Court Opinion

ID: 4066488
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 22:39:23.529562+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:52:45.924020
License: Public Domain

PD-0656-15
                                                                 COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                                                                                  AUSTIN, TEXAS
                                                                 Transmitted 8/17/2015 6:21:02 PM
                                                                  Accepted 8/18/2015 11:31:57 AM
                                                                                   ABEL ACOSTA
                                                                                           CLERK

                                  PD-0656-15

              COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS

                            LAWAN PALUMBO,
                                Appellant,

                                      vs.

                          THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                                Appellee.

On Petition for Discretionary Review from the First Court of Appeals in Cause No.
 01-13-01072-CR, affirming the conviction in Cause No. 1868453, In the County
              Criminal Court at Law No. 5 of Harris County, Texas.

     APPELLANT'S PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

                                            VICTORIA ERFESOGLOU
                                            Attorney at Law
                                            SBN: 24076370
                                            202 Travis, Suite 304
                                            Houston, Texas 77002
       August 18, 2015
                                            Tel: (713) 252-4738
                                            Fax: (832) 201--8225
                                            verfeso@gmail.com

                                            Counsel for Appellant
              IDENTITY OF JUDGE, PARTIES AND COUNSEL

Trial Court Judges:                         Hon. Leslie Brock Yates
                                            Hon. Margaret Harris
                                            County Criminal Court at Law No. 5
                                            Harris County, Texas
                                            1201 Franklin Street, 7th Floor
                                            Houston, Texas 77002

Parties to the Judgment:                    Lawan Palumbo
                                            The State of Texas

Names and addresses of
trial counsel (State) :                     Kristena Glenn
                                            Alvin Adjei
                                            Christopher Handley
                                            Assistant District Attorneys
                                            Harris County, Texas
                                            1201 Franklin Street, 6th Floor
                                            Houston, Texas 77002

Name and address of
trial counsel (Defense):                    Joaquin Jimenez
                                            7575 Gulf Freeway
                                            Houston, Texas 77017

Counsel on appeal for the State of Texas:   Abbie Miles
                                            Alan Curry
                                            Assistant District Attorney
                                            Harris County, Texas
                                            1201 Franklin Street, 6th Floor
                                            Houston, Texas 77002

Counsel on appeal for the Appellant:        Allison Jackson
                                            601 Sawyer Street, Ste. 105
                                            Houston, Texas 77007

Counsel for PDR for the Appellant:          Victoria Erfesoglou
                                            202 Travis, Suite 304
                                            Houston, Texas 77002
                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                 PAGE

Identity of Judge, Parties and Counsel:                                          1

Table of Contents:                                                               11

Index of Authorities:                                                             lV

Statement Regarding Oral Argument:                                                V1

Statement of the Case:                                                            V1

Statement of Procedural History:                                                  vu

Grounds for Review:                                                               1

Ground for Review One

Where Officer Smith testified that he groped the Appellant's breasts and buttocks
prior to arresting her, did the court of appeals err in concluding that such behavior did
not violate the Appellant's constitutional or statutory rights, and that she was
therefore not entitled to a jury instruction under article 38.23(a)?

Ground for Review Two

Given the violation to Appellant's body, the court of appeals err in holding that
Appellant's trial counsel was not ineffective when he did not attack the admissibility
of Smith's testimony or his audio recording on the theory that Appellant could not
have invoked Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 38.23(a).

Ground for Review Three

The court of appeals erred in upholding the trial court's refusal to provide the
Appellant, after she repeatedly requested one, and to instead treat Appellant as a
person "with a lower education."

Argument Under Grounds for Review:                                                2

                                            ii
                          TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont'd)

                                                         PAGE

Prayer for Relief:                                       17

Certificate of Service:                                  18

Certificate of Compliance:                               19

Appendix (Palumbo v. State):                           appendix

                                      iii
                                   INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

Cases                                                                                                 Page

Baltierra v. State, 586 S.W.2d 553, 556-9 (Tex. Crim. App. 1979) ......... .. ...... . .. . ... 14

Chavez v. State, 9 S.W.3d 817, 819 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) . . ..... ... ......... . ....... 7, 11

Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 42 (2004) .. . . ...... ... ...... ........... .... . . .... . .... 14

Fullerv. State, 829 S.W.2d 191, 202 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992) ........................... 7, 11

Garcia v. State, 149 S.W.3d 135 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004) ... ........... ................ 14-15

Garcia v. State, 429 S.W.3d 604 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014) .... . ...... .. ...... ... ........ 14-16

Hampton v. United States, 425 U.S. 484 . . ......... ... ...................... .. .. .. ............ 12

Lopez v. State, 574 S.W.2d 563 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978) .. . ..... ...... ... .... ... ....... .. . 10

Miller v. State, 177 S.W.3d 1 ... ... ...... .......... . . ....... ............... ... . . . . .. ..... 13, 14
(Tex. App. -Houston [1 st Dist.] 2004, no pet.)

Palumbo v. State, No. 01-13-01072-CR, 2015 ..... ..... ............... . . . ... .... ... ..... passim
(Tex. App.-Houston [1 st Dist.] April 16, 2015, no pet. h.)

