Burkett, Jason Aaron

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: November 21, 2007
• Docket: WR-68,232-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-68,232-01 EX PARTE JASON AARON BURKETT, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

CAUSE NO. 03-07-05136-CR IN THE 221^ST DISTRICT COURT

FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Per curiam.

O R D E R

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life. The Ninth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Burkett v. State, No. 09-04-00076-CR (Tex. App.-Beaumont, delivered Aug. 24, 2005, pet. ref'd).

In his present application, Applicant raises eight grounds challenging his conviction. This application, however, presents a more serious question. Applicant alleges, among other things, that he is actually innocent. In support of this allegation, he has submitted documents purporting to be affidavits from Kristin Willis, Megan Lazrine, Cathy Lazrine, and Michael Perry. The trial court has found that these affidavits were fabricated.

The writ of habeas corpus is not to be lightly or easily abused. Sanders v. U.S., 373 U.S. 1 (1963); Ex parte Carr, 511 S.W.2d 523 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977). We find that Applicant has abused The Great Writ by submitting false evidence. By that abuse, Applicant has waived and abandoned any contention that he might have in regard to the instant conviction, at least insofar as existing claims that he could have or should have brought in this application. Ex parte Jones, 97 S.W.3d 586 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Middaugh v. State, 683 S.W.2d 713 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985); Ex parte Emmons, 660 S.W.2d 106 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983). Additionally, based on Applicant's submission of false evidence, we find that Applicant has filed a frivolous lawsuit. We dismiss this application.

Therefore, we instruct the Honorable Louise Pearson, Clerk of the Court of Criminal Appeals, not to accept or file the instant application for a writ of habeas corpus, or any future application attacking this conviction unless Applicant shows in such an application that any claims presented have not been raised previously and that they could not have been presented in a previous application for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Bilton, 602 S.W.2d 534 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980).

Filed: November 21, 2007

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