Court Opinion

ID: 7806386
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-05 09:11:33.410694+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:30:12.809930
License: Public Domain

In the
        Court of Appeals
Second Appellate District of Texas
         at Fort Worth
     ___________________________

          No. 02-21-00163-CR
     ___________________________

     PAT LEATHERMAN, Appellant

                     V.

          THE STATE OF TEXAS

   On Appeal from the 43rd District Court
          Parker County, Texas
          Trial Court No. 14266

 Before Sudderth, C.J.; Kerr and Womack, JJ.
 Memorandum Opinion by Justice Womack
                          MEMORANDUM OPINION

                                 I. INTRODUCTION

      In 2002, Appellant Pat Leatherman pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and

was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In 2018, Leatherman filed a Motion for Forensic

DNA Testing. Following a hearing, the trial court issued an order, which included

findings of fact and conclusions of law, denying the motion. On appeal, Leatherman

brings a single issue, arguing that the trial court erred by denying his motion for

forensic DNA testing because the results would likely lead to Leatherman’s

exoneration. We will affirm.

                                 II. BACKGROUND

      In March 2001, Leatherman’s wife was shot and killed. Shortly after the

shooting took place, Leatherman confessed to his brother that he had killed his wife

and then called 911. During the 911 call, Leatherman admitted, in no uncertain terms,

to shooting his wife and provided accurate details of the crime, including both the

weapon and type of ammunition used and the location of the body.1               When

      1
       During the 911 call, Leatherman repeatedly confessed, stating at various times:
        • “I just blew my wife’s [expletive] away.”
        • “I just shot my wife with a 12 gauge shotgun. I don’t think she’s
            going to live.”
        • “We just had a real bad argument, and I just shot her, and I’m
            sorry.”
        • “I unloaded my shotgun until I ran out of shells.”
        • “I did a really bad thing. I blew my wife’s [expletive] away.”
        • “I am confessing to you: I did shoot my wife.”

                                          2
Leatherman realized that he would likely be arrested, he disconnected the 911 call and

left the crime scene before police arrived.      Leatherman was later arrested after

returning to the scene and attempting to leave in his pickup truck.

      Police recovered five “spent” 12 gauge shotgun shells from the crime scene.

Officers also found a 12 gauge shotgun and shells in Leatherman’s pickup truck.

After testing, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner (TCME) concluded that the

“spent” shells recovered from the crime scene could have been fired from the

shotgun found in Leatherman’s truck.

      After Leatherman’s arrest, officers seized his clothing, including tennis shoes,

gray coveralls, jeans, socks, a t-shirt, and a handkerchief, as evidence. The TCME

analyzed these items for the presence of blood and DNA. Save for one sock, all of

the clothing tested presumptively positive for the presence of blood. Additionally, the

forensic DNA report showed: (1) the jeans contained the victim’s DNA; (2) the gray

coveralls did not contain the victim’s DNA; (3) the t-shirt contained a mixture of

DNA from at least two people—a major male contributor and at least one other

person—and “[a]t all loci [typed]” minor DNA alleles were found that corresponded

to those found in the victim’s blood; (4) the handkerchief also contained a mixture of

DNA from at least two people—a major female contributor and at least one other

person—and “[a]t all loci typed” alleles were detected that were consistent with those

found in the victim’s blood; and (5) the victim could not be excluded as a contributor

to the DNA obtained from the jeans, the t-shirt, and the handkerchief.

                                           3
       In September 2002, Leatherman pleaded guilty to murdering his wife, judicially

confessed to the crime, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

       In 2015, the director of the TCME’s crime laboratory sent a letter to the Parker

County District Attorney’s office stating that the population data published by the

FBI in 1999 and 2001 had been amended. In the FBI’s opinion, the amended data

was “unlikely to materially affect . . . [the] evidential value” of any previous DNA

testing, and the discrepancies in profile probabilities based on the original data versus

those based on the amended data “in no way change[d] the interpretation of inclusion

or exclusion of an individual as a donor to a questioned genetic profile.”

       As a result of the amended population data, the TCME amended its forensic

DNA report in January 2021.2 The conclusions in the report relating to the gray

coveralls and the jeans did not change—the victim’s DNA was found on the jeans but

not on the gray coveralls. However, the TCME was unable to update its conclusions

concerning the t-shirt and the handkerchief because they were tested using a process

no longer utilized by the TCME, and therefore no TCME analyst is currently qualified

to interpret the data.

       In 2018, Leatherman filed his motion for forensic DNA testing in which he

requested additional DNA testing on the t-shirt and handkerchief as well as contact

DNA testing of the shotgun and ammunition. Following a hearing, the trial court

       The materials were not re-tested as part of the preparation of the amended
       2

report. Rather, the amended report merely provided revised statistical data based on
the 2015 FBI Amended STR Population Database.

                                           4
issued an order, which contained findings of fact and conclusions of law, denying the

motion. This appeal followed.