Watson v. State, 10 S.W.3d 782, 784 .. ....... .. .... . .. ................................ 7, 11-12
(Tex. App. -Austin 2000, no pet.)

Wilson v. State, 311S.W.3d452, 458-9 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) ............ .. ... 7, 9-10, 13

Statutes and Rules

Health and Safety Code Ann., sec. 481.062(a)(4) ... . . . ..... ........... ..... . . .. ........... 9

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann., art. 38.23(a) ....... ... ...... ... ................... 6-10, 12-13

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann., art. 38.30 . . . . .... ........... .. ... .. ~ - ....... ..... ..... .... . . 14

Tex. Code Crim. Pro. Ann., art. 43.06 .... ... ...... ...... .................... .... .. . .. .. .. 10

                                                      iv
                            INDEX OF AUTHORITIES (Cont'd)

Tex. Const. art. I, sec. 19 .. ........ ... . . ............ . ......................... .. .... . ....... 12

Tex. Penal Code Ann., sec. 22.011(b)(8) .. ...... ... ............. .... .... . ..... . ....... . .... 12

Tex. Penal Code Ann., sec. 43.05 ........................................................... 12

Tex. Penal Code Ann., sex. 43.06 ........... . . .... .. ...... ....... ....... .... .. .. ... . . . . . .. 10

U.S. Const. amend. VI .............................. . ....................................... 13

U.S. Const. amend. XIV ......................................... . .......................... 12

Other Authority

George E . Dix & John M. Schmolesk:J, 6 Texas Practice and Procedure .. ....... .. . ... 10, 12
Criminal Law Sec. 25.6 (2d ed. 2015)

                                                      v
               STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT

        Appellant believes oral argument would assist the Court in disposition of the

issues presented. Oral argument would be helpful because the issue of whether an

officer's unfettered and unnecessary sexual contact with a suspect of prostitution is

sanctioned, is an important issue of state law that has not been, but should be, decided

by this Court. See Tex. R. App. P. 66.3(b) .

                           STATEMENT OF THE CASE

        The Appellant was charged by misdemeanor information with the class B offense

of prostitution, in cause number 1868453, alleged to have occurred on or about

December 17, 2012 (C.R. at 7). The punishment range for a Class B Misdemeanor is up

to 180 days confinement in county jail, and up to a $2,000 fine. The jury found

Appellant guilty (C.R. at 44). Although the Appellant filed an election for the jury to

assess punishment, Appellant reached an agreement on punishment with the State, for

180 days probated for one year, and a $2,000 fine (6 R.R. at 6) . The judge modified

Appellant's punishment to include a condition that Appellant reimburse the State for

attorney's fees for her appointed counsel (6 R.R. at 7). Appellant did not file a Motion

for New Trial. Appellant's Notice of Appeal was filed on November 26, 2013. (C.R. at

54) .

                                               vi
                 STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY

      On April 16, 2015, in a published opinion, the First Court of Appeals affirmed

the Appellant's conviction. Palumbo v. State, No. 01-13-01072-CR, 2015 (Tex. App. -

Houston [1 sr Dist.] April 16, 2015, no pet. h.). A motion for rehearing was not filed.

This Court has extended the time to file the Appellant's Petition for Discretionary

Review until August 17, 2015, which is the date that this document is being e-filed.

                                           vii
                             GROUNDS FOR REVIEW

                          GROUND FOR REVIEW ONE

      Where Officer Smith testified that he groped the Appellant's breasts and
buttocks prior to arresting her, did the court of appeals err in concluding that such
behavior did not violate the Appellant's constitutional or statutory rights, and that she
was therefore not entitled to a jury instruction under article 38.23(a)?

                          GROUND FOR REVIEW TWO

      Given the violation of Appellant's body, did the court of appeals err in holding
that Appellant's trial counsel was not ineffective when he did not attack the admissibility
of Smith's testimony or his audio recording on the theory that Appellant could not have
invoked Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 38.23(a)?

                        GROUND FOR REVIEW THREE

      The court of appeals erred in upholding the trial court's refusal to provide the
Appellant with an interpreter after she repeatedly requested one, and to instead treat
Appellant as a person "with a lower education."

                                             1
              ARGUMENT UNDER GROUNDS FOR REVIEW

   A. Statement of Facts Relative to Grounds for Review:

      The misdemeanor information in this case alleges, in relevant part, that:

... PALUMBO, hereafter styled the Defendant, heretofore on or about December 17,
2012, did then and there unlawfully, knowingly AGREE TO ENGAGE in sexual
conduct, namely, sexual intercourse, to-wit: STRAIGHT SEX, with B. SMITH, for a
fee ..... [and] deviate sexual intercourse, to-wit: ORAL SEX, with B. Smith, for a fee.
(C.R. at 7).

