Court Opinion

ID: 9768442
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 06:02:54.340424+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:40.911322
License: Public Domain

*761TEAGUE, Judge,
dissenting.
I am compelled to dissent to the majority’s decision overruling applicant’s motion for rehearing without written opinion because I find from the record before us that Robert Rose, a Dallas attorney, is not guilty of contempt of court for asking the complaining witness in the case in which he was defending, Donald Lee Creager, who was accused of raping the complaining witness in that cause, the following question: “I take it nothing like that ever happened to you before?” [My emphasis.]
The majority opinion on original submission, in sustaining the trial judge’s order of contempt, actually emasculates part of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Federal Constitution and part of Art. I, Sec. 10, of the Texas Bill of Rights, which give an accused person the right to confront and cross-examine the State’s witnesses.
I strongly suggest to every law student who aspires to become another Richard “Racehorse” Haynes of the criminal defense bar to carefully read the majority opinion. After doing so, I suspect that many of those persons will immediately cast their eyes in another direction as to what field of law they might desire to practice after they leave law school.
The record before us reflects that prior to trial, but without any reason shown why such occurred, the trial judge admonished Rose in the following manner, which I have copied verbatim from the record: “I have had one or two conferences in chambers with the lawyers relative to two things; the first of which is division of Penal Code, what is currently Section 22.065, evidence previous sexual conduct. This is an indictment charging the Defendant with the felony offense of rape and under that particular section of the Penal Code as it is now numbered, I want to caution you, Mr. Rose, that you give strict compliance to that and that no questions are to be asked of the victim, alleged victim, and no evidence is to be offered in any way, going into prior sexual activity of the victim under that statute. First, advise the Court to retire the Jury and outside the presence of the Jury in a closed hearing, make it known to the Court your desires regarding going into such matters.... ” [My Emphasis.]1 Rose, however, was not ordered not to ask the specific question that he asked the witness, for which he stands convicted of contempt of court.
The record also reflects that during the in camera judicial hearing the trial judge was notified by one of the prosecuting attorneys that the State was going to file a written motion in limine, “somewhere along those lines [referring to the above admonishments that the trial judge gave Rose].... ” The prosecutor also made it known to the trial judge that he would seek, through his written motion in limine, an order prohibiting Rose from making “any references to drugs or drug usage by the victim,” to which the trial judge responded: “Mr. Rose can certainly go into the res gestae of the offense but as to prior sexual activity he has to comply with the statute. I will extend that [the motion in limine] to prior drug activity if it’s not part of the res gestae.” Whether the trial judge actually approved the State’s written motion in limine is not revealed by the record before us, nor is the written motion in limine in the record before us.
The majority opinion on original submission states and holds that the above oral statements of the trial judge were sufficiently “clear and unambiguous” to put Rose on notice that he was prohibited from asking the complaining witness the following question: “I take it nothing like that ever happened to you before?” I disagree.
The trial judge found Rose guilty of contempt after concluding that the question Rose had asked the witness was “a direct inquiry as to whether the witness had been raped previously.” I also disagree with this erroneous conclusion.
*762The record reflects that prior to Rose asking the complaining witness what is now determined to have been a contemptuous question, the complaining witness had testified to the following, which comes to us from a stipulation between Rose’s present counsel and the assistant district attorney who now represents the State:2
The record reflects that the following occurred when Rose was cross examing the complaining witness:3
The meaning of the fatal question that Rose asked the complaining witness clearly escapes ascertainment or, at least, is so obscure as to be subject to numerous interpretations; thus, the question asked cannot be fairly construed to have been in violation of the trial judge’s pretrial “cautionary” instructions. Especially is this so when one tries to determine what Rose was referring to when he used the word “that” in his question, which actually compounds the ambiguity.
I find that everything that Rose stated to the trial judge during the above colloquy4 resulted from an invitation by the trial judge for Rose to explain why he thought that the question he had asked the witness was a proper question. Rose actually attempted to give his reasons but, as the record clearly reflects, the trial judge did not even give him the opportunity to intelligently state his reasons why he had asked the question. The record clearly reflects that in almost every single instance when Rose attempted to give his reasons for asking the question he was cut off by the trial judge.
