Bell, Roderick Dwayne

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: December 6, 2023
• Docket: WR-95,159-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS NO. WR-95,159-01

EX PARTE RODERICK DWAYNE BELL, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 1368124-A IN THE 174TH DISTRICT COURT FROM HARRIS COUNTY

Per curiam.

OPINION

Applicant pleaded guilty to manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and was sentenced

to nine months’ imprisonment. Applicant did not appeal his conviction. Applicant filed this

application for a writ of habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded

it to this Court. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 11.07.

Applicant raises claims of false evidence and involuntary plea related to the discovery of

prior misconduct by former Houston Police Officer Gerald Goines, who was the sole witness against

Applicant in his case. Based on the record, the trial court has determined that Applicant was denied

due process by the use of false evidence against him and that his guilty plea was involuntary. Ex

parte Mathews, 638 S.W.3d 685 (Tex. Crim. App. 2022); Ex parte Coty, 418 S.W.3d 597 (Tex. 2

Crim. App. 2014). The State and trial court both recommend granting relief. We agree.

Relief is granted. Ex parte Chabot, 300 S.W.3d 768, 772 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009); Brady v.

United States, 397 U.S. 742 (1970). The judgment in cause number 136812401010 in the 174th

District Court of Harris County is set aside, and Applicant is remanded to the custody of the Sheriff

of Harris County to answer the charges as set out in the indictment. The trial court shall issue any

necessary bench warrant within ten days from the date of this Court’s mandate.

Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Correctional

Institutions Division and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Delivered: December 6, 2023 Do not publish