      Officer Smith (hereafter "Smith") went to the Pink Spa in an undercover capacity

   and paid a $60 door fee to "Lola," the manager. (4 R.R. at 70). Smith went to a

   massage room alone and Ms. Palambo (hereafter "Appellant") entered the room. (4

   R.R. at 49). At one point, "Lola" entered the room to ask if Smith was an undercover

   officer. (4 R.R. at 80) . Smith denied he was an officer and "Lola" left the room. Id.

   Appellant, now alone with Smith, never asked him if he was an undercover officer.

   (4 R.R. at 98). In the room, Appellant was nervous and afraid. (4 R.R. at 80). Her

   fear and nervousness was visible to Smith. (4 R.R. at 80-1). Smith told Appellant to

   relax, she was doing fine and assured her it was okay. Id.

      Smith's supervisor, Sergeant McDaniel (hereafter "McDaniel") was familiar with

   the Pink Spa. (4 R.R. at 35). McDaniel testified these kinds of massage parlors are

   locked from the inside, controlled by the manager at the door, and equipped with

   cameras. (4 R.R. at 26).

      In the room Smith took off his clothes and got on his' stomach. (4 R.R. at 72,

   78). Appellant was rubbing Smith when he asked her "How much is it to fuck?" (4
                                           2
 R.R. at 74). Smith testified that after some negotiating he offered Appellant $140 for

 sexual intercourse and oral sex. (4 R.R. at 75, 83, 84). He said Appellant agreed by

 shaking her head yes and saying, 'yeah, that's fine.' (4 R.R. 75). After Smith made

 the agreement with Appellant, he arrested her. (4 R.R. 84-5).

    Prior to her arrest, Smith testified he asked to see Appellant's breasts and she

 took her top off. (4 R.R. 81). He then touched her breasts. (4 R.R. at 81-2). Smith

 proceeded to ask what he was going to get for his money, and "how much is it to

 fuck?" (4 R.R. 82). Smith touched Appellant's buttocks too. (4 R.R. at 97). Smith

 explained that he touched Appellant's private areas to assure her that he was not an

 undercover officer, although Appellant never asked him if he was, and was already

. rubbing him. (4 R.R. at 74, 97-8).

    Appellant was acting nervous and embarrassed, and Smith told Appellant there

 was "no sense in being nervous or embarrassed." (4 R.R. 99). More than once, Smith

 testified that Appellant was mumbling, scared, nervous, and afraid. (4 R.R. 80, 81,

 98, 99). Although Smith said he did not coerce the Appellant, he admitted to telling

 her to relax and that "it" was okay. (4 R.R. 81, 85) .

    Appellant's trial counsel informed the court that Appellant is a Thai native

 speaker. (R.R. at 112). He also informed the court that it was not Appellant's

 decision to proceed without an interpreter. (4 R.R. at 111). During trial, Appellant
                                                           '
 did not have an interpreter. (R.R. at 1-116). When Appellant took the stand, she did

 not have an interpreter, and the trial court was concerned about Appellant's ability

                                           3
to understand English. (4 R.R. at 101-3, 112). The judge specifically asked Appellant

if she wanted an interpreter. (4 R.R. at 113). Appellant told the judge, multiple times,

that she wanted an interpreter. (4 R.R. at 113). Even after Appellant's requests, an

interpreter was never brought to court. (4 R.R. 113-4). The trial court ultimately

decided that the State could treat Appellant like someone with a "lower education,"

in lieu of obtaining an interpreter, and "explain" the questions being asked while on

the witness stand. (4 R.R. at 116). Similarly, the preceding evidence and witness

testimony, were never interpreted or "explained" for Appellant. (4 R.R. 1-116).

   Once the jury was brought back to the courtroom, the trial court informed the

jury that Appellant was comfortable going forward without an interpreter, even

though Appellant told the judge she wanted one. (4 R.R. 117). The exchange, in

relevant part, was as follows:

   THE COURT: I'm a little uncomfortable as to her fluency in English. Are you
   convinced that she's fluent in English?

   MR. JIMENEZ: It's a tough call. I was going to get an interpreterl but I think
   she knew enough to -

   THE COURT: Did you discuss it with her?

   MR. JIMENEZ: Yes.

   THE COURT: And was it her decision to go forward without an interpreter?

   MR. JIMENEZ: No.

                                         4
      THE COURT: Ms. Palumbo .. .I'm concerned that you might not understand
      everything that's happening. How do you feel about it? Do you feel like you
      understand what everyone is asking you and saying?

      THE DEFENDANT: You know, be honest with you, sometimes I understand,
      but sometimes the truth is the truth, you know. But I try to answer the truth,
      that's all I did.

      THE COURT: That's not my question, though. I just want to know whether you
      need an interpreter. Do you need someone to speak Thai with you?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes. First, I ask him because sometimes you know, like,
      the word fall, sometimes I don't understand.

      THE COURT: Okay. And you said early on - or before you asked him that.
      How about trial, though, are you okay testifying without an interpreter to speak
      Thai with you?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes.

      THE COURT: You're okay? You feel like you understand well enough?

      THE DEFENDANT: Yes.

      THE COURT: Because one of these lawyers is getting ready- I think Ms. Glenn
      is going to start asking you questions in English, and you need to be able to
      understand her correctly so that you can answer correctly.