Regardless how one might construe what occurred during the colloquy, such is nevertheless immaterial and irrelevant in deciding whether Rose is guilty of contempt of court for asking the witness the above question. It is now axiomatic in our law that it was improper for the trial judge and it would be improper for this Court to use any of Rose’s statements that he might have made during the colloquy that occurred in order to support the trial judge’s finding that Rose was in contempt of court, for the simple reason that he was then doing only what the trial judge had invited him to do — to give his reasons why he had asked the question. See Steinberg v. U.S., 162 F.2d 120 (5th Cir.1947), cert. denied, 332 U.S. 808, 68 S.Ct. 108, 92 L.Ed. 386 (1947). The die that caused the trial judge to find Rose guilty of contempt had already been cast and the colloquy cannot be used to support the trial judge’s finding that Rose was guilty of contempt for asking the above question, which is the only reason that is given for holding that Rose is guilty of contempt of court.
In Ex parte Slavin, 412 S.W.2d 43 (Tex.1967), the Supreme Court of Texas stated the guidelines to be followed in determining whether a court order is definite and certain enough to support a finding of contempt. The requirements are as follows: the order must spell out the details of compliance in clear, specific, and unambiguous terms so that the person who may be held in contempt will readily know exactly what duties or obligations are imposed upon him. Also see Ex parte Hodges, 625 S.W.2d 304 (Tex.1981).
In Ex parte Duncan, 42 Tex.Cr. 661, 62 S.W. 758 (Tex.Cr.App.1901), this Court stated the following: “Where the court seeks to punish either by fine, arrest, or imprisonment for the disobedience of an order or command, such order or command must carry with it no uncertainty, and must not be susceptible of different meanings or *763constructions, but must be in the form of a command, and, when tested by itself, must speak definitely to the meaning and purpose of the court in ordering.” If the court order itself fails to spell out the details of compliance in clear, specific, and unambiguous terms as to the act or acts that are to be performed, or are not to take place, then the order will not support a judgment of contempt. Also see Ex parte Gorena, 595 S.W.2d 841 (Tex.1979); Ex parte Padron, 565 S.W.2d 921 (Tex.1978).
The pretrial order in this cause is a punitive order and must be considered in that light. There also must be no doubt from the record that Rose intentionally and wil-fully violated it before he can be found guilty of contempt for asking the above question. See Ex parte Jones, 331 S.W.2d 202 (Tex.1960); In re Rumaker, 646 F.2d 870 (5th Cir.1980); Com. of Pa. v. L.U. 542, I.U.Op.Engrs., 552 F.2d 498 (3rd Cir.1977).
In this instance, Rose did not ask the complaining witness whether she had been raped before, as the trial judge erroneously found and the majority opinion erroneously states; nor did he ask her in substance if she had been raped before, as the trial judge erroneously found and as the original opinion in this cause erroneously stated; nor did he ask her about her previous sexual conduct, as the majority opinion erroneously holds. Instead, he asked the witness the following question: “I take it nothing like that ever happened to you before?” What does the use of the word “that” refer to? In this instance, the use of the word “that” could have many meanings, in light of what the record reflects had previously occurred. The record does not reflect what Rose’s next question might have been or in which direction he was then headed when he was interrupted by the prosecuting attorney’s objection.
The question that must be answered is not what the statute might mean, why it was enacted, what meaning certain words and terms of the statute might have, or the like, as the opinion on original submission implies. The question, instead, is whether Rose violated the trial judge’s pretrial “order” in one of the following ways: (1) advising the jury of specific instances of the witness’ prior sexual conduct; (2) advising the jury in general of the witness’ prior sexual conduct, (which is what V.T.C.A., Section 22.065 prohibits an attorney asking a victim); or (3) advising the jury in general about the witness “prior sexual activity,” which is what the trial judge in this cause actually cautioned Rose not to ask the witness about until a hearing had been held outside of the jury’s presence on the propriety of such a question.
It is now elementary law that a trial judge possesses the authority and power to establish rules and give instructions governing the trial of a cause, and, in the absence of a showing that such are null and void, an officer of the court is duty bound to abide by them even if the rules and instructions are later found to be erroneous. Thus, in this instance, the trial judge’s pretrial “order,” that Rose was not to question the witness about her “prior sexual activity” until he had ruled on the issue outside of the jury’s presence, was effective, whether correct or not, and the controlling question is whether or not Rose violated this “order.”
