Court Opinion

ID: 4055641
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 07:16:47.860134+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:26:54.219691
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                                 01-15-00200-CR
                                                      FIRST COURT OF APPEALS
                                                              HOUSTON, TEXAS
                                                            5/28/2015 5:26:38 PM
                                                           CHRISTOPHER PRINE
                                                                          CLERK

      No. 01-15-00200-CR
                                                FILED IN
                                         1st COURT OF APPEALS
                                             HOUSTON, TEXAS
               IN THE                    5/28/2015 5:26:38 PM
       FIRST COURT OF APPEALS            CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
           HOUSTON, TEXAS                        Clerk

      KRISTINE MARIE MURRELL,
              Appellant

                  VS.

         THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                 Appellee
      _____________________________

ON APPEAL FROM THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT
    NUMBER 14 OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
             CAUSE NO. 1973306
      ______________________________

         BRIEF FOR APPELLANT

                        J. Dennis Hester
                        State Bar No. 24065415
                        COGDELL LAW FIRM, PLLC
                        402 Main, St., 4th Floor
                        Houston, Texas 77002
                        Office:      713-426-2244
                        Facsimile: 713-426-2255

                        ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
                            IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES

       Pursuant to TEX R. APP. P. 38.1(a), a complete list of the names and addresses of

all interested parties is provided below so the members of this Honorable Court may

determine whether they are disqualified to serve or should recuse themselves from

participating in the decision of this case.

                             Complainant or aggrieved party:
                                   The State of Texas

                                  Appellant or Defendant:
                                   Kristine Marie Murrell

                               Trial Counsel for Appellant:
                                   Mark Alvan Metzger
                              1770 St. James Place, Suite 115
                                  Houston, Texas 77056

                             Appellate Counsel for Appellant
                                     J. Dennis Hester
                                402 Main Street, 4th Floor
                                 Houston, Texas 77002

                               Trial Counsel for the State:
                                      James Murphy
                          Harris County District Attorney’s Office
                              1201 Franklin Street, Suite 600
                                  Houston, Texas 77002

                                      Trial Judge:
                         The Honorable Judge Michael R. Fields
                     Harris County Criminal Court at Law Number 14
                              1201 Franklin Street, 7th Floor
                                 Houston, Texas 77002

                                              ii
                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES………………………..………..……………...…….. ii

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES…………………………………..…………………………. v

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

ISSUES PRESENTED……………………………………….…..……………………… 1

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS………………...….…………………………………… 2

A.   The hearing on Murrell’s motion to suppress.………………………..…………... 2

B.   The court’s ruling denying the motion to suppress.………………………………. 4

C.   The court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law.………………....................... 4

SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT…………………………………………...……….. 6

ARGUMENT…………………………………………………………………………….. 7

A.   Issue one: The court’s findings that Murrell was
     changing speeds frequently, was driving below the
     speed limit, and was in an area with “several” establishments
     that serve alcohol are conclusory findings that deserve no weight……………….. 8

     1.    The court’s finding that Murrell was driving 10 to
           15 miles per hour below the speed limit and was
           frequently changing speeds is a conclusory finding………………………. 8

     2.    The court’s finding that Murrell was in an area with
           a high concentration of bars and restaurants was a
           conclusory finding……………………………………………………….. 10

B.   Issue Two: The court’s findings that Murrell was “drifting”,
     that Simon was experienced in dealing with intoxicated persons,
     and that Simon testified that the time of the stop was when people
     would be leaving bars are unsupported by the record and
     deserve no weight……………………………..………………………………… 12

                                          iii
      1.    The Court’s finding that Simon observed Murrell “drift”
            is not supported by the record.………….…..……………………………. 13

      2.    The Court’s finding that Simon had extensive experience
            with intoxicated persons is unsupported by the record…………………... 13

      3.    The Court’s finding that “Simon testified that the time
            of the stop, approximately 1:30 a.m., was significant as
            that is when people would often be leaving bars and
            restaurants after drinking” is unsupported by the record………………… 14

 C.   Issue Three: The only evidence of intoxication was Murrell’s
      lane changes while signaling, which is insufficient to
      establish reasonable suspicion.……………………………….……………..…... 15

      1.    Frequent lane changes while signaling
            (even swerving) is insufficient…………..……….………………………. 15

      2.    Even if it were considered, Murrell’s driving slowly and
            alternating speeds is insufficient to establish reasonable
            suspicion of intoxication under totality of the circumstances…………… 16

      3.    Even if all factors are considered, the stop is not supported
            by reasonable suspicion………………………………………………….. 17

