Court Opinion

ID: 4072736
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-30 03:09:20.348801+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:32:36.088402
License: Public Domain

PD-1409-15
                                                                    COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                                                                                     AUSTIN, TEXAS
                                                                    Transmitted 12/9/2015 4:41:24 PM
                                                                    Accepted 12/11/2015 12:02:54 PM
                                                                                      ABEL ACOSTA
                               No. PD-1409-15
                                                                                              CLERK

                                   IN THE
                         COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                           FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS

                       Trial Court No. 2007-1625-C2A
                     Court of Appeals No. 10-15-00032-CR

                                    ****

                          DAMON LAVELLE ASBERRY
                                      Appellant

                                       v.

                            THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                                        Appellee

                                    ****

                   Appealed from the Court of Appeals for the
                        Tenth Judicial District of Texas
                                Sitting at Waco

                                    ****

           APPELLANT'S PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW
                    ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED

                                    ****
December 9, 2015                            Walter M. Reaves Jr.
                                            100 N. 6th Street, Suite 802
                                            Waco, Texas 76701
                                            (254) 296-0020
                                            FAX# (877) 726-4411
                                            Attorney for Appellant

     December 11, 2015
NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO THE FINAL JUDGMENT

             STATES OF TEXAS:

            Mr. Abelino "Abel" Reyna
             Mr. Edward Vallejo
              Ms. Melanie Walker
 Assistant McLennan County District Attorneys
     219 North Sixth Street, Suite 200
             Waco, TX 76701

       APPELLANT'S TRIAL COUNSEL

                  Stephen Keathley
                    412 W. 3rd Av.
                Corsicana, Texas 75110

                    TRIAL JUDGE

             The Honorable Matt Johnson
                  54h District Court
             McLennan County Courthouse
               501 Washington Avenue
                  Waco, TX 76701

                           ii
                                          TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

LIST OF AUTHORITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

STATEMENT OF THE CASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

PROCEDURAL HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

QUESTIONS PRESENTED FOR REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

GROUNDS FOR REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

REASONS FOR REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

         Did the Court of Appeals err in holding it could not consider the court record in
         reviewing the decision of the trial Court since the record was not formally introduced
         at the hearing to consider the results of DNA testing?      .................... 1

PRAYER          ............................................................. 5

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

APPENDIX - Court of Appeals Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                                                          iii
                                          LIST OF AUTHORITIES

STATE CASES

Flores v. State, 150 S.W.3d (Tex. App. - 2004) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Jacobs v. State, 115 S.W.3d 108 (Tex. App. - Texarkana, 2003) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Turner v. State, 733 S.W.2d 218 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

STATUTES AND RULES

TEX. R. APP. PROC. 66.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

                                                          iv
                              STATEMENT OF THE CASE

       Appellant was charged by indictment with the felony offense of Murder. He entered

a plea of not guilty and a jury trial commenced on June 10, 2008, in the 54 th District Court

of McLennan, Texas, the Honorable Matt Johnson, presiding. The jury returned a verdict of

guilty on June 13, 2008. Punishment was subsequently assessed at Life in the Texas

Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division. No fine was assessed. Appellant

took his appeal to the Tenth Court of Appeals, which affirmed his conviction and sentence

in an opinion delivered on November 4, 2009. Asberry v. State, No. 10-08-00237-CR (Tex.

App. - Waco, Nov. 4, 2009), aff'd No. PD-0257-10 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011)

       Following the affirmance of his conviction, appellant filed a Motion for Forensic

DNA Testing. (C.R. 4-23) The motion was denied by a written order from the trial court,

which was issued on January 15, 2015 (C.R. 40-43)

                                PROCEDURAL HISTORY

       Appellant timely filed notice of appeal, and took his appeal to the Court of Appeals

for the Tenth Judicial District, sitting at Waco, Texas. In a memorandum opinion, dated

October 8, 2015, the Court found affirmed the judgement and order of the trial court.

Appellant now timely files this petition for discretionary review.

                                             1
                       QUESTIONS PRESENTED FOR REVIEW

       Did the Court of Appeals err in holding it could not consider the court
       record in reviewing the decision of the trial Court since the record was not
       formally introduced at the hearing to consider the results of DNA testing?

                                GROUNDS FOR REVIEW

       1. The Court of Appeals decision conflicts with the decisions of the Second, Fifth and

Sixth Court of Appeals, in holding the records of the trial could not be considered in a

Chapter 64 proceeding where the record was not formally introduced into evidence. TEX.