The trial judge’s “order,” under our contempt law, must be strictly construed, and it may not be enlarged or broadened by construction and inference. Ex parte Jones, 331 S.W.2d 202 (Tex.1960). In this instance, the majority opinion violates the latter principle by bootstrapping the colloquy into the question in order to bring the question within the purview of the trial judge’s pretrial cautionary admonitions. This is impermissible. Steinberg v. United States, supra.
I find that the question that is before us, whether Rose is guilty of contempt of court, is not even a close one. Based upon the record before us, and the applicable law, the question should be answered in the negative.
This is not a case where the trial judge ruled that a specific question was not to be ásked and the attorney persisted in asking the question. Cf. Ex parte Fisher, 206 *764S.W.2d 1000 (Tex.Cr.App.1948), affirmed, Fisher v. Pace, 336 U.S. 155, 69 S.Ct. 425, 93 L.Ed. 569, rehearing denied, 336 U.S. 928, 69 S.Ct. 653, 93 L.Ed. 1089 (1949). Nor does the record reflect that Rose conducted himself with other than dignity and the proper attitude when he was cross-examining the complaining witness and when he addressed the trial judge. He asked the witness what he thought was a proper question, but which the prosecuting attorney thought was an improper and objectionable question. Whether the prosecution attorney’s objection was ever ruled upon by the trial judge is not reflected by the record before us.
In light of what is before us, to hold Rose in contempt of court on this record for merely asking the above question is itself contemptuous.
In closing, I am compelled to agree with what Rose’s present counsel, Hon. Jim Vol-lers, a former member of this Court, has stated: “[I]f this court’s ... decision is allowed to stand, the power of contempt has been tremendously broadened in this State. From this point forward an attorney who violates a Motion in Limine, no matter how innocently or inadvertently he acted, and no matter how broadly the motion is drawn, is subject to a contempt finding by the trial court ... Furthermore, no matter how vague the order [or how ambiguous the question asked might be], conduct can be made criminal which could not be reasonably foreseen to have been criminal by the party involved.”
For all of the above reasons, I respectfully dissent.
APPENDIX A
The first State’s witness at guilt/innocence was Donna Kay Lewis Johnson, the complaining witness in the rape case. She testified that on February 27, 1982, she lived alone at 5815 Tremont, Dallas County, Texas, in an apartment.
She testified that she got off work at 5:00 p.m. that day. Later in the evening at 9:00 p.m. she watched T.Y. Then at 10:15 p.m. she went to bed. At 12 midnight, there was a knock at the door. Ms. Lewis got up and answered the door. She opened the door and saw the Defendant Creager standing there. The man asked her if “Barbara” was there. Barbara was her foster sister. She told him that she wasn’t there but that she had her address and phone number. Barbara had lived there before, according to Ms. Lewis.
Ms. Lewis asked the Defendant if he wanted to come in since it was cold and she couldn’t find Barbara’s address. She wrote the address down and laid it beside him. Ms. Lewis noticed liquor on his breath. They began to talk about Barbara. He asked her if she had any pot, and she said, “No.” He said he did, and he asked her if she wanted to smoke a joint. She said, “Yes.” Then he reached into his pocket to pull it out, said he left it in his car and needed to get it. He got it and came back in. They chatted and smoked the joint. She testified that he was real drunk and high and said he didn’t want to get back on the street in that condition. She told him she agreed with him. He asked if she’d take him to a motel, and she asked him to leave. She testified that he insisted she take him to a motel, and she, still thinking he was a friend of Barbara, agreed to take him to a motel.