CONCLUSION AND PRAYER……………………………………………………….. 18

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE…………………………………………………………. 20

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE……….………………........................................... 20

                                       iv
                         INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

Cases

Bass v. State, 64 S.W.3d 646 (Tex. App.—Texarkana, 2001)……………….…………. 15

Castro v. State, 227 S.W.3d 737 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007)………...…………………... 6, 8

Commonwealth v. Johnson, 908 N.E.2d 729 (Mass. 2009)………………….…………. 12

D.R. v. State, 941 So. 2d 536 (Fla. 2d Ct. App. 2006)…………………………………... 12

Ford v. State, 158 S.W.3d 488 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005)……………………………... 8, 10

Foster v. State, 326 S.W.3d 609 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010)………..…………………….. 11

Garcia v. State, 43 S.W.3d 527 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001)………………………………... 7

Hernandez v. State, 983 S.W.2d 867 (Tex. App.—Austin 1998)…………….………… 15

Klare v. State, 76 S.W.3d 68 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist], 2002)………………… 10

Miller v. State, 393 S.W.3d 255 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012)……………………………. 6, 12

People v. Harris, 957 N.E.2d 930 (Ill App. 1st 2011)………………………………….. 11
Pet. v. Texas Dept. of Public Safety,
       404 S.W.3d 1 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.], 2013)…….……………………. 16

Richardson v. State, 39 S.W.3d 634 (Tex. App.—Amarillo, 2000)……………………. 16

State v. Kerwick, 393 S.W.3d 270 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013)……………………………... 7

State v. Palmer, No. 2-03-526-CR,
       2005 WL 555281 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth, Mar. 10, 2005)……………………. 17

State v. Roberts, 947 So. 2d 167 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2006)……………………………... 11

United States v. Hill, 752 F.3d 1029 (5th Cir. 2014)……………………………..…….. 11

United States v. Montero–Camargo, 208 F.3d 1122 (9th Cir. 2000)…………………... 10

United States v. Neufeld-Neufeld, 338 F.3d 374 (5th Cir. 2003)……………………….. 14

                                     v
United States v. Wright, 485 F.3d 45 (1st Cir. 2007)…………………………………… 10

Waller v. State, No. 05-09-00097-CR,
      2009 WL 4642850 (Tex. App.—Dallas, Dec. 9, 2009)………………...…… 17, 18

White v. State, No. 2-07-234-CR,
      2008 WL 1867139 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth, Apr. 24, 2008)…………………... 18

Statutes

TEX. R. APP. PRO. 9.4.………………………………………………………………….. 20

TEX R. APP. P. 38.1.……………………………………………………………………… ii

                                   vi
                            STATEMENT OF THE CASE

      On July 17, 2014, Appellant Kristine Murrell was charged by information with

misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. (CR 6.) On November 7, 2014, Murrell filed a

motion to suppress evidence. (CR 19-34.) On January 29, 2015, the trial court denied the

motion to suppress and Murrell pleaded guilty. (CR 42-43.) On the same day, she was

sentenced to one-year confinement, probated for one year. (CR 48.)

      The trial court certified Murrell’s right to appeal denial of her motion to suppress.

(CR 47.) On February 13, 2015, Murrell filed a notice of appeal. (CR 55-57.) On

February 16, 2015, the court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law. (CR 59-61.)

                                 ISSUES PRESENTED

      This case raises three issues, all regarding reasonable suspicion for the traffic stop:

       1.    Articulable facts or conclusory statements. Only articulable facts, not
             conclusory statements, can support reasonable suspicion. Here, the stop was
             justified based on driving at alternating speeds, below the speed limit, in an
             area with “several” bars. Nothing established how Murrell’s speed was
             determined—be it radar or pacing. The bar area was given no boundaries or
             specifics. Was suspicion wrongly based on conclusory evidence?

      2.     Unsupported fact findings. A court’s factual findings are given deference
             only if the record supports them. Here, the officer testified that Murrell was
             not weaving, did not fail to maintain a single lane, and that she changed
             lanes frequently but signaled each time. The trial court found that Murrell
             was drifting both “within” and “into the next lane”—facts that the officer
             never testified to. Does the record support that Murrell was “drifting”?

      3.     Totality of the circumstances. A traffic stop is justified only if the
             “totality of the circumstances” supports reasonable suspicion. Here, the
             officer stopped Murrell for suspicion of DWI, not a traffic offense.
             Omitting conclusory facts and facts unsupported by the record, an officer
             with 18-months experience observed Murrell engage in an unspecified
             amount of lane changes; signaling each time. Is this sufficient justification
             for a traffic stop?