      THE DEFENDANT: But may I ask you for the translator for a little bit, that's
      okay? Like with some questions I don't understand, like, I might ask my brother
      or something? (4 RR at 113-4).

      An interpreter was never brought for Appellant, during her testimony Appellant

asked "what you mean," "say again," more than once, and when the judge next asked

her if she understood, she replied, "I try." (4 R.R. 118, 120, 123, 129).

                                            5
   B. Appellant's Argument At The Court of Appeals, and That Court's
      Opinion:

       Appellant complained her trial counsel was ineffective by failing to attack, or

object to the admission of unlawfully obtained evidence, Smith's testimony and his

audio recording. Palumbo at 2. Appellant also argued the trial court committed

fundamental error by admitting said unlawfully obtained evidence; and failing to

provide a jury charge according to article 38.23 of the Texas Code of Criminal

Procedure. Id Lastly, Appellant complained the trial court erred by failing to appoint

an interpreter during Appellant's trial. Id

        Specifically, Appellant complained that the prostitution statute does not contain

a provision authorizing officers to violate that statute in order to conduct investigations.

Appellant further complained that Smith committed prostitution and violated the law

prior to arresting her, and the evidence against her was collected unlawfully. As a result,

Appellant complained trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel when he

failed to object and/ or attack the unlawfully obtained evidence. Since a 38.23

instruction was never provided, Appellant essentially argued there was unobjected-to

error in the court's charge which resulted in egregious harm. Appellant argued that the

trial court was aware of Appellant's inability to understand or communicate effectively

in English, yet an interpreter was never appointed for her. Id at 6, 9.

       The First Court of Appeals responded, in relevant pa.tit,

       article 38.23 prohibits any evidence obtained in violation of law from
       being admitted against an accused in trial of a criminal case. Tex. Code
                                              6
      Crim. Proc. art. 38.23(a) (West 2005). Nevertheless, article 38.23(a) does
      not 'confer automatic third party standing upon all persons accused of
      crimes, such that they may complain about the receipt of evidence which
      was obtained by violation of the rights of others, no matter how remote
      in interest from themselves.' Fuller v. State, 829 S.W.2d 191, 202 (Tex.
      Crim. App. 1992); see Chavez v. State, 9 S.W.3d 817, 819 (Tex. Crim. App.
      2000). The purposes underlying article 38.23(a) are the same as the
      purposes underlying the federal exclusionary rule: 'to protect a suspect's
      privacy, property, and liberty rights against overzealous law enforcement,'
      and the primary purpose 'is to deter unlawful actions which violate the
      rights of criminal suspects in the acquisition of evidence for prosecution.'
      Wilson v. State, 311 S.W.3d 452, 458-9 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) (emphasis
      added) ... .article 38.23(a) may not be invoked for statutory violations
      unrelated to the purpose of the exclusionary rule or to the prevention of
      the illegal procurement of evidence of crime.' Id; see also Watson v. State, 10
S.W.3d 782, 784 (Tex. App.-Austin 2000, no pet.). Id at 7-8.

      The First Court of Appeals found that all of Appellant's arguments concerning

article 38.23 hinged on her ability to invoke article 38.23 "for an alleged violation of the

prostitution statute." Palumbo at 7. The First Court of Appeals addressed the fact that

Smith agreed to pay Appellant money in exchange for oral and vaginal sex, but they did

not address the officer's acts of touching Appellant's breasts and buttocks. Palumbo at

2, 6. The court reasoned, since Appellant could not invoke article 38.23(a) based on the

officer's verbal agreement, her trial counsel was not ineffective by failing to attack the

officer's testimony and audio recording under article 38.23(a), and the trial court did

not commit fundamental error by admitting the evidence and omitting an article

38.23(a) instruction from the jury charge. Id at 8-9. Accordingly, Appellant's first three

complaints concerning ineffective assistance of counsel and the admission of the
                                                         '
unlawful evidence obtained by Smith were overruled based on her lack of standing to

                                             7
invoke article Tex. Crim. Code Pro., art. 38.23(a). Id The First Court of Appeals never

addressed the unnecessary touching of Appellant's private parts.

        Appellant also complained the trial court erred in failing to provide an

interpreter for her. This complaint was also overruled by the First Court of Appeals.

The appellate court found that the trial court addressed the issue of an interpreter with

Appellant during trial, and that Appellant was capable of understanding E nglish. Id at

10. The court of appeals responded further that Appellant told the trial court she did

not want an interpreter and that Appellant freely, and knowingly waived her right to an

interpreter. Id at 11.