As Ms. Lewis continued, she stated she went to the bathroom, reached for the light in the bathroom, and the Defendant came up behind her and grabbed her. She testified she sank to the floor and said, “Oh, my God.” He picked her up and threw her across the kitchen. He said she knew what he wanted. She said that by that time he was taking her into the bedroom/living room. It was an efficiency apartment. He told her that he wanted her to “suck his dick.” She said, “No,” and he then said, “Yes.” She said she shook her head no and he grabbed her by her waist. Her knees went to the floor. He undid his pants and she was still resisting. With his hand, he reached into his pocket and said, “I'll hurt you if you don’t do this.” She testified she was scared and thought he might have a weapon in his pocket. When he said that, she testified she stopped re*765sisting. She then did what he wanted and put her mouth on his penis. He held her up to him. Ms. Lewis felt a thin flat object in his pocket, she testified. It could have been a knife. As she cried and pleaded with him to stop, he told her he would make her do it one way or the other. He told her he would cut her if she didn’t do what he wanted. Then he forced her on to the bed, took the remainder of his clothes off, tried to put his penis in her vagina, but could not because he could not get an erection. She testified he made her perform oral sex on him, saying it was necessary for him to get an erection. She did it, he got an erection, then he penetrated her, entered her vagina, and had intercourse with her — his penis penetrated her vagina.
During the sexual intercourse, she testified she began to resist. He said that if she didn’t help him get an erection, he would get his “nigger.”
After the sex, he got up, put his clothes on, picked his cigarettes off the table and left. She bolted the door after him. She was numb. She testified she then put her clothes on and drove to the hospital. She told the nurse she’d been raped. The police were called.
APPENDIX B
BY MR. ROSE:
Q. You say you bought a gun after this?
A. Yes, yes.
Q. And you got a peep-hole installed?
A. Yes.
Q. I take it nothing like that ever happened to you before?
MR. PHILLIPS: Object strenuously to that ...
THE COURT: I sustain the objection.
Ladies and gentlemen, would you go back in the Jury room, please.
(Whereupon, the Jury was retired and the following proceedings were had outside the presence and hearing of the Jury:)
THE COURT: Mr. Rose, before this trial started I went over the Penal Code with you. I pointed out what it says about the prior sexual conduct of a victim of a rape case. And I told you at that point in time that you could not inquire into that without going into chambers and having a sealed, closed meeting that was under our law, closed to the public. Before I say anything more, have you got any good reason to explain to me why you would ask this witness if she had, in essence, ever been raped before?
MR. ROSE: Judge, I understood that to be her promiscuity as related to promiscuity and the prosecutor brought up the fact about the gun, he brought up the fact about the peep-hole—
THE COURT: No, your question to her, has anything like this ever happened to her before.
MR. ROSE: I was not talking about promiscuity—
THE COURT: You are talking about if she’s ever been raped before, right?
MR. ROSE: I am asking her, yes, sir.
THE COURT: All right.
MR. ROSE: Has nothing to do with sexual conduct regarding promiscuity or sexual conduct—
THE COURT: That, Mr. Rose, may be decided by somebody else but you are in contempt of Court and your punishment is fixed at a five hundred dollar fine. I will hold this in abeyance pending the end of the trial. At the end of the trial I will enter an order, give you your rights and have you certified to the Presiding Judge and let you have your personal bond. We are going to take a ten minute recess and if this happens again during the course of this trial, after all the admonishments I have given you, I will deal with it again. Do you understand what I’m saying?
MR. ROSE: Yes, sir. Judge—
THE COURT: You take the next ten minutes to go read the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Penal Code and specif*766ically the article in the Penal Code dealing with this evidence, because as far as I’m concerned, you are in direct violation, not only in this statute but by my order in this whole matter. We will take ten minutes and then we will start up.
Whereupon, this concludes all of the requested excerpts had in the hearing in this cause.)

. By analogy, the statements of the trial judge closely resemble the meaning of a yellow traffic light; such does not inform a motorist that he must come to a complete stop, it only means that the motorist should proceed with caution and care.

. The stipulation is attached to this opinion as "Appendix A.”

. This excerpt from the record is attached to this opinion as "Appendix B."

. The colloquy closely resembles a motorist learning that he had been confronted with what he thought was a yellow caution light rather than a red light, in that Rose learned through the colloquy that the question he had asked the witness fell within the purview of the trial judge’s “cautionary” admonishments. See ante. It was only through the colloquy that Rose learned that the "traffic light" that he had just approached was a red light, rather than a yellow caution light. The record before us reflects that thereafter Rose obeyed all of the remaining "red traffic lights” with which he was confronted.