                                             1
                            STATEMENT OF THE FACTS

       On November 7, 2014, Murrell filed her motion to suppress evidence. (CR 19-34.)

Among her arguments were that she was detained by law enforcement without reasonable

suspicion. (CR 20.)

A.     The hearing on Murrell’s motion to suppress.

       The hearing on Murrell’s motion to suppress was held on January 29, 2015. (RR

1.) The sole issue was whether the stop of Murrell’s vehicle was supported by reasonable

suspicion.

       Harris County Sheriff Deputy Junius Simon, who initiated the stop, was the

hearing’s only witness. He explained that, at the time of the stop, he had 18-months

experience in patrol and DWI investigations. (RR 5, 15-16, 23-24.) Simon testified that,

prior to joining the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (“HCSO”), he spent 14-years

employed with the U.S. Department of State as a lieutenant for the Bureau of Diplomat

Security. (RR 5, 24.) No further details concerning the nature of his State Department

employment or the reason for its termination were given. (See generally, RR 1-41.)

       The hearing established that, at approximately 1:30 a.m., on July 17, 2014, Simon

initiated a traffic stop of Ms. Murrell. The stop occurred near the intersection of

Kuykendahl Road and Cypresswood Drive in northern Harris County. (RR 5-7.) Simon

believed that Murrell’s vehicle was traveling below the posted speed limit and was

frequently changing speeds. (RR 6, 13.) According to Simon, Murrell never exceeded the

speed limit. (RR 6.)

                                              2
       At first, Simon claimed that Murrell was travelling 10 to 15 miles an hour under

the 40 mile-per-hour speed limit, and at varying speeds. (RR 6, 12-13.) On cross-

examination, he admitted that his offense report established that Murrell never travelled

more than 10 miles an hour under the speed limit. (RR 22-23.) He later testified that

Murrell drove at approximately 30 miles per hour throughout the encounter. (RR 27.)

       Simon never articulated how Murrell’s speed was determined—be it by radar or

otherwise. He explained that driving below the speed limit and changing speeds could be

a sign of intoxication, or of car trouble. (RR 15.)

       A second basis for the stop was that, after making a right-hand turn, Murrell made

an unspecified number of lane changes, signaling each time. (RR 8.) Simon did not

articulate how many lane changes Murrell made, but explained, “I would speculate it was

much – it was more than three times.” (RR 16.) Each time Murrell changed lanes, Simon

moved behind her. (RR 18-19.) Simon claimed that, on prior occasions, he had seen

intoxicated drivers signal just prior to changing lanes to “mask” a swerve to look like a

deliberate lane change. (RR 8.) But Simon did not describe Murrell’s lane changes as

failing to maintain a single lane, as drifting, or as “weaving.” (RR 21.) (“No, I didn’t

observe any weaving.”)

       Simon explained, over defense counsel’s objection, that there are “several” bars

and restaurants near the area where Murrell was stopped. (RR 9-10.) This “area” was

never defined in terms of borders, boundaries, or otherwise. No specific bars or

restaurants were named. No specific number or estimate of bars was provided. No one

asked Simon when, if he knew, the bars and restaurants closed in the area, or if they were

                                              3
still open at 1:30 a.m. He never testified that the area had heightened incidents of drunk

driving arrests or accidents as compared to any other area of the Houston metropolitan

area. Nor did Simon ever say he observed Murrell coming from any bar or restaurant—

and he apparently did not. (See RR 9-10.)

       Simon followed Murrell for approximately one and a half miles. (RR 20.) Based

on these facts, Simon conducted a traffic stop “solely for the issue of driving while

intoxicated and nothing else.” (RR 11-12.) He did not stop Murrell for committing a

traffic offense. (RR 13.) He did not have any concern for Murrell being in distress and

did not justify the stop based on his community care taking function. (RR 10, 19-20.)

B.     The court’s ruling denying the motion to suppress.

       At the conclusion of the hearing, the court denied Murrell’s motion to suppress.

(RR 40.) The court took “judicial notice that [Simon] has seen a number of intoxicated

persons” based on his experience with the Department of State. (RR 35.) The court found

the officer, “truthful when he says that that area of Kuykendahl is heavily populated by

bars that sell alcoholic beverages.” (RR 35.) The court continued to give significant

weight to this factor in justifying its denial of the motion to suppress. (RR 36-37.) The

court denied the motion to suppress and ordered the State to draft findings of fact and

conclusions of law. (RR 40.)

