Bruce Wayne Houser v. Helen R. Bluitt, et al--Appeal from 136th District Court of Jefferson County

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Laws-info.com » Cases » Texas » 9th District Court of Appeals » 2006 » Bruce Wayne Houser v. Helen R. Bluitt, et al--Appeal from 136th District Court of Jefferson County

State: Texas

Court: Texas Northern District Court

Docket No: 09-05-00336-CV

Case Date: 11/30/2006

Plaintiff: John Dee Gill, Jr.

Defendant: The State of Texas--Appeal from 54th District Court of McLennan County

Preview:Melvin Eugene Wright v. The State of Texas--Appeal from 142nd District Court of Midland County
Opinion filed May 17, 2007 Opinion filed May 17, 2007 In The Eleventh Court of Appeals ____________ No. 11-06-00314-CR __________ MELVIN EUGENE WRIGHT, Appellant V. STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee On Appeal from the 142nd District Court Midland County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. CR31655 OPINION The trial court convicted Melvin Eugene Wright of possession of cocaine, found the four enhancement allegations to be true, and assessed his punishment at confinement for four years. We affirm. Appellant=s court-appointed counsel has filed a motion to withdraw. The motion is supported by a brief in which counsel professionally and conscientiously examines the record and applicable law and states that he has concluded that the appeal is frivolous. Counsel includes two potential appellate points in his brief.

First, counsel challenges the trial court=s failure to grant his motion to suppress. Counsel contends that the traffic stop that led to the discovery of the crack cocaine on the floorboard of appellant=s vehicle was invalid. The record supports the trial court=s conclusions that a proper traffic stop was made and that the search was valid. The first potential appellate point is overruled. Next, counsel questions the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence. In order to determine if the evidence is legally sufficient, we must review all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (1979); Jackson v. State, 17 S.W.3d 664 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). To determine if the evidence is factually sufficient, the appellate court reviews all of the evidence in a neutral light. Watson v. State, 204 S.W.3d 404, 414 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006) (overruling in part Zuniga v. State, 144 S.W.3d 477 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004)); Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 10-11 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); Cain v. State, 958 S.W.2d 404, 407-08 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); Clewis v. State, 922 S.W.2d 126, 129 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Then, the reviewing court determines whether
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the evidence supporting the verdict is so weak that the verdict is clearly wrong and manifestly unjust or whether the verdict is against the great weight and preponderance of the conflicting evidence. Watson, 204 S.W.3d at 414-15; Johnson, 23 S.W.3d at 10-11. In cases involving unlawful possession of a controlled substance, the State must prove that the accused exercised care, control, or management over the substance and that the accused knew that the substance was contraband. Poindexter v. State, 153 S.W.3d 402, 405 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005); Martin v. State, 753 S.W.2d 384, 387 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988). As counsel notes, the record reflects that Midland Police Officer Neil Truex found crack cocaine in appellant=s possession. The evidence is both legally and factually sufficient to support the verdict. The second potential appellate point is overruled.

Counsel has provided appellant with a copy of the brief and advised appellant of his right to review the record and file a response to counsel=s brief. A response has not been filed. Court-appointed counsel has complied with the requirements of Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967); Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991); High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978); Currie v. State, 516 S.W.2d 684 (Tex. Crim. App. 1974); Gainous v. State, 436 S.W.2d 137 (Tex. Crim. App. 1969); Eaden v. State, 161 S.W.3d 173 (Tex. App.CEastland 2005, no pet.). Following the procedures outlined in Anders, we have independently reviewed the record, and we agree that the appeal is without merit. We note that counsel has the responsibility to advise appellant that he may file a petition for discretionary review by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Ex parte Owens, 206 S.W.3d 670 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). Likewise, this court advises appellant that he may file a petition for discretionary review pursuant to Tex. R. App. P. 66. Black v. State, No. 11-06-00273-CR, 2007 WL 431005 (Tex. App.CEastland Feb. 8, 2007, no pet.). The motion to withdraw is granted, and the judgment is affirmed. PER CURIAM May 17, 2007 Do not publish. See Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b). Panel consists of: Wright, C.J., McCall, J., and Strange, J.

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