R. APP. PROC. 66.3(a).

       2. The Court of Appeals has decided an important question of State law which

conflicts with the decision of this Court, in holding the Court could not consider its own

records where the records were not formally introduced into evidence. TEX. R. APP. PROC.

66.3(c).

                                             2
                                 REASONS FOR REVIEW

                        REASON FOR REVIEW NUMBER ONE

       The Court of Appeals erred in holding it could not consider the trial
       Court record when reviewing the Court's findings in a Chapter 64
       proceeding, where the record was not formally introduced into evidence
       at the hearing.

       The State utilized DNA evidence at appellant’s trial in 2008. The initial investigation

revealed that the victim and appellant had been together at some point, and were seen in

appellant’s car. The car was examined for evidence, and a blood stain was found on a seat

cushion. The area was swabbed, and the swab was originally submitted in 2003 by Southwest

Institute of Forensic Sciences. (“SWIFS”) The initial analyst who tested the evidence was

Stacy McDonald. She testified that presumptive tests for blood were positive on the car seat,

cushion, seat belt and a shirt. (7 R.R. 60, 69) The initial testing was done in July. There was

a second round of testing in October 2003, which was performed by Timothy Sliter. (7 R.R.

70) That testing produced a partial profile; McDonald testified that 5 of the 8 markers found

matched the victim, along with an unknown male. She also testified that 1 in 2 people could

have those markers, which she conceded was a weak match. (7 R.R. 83, 92) She also testified

that appellant was included as a contributor to the seat cushion cutting, and a shirt that was

in the back of the car. (7 R.R. 83-84)

       The evidence was tested again in 2006, this time by Texas Department of Public

Safety Crime lab (“TDPS”). The car was still in storage, and cuttings were taken from the

seat cushions. Leslie Johnson, did the testing at TDPS and testified at trial that DNA was

                                              1
recovered from the seat cushion, but it did produce a profile. (7 R.R. 18-28) That testing was

done in May, 2006. Id.

       In July of 2013, Appellant filed a Motion for Forensic DNA testing pursuant to

Chapter 64 of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. (C.R. 4-23) Appellant sought an order to

test the evidence that had previously been tested. The court ultimately granted the motion,

and Ordered the evidence to be tested by the TDPS crime lab. (C.R. 26) Initially, there was

confusion over what had been tested, with the Department submitting a letter to the court

indicating the evidence had already been tested using the same test that would be used if the

evidence was re-tested. (C.R. 28-29) However, it was subsequently determined that different

items were tested; SWIFS tested cuttings that were taken from the seat cushions, whereas

TDPS had tested swabs from the cushions. (2 R.R. 12-13)

       When the evidence was re-tested, no results were obtained for one of the swabs from

the seat cushion or the two swabs from the shirt. However, results were obtained for the other

swab from the seat cushion, which was the same item that had produced the result testified

to at trial. Whereas the initial testing could not exclude either appellant or the victim, the new

test excluded both. (2 R.R. 15-16) Specifically, TDPS was able to obtain a mixture that was

consistent with at least three contributors, with both appellant and the victim being excluded.

According to Erin Casmus, the analyst from TDPS, she was able to obtain a “fuller profile”,

using a newer technique for extraction. (2 R.R. 17)

       Despite the difference in results, the State argued the new results would not have

                                                2
altered the verdict. The trial court agreed, and entered Findings of Fact. In those findings, the

Court found that “The State’s evidence aside from the DNA evidence presented at trial was

strong.” The court also found that the testimony of two jailhouse witnesses that was

presented at trial was credible. The court concluded by finding:

       that had the results been known at the time of trial, there is NOT a reasonable
       probability of innocence, and that it is NOT more likely than not that no
       reasonable juror would have convicted the defendant in light of the new
       evidence.

Law and Standard of Review

       Appellant appealed the ruling of the trial Court to the Tenth Court of Appeals in

Waco, Texas. In his brief, appellant pointed out the weaknesses in the State's case, and also

pointed out why the new results were significant. In doing so, appellant relied on the

evidence presented at trial, as well as the facts set forth in the original decision on appeal.

Instead of reviewing the entire record, the Court held that it was limited to considering the

evidence presented at the Chapter 64 proceeding. The could found that the "transcript of

Asberry's prior trial was not properly authenticated and entered into evidence at the Art.

