Court Opinion

ID: 3093259
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 04:15:18.56427+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:26:56.394063
License: Public Domain

IN THE
                          TENTH COURT OF APPEALS

                                 No. 10-11-00046-CR

JONATHAN BLADIMIR REQUENO,
                                                            Appellant
v.

THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                                                            Appellee

                           From the 12th District Court
                              Walker County, Texas
                              Trial Court No. 24819

                          MEMORANDUM OPINION

      Jonathan Bladimir Requeno appeals from a two year sentence in the state jail

which was imposed for the offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, pursuant to

a plea of guilty with no agreement as to the sentence to be imposed. See TEX. PEN. CODE

ANN. § 31.07 (West 2003). Requeno complains that the trial court erred by considering

the pre-sentence investigation (PSI) because it was never admitted into evidence and by

reviewing the PSI prior to determining his guilt that contained the offense report, which

resulted in an improper ex parte communication and constituted judicial misconduct.

Because we find no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
       Requeno pled guilty on September 13, 2010, at which time the trial court found

that the evidence was sufficient to establish Requeno’s guilt but deferred a finding of

guilt, and the case was reset for sentencing at a later date so that a PSI could be

conducted. Sentencing was reset twice, and Requeno did not appear for either date. On

the second date, the trial court pronounced sentence without Requeno’s presence.

During that hearing, Requeno’s trial counsel objected to the trial court’s consideration

of the offense report which originally was attached to the PSI because it contained

hearsay and information about unrelated offenses. The State contended that the offense

report was not being offered as part of the PSI. The PSI had been offered into evidence,

but was not formally admitted. The trial court found Requeno guilty and assessed his

sentence at two years in the state jail, the maximum sentence for that offense. Pursuant

to a motion filed by Requeno’s trial counsel after that hearing, the trial court later

imposed sentence in open court in Requeno’s presence after Requeno was arrested.

Consideration of Evidence Not Formally Admitted

       Requeno complains that the trial court erred by considering the PSI, which had

the offense report attached, because it was offered but not admitted into evidence. A

review of the record demonstrates that the PSI was offered by the State, and both

parties referred to the PSI during the sentencing hearing, and Requeno’s trial counsel

asked the trial court to consider certain portions of it relating to Requeno’s alcoholism

in mitigation for Requeno’s commission of the offense. Evidence that is not formally

introduced and that is treated by the trial court and the parties as if it had been

admitted is, for all practical purposes, admitted. See, e.g., Cornish v. State, 848 S.W.2d
144, 145 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993) (juror information cards referred to by court and parties

Requeno v. State                                                                    Page 2
may be considered in Batson challenge although not formally offered or admitted);

Heberling v. State, 834 S.W.2d 350, 355-56 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992) (exhibit placed before

jury and referred to by witnesses sufficient to sustain verdict although not formally

offered or admitted).

       Further, Requeno did not object to the trial court’s consideration of the PSI

because it had not been offered into evidence. Rule of Appellate Procedure 33.1(a)

requires a timely objection to be made in order to preserve error. See TEX. R. APP. P.

33.1(a). The purpose of this is for the trial court to remedy any errors immediately,

which could easily have been done by the trial court’s ruling on the admissibility of the

PSI. The trial court did not err by considering the substance of the PSI.

Due Process and Ex Parte Communications

       Requeno argues the trial court violated his federal and state due process rights

by reviewing the PSI before finding him guilty and engaged in an improper ex parte

communication by considering the PSI and offense report. See U.S. CONST. AMEND. V,

XIV; TEX. CONST. art. 1, § 19. The State argues that Requeno waived these complaints

due to a failure to object to the trial court on that basis. Due process and due course of

law violations are waived when a defendant fails to assert them in the trial court. See

Cockrell v. State, 933 S.W.2d 73, 88-89 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996) (preservation requires

timely objection); Curry v. State, 910 S.W.2d 490, 496 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995) (en banc)

(finding due process and due course of law complaints were not preserved for review

absent timely, specific objection).   While Requeno’s trial counsel did object to the

consideration of the offense report that was attached to the court’s PSI, there was no

objection to the trial court on the basis of due process or as being an ex parte

Requeno v. State                                                                    Page 3
communication. His objection in the trial court does not comport with those he is

making on appeal. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a). Accordingly, we conclude that Requeno

waived these issues by not making a specific, timely objection in the trial court.

       Even if Requeno had preserved his due process complaint for our review, it is

without merit. Where, as here, the defendant has pleaded guilty, signed a judicial

confession, and stipulated to evidence of guilt, and the trial court has found the

evidence sufficient to support a finding of guilt, the trial judge is statutorily authorized

to review a PSI report before formally entering a finding of guilt. See TEX. CODE CRIM.

PROC. ANN. art. 42.12, § 9(c) (West Supp. 2010) (A judge may not inspect a PSI and

disclose its contents to any person unless the defendant pleads guilty or nolo

contendere or is convicted of the offense.). Thus, the trial court was authorized to

review the PSI in this case because Requeno had previously entered a guilty plea. We

overrule issue one.

Conclusion

       Having found no reversible error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                          TOM GRAY
                                          Chief Justice

Before Chief Justice Gray,
       Justice Davis, and
       Justice Scoggins
Affirmed
Opinion delivered and filed July 20, 2011
Do not publish
[CR25]

Requeno v. State                                                                      Page 4