Court Opinion

ID: 4689288
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-05-24 07:15:42.544145+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:04:53.476379
License: Public Domain

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

          No. 02-21-00016-CR
     ___________________________

        Ex parte Jay Allen Rotter

  On Appeal from the 211th District Court
          Denton County, Texas
      Trial Court No. F20-2507-431

  Before Womack, Wallach, and Walker, JJ.
  Memorandum Opinion by Justice Wallach
                             MEMORANDUM OPINION

          Appellant Jay Allen Rotter, a former narcotics officer with the Tarrant County

Sheriff’s Department, stands charged with murder, tampering with evidence, and

possession of a controlled substance. Bail was initially set at $1 million, $150,000, and

$10,000, respectively, but after Rotter applied for habeas relief the trial court partially

granted his request and lowered the bail amount for the murder charge to

$750,000 and the tampering charge to $10,000. It did not lower the bail amount for

the possession charge. Rotter appeals the trial court’s partial grant of relief in respect

to the murder charge, arguing that the trial court abused its discretion by not lowering

it further. Because we cannot conclude that the trial court erred by setting bail at

$750,000 for the murder charge, we affirm its order partially granting the requested

relief.

                                       Background

          On August 26, 2020, Rotter called 911 to report that his girlfriend, Leslie

Hartman, had shot and killed herself. During a police interview the next day, Rotter

claimed that Hartman had retrieved his duty weapon without his knowledge and then

shot herself “while they were hugging each other,” and he immediately called 911. But

Detective Rodney Mooneyham became suspicious of Rotter’s explanation of events

when Rotter reset his phone to factory settings as Detective Mooneyham briefly

stepped out of the room. After considering video footage recovered from a

neighbor’s surveillance camera and data recovered from Hartman’s phone and

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Rotter’s computer, 1 Detective Mooneyham concluded that Rotter had murdered

Hartman. The following is a recitation of relevant facts as testified to at the bail

hearing and as sworn to by Detective Mooneyham in his probable-cause affidavit,

which was admitted into evidence.

      Text messages sent by Hartman to a friend on the night she died did not

suggest that she was feeling depressed or suicidal, but they did describe Rotter as “in a

‘mood’” and that he needed to “sort himself out” because he was “having trouble

with the amount of drugs he . . . [was] consuming.” 2 Her last message, sent at

11:12 p.m., commented on the weather.

      The neighbor’s surveillance camera recorded the sound of one gunshot at

approximately 11:04 p.m. the night Hartman died—thirty minutes before Rotter’s

11:34 p.m. call to 911. At 11:06 p.m., Rotter posted in a Discord3 chat room that he

had gone into the backyard and “killed that milk bomb.” Detectives recovered a shell

casing and milk bottle with a bullet hole through it in the backyard.

      1
       The phone and computer were searched pursuant to search warrants.
      2
       Detective Mooneyham downplayed depressed or suicidal text messages and
“chat messages” sent at other times by Hartman by explaining that each time she
mentioned suicidal thoughts she also said that she could not go through with it
because she “ha[d] to live for [her] mom,” who was battling cancer at the time.
      3
       Detective Mooneyham described Discord as “a gaming app where a lot of
people who play a lot of games, they talk to each other online.”

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      At 11:08 p.m., Rotter posted on Discord a photo of him holding a Glock pistol

in what appeared to be the bedroom in which Hartman later died. In the background

of the picture, a computer monitor displayed an image of a Discord chat room. At

11:13 p.m., Rotter reported on Discord that he and Hartman were arguing over his

firing the gun in the backyard.

      At 11:14 p.m., Rotter posted on the Discord chat server, “I just sent a 9 millie

in this fuckin hippie.” Detective Mooneyham interpreted the “hippie” comment as

referring to Hartman because she was “eco-friendly, [a] nature lover, and . . . use[d]

psychedelic drugs.”

      In September 2020, Rotter attempted suicide shortly after Detective

Mooneyham informed Rotter that he had obtained a search warrant for Rotter’s

DNA. In September 2020, he was arrested, and his bail was set at $1 million for the

murder charge, $150,000 for tampering with evidence, and $10,000 for the drug-

possession charge. He applied for a writ of habeas corpus, arguing that the bail

amounts were unreasonably high and asking the trial court to lower the murder-

charge bail to $50,000.