64.04 hearing." Since the only evidence before the Court was the results of the new testing,

the Court of Appeals held appellant had not met his burden.

       Appellant suggests the holding of the Court of Appeals is contrary to the decisions of

every Court that has considered this issue. Appellant further suggests the decision conflicts

with the purpose of the Chapter 64, which necessarily entails a review of the prior

proceedings.

                                               3
This same issue was before the Sixth Court of Appeals in Jacobs v. State, 115 S.W.3d 108

(Tex. App. - Texarkana, 2003). There, it was the defendant who argued the Court of Appeals

was limited to reviewing the Motion for Testing, and the hearing on that motion. The Court

rejected that argument for several reasons. First, the Court noted the trial court would have

the entire file before it when reviewing a motion for post-conviction testing. Since the case

had been appealed, and the testimony transcribed, the trial court would have the reporter's

record available to review. The Court of Appeals held it should have access to the same

evidence, concluding "to hold otherwise would effectively thwart our ability to effectively

review these types of cases."

       Second, the Court noted that requiring the parties to re-offer all of the evidence would

be waste of judicial economy, and would turn DNA hearings into "quasi mini-trial." Finally,

the Court noted that it could also take notice of its own file from the direct appeal.

       Jacobs has been routinely cited for the holding that appellate review of a motion for

DNA testing "is not limited to evidence relating to the motion and/or hearing on the motion."

Flores v. State, 150 S.W.3d (Tex. App. - 2004) This Court has also held that a trial court can

take judicial notice of records of its own court in a case concerning the same subject matter

and between the same parties. Turner v. State, 733 S.W.2d 218 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987).

       Appellant suggests it would be nonsensical to hold a court could not consider records

from the same proceeding when ruling on a request for DNA testing. Such motions must be

filed in the same court, and in the same cause. As a result, the motion is filed in the same file

                                               4
that contains all the other records related to the case. Additionally, there is nothing that limits

the trial judge - or anyone for that matter - from looking at everything that has occurred in

the case, including the record of the prior trial. In this case, this Court was also in the same

position as the trial court. The prior appeal was to this court, and therefore all of the records,

including the reporters record, as available. To hold the court could not review its own

records makes no sense.

       If all that was not enough, there is no doubt that the trial court reviewed all of the

records. In its Findings of Fact the court recited that it had taken "judicial notice of the record

in all causes." (Supp. C.R. 32) If the job of this court is to review the decision of the trial

court, there is no way to do so without reviewing the same evidence the trial court reviewed.

       For all these reasons, Appellant suggests the Court erred in refusing to review the

record of the trial court proceedings, and for that reason, review should be granted.

                                           PRAYER

       WHEREFORE, APPELLANT PRAYS the court grant this petition, reverse the

decision of the Court of Appeals and remand the case for further consideration.

                                                5
                                                   Respectfully Submitted,

                                                    /s/ Walter M. Reaves, Jr.
                                                   Walter M. Reaves Jr.
                                                   100 N. 6th Street, Suite 802
                                                   Waco, TX 76701
                                                   (254) 296-0020
                                                   FAX # (877) 726-4411
                                                   TBA#16644200
                                                   walterreaves@att.net

                                                   Attorney for Defendant

                               CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing petition for discretionary review has been
delivered to Abel Reyna, District Attorney for McLennan County, Texas, and to the State
Prosecuting Attorney, P.O. Box 12405, Austin, Texas 78711, on this the 9th day of
December, 2015.

                                                    /s/ Walter M. Reaves, Jr.
                                                   Walter M. Reaves Jr.

                                              6
                      IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                                FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS

RUBEN MIGUEL ALANIZ                                  *
    Appellant                                        *
                                                     *
vs.                                                  No. PD-1409-15____________________
                                                     *     COA #10-15-00032-CR
                                                     *
                                                     *
THE STATE OF TEXAS                                   *
     Appellee

                                CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

       Pursuant to Rule 9.4(i)(3), I hereby certify that the Appellant’s brief filed in this cause

contains 2,221 words. The document was prepared using Wordperfect 12, and the word count was

generated using that program.

                                                    /s/ Walter M. Reaves, Jr.
                                                     Walter M. Reaves, Jr.
                                                     100 N. 6th Street, Suite 802
                                                     Waco, Texas 76701
                                                     (254) 296-0020
                                                     FAX (877) 726-4411
                                                     TBA# 16644200
                                                     Walterreaves@att.net

                                CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing certificate was mailed to the
Office of the District Attorney for McLennan County, Texas, on December 9, 2015

                                                    /s/ Walter M. Reaves, Jr.
                                                     Walter M. Reaves, Jr.