   C. Argument Under Grounds for Review:

       1. Appellant's standing to invoke Tex. Crim. Code Pro., art. 38.23(a):

       Review is proper pursuant to Tex. R. App. Pro. 66.3(b) because the court of

appeals has decided an important question of state law that has not been, but should

be, settled by the Court of Criminal Appeals. Specifically, how much of Appellant's

body could Smith have sexual contact with, though unnecessary for his investigation,

before violating her constitutional rights, rights under due process, and providing

Appellant with standing to invoke Tex. Code Crim. Pro., art. 38.23(a)? How much

unfettered sexual contact was Smith allowed to engage in, even though it was not

necessary for his arrest of Appellant, before said conduct was sufficiently outrageous as

to violate the concept of fundamental fairness inherent in Appellant's due process

rights? Did said unnecessary sexual contact provide Appellant with standing to invoke
                                            8
Tex. Code Crim. Pro., art. 38.23(a), to challenge Smith's recording and testimony as

inadmissible evidence?

       The First Court of Appeals correctly agreed that the primary purpose of Tex.

Code Crim. Pro., art. 38.23(a) is to deter unlawful actions which violate the rights of

criminal suspects in the acquisition of evidence for prosecution. Id at 7. The primary

purpose of article 38.23(a) is to deter unlawful actions which violate the rights of

criminal suspects in the acquisition of evidence for prosecution. Wilson v. S fate, 311
S.W.3d 452, 459 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) . "Article 38.23(a) may not be invoked for

statutory violations unrelated to the purpose of the exclusionary rule or to the

prevention of the illegal procurement of evidence of crime." Id.

       In Wilson, the court stated that one of the principles in safeguarding against

officers' violations, is to address

       the harm that comes from the [actor's] disobedience of the law- damage
       to the authority of the government; a lessening of the public's confidence
       in our institutions; public cynicism, fear, and uncertainty and a social
       climate that is likely to lead to even greater disobedience. Id at 460. -

       The State often argues that trickery and deception are necessary in interrogations

and in order to catch criminals. Id at 461-2. However, this Court (opinion by Judge

Cochran, joined by Judges Price, Womack, Johnson and Holcomb) disagreed in Wilson.

Id. Undercover drug investigations, like drug buys, involve specific statutorily

sanctioned deception. Id at 463. The Texas legislature   specifi~ally   exempted liability for

officers to possess controlled substances during undercover drug buys. Id Health and

                                            9
r

    Safety Code § 481.062(a)(4), allows officers in the lawful discharge of their official

    duties, to possess controlled substances, without fear of penalty. Id at 463 n. 42.

    However, there is no legislative exemption for officers to tamper with government

    documents and/ or to fabricate evidence. Id Similarly, there is no legislative exemption

    for officers to commit prostitution, sexual assault, compelling prostitution, or other

    sexual acts on suspects. "Sometimes 'it takes a thief to catch a thief,' but the decision

    to exempt police officers from certain penal laws rests with the Legislature, not the

    court." Id at 463.

           An undercover officer is not an accomplice if he does not bring about the crime,

    and only collects evidence against those engaged in crime. Lpez v. State, 574 S.W.2d
563, 565 (Tex. Crim. App . 1978). However, officers who do participate in a crime, may

    freely testify under Tex. Penal Code Sec. 43.06 as an accomplice. Officers who testify

    in court in prostitution cases get immunity from prosecution under this theory as an

    accomplice witness furnishing testimony and/ or evidence. George E . Dix & John M.

    Schmolesky, 6 Texas Practice: Criminal Law sec. 25.6 (2d ed. 2015). However, the

    legislature did not provide officers with more than testimonial immunity in prostitution

    cases. There are several instances of officer immunity, beyond testimony, in cases

    similar to undercover drug investigations, but, prostitution is not among them. Here,

    the First Court of Appeals found that regardless of Smith's violations, Appellant could
                                                                  '
    not invoke article 38.23 or challenge Smith's unlawful conduct because she did not have

    standing. Palumbo at 8.
                                               10
          Under ChaveZ; and Watson, there is no third party beneficiary status to complain

about law enforcement conduct. Id; Chavez v. State, 9 S.W.3d 817 (Tex. Crim. App.

2000); Watson v. State, 10 S.W.3d 782 (Tex . App.-Austin 2000). In Watson, a female

undercover officer acting as a decoy solicited a 'john' to prostitution verbally. Watson at

783. At no time did the undercover officer touch the criminal suspect's private areas.

Id An agreement to exchange money for oral sex was made, and the suspect was

arrested. Id The female officer's verbal solicitation of the suspect to exchange money

for oral sex did not confer standing on him to trigger the exclusionary requirement. Id

at 784.

          In ChaveZ; the appellant did not allege any violation of her own rights. Chavez at

818. This Court in ChaveZ; relied on Fidler, where a defendant did not have standing to

complain about seized evidence because no invasion of his rights occurred. Id In Fuller,

the defendant made a sexual audio recording while he was in custody for capital murder

and attempted to give it to a female inmate. Fuller v. State, 829 S.W.2d 191, 201 (Tex.

Cr. App. 1992). The recording was intercepted by another inmate who turned it over

to law enforcement. Id. In all three cases, the defendants were found to not have

standing to invoke 38.23(a) because their personal rights were not violated.

          The facts in Fuller, Watson and Chavez are entirely distinguishable from this case.