C.     The court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law.

       On February 16, 2015, the court adopted the State’s proposed findings of fact and

conclusions of law. (CR 59-61.) Among the findings of fact were:

                                             4
           8.    Simon observed the defendant driving at variable and erratic
                 speeds, generally dropping 10-15 miles per hour below the
                 speed limit.

           9.    Simon observed defendant turn onto Cypresswood Drive and
                 drift within her lane.

           10.   Simon observed the defendant change lanes frequently and
                 signal each time just before drifting into the next lane.

           11.   Simon observed the defendant continue to make evasive lane
                 changes when he pulled his vehicle behind hers.

           12.   Several establishments that sell alcoholic beverages are located
                 near where the stop occurred.

           13.   Simon testified that the time of the stop, approximately 1:30
                 AM, was significant as that is when people would often be
                 leaving bars and restaurants after drinking.

                                           ***

           16.   The Court finds that Officer Simon is a credible witness with
                 extensive experience in law enforcement, DWI investigation,
                 and observing intoxication.

(CR 60.)

      The court then made its conclusions of law, including:

           1.    Because the defendant repeatedly accelerated and decelerated,
                 drove 10-15 mph below the speed limit, made evasive lane
                 changes, given the location, time and circumstances, based on
                 his training and experience, Simon had a reasonable suspicion
                 that the defendant may be driving while intoxicated and the
                 defendant was lawfully detained.

           2.    Based on the totality of the circumstances when the defendant
                 repeatedly accelerated and decelerated, drove below the speed
                 limit, evasively changed lanes, and drifted within the lane, in
                 the early morning hours, where alcohol establishments were
                 nearby, combined with his experience and training, Simon had
                 reasonable suspicion that the defendant was driving while

                                            5
                 intoxicated and was justified in conducting a traffic stop to
                 further investigate that suspicion.

(CR 61.)

                          SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT

       Several of the trial court’s justifications for reasonable suspicion were improperly

based on Simon’s conclusory statements, rather than articulated facts. Castro v. State,

227 S.W.3d 737, 742 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). One such finding was the officer’s

subjective observation that Murrell was driving under the speed limit and was changing

speeds. No testimony explained how Simon determined Murrell’s speed—there is only a

conclusory statement that she was driving too slowly.

       Likewise, the trial court’s finding that the “area” where Murrell was stopped

contained a high number of “establishments” serving alcohol was purely conclusory. No

evidence of a number of bars was provided, nothing defined the borders of the area, and

Simon never testified that the undefined area had heightened incidents of drunk driving.

Simon offered only a conclusory statement that the undefined area had “several”

establishments that serve alcohol.

       Other of the trial court’s justifications for the traffic stop, such as that Murrell was

drifting within and outside of her lane, are unsupported by the record and must be

excluded from the reasonable suspicion calculus. Miller v. State, 393 S.W.3d 255, 263

(Tex. Crim. App. 2012). Review of the record shows Simon testified that Murrell

changed lanes an unspecified amount of times while signaling. He did not say she was

drifting. In fact, Simon testified that Murrell was not weaving.

                                               6
       The court’s finding that Simon is “experienced” in observing intoxicated persons

based on his 14-year career with the Department of State is also unsupported. Nothing

showed that Simon gained any such experience as a Department of State employee.

       When these improperly considered facts are excised from the “totality of the

circumstances,” the remaining basis for the stop is that an inexperienced officer observed

Murrell make unknown number of lane changes, while signaling. This does not provide

sufficient reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop. The trial court’s ruling should be

reversed.

                                       ARGUMENT

THE TRAFFIC STOP WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY REASONABLE SUSPICION.

       Again, the stop in this case was based on a belief that Murrell could have been

driving while intoxicated—it was not based on observation of a traffic offense. (RR 13.)

The stop, therefore, is justified if, under the totality of the circumstances, Simon had

specific articulable facts combined with rational inferences that would lead a reasonable

officer to suspect that Murrell was driving while intoxicated. Garcia v. State, 43 S.W.3d
527, 530 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001).

       The trial court’s findings on mixed questions of law and fact that do not depend on

the evaluation of credibility are reviewed de novo. State v. Kerwick, 393 S.W.3d 270, 273

(Tex. Crim. App. 2013). Review of whether a specific set of facts amounts to reasonable

suspicion is also de novo. Id.

                                              7
A.     Issue one: The court’s findings that Murrell was changing speeds frequently,
       was driving below the speed limit, and was in an area with “several”
       establishments that serve alcohol are conclusory findings that deserve no
       weight.

       A conclusory statement or finding that is unsupported by articulable facts cannot

support reasonable suspicion. Ford v. State, 158 S.W.3d 488, 493 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005).

