Court Opinion

ID: 4045211
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-28 23:47:48.956211+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:31:59.958341
License: Public Domain

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Honorable Tom Price, Judge
Court of Criminal Appeals                                                     ^lll^'ll'^^^^
Tom C. Clark State Bldg.                                                                       Mp
P.O. Box 12308, Capitol Station                                                    $102 9 6 N••
Austin, TX 78711                                                            '«"W*hW"SJSolS^
Re: Ex Parte Bradley Hensley, II                                                 MOTiOM DflSMISSEI
Writ No. 82,069-01                                                               r^n-^'       JD Z3      i tf<£C*—_
         On September 24, 2014, the above styled and numbered application was denied based on the

findings of the Trial Court. This application was premised on the failure of the indictment to properly

charge the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon within the application paragraph of the indictment

(please see attached). Specifically, because the indictment alleged that an automobile was used or

exhibited as a deadly weapon, the indictment was thus fundamentally defective because it failed to

include the language set forth in Texas Penal Code Section 1.07 (17)(B), charging that the automobile

was used in a manner "capable" of causing death or serious bodily injury. The application paragraph

merely alleged that the Applicant threatened an individual with imminent bodily injury by hitting or

ramming the vehicle in which the victim was situated. In Foley V. State, 327 S.W.3d 907 (Tex. App.-

Corpus Christi 2010), the Court of Appeals determined that several factors must be used to determine

whether a Defendant's driving was reckless or dangerous, such as: (1) Intoxication; (2) Speeding; (3)

Disregarding traffic signs; (4) Driving erratically; and (5) Failure to control the vehicle. Most importantly,

the Courts have continually held that "A hypothetical potential for danger" is insufficient to support a

deadly weapon determination. In retrospect, when the indictment adequately tracts the language of the

Texas Penal Code Section 1.07 (17)(B), then it remains sufficient due to the word "capable" being

contained within the provision, thus enabling the statute to cover conduct that "threatens" deadly

force, McCain V. State, 22 S.W.3d 497 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).

Page 1
         Here, in the present case, the Applicant pled guilty to the indictment and executed a judicial

confession and stipulation of evidence in which the State has relied on to supplement the application

paragraph of the indictment arguing that the evidence presented during the guilty plea was sufficient

basis for the Court to sustain the deadly weapon allegation. Unfortunately, neither of these documents

remains sufficient to support the State's contention. "A stipulation of evidence or judicial confession in

support of a guilty plea that fails to establish every element of the offense charged will not authorize the

Trial Court to convict. " Menefee V. State, 287 S.W.3d 9 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). Moreover, "The State

must offer sufficient proof to support any judgment based on a guilty plea in a felony case tried to the

Court. " Stages V. State. 314 S.W.3d 155 (Tex. App.-Houston (1 Dist.) 2010).

         Perhaps the most analogical case to consider is that of Baggett V. State, 342 S.W.3d 172 (Tex.

App.-2011), wherein the Court held that a judicial confession that omits an element of the offense is

insufficient to support a guilty plea. "A guilty plea, even if the Defendant states that he or she is pleading

guilty to the charges in the indictment under oath, does not constitute a judicial confession sufficient to

support the plea, because the Defendant is merely entering a plea, not confessing to the truth and

correctness of the indictment or otherwise providing substance to the plea." Most importantly, where a

Defendant enters a guilty plea to the Court, the State is required to introduce evidence showing the guilt

of the Defendant, and if the State fails in this respect, the Defendant is entitled to a new trial.

         Here, in the present case at bar, the Applicant filed his application merely seeking removal of

the deadly weapon finding because the charging instrument failed to adequately charge the same and

the judicial confession alluding to the truth and correctness of the indictment, which was totally

insufficient in alleging that the automobile was used in a manner or means "capable" of causing death

or serious bodily injury, was inadequate to supplement the charging instrument.

         Unfortunately, the Court of Criminal Appeals no longer allows a Defendant to seek review of

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the Court's denial of an application premised on the finding of the Trial Court. However, as in the case in

which you authored, Menefee, Supra, wherein the Court held, "Defendant's sworn affirmation that he

was in fact pleading guilty to the charges in the indictment did not constitute a judicial confession and

did not otherwise supply evidence sufficient to substantiate his guilty plea," disapproving Cooper V.

State 573 S.W.2d 533, and Craven V. State, 607 S.W.2d 527.1 would like to ask that the Court, on its

own motion, review the decision in my case in light of the more recent rulings of the Court.

         Thanking you and the Court for any consideration that you may afford me in this matter, I

Remain,

Respectfully,

Bradley Hensley, II

Hutchins State Jail

1500 East Langdon Rd

Dallas, TX 75241

Page 3
DEFENDANT: BRADLEY DEAN HENSLEY, II
ADDRESS: 583 PRESTON MEADOWS, SHERMAN TX 75092
CAUSE NUMBER: pB^07Z-
COUNT       DEGREE       OFFENSE                                               BOND AMOUNT
            Fl           AGG ASSAULT W/DEADLY WEAPON
PA CONTROL NO. 10-02828
TRN NUMBER:                      7        TRS#                    .

WITNESSES FOR GRAND JURY
DATE REC'D IN OFFICE
ARREST DATE:          06/06/2010
CO-DEFENDANT(S):

                                     TRUE BILL OF INDICTMENT

IN THE NAME AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

The Grand Jurors, duly selected, organized and impaneled as such in and for the County of
Grayson, State of Texas, at the July Term, 2010, A.D., of the District Court in and for the 59th
Judicial District of Texas and for said County upon their oaths in said Court at said Term present
that on or about the 6th day of June, 2010, A.D., and anterior to the presentment of this indictment,
in the County of Grayson and State of Texas, BRADLEY HENSLEY, II hereinafter called
"Defendant", did then and there intentionally or knowingly threaten Mitzi Harrison with imminent
bodily injury by hitting or ramming a vehicle in which the said Mitzi Harrison was situated with a
motor vehicle driven by the defendant and did then and there use or exhibit a deadly weapon, to-
wit: a motor vehicle, during the commission of said assault,
                                 PUNISHMENT ENHANCEMENT

       And it is further presented in and to said Court that, prior to the commission of the aforesaid
offense, on the 23rd day of June, 2005, in cause number 52875 in the 59th District Court of Grayson
County, Texas, the defendant was convicted of the felony offense of Burglary of Habitation.
        And it is further presented in and to said Court that, prior to the commission of the aforesaid
offense, on the 23rd day of June, 2005, in cause number 52876 in the 59th District Court of Grayson
County, Texas, the defendant was convicted of the felony offense of Burglary of Habitation.
        And it is further presented in and to said Court that, prior to the commission of the aforesaid
offense, on the 23rd day of June, 2005, in cause number 52879 in the 59th District Court of Grayson
County, Texas, the defendant was convicted of the felony offense of Burglary of Habitation.

ag^st&e peace and dignity ofthe State.

           istnct Attorney

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