Court Opinion

ID: 3107568
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 06:14:17.776484+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:26:59.319452
License: Public Domain

The State of TexasAppellee

                            Fourth Court of Appeals
                                   San Antonio, Texas
                                          March 6, 2014

                                       No. 04-13-00395-CR

                                         Rigo GUERRA,
                                            Appellant

                                                 v.

                                      The STATE of Texas,
                                            Appellee

                  From the 81st Judicial District Court, La Salle County, Texas
                              Trial Court No. 11-09-00042-CRL
                          Honorable Donna S. Rayes, Judge Presiding

                                          ORDER

        Appellant’s brief was originally due to be filed on November 18, 2013. Appellant’s first
motion requesting an extension of time to file the brief was granted, extending the deadline for
filing the brief to December 18, 2013. On December 27, 2013, the appellant filed a motion
requesting an additional extension of time to file the brief until January 17, 2014, for a total
extension of sixty days. By order dated December 30, 2013, the motion was granted. The order
stated that appellant’s brief must be filed by January 14, 2014. The motion further stated, “THIS
IS THE FINAL EXTENSION OF TIME THAT THE APPELLANT WILL BE
GRANTED.”

        The brief was not filed by the January 14, 2014. On January 21, 2014, this court issued
an additional order extending the deadline for filing the brief to January 27, 2014. The order
stated that if the brief was not filed by January 27, 2014, this appeal would be abated to the trial
court for an abandonment hearing, and the trial court would be asked to consider whether
sanctions are appropriate against appellant’s attorney. TEX. R. APP. P. 38.8(b)(2). The brief was
not filed by January 27, 2014.

       On February 4, 2014, we abated this appeal to the trial court for an abandonment hearing,
requesting the trial court to conduct a hearing and file supplemental records by March 6, 2014.
A copy of this order is attached to this order. On March 5, 2014, the trial court filed a motion
requesting an extension of time to conduct the hearing, stating the hearing will be held on March
14, 2014.
        Despite this court’s February 4, 2014 order abating this appeal for an abandonment
hearing, appellant’s attorney filed a motion to abate this appeal on February 27, 2014, stating that
the appellate record is incomplete with regard to a hearing conducted in the underlying cause on
March 14, 2013. Appellant’s attorney further states, however, that he has been unsuccessful in
contacting the court reporter to determine the availability of the record which might also require
the entry of findings of fact and conclusions of law by the trial court. A copy of this motion is
attached to this order.

       The trial court’s motion requesting an extension of time is GRANTED. The trial court is
ORDERED to file supplemental clerk’s and reporter’s records in this court, no later than March
21, 2014, which must include:

   1. a transcription of the hearing and copies of any documentary evidence admitted;

   2. written findings of fact and conclusions of law;

   3. recommendations addressing the questions enumerated in the February 4, 2014 order; and

   4. recommendations regarding the issues raised by appellant’s attorney in his February 27,
      2014 motion with respect to the availability of a record in the underlying cause from a
      March 14, 2013 hearing and findings of fact and conclusions of law pertinent to the
      appellant’s statement or confession.

                                                     _________________________________
                                                     Catherine Stone, Chief Justice

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 6th day of March, 2014.

                                                     ___________________________________
                                                     Keith E. Hottle
                                                     Clerk of Court
                                                                     The State of TexasAppellee

                            Fourth Court of Appeals
                                   San Antonio, Texas
                                         February 4, 2014

                                       No. 04-13-00395-CR

                                         Rigo GUERRA,
                                            Appellant

                                                 v.

                                      The STATE of Texas,
                                            Appellee

                  From the 81st Judicial District Court, La Salle County, Texas
                              Trial Court No. 11-09-00042-CRL
                          Honorable Donna S. Rayes, Judge Presiding

                                         ORDER

        Appellant’s brief was originally due to be filed on November 18, 2013. Appellant’s first
motion requesting an extension of time to file the brief was granted, extending the deadline for
filing the brief to December 18, 2013. On December 27, 2013, the appellant filed a motion
requesting an additional extension of time to file the brief until January 17, 2014, for a total
extension of sixty days. By order dated December 30, 2013, the motion was granted. The order
stated that appellant’s brief must be filed by January 14, 2014. The motion further stated, “THIS
IS THE FINAL EXTENSION OF TIME THAT THE APPELLANT WILL BE
GRANTED.”