That is because, “[m]ere opinions are ineffective substitutes for specific, articulable facts

in a reasonable-suspicion analysis.” Id. The following fact-findings are conclusory and do

not support reasonable suspicion.

       1.     The court’s finding that Murrell was driving 10 to 15 miles per hour
              below the speed limit and was frequently changing speeds is a
              conclusory finding.

       In Castro v. State, the Court of Criminal Appeals again emphasized that

reasonable suspicion generally cannot be based on conclusory statements. Castro v. State,

227 S.W.3d 737, 742 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). Castro tailored a narrow exception to this

rule and held that when an officer bases a decision to stop a vehicle on “objective” facts,

such as failure to signal a lane change, conclusory statements may suffice. Id. But where

an officer’s “subjective determination,” justifies the stop—such as an observation that a

defendant is speeding—a conclusory statement is never sufficient. Id.

       Simon’s testimony concerning Murrell’s speed is conclusory and wholly

unsupported. Traveling too slowly and frequently changing speeds are, like driving too

fast (an example from Castro, supra, at 742), subjective determinations that require more

than a conclusory statement. Simon stated that Murrell was changing speeds and

travelling below the speed limit, but he never explained how this was determined. (See

                                              8
e.g. RR 14-15.) Was Murrell’s speed clocked by radar? Was she paced? The record does

not say. It provides only conclusory statements that she was driving slowly and changing

speeds. Without more, both Castro and Ford say that Simon’s conclusory statements

regarding Murrell’s speed are entitled to no weight in the reasonable suspicion analysis.

       Simon’s testimony concerning speed of travel was not only conclusory; it was

inconsistent. First, Simon testified that she travelled 10 to 15 miles per hour under the

speed limit and at alternating speeds. (RR 6.) Then, on cross-examination, he admitted

that that his offense report established she was going 10 miles per hour below the 40

mile-per-hour speed limit, not 15. (RR 21-22.) Then, on re-direct, Simon, inconsistent

with testimony that Murrell was frequently changing speeds, stated that she drove

approximately 30 miles-per-hour throughout the encounter:

       Q.     Now in your offense report you noted – defense counsel made a
              big deal about you said approximately 30 miles per hour.

       A.     Correct.

       Q.     So that would be an approximation of the speed through the entire
              encounter?

       A.     Exactly.

(RR 27.) Had there been any testimony concerning how Murrell’s speed was determined,

the record would perhaps be clearer. But only conclusory statements are provided. These

conclusions do not support reasonable suspicion.

                                              9
       2.      The court’s finding that Murrell was in an area with a high
               concentration of bars and restaurants was a conclusory finding.

       The court found that “several establishments” in the area where Murrell was

stopped sell alcohol. (CR 60.) This finding is also conclusory and deserves no weight.

Ford, 158 S.W.3d at 493. No evidence or testimony indicated what number constitutes

“several establishments.” No evidence showed the amount of DWI arrests or accidents in

this undefined “area,” as compared with the rest of Harris County. Nothing defined the

geographic borders of the area.

       A finding that an area is populated with bars where people commonly drive

impaired is akin to presence in a “high crime area,” which is sometimes cited as a factor

contributing to reasonable suspicion.1 But for presence in a “high crime area” to be given

any weight, the area must at least be defined.2 In fact, courts require evidence of: (1) a

nexus between the most prevalent crime in the area and the type of crime suspected in the

case; (2) limited geographic boundaries; and (3) temporal proximity between evidence of

heightened criminal activity and the date of the stop or search at issue. United States v.

Wright, 485 F.3d 45, 53-54 (1st Cir. 2007) (citing cases from multiple courts, including

the U.S. Supreme Court). No such evidence was presented here. Conclusory or vague

1
      Presence in a high crime area, like time of night, is a factor to consider but is never
enough by itself to establish reasonable suspicion. Klare v. State, 76 S.W.3d 68, 74 (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist], 2002, pet. ref’d)
2
        The concern with failing to specify borders for an area considered to be “high crime” or a
“bar district” is obvious. If the area is not limited, an entire neighborhood or community could be
painted as a zone where constitutional protections and liberty is significantly lessened. See
United States v. Montero–Camargo, 208 F.3d 1122, 1138 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc) (“We must
be particularly careful to ensure that a ‘high crime’ area factor is not used with respect to entire
neighborhoods or communities . . . but is limited to specific, circumscribed locations where
particular crimes occur with unusual regularity.”)

