 9

                                            3
                                STATEMENT OF CASE

       On January 9, 2014 the appellant pled guilty to the offense of assault upon a

family member/second. Pursuant to a plea agreement the trial court deferred a finding of

guilt and placed the appellant on community supervision for a period of five years and

assessed terms and conditions of community supervision relevant to the appellant's case.

(1CR 20-21).

       On August 12, 2014 a Motion to Adjudicate Guilt was filed alleging two new law

violations and the appellant's inability to pay certain fees. (1CR 38).

       On December 12, 2014 a hearing was had on the Motion to Adjudicate Guilt. The

trial court found the allegation that the appellant had caused bodily injury to a family

member, namely Maria Luna, by pushing her to the ground true. (1CR 63).

       On December 11, 2014 the trial court sentenced the appellant to ten (10) years

confinement in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

(1CR 67).

       On December 11, 2014 the appellant gave notice of appeal. (1CR 69).

       On December 11, 2014 the trial court certified the appellant's right to appeal.

(1CR 68).

       On December 11, 2014 the trial court found the appellant remained indigent and

appointed counsel to represent him on direct appeal. (1CR 710.

                                             4
                              STATEMENT OF FACTS

                                   Prehearing Matters

       The State abandoned all of the paragraphs contained in the Motion to Adjudicate

Guilt but for the new law violations involving assault on a family member, namely Maria

Luna, on July 27, 2014.

       The trial court found that there had been no prior plea or admonishments as to the

enhancement paragraph in the appellant's original plea papers. As a result the trial court

found the appellant's case should be treated as a third degree felony for the purposes of

the hearing.

                               State's Evidence at Guilt

       The appellant, George Castillo, and the State stipulated that he was the same

George Castillo who was placed on deferred adjudicated community supervision on

January 9, 2014 for the offense of assault on a family member/second. (1RR 42).

       In late July 2014 Juana Garcia received a telephone call from her daughter, the

complainant. (1RR 7, 8). Without objection Ms. Garcia testified her daughter said "he

hit her" and broke her phone. (1RR 9, 10).

       When she went to her daughter's apartment an hour and a half later, the

complainant looked as if she had been crying but showed no outward signs of physical

injury. (1RR 12). On cross-examination Ms. Garcia said her daughter said "Jorge" (the

appellant) had hit her. (1RR 13). Ms. Garcia identified the appellant as the person she

knew as Jorge Castillo. (1RR 7).

                                             5
      Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy, Eddie Palvoski, hereinafter "Palvoski",

responded to a request for assistance at approximately 1 p.m. on July 27, 2014. (1RR

14). When no one at the reported address answered the door he searched the surrounding

area in vain for evidence of wrongdoing. (1RR 17). As he prepared to leave he saw a

woman's head peak in and out of the door in a frightened manner. (1RR 18, 19).

      The woman identified herself as Maria Luna.           She informed Palvoski that

"George" had assaulted her. (1RR 21, 23). When she removed her hand from her right

eye Palvoski saw that it was red, swollen, and partially closed. (1RR 20). Although Ms.

Luna did not wish to file a report, or give a written statement, she allowed the appellant

had thrown her to the floor face down and then pulled her up by her hair. (1RR 24).

      When Ms. Luna realized Palvoski was preparing a report, she became

uncooperative and returned to her apartment. (1RR 25).

      The State rested. (1RR 30).

                           The Appellant's Evidence at Guilt

      Although trial counsel had objected to Ms. Garcia and Deputy Palvoski testifying

about what the complainant had told them about the offense under Crawford v.

Washington, counsel called the complainant to testify on the appellant's behalf.

      Maria Luna denied any physical assault by the appellant on July 27, 2014. (7RR

31). The appellant had merely come to her apartment, and she refused to let him in.

(1RR 34). She explained she held her hand to her eye to shield from the sun because it

remained sensitive to light as a result of eye surgery in May. (1RR 36, 37). The surgery

                                            6
was necessitated by the appellant fracturing her eye socket in April. This incident was

not reported to the police. (1RR 40, 41).

       The appellant rested. (1RR 41).

       The State rested. (1RR 41).

                                            Ruling

       The trial court found the allegation that the appellant had pushed Maria Luna to

the floor causing her pain true. The trial court found the allegation that the appellant had

pulled her hair thereby causing pain not true.

                                       Punishment

       The State presented no punishment evidence. (1RR 45).

       The appellant presented no punishment evidence. (1RR 45).

                                         Sentence

       The trial court sentenced the appellant to ten (10) years confinement in the

Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (1RR 46).

                            CERTIFICATE OF COUNSEL

       I, Kurt B. Wentz, the attorney of record for the appellant, George Castillo, hereby

state that I have diligently searched the record in his case. After researching the law

applicable to the facts and issues contained therein, it is my professional opinion there is

no reversible error in the appellant’s case. Therefore, I am of the professional opinion that

this appeal is without merit and frivolous for the following reasons:

       E No written pretrial motions were presented to the trial court for ruling prior to
         the appellant’s plea of “not true.”