      At the habeas hearing, Rotter’s ex-wife, his mother, and the mother of his child

testified collectively that Rotter could post a maximum bond of $125,000 and that

they would ensure that he would comply with bond conditions. His ex-wife, Jessica

Bowman, testified to her management of his finances, that his retirement funds had

been used to pay legal fees, and that he only had a couple thousand dollars left in his

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savings account. Norissa Byrne, the mother of his child, testified that she had agreed

to suspend his child-support obligation during the pendency of these proceedings. An

area bail bondsman, Shawn Cagle, testified that the most the family could come up

with is $12,500, giving them bonding power of $125,000.

       Rotter’s mother testified that he does not pose a threat to the community and

that he is willing to go to therapy, but Detective Mooneyham testified to his concern

that Rotter may attempt suicide again if released.

       At the end of the hearing, the trial court partially granted relief by reducing the

murder bail to $750,000 and the evidence-tampering bail to $10,000. Rotter only

appeals the trial court’s decision in respect to the murder bail.

                                       Discussion

       Rotter complains the trial court abused its discretion for three reasons:4

(1) proper consideration of the relevant factors dictates that the bail amount should

be lower; (2) the $750,000 bail amount is incongruent with similar cases reviewed in

Texas courts; and (3) the $750,000 bail amount is “presumptively oppressive.”

I. Standard of Review

       The primary purpose for setting bail is to secure the presence of the defendant

in court at his trial. Ex parte Vasquez, 558 S.W.2d 477, 479 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977).

The amount should be sufficiently high to give reasonable assurance that the

       Rotter presents his argument as one issue with the three categories as
       4

subissues.

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defendant will comply with the undertaking but should not be set so high as to be an

instrument of oppression. Ex parte Bufkin, 553 S.W.2d 116, 118 (Tex. Crim. App.

1977). In setting bail, courts are to consider certain factors including the length of the

sentence and nature of the offense, including any aggravating factors; the defendant’s

work history, family ties, and length of residency; the defendant’s ability to post the

bond; any prior criminal record; and conformity with past bond conditions. Tex.

Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 17.15; Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848, 849–50 (Tex. Crim.

App. [Panel Op.] 1981).

      In contesting the amount of bail, the defendant has the burden to show that it

is excessive. Ex parte Rodriguez, 595 S.W.2d 549, 550 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980). We

review the trial court’s decision in setting bail for an abuse of discretion, and we will

not disturb its decision if it is within the zone of reasonable disagreement. Ex parte

Wood, 308 S.W.3d 550, 552 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2010, no pet.).

II. Application of the Rubac factors

      Rotter’s first subissue evaluates the facts in light of the Rubac factors regarding

appropriate bail amounts.

      A. Nature of offense and range of possible sentence

      The nature of the offense and the possible sentence are the “primary factors”

we consider in evaluating a bail decision. Ex parte Hunt, 138 S.W.3d 503, 506 (Tex.

App.—Fort Worth 2004, pet. ref’d). Rotter stands accused of murder, a first-degree

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felony, for which he faces a possible five to ninety-nine years or life in prison and a

fine up to $10,000. Tex. Penal Code Ann. §§ 12.32, 19.02.

      The trial court was presented with several inconsistencies between Rotter’s

story of events and other evidence. Though Rotter argues in his brief that the State

failed to firmly establish any such “irregularities” or inconsistencies, that was a

determination for the trial court to make as the hearing’s factfinder. Cf. Tex. Code

Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 38.04; Queeman v. State, 520 S.W.3d 616, 622 (Tex. Crim. App.

2017). The trial court was in the best position to weigh Detective Mooneyham’s

credibility and his opinion that Rotter lied to police when he reported Hartman’s

death as a suicide. Given the evidence in the record, we cannot conclude that the trial

court erred by finding Detective Mooneyham’s testimony credible regarding the

nature of the offense for purposes of setting bail.

      Detective Mooneyham testified to his review of Hartman’s phone and his

conclusion that Hartman was not depressed or suicidal on the day she died. He

reported that, rather than expressing suicidal ideations, she complained to her friend

about Rotter’s behavior and drug use that night. In the past, she had disavowed any

expressed suicidal thoughts out of concern that she had to take care of her cancer-

stricken mother.