                                                10
statements do not suffice. See United States v. Hill, 752 F.3d 1029, 1038 (5th Cir. 2014)

(giving no credence to the government’s “vague and generalized contentions about the

whole ‘area’ . . . being high crime.”).3

       Numerous jurisdictions have rejected presence in a particular area as a factor

supporting reasonable suspicion where, like here, only conclusory testimony is offered. In

State v. Roberts, a Louisiana court of appeal gave no significance to the officer’s “high

crime area” testimony because:

          [T]here was nothing in the record, other than the conclusory statement
          that Mr. Roberts had been in a high crime area, to evidence that the
          area was, in fact, a high crime area. There was nothing in the record to
          reflect what crimes had been committed in the area or even that there
          had been any arrests in the area.

State v. Roberts, 947 So. 2d 167, 170 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2006). The same is true here.

This record is void of any facts supporting the conclusory statement that the area has

“several establishments” that serve alcohol or that there were heightened incidents of

drunk driving in the area.

       In People v. Harris, an Illinois court of appeal gave no significance to officer

testimony that the defendant was in an area “known to be one of high burglaries and high

robberies.” 957 N.E.2d 930, 937 (Ill App. 1st 2011). Again, no evidence was introduced

concerning crime in the area. Id. No evidence was introduced concerning the timing,

3
        Murrell does not suggest that presence in an area with a high number of bars is not a
factor in the reasonable suspicion analysis. But it must be supported by some articulable facts or
common knowledge that the area was, for example, a “bar district.” See e.g. Foster v. State, 326
S.W.3d 609, 611-12 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) (officer testified that “it is common for many
people to be impaired in Austin’s Sixth Street bar district late at night,” which is where the stop
occurred). Nothing like that is present here.

                                                11
frequency or location of robberies and burglaries. Id. Nor were the boundaries of the area

defined. Id.

       In D.R. v. State, a Florida court of appeal gave no weight to the testifying officer’s

vague and unsubstantiated statement that a neighborhood was a known as an area with

heightened narcotics activity and found such testimony could not be considered in the

reasonable suspicion analysis. 941 So. 2d 536, 537-38 (Fla. 2d Ct. App. 2006).

       As stated by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts:

          The term ‘high crime area’ is itself a general and conclusory term that
          should not be used to justify a stop or a frisk, or both, without
          requiring the articulation of specific facts demonstrating the
          reasonableness of the intrusion.

Commonwealth v. Johnson, 908 N.E.2d 729, 733 (Mass. 2009).

       The record does not provide sufficient information that the area where Murrell was

stopped contained several establishments that sell alcohol. The area should have been

defined and limited. The officer should have testified to similar arrests in the area. A

specific number of, or at least an estimate of, “establishments” should have been

provided. None of that is presented here. This factor deserves no weight.

B.     Issue Two: The court’s findings that Murrell was “drifting”, that Simon was
       experienced in dealing with intoxicated persons, and that Simon testified that
       the time of the stop was when people would be leaving bars are unsupported
       by the record and deserve no weight.

       While a trial court’s fact findings that depend on witness credibility are given

deference, that is only if they are supported by the record. Miller v. State, 393 S.W.3d 255,

263 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) (“deference is due only if the trial court’s rulings are

supported by the record”). Several of the court’s findings are unsupported in the record.

                                             12
       1.     The Court’s finding that Simon observed Murrell “drift” is not
              supported by the record.

       In finding of fact number 9, the trial court said: “Simon observed defendant turn

onto Cypresswood Drive and drift within her lane.” (CR 60.) In finding of fact number 10,

the court stated that Simon observed Murrell “drifting” from one lane to another. (CR

60.) There is no such testimony in the record. The testimony was that, after Murrell

turned on to Cypresswood, she changed lanes frequently, signaling each time. (RR 8, 18-

19.) There was no testimony of “drifting.” To the contrary, the deputy explained:

       Q.     She wasn’t weaving, was she?

       A.     No, I didn’t observe any weaving.

(RR 20-21.) The court’s finding that Murrell drifted is not supported by the record and

entitled to no weight. Simon never testified to this.

       2.     The Court’s finding that Simon had extensive experience with
              intoxicated persons is unsupported by the record.

       At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court, “took judicial notice that [Simon]

has seen a number of intoxicated persons” based on his experience with the Department

of State and with the HCSO. (RR 35.) In the findings of fact and conclusions of law, the

court found Simon has “extensive experience in law enforcement, DWI investigation, and

observing intoxication.” (CR 60.)

       The record contains no evidence that Simon had any experience with DWI

investigations as a Department of State employee. The Department of State does not

make arrests for driving while intoxicated or other state-level intoxication offenses. The

                                             13
court’s taking of judicial notice that he is experienced in such investigations based on

experience with the Department of State is unsustainable.