                                   III. DISCUSSION

      In his sole issue on appeal, Leatherman argues that the trial court erred by

denying his motion for DNA testing because the results would likely exonerate him.

The State counters by arguing that Leatherman has failed to satisfy the statutory

requirements for obtaining post-conviction DNA testing as set forth in Chapter 64 of

the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Specifically, the State asserts that Leatherman

has failed: (1) to allege specific facts showing that he would not have been convicted if

the requested DNA results were available at trial;3 (2) to show that there are newer

testing techniques that provide a reasonable likelihood of producing more accurate

and probative results than the previous DNA tests;4 (3) to show that identity is an

issue in this case;5 and (4) to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that

Leatherman “would not have been convicted if exculpatory results had been obtained

through DNA testing.”6

      3
       Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 64.01(a-1).
      4
       Id. art. 64.01(b)(2)(A).
      5
       Id. art. 64.03(a)(1)(C).
      6
       Id. art. 64.03(a)(2)(A).

                                           5
A. Chapter 64

      Under Chapter 64 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, a convicted

person may file “a motion for forensic DNA testing of evidence . . . containing

biological material.” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 64.01(a-1). Such a motion

requests testing of evidence that was in the State’s possession during trial that either

was not previously tested or, although previously tested, can be tested with newer

techniques that would provide more “accurate and probative” results.                   Id.

art. 64.01(b); see also Holberg v. State, 425 S.W.3d 282, 284 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014). A

convicting court may order testing only if (1) the evidence “still exists and is in a

condition making DNA testing possible”; (2) the evidence “has been subjected to a

chain of custody sufficient to establish it has not been substituted, tampered with,

replaced, or altered in any material respect”; and (3) “identity was or is an issue in the

case.” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 64.03(a)(1); Holberg, 425 S.W.3d at 284.

Additionally, to prevail on a Chapter 64 motion, a convicted person must prove by a

preponderance of the evidence that he “would not have been convicted if exculpatory

results had been obtained through DNA testing” and that “the request for the

proposed DNA testing is not made to unreasonably delay the execution of [the

convicted person’s] sentence[.]” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 64.03(a)(2); Holberg,

425 S.W.3d at 284.

                                            6
B. Standard of Review

      When reviewing a trial court’s ruling on a Chapter 64 motion, we apply a

bifurcated standard of review. Reed v. State, 541 S.W.3d 759, 768 (Tex. Crim. App.

2017); Rivera v. State, 89 S.W.3d 55, 59 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). Under this standard,

“we give almost total deference to the judge’s resolution of historical fact issues

supported by the record and applications-of-law-to-fact issues turning on witness

credibility and demeanor,” but “we review de novo all other application-of-law-to-fact

questions.” Reed, 541 S.W.3d at 768–69.

C. Analysis

      In his brief, Leatherman argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion

because the results of new DNA testing will likely lead to his exoneration.

Leatherman bases his argument on the TCME’s statements in its amended DNA

report that the TCME was unable to update its conclusions concerning the DNA

samples from the t-shirt and the handkerchief because no TCME analyst is currently

qualified to interpret the data. Leatherman argues that because the TCME cannot

currently update its analysis of the DNA obtained from the t-shirt and handkerchief,

new DNA testing is required and that if this new DNA testing were to show that the

victim’s DNA is not present on the t-shirt or the handkerchief, then this would

exonerate Leatherman.7

      Though Leatherman’s motion also sought contact DNA testing of the shotgun
      7

and ammunition, his argument on appeal that new DNA testing would exonerate him

                                          7
      Leatherman’s argument is conclusory and fails to satisfy the requirements of

Chapter 64. A Chapter 64 motion for DNA testing “must be accompanied by an

affidavit, sworn to by the convicted person, containing statements of fact in support

of the motion.” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 64.01(a-1). While Leatherman

included an affidavit with his motion, he failed to allege any specific facts showing

how the results of the requested DNA testing would be so exonerating that he would

not have been convicted had the results been available at trial. See Dunning v. State,

572 S.W.3d 685, 697 (Tex. Crim. App. 2019). Rather than providing specific facts,

Leatherman’s motion and supporting affidavit merely contain general, unsupported

assertions that the requested DNA testing will exonerate him.8         However, such

conclusory statements are insufficient to satisfy Leatherman’s burden under

appears to be solely grounded on the TCME’s statements in its amended forensic
DNA report that the TCME was unable to update its conclusions regarding the DNA
samples taken from the t-shirt and handkerchief. Indeed, Leatherman merely
mentions the shotgun as an afterthought on the last page of his brief, stating only that
in his motion, he “also noted the shotgun . . . had never been swabbed for contact
DNA.” Because Leatherman has failed to show how the requested contact DNA
testing of the shotgun and ammunition would prove exculpatory, he has not satisfied
the requirements of Chapter 64 regarding these items. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann.
art. 64.03(a)(2)(A); Fothergill v. State, No. 05-15-00862-CR, 2016 WL 1435658, at *3
(Tex. App.—Dallas Apr. 11, 2016, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for
publication).
      8
        In addition to their conclusory nature, many of Leatherman’s assertions
concerning his exoneration involve tests other than “forensic DNA” tests and,
therefore, are wholly irrelevant for purposes of Chapter 64. Leatherman repeatedly
asserts that “blood splatter testing” and the “gun powder residue wipe down test” will
prove his innocence. However, as these are not “forensic DNA” tests, they are not
the proper subject of a Chapter 64 motion. See Tex. Code. Crim. Proc. Ann.
art. 64.01(a-1).