      The trial court heard how Rotter erased data stored on his phone in the midst

of his police interview, potentially destroying evidence similar to the Discord

messages found on his computer. Using those messages and a neighbor’s surveillance

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video, Detective Mooneyham was able to construct a timeline during which Rotter

may have shot a milk bottle in the backyard, gotten into an argument with Hartman

over firing his gun, and then posted on Discord that they had been arguing and “[he]

just sent a 9 millie in this fuckin hippie.”

       With the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence, the importance of setting bail

sufficiently high to secure Rotter’s appearance at trial is heightened. See In re Hulin,

31 S.W.3d 754, 761 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2000, no pet.). Combined with

the serious nature of the accusations against Rotter—his alleged murder of Hartman

and his possible destruction of evidence of the murder—these factors weigh heavily

in favor of a high bail amount to ensure his appearance at trial.

       B. Rotter’s work history, family ties, and attempted suicide

       Rotter spent 13 years working for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department and

was an undercover narcotics officer at the time of Hartman’s death. Byrne, who lives

in Fort Worth, testified to his involvement as a father and described him as “very

caring, very loving, very providing[,]” and a “wonderful role model.” She did not

consider him a flight risk. Byrne, Bowman, and his own mother all testified in his

support and to their desires to have him released. His mother testified that he was

willing to go to therapy if released, and she and Bowman testified that they would

report any bond violations if he were released.

       Though his family ties could have weighed in favor of a lower bail amount, we

agree with the State that the trial court could have considered their importance

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minimized by evidence of Rotter’s suicide attempt and possible drug problem. See Ex

parte Garner, No. 10-18-00129-CR, 2018 WL 3469834, at *4 (Tex. App.—Waco July

18, 2018, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (noting defendant’s

suicide threats rendered her a flight risk and danger to the community and citing

similar holdings). Rotter’s mother admitted that Rotter had attempted suicide by pill

overdose, and Detective Mooneyham testified that the attempt took place shortly

after requesting a DNA sample from Rotter and just before he was arrested and

charged with murder. Detective Mooneyham expressed his concern that Rotter was at

risk of attempting suicide again if released. Rotter countered this with testimony by a

records custodian of the sheriff’s office that he had been taken off suicide watch while

incarcerated, but the custodian also admitted that Rotter had not participated in any

substance-abuse classes such as Narcotics Anonymous.

      Viewing his work history and family ties in light of his past suicide attempt and

evidence of drug abuse, these factors weigh neutrally—at best—in determining the

bail amount.

      C. Rotter’s ability to post a bond

      Rotter’s counsel focused much of his efforts on conveying Rotter’s inability to

meet a $1 million bail. Bowman, who has been handling Rotter’s finances since his

arrest, testified that he only had a couple thousand dollars in savings and that his

$87,000 retirement fund had been spent after his arrest. Rotter’s family and Cagle

testified that the most they could gather is $12,500, enough to meet a $125,000 bail

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requirement. Though this factor weighs against a high bail amount, it is not

dispositive. See Ex parte Jones, 803 S.W.2d 712, 716 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). As we and

other courts have noted, a defendant’s simple inability to meet the bail set by the trial

court does not automatically render it excessive; to hold otherwise would completely

eliminate the trial court’s role in setting bond and place the accused “in the unique

posture of determining what his bond should be.” Ex parte Brown, 959 S.W.2d 369,

372 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1998, no pet.) (quoting Ex parte Miller, 631 S.W.2d 825,

827 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth, 1982, pet. ref’d)); see also Ex parte Branch, 553 S.W.2d

380, 382 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977); Ex parte Cardenas, 557 S.W.3d 722, 734 (Tex. App.—

Corpus Christi-Edinburg 2018, no pet.); Wright v. State, 976 S.W.2d 815, 820 (Tex.

App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1998, no pet.).

      D. Conclusion

      Having evaluated the relevant factors, only Rotter’s inability to post a

$750,000 bail weighs in his favor. Given that the inability to post bail is not a

dispositive factor, and considering the nature of the accused crime of murder and

potential life sentence, we cannot conclude that the trial court erred by declining to

lower his bail below $750,000 on the murder charge. We therefore overrule this

portion of his issue on appeal.