       The court’s finding that Simon is experienced, therefore, must have been based on

his 18-months experience as a patrolman of the HCSO. To this point, Simon provided

few vague details, that he had conducted “many” or “a lot” of DWI investigations. (RR at

11, 23.) His 18-months experience and lack of specificity concerning that experience is

insufficient to lend support to the reasonable suspicion finding. In United States v.

Neufeld-Neufeld, the Fifth Circuit found that an officer with 18-months experience was

“inexperienced,” though the reasonable suspicion calculus benefited from his partner’s

13-years experience. 338 F.3d 374, 382 (5th Cir. 2003). Here, Simon did not have an

experienced partner to offset his inexperience. His 18-months experience adds little, if

anything, to the totality of the circumstances supporting reasonable suspicion.

       3.     The Court’s finding that “Simon testified that the time of the stop,
              approximately 1:30 a.m., was significant as that is when people would
              often be leaving bars and restaurants after drinking” is unsupported
              by the record.

       The court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law say that Simon testified the

timing of the stop, being 1:30 a.m., was significant because it is when people would be

leaving bars. (CR 60.) No such testimony is in the record.

       The time of a stop might be significant when an officer can articulate reasons why.

But Simon, again, offered only conclusory testimony: “At 1:30, Your Honor, the thought

in my mind was she was intoxicated.” (RR 10.) No explanation was given as to why that

time is significant. Simon never said that 1:30 a.m. was a time when people would be

                                             14
leaving bars in the area after drinking. The record does not support such a finding from

the trial court.

C.     Issue Three: The only evidence of intoxication was Murrell’s lane changes
       while signaling, which is insufficient to establish reasonable suspicion.

       When all improperly considered factors are excised, we are left with the following

circumstances: (1) an inexperienced officer, (2) observed Murrell change lanes frequently

while signaling. This is insufficient to support the traffic stop.

       1.      Frequent lane changes while signaling (even swerving) is insufficient.

       Counsel has not located a single case in Texas law that holds frequent lane

changes while signaling to be a sign of intoxication. Such behavior is so consistent with

lawful and unimpaired driving that it is probable that no officer has sought to base a

traffic stop for DWI on such a fact. Consequently, no court has found it necessary to

address a citizen’s lawful lane changes while signaling as a sign of intoxication. If this

behavior alone were sufficient, then virtually every driver in the state would be pulled

over at some point on suspicion of DWI.

       Fortunately that is not the case. Not even so-called drifting, swerving, or weaving

are sufficient in themselves to support a DWI traffic stop. See Hernandez v. State, 983
S.W.2d 867, 870 (Tex. App.—Austin 1998) (“drifting” across a lane marker did not

establish reasonable suspicion of intoxication; there are a “myriad of reasons” why a

person might drift); Bass v. State, 64 S.W.3d 646, 649-50 (Tex. App.—Texarkana, 2001)

(no reasonable suspicion where officer followed defendant for “about three miles” and

observed defendant “swerving within his lane”).

                                              15
       Again, Murrell was not drifting or weaving. (RR 20-21.) She conducted

completely lawful lane changes while signaling. This is insufficient to establish

reasonable suspicion.

       2.     Even if it were considered, Murrell’s driving slowly and alternating
              speeds is insufficient to establish reasonable suspicion of intoxication
              under totality of the circumstances.

       As stated above, this Court should not consider the trial court’s finding that

Murrell was driving below the speed limit at changing speeds because it is based on

purely conclusive testimony. But even if all of the conduct were considered, it would not

establish reasonable suspicion.

       First, slow driving alone does not justify a traffic stop for suspicion of DWI. See

Peters v. Texas Dept. of Public Safety, 404 S.W.3d 1, 4-5 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.],

2013) (driving 15 mph below speed limit late at night insufficient). As Simon himself

testified, slow driving is not only a sign of intoxication, but also of car trouble. (RR 15.)

       In Richardson v. State, an officer conducted a traffic stop at 2:00 a.m. because the

defendant was travelling 20 miles-per-hour below the posted speed limit. 39 S.W.3d 634,

636 (Tex. App.—Amarillo, 2000). As here, the arresting officer testified that slow

driving is consistent with mechanical problems with a vehicle. Id. at 640. The court ruled

that driving 20 miles-per-hour below the speed limit at 2:00 a.m. is insufficient alone to

justify an investigatory stop for driving while intoxicated. Id. It reversed the defendant’s

conviction.

                                              16
       3.     Even if all factors are considered, the stop is not supported by
              reasonable suspicion.