        The brief was not filed by the January 14, 2014. On January 21, 2014, this court issued
an additional order extending the deadline for filing the brief to January 27, 2014. The order
stated that if the brief was not filed by January 27, 2014, this appeal would be abated to the trial
court for an abandonment hearing, and the trial court would be asked to consider whether
sanctions were appropriate against appellant’s attorney. TEX. R. APP. P. 38.8(b)(2). The brief
was not filed by January 27, 2014.

       Pursuant to rule 38.8(b)(2) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, we abate this case
to the trial court and ORDER the trial court to conduct a hearing to answer the following
questions:

       (1) Does appellant desire to prosecute his appeal?
       (2) Is appellant indigent? If appellant is indigent, the trial court shall take such measures
as may be necessary to assure the effective assistance of counsel, which may include the
appointment of new counsel.

        (3) Has appointed or retained counsel abandoned the appeal? Because sanctions may be
necessary, the trial court should address this issue even if new counsel is retained or substituted
before the date of the hearing.

The trial court may, in its discretion, receive evidence on the first two questions by sworn
affidavit from the appellant. The trial court shall, however, order the appellant’s counsel to be
present at the hearing.

        The trial court is further ORDERED to file supplemental clerk’s and reporter’s records
in this court, no later than March 6, 2014, which shall include: (1) a transcription of the hearing
and copies of any documentary evidence admitted, (2) written findings of fact and conclusions
of law, and (3) recommendations addressing the above enumerated questions.

                                                     _________________________________
                                                     Catherine Stone, Chief Justice

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 4th day of February, 2014.

                                                     ___________________________________
                                                     Keith E. Hottle
                                                     Clerk of Court
                                                                                                                                                        ACCEPTED
                                                                                                                                                   04-13-00395-CR
                                                                                                                                        FOURTH COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                                                                             SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
                                                                                                                                              2/27/2014 5:07:41 PM
                                                                                                                                                     KEITH HOTTLE
                                                                                                                                                            CLERK

                                                    NO.	
  04-­‐13-­‐00395-­‐CR	
  
                                                                   	
  
	
  
                                                                                                                   FILED IN
RIGO	
  GUERRA,	
              	
      	
       	
       §	
            	
  	
  	
  IN	
  THE	
  COURT	
  4th
                                                                                                          OF	
  A PPEALS	
  
                                                                                                                COURT    OF APPEALS
	
       Appellant	
                                                                                       SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
	
                                                                                                       02/27/2014 5:07:41 PM
vs.	
    	
       	
           	
      	
       	
       §	
            	
  	
  	
  	
  FOURTH	
  DISTRICT	
     OF	
  TEXAS	
  
                                                                                                               KEITH    E. HOTTLE
	
                                                                                                                     Clerk
	
  
THE	
  STATE	
  OF	
  TEXAS	
  	
      	
       	
       §	
            	
  	
  	
  SAN	
  ANTONIO,	
  TEXAS	
  
	
  
	
  
                               APPELLANT’S	
  MOTION	
  TO	
  ABATE	
  APPEAL	
  
                     FOR	
  ENTRY	
  OF	
  FINDINGS	
  OF	
  FACT	
  AND	
  CONCLUSIONS	
  
                       OF	
  LAW	
  RELATING	
  TO	
  THE	
  APPELLANT’S	
  PRE-­‐TRIAL	
  
                 MOTION	
  TO	
  SUPPRESS	
  EVIDENCE	
  OF	
  THE	
  APPELLANT’S	
  
                                          STATEMENT/CONFESSION	
  
                                                         	
  
