Court Opinion

ID: 9761934
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 02:00:23.861545+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:27.856098
License: Public Domain

OVERSTREET, Judge,
dissenting on state’s rehearing.
On original submission, by a 5-3 vote, we upheld the Tenth Court of Appeals’ holding that the trial court reversibly erred in granting a motion to quash appellant’s subpoenas of two newspaper reporters. However, after granting motions for rehearing filed by both the District Attorney and the State Prosecuting Attorney, we now reverse ourselves and conclude that there was no error in quashing the subpoenas. Because I think that we had it right the first time, I respectfully dissent to this Court’s sudden about-face.
On original submission, we held that subpoenaed witnesses, i.e. in this case the reporters, have the burden “to come forward with evidence, either live testimony or affidavit, in support of their motion to quash[.]” Coleman v. State, (Tex.Cr.App. No. 491-96, delivered April 30,1997, slip op. at 7). Thus the Waco Court of Appeals did not err in holding that because the reporters failed to come forward with such evidence the trial court erroneously granted their motion to quash. Id. As we indicated on original submission, that holding is quite consistent with existing law. However, on rehearing, a majority of this Court chooses to “modify” our interpretation of existing law.
On rehearing, this Court holds that the defendant has the burden of showing materiality and favorableness as to the subpoenaed witnesses’ prospective testimony, and that “it is clear that appellant did not make the necessary showing.” Coleman v. State, 966 S.W.2d 525, 528 (Tex.Cr.App.1998) (op. on reh’g). What of our previous holding on original submission that the reporters had the burden to come forward with evidence in support of their motion to quash?
*529The majority states that “[a] defendant who has not had an opportunity to interview a witness may make the necessary showing by establishing the matters to which the witness might testify and the relevance and importance of those matters to the successes of the defense.” Id. However, in light of the fact that a witness is not required to even talk with the defendant or his attorneys, such a showing may be quite difficult, if not impossible, when a prospective witness refuses to be interviewed. That is what the subpoena is for — to get the witness into court so that he can be questioned. If a defendant has been unable to interview a prospective witness, how is he going to know specifically what the witness knows? And as the majority opinion notes, appellant did argue to the trial court that the reporters could enlighten the jury as to the atmosphere in Dallas that could relate back to his state of mind. Obviously, he was referring to the rival gang activities since the subject matter of the reporters’ newspaper articles was such gang activity and violence. There was nothing mysterious or cryptic about the basis of appellant’s desire for these reporters to testify. This case involved rival gang activity, and the reporters had written articles thereon. Without being able to force the reporters to submit to an interview, such is the best showing appellant could make.
How does one acquire the information necessary to make the showing of materiality and relevance? Pursuant to the majority’s opinion on rehearing, obviously not via compulsory process subpoena. Perhaps via crystal ball or psychic hot-line?
In light of the facts of this case, and the reporters’ newspaper articles involving the rival gangs, I believe that appellant made a sufficient showing to justify his subpoenas, and that because the reporters failed in their burden to support their motion to quash, I believe appellant was entitled to have his subpoenas enforced. Because the majority of this Court now concludes otherwise, I respectfully dissent.
BAIRD, J., joins.