                                           8
Chapter 64. In re Padilla, No. 03-19-00388-CR, 2021 WL 126779, at *3 (Tex. App.—

Austin Jan. 14, 2021, pet. denied) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (“To

meet the burden of the Chapter 64 requirements, the convicted person must provide

statements of fact in support of his claims; general, conclusory statements are

insufficient.”); see also Swearingen v. State, 303 S.W.3d 728, 732 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010)

(stating that “a mere assertion or a general claim” will not satisfy a movant’s

Chapter 64 burden).

      Moreover, Leatherman has not shown that identity is an issue in his case. Tex.

Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 64.03(a)(1)(C). For purposes of a Chapter 64 motion,

identity is not an issue if “an exculpatory DNA result would not . . . exclude the

movant as the assailant.” Hernandez v. State, No. 13-20-00216-CR, 2022 WL 324069,

at *3 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg Feb. 3, 2022, no pet.) (mem. op., not

designated for publication); see also Prible v. State, 245 S.W.3d 466, 470 (Tex. Crim.

App. 2008) (holding that “if DNA testing would not determine the identity of the

person who committed the offense or would not exculpate the accused,” the

requirements of Chapter 64 have not been met). Here, even if new DNA testing did

not show the victim’s DNA on the t-shirt or the handkerchief, this would not exclude

Leatherman as the shooter. Because Leatherman was not arrested until six hours after

the shooting took place, he could easily have changed clothes between the time of the

shooting and his arrest. Furthermore, the TCME’s amended forensic DNA report

confirmed the presence of the victim’s blood on Leatherman’s jeans, which

                                           9
undermines any exculpatory effect that the absence of her DNA on the t-shirt and

handkerchief might have. Accordingly, we see no reason to disturb the trial court’s

finding that Leatherman has failed to show that identity is an issue in this case.

      Even if identity were an issue, given the overwhelming evidence of

Leatherman’s guilt, he cannot show by a preponderance of the evidence that he would

not have been convicted if the results of the requested DNA testing had been

available at trial. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 64.03(a)(2)(A); Swearingen,

303 S.W.3d at 736 (“[I]n light of the overwhelming evidence of appellant’s guilt, even

if we were to grant appellant’s request . . . , appellant cannot show by a preponderance

of the evidence . . . that he would not have been convicted.”). In this case, there is a

mountain of inculpatory evidence against Leatherman, including the following:

      • Leatherman confessed to his brother that he had shot his wife shortly after
        the incident and before law enforcement was involved;

      • Law enforcement became involved in this case only after Leatherman called
        911;

      • Leatherman repeatedly confessed to shooting his wife with a shotgun on the
        911 call;

      • Leatherman provided accurate details about the shooting during the 911
        call, including the location of the body and the type of weapon and
        ammunition used;

      • Leatherman disconnected the 911 call when he realized that he was going to
        be arrested;

      • Law enforcement found Leatherman’s pickup truck outside of his trailer
        where his wife’s body was found;

                                           10
         • Law enforcement found five shotgun shells on the ground by the trailer;

         • Leatherman’s relatives stated that Leatherman’s relationship with his wife
           was rocky and violent;

         • Testing determined that the shotgun found in Leatherman’s truck could
           have been used to shoot the victim;

         • The victim’s blood was discovered on Leatherman’s jeans;

         • Appellant pleaded guilty in writing and in open court.
Thus, even excluding the DNA found on the t-shirt and handkerchief, the evidence

against Leatherman is formidable. In light of the substantial evidence of his guilt,

Leatherman has not satisfied his burden under Article 64.03(a)(2). See Swearingen,

303 S.W.3d at 736 (“Texas courts have consistently held that a movant does not

satisfy his burden under Article 64.03 if the record contains other substantial evidence

of guilt . . . .”); Thompson v. State, 95 S.W.3d 469, 472 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]

2002, pet. ref’d) (holding that the movant did not establish that DNA testing would

produce exculpatory results when other competent evidence was available to show

that he committed the offense).

         Because Leatherman has not satisfied the requirements of Chapter 64, the trial

court did not err in denying his motion. We therefore overrule Leatherman’s sole

issue.

                                    IV. CONCLUSION

         Having overruled Leatherman’s sole issue, we affirm the trial court’s order.

                                            11
                                  /s/ Dana Womack

                                  Dana Womack
                                  Justice

Do Not Publish
Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b)

Delivered: August 31, 2022

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