                                                7
                                IN THE
                        TENTH COURT OF APPEALS

                               No. 10-15-00032-CR

DAMON LAVELLE ASBERRY,
                                                        Appellant
v.

THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                                                        Appellee

                         From the 54th District Court
                          McLennan County, Texas
                        Trial Court No. 2007-1625-C2A

                         MEMORANDUM OPINION

      Damon Lavelle Asberry was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

TEX. PEN. CODE ANN. § 19.02(b) (West 2011). We affirmed his conviction, and our

judgment was affirmed by the Court of Criminal Appeals. Asberry v. State, No. 10-08-

00237-CR, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 8512, *1 (Tex. App.—Waco Nov. 4, 2009) (not

designated for publication), aff’d, No. PD-0257-10, 2011 Tex. Crim. App. Unpub. LEXIS

101 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011). Subsequently, Asberry filed a motion for DNA testing.
Based on the motion and the agreement of the parties, the trial court ordered testing to

be completed. After the results were obtained and a hearing held regarding those

results, the trial court made findings unfavorable to Asberry. Because there was no

error shown in the trial court’s findings, the trial court’s findings are affirmed.

        In his sole issue, Asberry contends the trial court erred in its finding that there

was not a reasonable probability that Asberry would have been acquitted had the new

results been known at the time of trial. Article 64.04 states that "after examining the

results of [DNA] testing under Article 64.03, the convicting court shall hold a hearing

and make a finding as to whether, had the results been available during the trial of the

offense, it is reasonably probable that the person would not have been convicted." TEX.

CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 64.04 (West 2006). After conducting the required hearing,

the trial court found:

        that had the results been known at the time of trial, there is NOT a
        reasonable probability of innocence, and that it is NOT more likely than
        not that no reasonable juror would have convicted the defendant in light
        of the new evidence.

        A de novo review is the appropriate appellate review of the trial court's rulings

under article 64.04. Frank v. State, 190 S.W.3d 136, 138 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]

2005, pet. ref’d); Hicks v. State, 151 S.W.3d 672, 675 (Tex. App.—Waco 2004, pet. ref'd).

In reviewing the trial court's article 64.04 ruling, we review the entire record to

determine whether Asberry established, by a preponderance of the evidence, that he

Asberry v. State                                                                      Page 2
would not have been convicted had the new results of the DNA test been available at

trial. See Frank, 190 S.W.3d at 138.

        In this case, there is virtually no record to show, or that could show, error by the

trial court. In addition to reviewing the previous and new test results entered into

evidence1 and the argument of counsel, the trial court relied on its own independent

recollection of the trial and found that it was “NOT more likely than not that no

reasonable juror would have convicted the defendant in light of the new evidence.”

        We have held that "testimony from a previous trial cannot be considered by the

trial judge at a subsequent trial unless it is admitted into evidence at the subsequent

proceeding." Davis v. State, 293 S.W.3d 794, 797 (Tex. App.—Waco 2009, no pet.) (trial

court erred in taking judicial notice of previous criminal trial in subsequent forfeiture

proceeding). In order for testimony at a prior hearing or trial to be considered at a

subsequent proceeding, the transcript of such testimony must be properly authenticated

and entered into evidence. Id. at 798. The transcript of Asberry’s prior trial was not

properly authenticated and entered into evidence at the article 64.04 hearing.

        The lack of a properly introduced record does not, however, benefit Asberry.

Asberry had the burden to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that he would

not have been convicted had the jury been presented with the new DNA test results.

1Although the previous DNA test results could not exclude Asberry or the murder victim as possible
contributors to the sample of DNA tested, the sample of DNA tested randomly matched half of the
general population. The current DNA test results excluded Asberry and the murder victim as possible
contributors.

Asberry v. State                                                                            Page 3
Because there is no record of the previous trial, we have only the test results to consider;

and those alone do not satisfy Asberry’s burden.

        Accordingly, Asberry’s sole issue is overruled, and the trial court’s findings are

affirmed.

                                          TOM GRAY
                                          Chief Justice

Before Chief Justice Gray,
       Justice Davis, and
       Justice Scoggins
Affirmed
Opinion delivered and filed October 8, 2015
Do not publish
[CRPM]

Asberry v. State                                                                      Page 4