Here, Smith admitted to touching Appellant's breasts and buttocks, even though she

                                                             ' necessary to the verbal
did not ask him if he was an undercover officer, and it was not

agreement made to exchange sexual intercourse and oral sex for money. (4 R.R. 74, 97-
                                               11
8) . Physically touching her body was not necessary for his investigation or arrest. A

decision stating Appellant does not have standing to assert a violation of her rights

when her private areas were violated by Smith is illogical.

   Perhaps the fairest reading of [Article 38.23] is that it must have been
   intended to permit challenges to evidence on the basis that the evidence was
   obtained in violation of a 'law' that serves to protect an individual's personal
   and property rights from infringement by others. George E . Dix & John lv1.
   Schmo!esky, 6 Texas Practice: Criminal Law sec. 25.6 (2d ed. 2015) .

At its core, the primary purpose of article 38.23(a) is to deter unlawful actions which

violate the rights of suspects. Watson at 784. Here the First Court of Appeals cited

Watson and found Appellant lacked standing to assert a violation of 38.23(a) because

Smith did not violate her constitutional or statutory rights. Palumbo at 8. However,

Watson is completely distinguishable from Appellant's case. The female officer in Watson

did not touch his genitalia or private parts. Id

       The due process rights guaranteed by the United States and Texas constitutions,

protect individuals against abusive government action. U.S. Const. amend. XIV; Tex.

Const. art. I, § 19. Even a predisposed defendant may have this kind of protection when

police over-involvement reaches a "demonstrable level of outrageousness." Hampton v.

United States, 425 U.S. 484, 495 n. 7, (Powell, J., concurring). Under Tex. Penal Code

Sec. 22.011 (b)(8), sexual assault occurs without the consent of the other person, if the

actor is a public servant who coerces the other person to submit or participate. Pursuant
                                                               I

to Tex. Penal Code Sec. 43.05, compelling prostitution occurs, if the actor knowingly

causes another by force, threat, or fraud to commit prostitution. Smith testified that
                                            12
"Lola" was the only person in the Pink Spa to ask if he was an officer. (4 R.R. at 80).

He admitted Appellant was nervous and afraid, and he had to tell her to relax. (4 R.R.

81, 85) . Smith's acts of touching Appellant's breasts and buttocks was not necessary to

conceal his identity. Smith answered that he wanted to see her breasts, but he did not

stop there. He proceeded to touch her breasts and her buttocks. Smith did not need to

touch Appellant's private areas to conduct his investigation. "A 'good faith,' or 'pure

motive' violation of Texas penal laws concerning the acquisition of evidence does not

render art. 38.23 inapplicable to the evidence obtained as a result of that violation."

Wilson at 465. There should be an incentive for officers to behave with integrity.

       Smith's motives in touching Appellant's private areas do not affect Appellant's

standing to invoke article 38.23(a). The touching played no part in Smith's probable

cause to arrest Appellant. Allowing officers to freely engage in this unnecessary sexual

contact, with no investigative purpose, with people in Appellant's position, shocks the

conscience.

       2. Appellant's Requests for an Interpreter and Her Waiver:

       Review is proper pursuant to Tex. R. App. Pro. 66.3(a) because the First Court

of Appeals' decision conflicts with the decision of another panel of the same court of

appeals, specifically, Miller v. State, 177 S.W.3d 1 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2004,

no pet.).
                                                                I
       The Sixth Amendment's Confrontation Clause provides that '[i]n all
       criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right ... to be confronted
       with the witnesses against him.' US Const. Amend. VI. This 'bedrock
                                            13
      procedural guarantee' applies to both federal and state prosecutions.
      Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 42 (2004) . Likewise the Texas
      Constitution guarantees that ... the accused be confronted by the
      witnesses against him. Tex. Const. art. I, sec. 10. Cross-examination has
      been described as 'beyond any doubt the greatest legal engine ever
      invented for the discovery of truth.' Miller at 5.

      This Court acknowledged that providing an interpreter to an accused who

doesn't understand English is required by the Confrontation Clause and by the Texas

Constitution. Baltierra v. State, 586 S.W.2d 553, 556-9 (Tex. Crim. App. 1979). This

concept has been codified in Tex. Code Crim. Pro., Art. 38.30, which states that even

on motion of the court, if it is determined that a person charged . .. does not understand

and speak English, an interpreter must be sworn to interpret. Miller at 6. Confrontation

clause guarantees are "simply lost to an accused who, because of a language barrier," is

deprived of meaningful cross-examination. Id.

       Review is also proper pursuant to Tex. R. App. Pro. 66.3(c) because the First

Court of Appeals has decided an important question of state law in a way that conflicts

with an applicable decision of the Court of Criminal Appeals in Garcia v. S fate, 149 S.W.
3d 135 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004), and in Garcia v. State, 429 S.W.3d 604 (Tex. Crim. App.

2014). Further, review is proper pursuant to Tex. R. App. Pro. 66.3(t) because the Court

of Appeals has so far departed from the accepted and usual course of judicial

proceedings as to call for an exercise of the Court of Criminal Appeals' power of

supetvls1on.