       To go a step further, even if the Court were to consider Murrell driving at

alternating speeds below the speed limit, in an area with bars, and changing lanes several

times while signaling, there would still be no reasonable suspicion under the totality of

the circumstances. This is demonstrated by review of three cases involving driving more

suspicious than Murrell’s and there was still an insufficient basis for the stop.

       In State v. Palmer, the court found an officer lacked reasonable suspicion to stop

the defendant for driving while intoxicated. No. 2-03-526-CR, 2005 WL 555281, at *2-3

(Tex. App.—Fort Worth, Mar. 10, 2005). The arresting officer observed the defendant:

(1) in early morning hours, in proximity to local bars; (2) drive five miles per hour below

the speed limit; (3) drive in an entrance ramp lane; (4) signal his intention to turn right

when there was nowhere to turn; (5) apply his brakes in a sudden and unsafe manner

when exiting the highway; (6) swerve over lane markers; (7) drive partially into the right-

turn-only lane before rolling into the go-straight lane; and (8) hesitate before proceeding

through a green light. Id. at *2. The trial court properly granted the defendant’s motion to

suppress and the appeals court upheld that decision. Id. at *3.

       In Waller v. State, the court found facts insufficient for a traffic stop and reversed

the appellant’s conviction for driving while intoxicated. No. 05-09-00097-CR, 2009 WL
4642850, at *5 (Tex. App.—Dallas, Dec. 9, 2009). There, a concerned citizen called the

police to report the appellant’s possible drunken driving. Id. at *1, 5. When the arresting

officer arrived at the scene, the appellant was driving 10 to 15 miles-per-hour under the

                                              17
speed limit. Id. at *5. The appellant made an evasive maneuver that could have been an

attempt to avoid the officer. Id. at *1, 5. Considering the totality of the circumstances—

the anonymous tip, the evasive driving behavior, and driving significantly under the

speed limit—the court, “conclude[d] the State failed to satisfy its burden of

demonstrating reasonable suspicion and the trial court erred in denying Waller’s motion

[to suppress].” Id. at *5. His conviction was reversed.

       White v. State, is also similar. No. 2-07-234-CR, 2008 WL 1867139, at *3 (Tex.

App.—Fort Worth, Apr. 24, 2008). There, the appellant was observed a quarter mile from

a bar, at 1:22 a.m., and traveling below the 45 mile-per-hour speed limit. Id. at *3. The

officer, unlike here, testified the time was significant because it was when “a lot of bars

start to close around the area.” Id. The officer observed appellant’s vehicle “drifting

within his lane and [make a] sudden lane change from the right lane to the left lane and

then, later, another lane change from the left lane to the right lane.” Id. Like here,

“Appellant signaled both lane changes.” Id. Unlike here, the officer said the appellant

was “drifting.” The court found the officer had no reasonable suspicion for the stop and

reversed the trial court’s judgment denying the appellant’s motion to suppress. Id. at *5.

This Court should do the same—Murrell’s driving was less suspicious than the

defendants’ in each of these three cases.

                             CONCLUSION AND PRAYER

       Most of the trial court’s reasons for denying Murrell’s motion to suppress were

based on conclusory facts or facts unsupported by the record. When those facts are

                                              18
excised from the reasonable suspicion analysis, the only basis for the stop is Murrell’s

lawful lane changes while signaling, which is insufficient.

         However, even if all of the facts are considered, there was still not sufficient

reasonable suspicion for the stop.

         This Court should reverse the trial court’s ruling denying Murrell’s motion to

suppress evidence, vacate the judgment of conviction, and remand this case to the trial

court.

                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                    /s/ Dennis Hester
                                                    J. Dennis Hester
                                                    State Bar No. 24065415
                                                    COGDELL LAW FIRM, PLLC
                                                    402 Main St., 4th Floor
                                                    Houston, Texas 77002
                                                    (713) 426-2244
                                                    (713) 426-2255 (Fax)
                                                    dennis@cogdell-law.com

                                                    Attorney for the Appellant

                                               19
                             CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I hereby certify that on May 28, 2015, a true and correct copy of the foregoing

Brief on the Merits was served upon the Appellate Division of the Harris County District

Attorney’s Office via facsimile at: (713) 755-5809.

                                                                /s/ Dennis Hester
                                                                J. Dennis Hester

                          CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

       I certify, in accordance with TEX. R. APP. PRO. 9.4(i), that this Brief contains

4,716 words excluding caption, identity of parties and counsel, table of contents, index of

authorities, statement of the case, statement of the issues presented, signatures, proof of

service, and certificate of compliance.

                                                                /s/ Dennis Hester
                                                                J. Dennis Hester

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