Court Opinion

ID: 9966133
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-05-05 21:13:05.481878+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:25:23.927222
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                        NO. WR-91,029-02

                    EX PARTE NOLAN RYAN OVERSTREET, Applicant

             ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
       CAUSE NO. C-396-W012330-0714331-B IN THE 396TH DISTRICT COURT
                         FROM TARRANT COUNTY

     Per curiam. YEARY, J., filed a dissenting opinion in which KELLER, P.J., joined.
SLAUGHTER, J., dissented.

                                           OPINION

       Applicant pled guilty and was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender. He was

sentenced to 90 days’ county jail under Texas Penal Code 12.44(a). Applicant filed this application

for a writ of habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this

Court. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 11.07.

       Applicant filed this subsequent writ in which he contends that he is actually innocent because

he did not have a duty to register. He states that he has previously unavailable evidence of his actual

innocence. Specifically, the Third Court of Appeals affirmed the Travis County District Court’s

determination that Applicant’s Colorado conviction is not substantially similar to a Texas offense
                                                                                                       2

requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). See Tex. Dep't of Pub. Safety

v. Anonymous Adult Montana Resident, No. 03-20-00565-CV, 2022 Tex. App. LEXIS 3506, at *7

(Tex. App.–Austin, May 25, 2022, no pet.).

        Based on the statutes in place at the time of Applicant’s failure to register, the habeas court

agreed with the appellate court’s determination that Applicant’s Colorado offense was not

substantially similar to a reportable Texas offense. The court determined that, in light of the appellate

court’s opinion, no reasonable juror could have convicted Applicant. The habeas court concluded

that Applicant established by clear and convincing evidence that he is actually innocent.

        We agree. Relief is granted. Robinson v. State, 466 S.W.3d 166, 170 (Tex. Crim. App. 2015);

Ex parte Harbin, 297 S.W.3d 283, 285 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). The judgment in cause number

0714331D in the 396th District Court of Tarrant County is set aside, and Applicant is remanded to

the custody of the Sheriff of Tarrant County to answer the charges as set out in the indictment. The

trial court shall issue any necessary bench warrant within ten days from the date of this Court’s

mandate.

        Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Correctional

Institutions Division and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Delivered: May 1, 2024
Do not publish