                                            14
       Absent an effective waiver that is knowing and voluntary an accused's rights

under the Sixth Amendment, as well as the ability to participate during trial in a

meaningful way, are violated. Garcia v. State, 149 S.W.3d 135, 145 (Tex. Crim. App.

2004) . If the judge is aware of a defendant's language barrier, the judge has an

independent duty to ensure the proceedings are interpreted for the defendant. Id at 144.

"It would be illogical to require a non-English speaking defendant to assert [her] right

to an interpreter in a language [she] does not understand, when [she] may very well be

unaware [of the] right in the first place." Id

       Without a knowing and intelligent waiver, defendant maintains the right. Id The

classic definition of waiver is an intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known

right. Id There must be evidence that a valid waiver occurred. Garcia v. State, 429 S.W.3d
604, 608 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014). Although the Court found in the 2014 Garcia case that

a valid waiver of the right to an interpreter occurred, there was evidence to support that

waiver was voluntary and intelligent. Id at 609. In that case, trial counsel discussed the

strategy of not getting an interpreter with Garcia, in Spanish, defendant's native

language, and a language in which trial counsel was fluent Id at 606. Garcia told trial

counsel, in Spanish, that he was in agreement with trial counsel's strategy not to get an

interpreter, and trial counsel interpreted all of the evidence and testimony to Garcia

during breaks. Id The prosecutor and the trial judge were made aware that trial counsel

would be interpreting the testimony for Garcia and that he' did not want to get an

interpreter due to strategy. Id.
                                             15
       Appellant's trial counsel was not fluent in Thai. An interpreter was never

obtained for her. While on the witness stand the trial court specifically asked Appellant

if she wanted an interpreter because she was a native Thai speaker. (4 R.R. at 112). The

trial court was concerned about her ability to understand English. (4 R.R. at 113).

Appellant said "yes," when asked if she wanted an interpreter, more than once. Id She

signaled that she was having trouble understanding multiple times. (4 R.R. 118, 120,

123, 129). The trial court instructed the State to treat Appellant as though she had a

"lower education," and "explain" things Appellant did not understand while she was

on the witness stand. (4 R.R. at 116). An interpreter was never brought for Appellant.

No one interpreted, or "explained" the preceding testimony or evidence for Appellant,

not in Thai and not as though she had a "lower education." Id Appellant was forced to

navigate the proceedings without fully comprehending her trial or the testimony against

her.

       The trial judge's decision to proceed without an interpreter, after Appellant asked

for one, was an abuse of discretion. The First Court of Appeals found that the trial

court did not act arbitrarily in deciding not to obtain an interpreter because Appellant

stated she did not want one. But Appellant asked for an interpreter more than once. (4

R.R. 113). She signaled to the judge that she did not understand the proceedings, more

than once. (4 R.R. 118, 120). The proceedings were never interpreted for her or
                                                               I
explained. Although Appellant asked for an interpreter, the trial court pressed on in

English, and decided not to get one. (4 R.R. 116). How many times did Appellant have
                                            16
to say 'yes' when asked if she wanted an interpreter in order for the trial court to secure

one?

                               PRAYER FOR RELIEF

       For the reasons stated above, the Appellant moves that this Court grant her

petition and reverse the judgment of conviction in this case, and remand the case for a

new trial.

                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

                                                        / s/ Victoria Erfesoglou
                                                        Victoria Erfesoglou
                                                        SBN 24076370
                                                        202 Travis, Suite 304
                                                        Houston, Texas 77002
                                                        Tel: (713) 252-4738
                                                        Fax: (832) 201-8225
                                                        verfeso@gmail.com

                                                        Counsel for Appellant

                                            17
                              CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

      I hereby certify that on this the 17rh day of August 2015, a copy of the foregoing

petition has been served on Alan Curry, who is the chief of the appellate division of the

Harris County District Attorney's Office, and on the State Prosecuting Attorney by mail

and/ or hand-delivery.

      ls/Victoria E rfesoglou
      Victoria E rfesoglou

                                           18
                           CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

      This petition complies with the type-volume limitations of Tex. R. App. Proc.

9.4(e) and 9.4(i). It contains 4,338 words printed in proportionally spaced typeface using

Garamond 14 point font.

       Isl Victoria Erfesoglou
      Victoria Erfesoglou

                                            19
                    APPENDIX

Opinion in Palumbo v. State, No. 01-13-01072-CR, 2015
    (Tex. App. Houston [ls• Dist.] April 16, 2015).

                         20
Opinion issued April 16, 2015

                                     In The

                             829 S.W.2d 191, 202 {Tex. Crim. App. 1992); see Chavez v. State, 9 S.W.3d

817, 819 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). The purposes underlying article 38.23(a) are the

same as the purposes underlying the federal exclusionary rule: "to protect a

suspect's privacy,    property, and liberty rights against overzealous law

enforcement," and the primary purpose "is to deter unlawful actions which violate

the rights of criminal suspects in the acquisition of evidence for prosecution."