TO	
  THE	
  HONORABLE	
  COURT	
  OFAPPEALS:	
  
	
  
	
       Now	
  comes,	
  Rigo	
  Guerra,	
  appellant	
  in	
  the	
  instant	
  cause	
  and	
  files	
  this	
  
“Appellant’s	
  Motion	
  to	
  Abate	
  Appeal	
  for	
  Entry	
  of	
  Findings	
  of	
  Fact	
  and	
  Conclusions	
  of	
  
Law	
  Relating	
  to	
  the	
  Appellant’s	
  Pre-­‐Trial	
  Motion	
  to	
  Suppress	
  Evidence	
  of	
  the	
  
Appellant’s	
  Statement/Confession.	
  	
  In	
  support	
  of	
  the	
  motion	
  the	
  appellant	
  would	
  
show	
  unto	
  the	
  Court	
  the	
  following:	
  
	
  
                                                                    A.	
  
	
         The	
  appellant	
  is	
  presently	
  appealing	
  his	
  conviction	
  for	
  the	
  offense	
  of	
  Capital	
  
Murder	
  arising	
  out	
  of	
  LaSalle	
  County	
  wherein	
  he	
  was	
  convicted	
  and	
  sentenced	
  to	
  
Life	
  in	
  confinement	
  in	
  the	
  Texas	
  Department	
  of	
  Criminal	
  Justice.	
  	
  	
  
	
  
                                                                    B.	
  
	
         The	
  record	
  of	
  the	
  trial	
  along	
  with	
  the	
  clerk’s	
  record	
  has	
  been	
  filed	
  in	
  this	
  
Court	
  and	
  the	
  matter	
  is	
  pending	
  of	
  the	
  appellant’s	
  brief	
  in	
  this	
  Court	
  by	
  the	
  
undersigned.	
  	
  A	
  review	
  of	
  the	
  record	
  has	
  revealed	
  that	
  a	
  portion	
  of	
  the	
  record	
  is	
  not	
  
presently	
  before	
  the	
  Court.	
  	
  That	
  portion	
  of	
  the	
  record	
  is	
  essential	
  to	
  an	
  adequate	
  
presentation	
  of	
  the	
  appellant’s	
  allegations	
  of	
  error.	
  
                                                                     C.	
  
	
         The	
  record	
  reflects	
  that	
  prior	
  to	
  trial	
  appellant’s	
  trial	
  counsel	
  filed	
  a	
  written	
  
“Motion	
  To	
  Determine	
  Admissibility	
  of	
  Written	
  Or	
  Oral	
  Statements	
  of	
  Defendant	
  
Outside	
  The	
  Presence	
  of	
  Jury”.	
  (C.R.1-­‐107)	
  The	
  trial	
  Court’s	
  docket	
  sheet	
  reflects	
  
that	
  a	
  hearing	
  was	
  conducted	
  on	
  that	
  motion	
  on	
  March	
  14,	
  2013.	
  The	
  court	
  
reporter’s	
  record	
  that	
  has	
  been	
  forwarded	
  to	
  this	
  Court	
  does	
  not	
  contain	
  a	
  record	
  of	
  
that	
  hearing.	
  	
  	
  The	
  reporter’s	
  record	
  filed	
  with	
  this	
  Court	
  consists	
  of	
  the	
  record	
  of	
  
the	
  trial	
  starting	
  on	
  May	
  6,	
  2013	
  with	
  the	
  jury	
  voir	
  dire	
  process	
  and	
  concludes	
  with	
  
the	
  jury’s	
  verdict	
  returned	
  on	
  May	
  15,	
  2013.	
  	
  The	
  undersigned	
  has	
  completed	
  a	
  
review	
  of	
  that	
  record	
  and	
  has	
  been	
  unable	
  to	
  locate	
  a	
  record	
  of	
  the	
  hearing	
  on	
  the	
  
appellant’s	
  pre-­‐trial	
  motion	
  or	
  any	
  findings	
  of	
  fact	
  and	
  conclusions	
  of	
  law	
  relating	
  to	
  
the	
  appellant’s	
  statement	
  that	
  was	
  ultimately	
  admitted	
  at	
  trial.	
  
