Andrew Mercer v. State

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: December 1, 2016
• Docket: 05-16-00336-CR
• Status: Published

Opinion

MODIFY and AFFIRM; and Opinion Filed December 1, 2016.

S In The Court of Appeals Fifth District of Texas at Dallas No. 05-16-00336-CR

ANDREW MERCER, Appellant V. THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the Criminal District Court No. 2 Dallas County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. F12-30995-I

MEMORANDUM OPINION Before Justices Francis, Fillmore, and Stoddart Opinion by Justice Fillmore Andrew Mercer appeals his conviction, following the adjudication of his guilt, for

aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 22.02(a) (West 2011).

The trial court assessed punishment at ten years’ imprisonment. On appeal, appellant’s attorney

filed a brief in which he concludes the appeal is wholly frivolous and without merit. The brief

meets the requirements of Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967). The brief presents a

professional evaluation of the record showing why, in effect, there are no arguable grounds to

advance. See High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807, 811–12 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1978).

Counsel delivered a copy of the brief to appellant. We advised appellant of his right to file a pro

se response, but he did not file a pro se response. See Kelly v. State, 436 S.W.3d 313, 319–21

(Tex. Crim. App. 2014) (identifying duties of appellate courts and counsel in Anders cases). We have reviewed the record and counsel’s brief. See Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d 824,

826–27 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) (explaining appellate court’s duty in Anders cases). We agree

the appeal is frivolous and without merit. We find nothing in the record that might arguably

support the appeal.

Although not an arguable issue, we note the trial court’s judgment incorrectly reflects there

was a plea bargain agreement. The record shows appellant entered an open plea of true to six

allegations recited in the motion to adjudicate. Accordingly, on our own motion, we modify the

section of the judgment entitled “terms of plea bargain” to state “open.” See TEX. R. APP. P. 43.2(b);

Bigley v. State, 865 S.W.2d 26, 27–28 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993); Asberry v. State, 813 S.W.2d 526,

529–30 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1991, pet. ref'd).

Further, the trial court’s judgment incorrectly includes a $2,500 fine that was assessed, but

expressly probated, when appellant was initially placed on deferred community supervision.

Following a hearing on the State’s motion to adjudicate guilt, the trial court found appellant guilty,

adjudicated his guilt, and sentenced him to ten years’ imprisonment. The trial court did not orally

pronounce a fine. When a variation exists between the oral pronouncement of the sentence and the

written memorialization of the sentence, the oral pronouncement controls. See Coffey v. State, 979

S.W.2d 326, 328 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998); see also McCoy v. State, 81 S.W.3d 917, 919 (Tex. App.—

Dallas 2002, pet. ref’d). We modify the judgment to delete the $2,500 fine. See TEX. R. APP. P.

43.2(b); Bigley, 865 S.W.2d at 27–28; Asberry, 813 S.W.2d at 529–30.

As modified, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

/Robert M. Fillmore/ ROBERT M. FILLMORE Do Not Publish JUSTICE TEX. R. APP. P. 47

160336F.U05

–2– S Court of Appeals Fifth District of Texas at Dallas JUDGMENT

ANDREW MERCER, Appellant On Appeal from the Criminal District Court No. 2, Dallas County, Texas No. 05-16-00336-CR V. Trial Court Cause No. F12-30995-I. Opinion delivered by Justice Fillmore. THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee Justices Francis and Stoddart participating.

Based on the Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment adjudicating guilt of the trial court is MODIFIED as follows:

The section entitled “Terms of Plea Bargain” is modified to show “Open.”

The section entitled “Fine” is modified to show “None.”

As modified, we AFFIRM the trial court’s judgment adjudicating guilt.

Judgment entered this 1st day of December, 2016.

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