III. Comparing other cases

      In his second subissue, Rotter argues that his bail amount runs astray of similar

cases reviewed in Texas courts, but his argument is inaccurate. Relatedly, in his third

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subissue, Rotter argues that the $750,000 bail is “presumptively oppressive,” relying

on precedent from our sister court in Houston. See Ex parte Bogia, 56 S.W.3d 835,

839–40 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist] 2001, no pet.). We disagree with Rotter on

both fronts.

      We have previously noted that prior decisions are “of ‘relatively little value in

addressing the ultimate question of the appropriate amount of bail’ in a specific case

because appellate decisions on bail matters are often brief and avoid extended

discussions, and because the cases are so individualized that generalization from

results reached in others is difficult.” Ex parte Murray, Nos. 02-13-00151-CR, 02-13-

00152-CR, 02-13-00153-CR, 2013 WL 5425312, at *3 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Sept.

26, 2013, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (per curiam) (quoting Ex

parte Beard, 92 S.W.3d 566, 573 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, pet. ref’d)).

      In the same case, we rejected arguments similar to those Rotter makes in his

second and third subissues. The appellant in Murray relied on Ludwig v. State, just as

Rotter does here, to argue that his bail was presumptively too high because the Court

of Criminal Appeals reduced Ludwig’s bail on a capital murder charge—a charge

more serious than Murray’s aggravated-assault charge—from $1,000,000 to $50,000.

Id. (discussing Ludwig v. State, 812 S.W.2d 323, 325 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) (per

curiam)). As we explained, “significant factual differences” between Murray’s case and

Ludwig’s made the cases incomparable:

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      The defendant in Ludwig, despite his alleged threats to the victim and
      victim’s family, owned real property within Texas, was educated,
      practiced as a licensed veterinarian in Texas, had no prior criminal
      record, and was involved in a child custody proceeding that would
      require his presence in the jurisdiction. Here, appellant owns no real
      property within Texas, has presented no evidence regarding education as
      it pertains to the likelihood of gainful employment, has presented no
      more than allusions to possible employment with his stepfather whereby
      he would earn roughly $1,000 per month or potential employment
      working on an oil rig with his brother, and, as explained below, has a
      significant criminal history involving violent crimes.

Id. (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Rotter’s case also differs

significantly from the situation in Ludwig. Rotter owns no real property in Texas,

offered no evidence of any plan for gainful employment if released, and attempted

suicide just before being charged, calling into question whether his family ties would

outweigh flight-risk concerns. Based on the record before us, we conclude Ludwig and

the other cases cited by Rotter to be incomparable here.

      This court and others have affirmed bail amounts set at $750,000 or higher in

cases of murder or other serious first-degree felonies. In Ex Parte Green, this court

affirmed a $1,000,000 bail in a murder case. No. 02-13-00474-CR, 2014 WL 584960,

at *2–3 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Feb. 13, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for

publication) (collecting similar cases of high bail set in connection with murder

charges). In Murray, we affirmed a $750,000 bail in the prosecution of an aggravated-

assault-with-a-deadly-weapon charge. 2013 WL 5425312 at *4. In a capital-murder

prosecution where the defendant did not deliver the fatal blow, we affirmed a

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$500,000 bail. Brown, 959 S.W.2d at 373. We are therefore unpersuaded by Rotter’s

second subissue.

      As for his third and final subissue, we have not adopted Bogia’s holding that a

$360,000 bail in a theft case is presumptively oppressive, nor do we find cause to

adopt its reasoning in the context of this case. See 56 S.W.3d at 836. Bail may be

deemed oppressive when the trial court sets the bail at an amount “for the express

purpose of forcing [a defendant] to remain incarcerated.” Ex parte Harris, 733 S.W.2d

712, 714 (Tex. App.—Austin 1987, no pet.) (per curiam). The record before us

contains no evidence that the trial court’s express purpose of setting a $750,000 bail—

lowered from $1 million—was to keep Rotter incarcerated. We therefore overrule the

remainder of his argument and his sole issue in its entirety.

                                      Conclusion

      Having overruled Rotter’s issue on appeal, we affirm the trial court’s order.

                                                       /s/ Mike Wallach
                                                       Mike Wallach
                                                       Justice

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

Delivered: May 20, 2021

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