	
  
                                                                     D.	
  
	
         The	
  undersigned	
  has	
  attempted	
  to	
  contact	
  the	
  court	
  reporter	
  in	
  the	
  instant	
  
case	
  but	
  has	
  not	
  been	
  able	
  to	
  determine	
  whether	
  the	
  record	
  in	
  question	
  is	
  available.	
  	
  
Those	
  efforts	
  are	
  continuing.	
  	
  The	
  undersigned	
  is	
  also	
  attempting	
  to	
  determine	
  
whether	
  the	
  necessary	
  findings	
  and	
  conclusions	
  of	
  the	
  trial	
  court	
  are	
  available.	
  
	
  
                                                                     E.	
  
	
         It	
  would	
  appear	
  that	
  the	
  instant	
  matter	
  should	
  be	
  abated	
  and	
  returned	
  to	
  the	
  
trial	
  court	
  for	
  purposes	
  of	
  the	
  entry	
  of	
  the	
  trial	
  Court’s	
  findings	
  of	
  fact	
  and	
  
conclusions	
  of	
  law	
  pertinent	
  to	
  the	
  appellant’s	
  claims	
  regarding	
  the	
  admissibility	
  of	
  
his	
  statement/confession.	
  See:	
  Vasquez	
  v.	
  State,	
  411	
  S.W.3d	
  918	
  (Tex.	
  Crim.	
  App.	
  
2013);	
  State	
  v.	
  Elias,	
  339	
  S.W.3d	
  667	
  (Tex.	
  Crim.	
  App.	
  2011);	
  State	
  v.	
  Saenz,	
  411	
  
S.W.3d	
  488	
  (Tex.	
  Crim.	
  App.	
  2013).	
  
	
  
                                                                     F.	
  	
  
	
         There	
   are	
   existing	
   other	
   arguable	
   points	
   of	
   error	
   that	
   the	
   undersigned	
   will	
  
continue	
  to	
  research	
  while	
  this	
  motion	
  awaits	
  resolution.	
  
	
  
                                             CONCLUSION	
  AND	
  PRAYER	
  
	
  
	
         Wherefore	
  premises	
  considered	
  the	
  appellant	
  would	
  request	
  that	
  this	
  court	
  
abate	
   the	
   instant	
   appeal	
   for	
   purposes	
   of	
   the	
   supplementation	
   of	
   the	
   record	
   with	
   a	
  
record	
  from	
  the	
  hearing	
  on	
  the	
  appellant’s	
  pre-­‐trial	
  motion	
  to	
  suppress	
  along	
  with	
  
the	
  trial	
  court’s	
  findings	
  of	
  fact	
  and	
  conclusions	
  of	
  law	
  relating	
  to	
  that	
  motion.	
  
	
  
Respectfully	
  submitted,	
  
	
  
________/s/__________________	
  
Edward	
  F.	
  Shaughnessy,	
  III	
  
Attorney	
  for	
  the	
  appellant	
  
	
  
                                              CERTIFICATE	
  OF	
  SERVICE	
  
                                                                    	
  
	
         I,	
  Edward	
  F.	
  Shaughnessy,	
  attorney	
  for	
  the	
  appellant	
  hereby	
  certify	
  that	
  a	
  
true	
  and	
  correct	
  copy	
  of	
  the	
  instant	
  motion	
  was	
  served,	
  by	
  U.S.	
  Mail	
  on	
  Mark	
  Ledet,	
  
attorney	
  for	
  the	
  appellee	
  at	
  1327	
  3rd	
  Street,	
  Floresville	
  Texas,	
  78026,	
  on	
  this	
  the	
  27	
  
day	
  of	
  February,	
  2014.	
  
	
  
________/s/___________________	
  
Edward	
  F.	
  Shaughnessy	
  
Attorney	
  for	
  the	
  appellant