Wilson v. State, 311 S.W.3d 452, 458-59 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). "As such, both

exclusionary rules are substantive in nature, as they provide a remedy of the

violations of those rights." Id. at 459.   Thus, although t,he plain language of the

statute suggests "that evidence obtained in violation of any law must be

                                           7
suppressed, ... [a]rticle 38.23(a) may not be invoked for statutory violations

unrelated to the purpose of the exclusionary rule or to the prevention of the illegal

procurement of evidence of crime." Id.; see also Watson v. State, 10 S.W.3d 782,

784 (Tex. App.-Austin 2000, no pet.) (collecting cases wherein article 38.23(a)'s

exclusionary rule was not applied to statutory violations and refusing to apply

exclusionary rule to violation of prostitution statute).

      Here, Palumbo's argument fails to take into account the purposes of article

38.23(a). Regardless of whether Officer Smith violated the law while conducting

this undercover investigation, 1 he did not violate any constitutional or statutory

right of Palumbo.     See Watson, 10 S.W.3d at 784.        Therefore, Palumbo lacks

standing to assert a violation of article 38.23(a), and she could not have invoked

article 38.23(a) in the trial court in an attempt to suppress Smith's testimony or the

audio recording. See Wilson, 311 S.W.3d at 459; Chavez, 9 S.W.3d at 819; Fuller,

829 S.W.2d at 202; Watson, 10 S.W.3d at 784.

      Because Palumbo could not invoke article 38.23(a) in this case, Palumbo's

trial counsel did not render ineffective assistance by failing to attack the

admissibility of Smith's testimony and the audio recording under article 38.23(a),

the trial court did not commit fundamental error by admitting the evidence, and the

      We express no opinion regarding whether Officer Smith committed the offense of
      prostitution or whether a law enforcement officer commits such an offense if
      acting solely in the course of his or her official duties.

                                           8
trial court did not err by omitting an article 38.23(a) instruction from the jury

charge.

      Accordingly, we overrule Palumbo's first three issues.

                             Right to an Interpreter

      In her fourth issue on appeal, Palumbo contends that the trial court erred by

failing to sua sponte appoint an interpreter for her because the trial court was

aware of her inability to understand English.

      Under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, an interpreter

must be provided to an accused who does not understand the English language.

See Garcia v. State, 149 S.W.3d 135, 140-41 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004); Miller v.

State, 177 S.W.3d 1, 5 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.).          An

accused may, however, waive the right to an interpreter, so long as the waiver is

knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. See Garcia v. State, 429 S.W.3d 604, 607-09

(Tex. Crim. App. 2014); Garcia, 149 S.W.3d at 144.

      We review a trial court's decision regarding whether to appoint an

interpreter for an abuse of discretion. See Perez v. State, No. 13-11-00366-CR,

2012 WL 1481535, at *2 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi April 26, 2012, no pet.)

(mem. op.); Abdygapparova v. State, 243 S.W.3d 191, 201 (Tex. App.-San

Antonio 2007, pet. ref d). And a "reviewing court will not conclude that a trial
                                                         I

court abused its discretion by not appointing an interpreter when the record shows

                                         9
the accused adequately understood English." Perez, 2012 WL 1481535, at *2; see

Abdygapparova, 243 S.W.3d at 201-03.

      Here, the record shows that the trial court was concerned about Palumbo's

ability to understand English.   But the trial court addressed this concern with

Palumbo at trial, and the record contains evidence that Palumbo was capable of

communicating in English. Palumbo's trial counsel informed the trial court that he

asked Palumbo if she wanted an interpreter and she stated that she did not.

Counsel further stated that Palumbo told him she understood what they had

discussed, that he was comfortable that Palumbo understood everything he told her

prior to trial, and that she appeared to understand everything that had happened at

the trial. Palumbo was able to answer each of the questions posed to her, and,

although she was informed that she could request clarification of any question she

did not understand, she only requested clarification of one question posed to her,

which she understood after the question was re-phrased. She testified that she has

operated several businesses that employed numerous English-speaking employees.

And, most importantly, she informed the trial court, when asked, that she was okay

without an interpreter and that she had understood the other witnesses ' testimony.

Under these circumstances, we cannot conclude that the trial court acted arbitrarily

or capriciously when it decided, after speaking with Palumbo on the record and
                                                          '

                                         10
observing Palumbo during the trial, not to appoint an interpreter in this case. See

Abdygapparova, 243 S.W.3d at 203.

      Further, the record shows that Palumbo freely and knowingly waived her

right to an interpreter. Palumbo's trial counsel discussed the possibility of getting

an interpreter with her, but she told him she did not want an interpreter. Moreover,

Palumbo informed the trial court that she could testify without an interpreter, that

she understood English well enough to testify, and, when asked if she would prefer

to wait for an interpreter or attempt to answer the questions posed to her without an

interpreter, that she would try to answer the questions.        Under these facts, the

record reflects that Palumbo validly waived the right to an interpreter. See Garcia,

429 S.W.3d at 609.

      Accordingly, we overrule Palumbo's fourth issue.

                                    Conclusion

      We affirm the trial court's judgment.

                                                Sherry Radack
                                                Chief Justice

Panel consists of Chief Justice Radack and Justices Brown and Lloyd.

Do not publish. TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).

                                           11