                                              7
       2.     No written motions were presented to the trial court for ruling at the time of
       the appellant’s plea of “not true.”

       3.     The appellant stipulated that he was the same George Castillo who was
       placed on deferred adjudicated community supervision on January 9, 2014.

       4.      The only legal issue raised at the hearing on the Motion to Adjudicate Guilt
       was whether Juana Garcia and Deputy Palvoski testimony about what the
       complainant, Maria Luna, told them violated the confrontation clause under
       Crawford v. State. This issue became moot when trial counsel called Ms. Luna to
       testify on the behalf of the appellant.

       5.      The appellant’s sentence was within the range of punishment allowed for
       the third degree felony offense of assault on a family member/second.

       A copy of this brief is being sent to the appellant along with a letter informing Mr.

Castillo of his right to examine the entire appellate record for the purpose of filing a pro

se brief. Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W. 3rd 824 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). A copy of this letter

is attached as Exhibit A.

       The appellant is also being advised that with the filing of this Anders brief counsel

is also filing a Motion to Withdraw as appellant’s attorney on direct appeal. A copy of

the Motion to Withdraw accompanies the aforementioned letter.

                            LOCATION OF APPELLANT

       The appellant's last known address:

                                   Mr. George Castillo
                                   SPN 01793695
                                   Harris County Jail
                                   701 North San Jacinto
                                   Houston, TX 77002

                                             8
                                PRAYER FOR RELIEF

      WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the appellant requests that the Court

grant relief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967); High v. State, 573
S.W. 2nd 807, 812 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978) and then grant counsel’s Motion to Withdraw.

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                /s/ Kurt B. Wentz__________
                                                KURT. B. WENTZ
                                                5628 Cypress Creek Parkway
                                                Suite 115
                                                Houston, Texas 77069
                                                E-mail: kbsawentz@yahoo.com
                                                281/587-0088
                                                TBA: 211779300
                                                ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT

                            CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

      I, Kurt B. Wentz, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the appellant’s

Anders brief and counsel’s Motion to Withdraw were mailed to the appellant at his last

known address by regular and Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. A copy of the

appellant’s Anders brief was also personally served on the Harris County Assistant

District Attorney presently handling this cause on the 8th day of May, 2015.

                                         /s/ Kurt B. Wentz_______________
                                         KURT B. WENTZ

                                            9
                         CERTIFICE OF COMPLIANCE

      I, Kurt B. Wentz, hereby certify the foregoing appellant’s brief contains 2154

number of words.

      Signed this 8th day of May, 2015.

                                 /s/Kurt B. Wentz_____________________

                                          10
May 5, 2015                                                  Sent Regular Mail and
                                                             Certified Mail /
                                                             Return Receipt Requested

Mr. George Castillo, Jr.
SPN 01793685
Harris County Jail
701 San Jacinto
Houston, TX 77002

Dear Mr. Castillo:

As you know I have been appointed to represent you on appeal.

I have now reviewed the record and law in your case.

After a diligent search of the record it is my opinion that there is no meritorious issue for the
purpose of direct appeal. Therefore, I have filed a brief that complies with the requirements of
Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967).

I am sure that you find my words disappointing. Unfortunately, your case is not unique. The
record in your case reveals no meritorious issue that I can raise on direct appeal on your behalf.

As you are aware, no written prehearing motions were filed on your behalf.

The only issue raised at your hearing was a confrontation issue under Crawford v. Washington.
Your attorney rendered this issue moot when he had Maria Luna testify on your behalf. With all
due respect to Ms. Luna her testimony was actually very damaging to your case. While she
denied that you pushed her to the ground, she provided that you fractured her eye socket
necessitating surgery in May of last year. Lastly, the trial court's sentence was in the range
provided for a third degree felony offense. Therefore, it cannot be argued that the trial counsel
abused its discretion in sentencing you.

The law affords you the right to review the record in your case and file any brief that you may
deem necessary. Such a brief is commonly referred as a pro se brief. This brief should be filed
with the 14th Court of Appeals at 301 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77002.

You are also advised that with the filing of this Anders Brief I have filed a Motion to Withdraw
as the Attorney of Record in your case. This motion will not be ruled upon until after the court
has considered the brief that I have filed. A copy of my Motion to Withdraw is also enclosed.

                                                11
Mr. George Castillo, Jr.
May 5, 2015
Page 2

You are also advised of your right to file a pro se petition for discretionary review upon the 14th
Court of Appeals' ruling on the Anders Brief I have submitted. Petitions for discretionary review
require certain timelines. These deadlines are strictly observed. I am enclosing a copy of the
Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure as they apply to petitions for discretionary review for your
use.

I am sure that it is very difficult for you to accept the trial court's rulings. Unfortunately, the
record provided by trial counsel does not reveal any meritorious issues which I could raise on
your behalf. Had I found any I would have been delighted to raise them.

You have my best wishes for the future.

Sincerely,

Kurt B. Wentz

Enclosures: Brief/Motion to Withdraw/Copy of T.R.A.P. 68

                                                  12