Davis v. State

501 S.W.2d 629, 1973 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 2112
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas·Decided November 28, 1973·No. 46810·Published·Cited by 29 cases

Opinion

OPINION

ONION, Presiding Judge.

This is an appeal from a conviction for robbery by assault wherein the punishment, enhanced under Article 62, Vernon’s Ann. P.C., was assessed at life.

Appellant does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence. Suffice it to say the State’s evidence reflects that appellant assisted Bobby Joe Daniels in the robbery and murder of the deceased, Albert Mott Chattin, on October 21, 1969 in Dallas.

In his first two grounds of error appellant complains of the trial court’s refusal to compel co-defendant Daniels to testify after the witness invoked the Fifth Amendment. Appellant further complains that since Daniels had previously testified at his own trial which resulted in his conviction and the assessment of the death penalty, such testimony and conviction constituted a waiver of his privilege against self-incrimination.

The record reflects that after the State rested its case a hearing was held outside the presence and hearing of the jury. Appellant called Daniels as his defense witness, who refused to testify, claiming his privilege against self-incrimination. Appellant then called Assistant District Attorney John Ovard, who testified that he was present when Daniels testified at his own trial and that his conviction was at that time pending appeal.

At the conclusion of the hearing the court allowed the witness to claim his privilege against self-incrimination.

Ordinarily, by testifying at a preliminary hearing, at an inquest, before a grand jury or at a previous trial one does not waive his right to claim the privilege against self-incrimination at a later trial. 8 Wigmore on Evidence, 3d ed. § 2276; see also cases collated, 36 A.L.R.2d MOMS; 38 A.L.R.2d 225, 255; Texas Law of Evidence, McCormick & Ray, § 443, p. 382; State v. Rawls, 252 Or. 556, 451 P.2d 127 (1969); People v. Walker, 28 Ill.2d 585, 192 N.E.2d 819 (1963); United States v. Baker, 262 F.Supp. 657 (D.D.C.1966). Thus, it would appear that a waiver does not extend beyond the particular proceeding and by voluntarily testifying at one’s own trial the witness does not lose his privilege at a later proceeding.

Appellant further argues that Daniels waived his privilege against self-incrimination as a result of his conviction for murder with malice arising out of the same facts which discharged any further criminal liability to the State under United States v. Hoffman, 385 F.2d 501 (7th Cir.1967), cert. den., 390 U.S. 1031, 88 S.Ct. 1424, 20 L.Ed.2d 288. See also Franco v. State, 491 S.W.2d 890 (Tex.Cr.App.1973); Cherb v. State, 472 S.W.2d 273 (Tex.Cr. App.1971).

The State contends that since the witness’ conviction is pending appeal and therefore not final, he did not waive his right to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege.

It has been generally held that self-incrimination is not lost until the proceedings against the accused under indictment have been terminated, 58 Am.Jur., Witnesses, § 43, p. 48, and that the privilege ceases only when liability to punish *631 ment no longer exists. Texas Law of Evidence, McCormick & Ray, 2d ed. § 444, p. 383; 8 Wigmore on Evidence, 3d ed. § 2279. Cf. Brumfield v. State, 445 S.W.2d 732 (Tex.Cr.App.1969).

In the instant case, the evidence is undisputed that Daniels was assessed the death penalty from which his counsel would be required to appeal. 1 Ex parte Caldwell, 383 S.W.2d 587 (Tex.Cr.App.1964).

Since Daniels’ conviction was still pending, the State’s case against him had not been prosecuted to a final conclusion. In the event of Daniels being granted a new trial, the testimony which the witness refused to give, had he answered, could be used against him. Therefore, since Daniels’ conviction was not final, the trial court properly allowed the witness to claim his privilege against self-incrimination. See and compare Mills v. United States, 281 F.2d 736 (4th Cir. 1960); State v. Tyson, 43 N.J. 411, 204 A.2d 864 (1964); People v. Den Uyl, 318 Mich. 645, 29 N. W.2d 284 (1947).

Appellant’s first two grounds of error are overruled.

In his third ground of error appellant contends the trial court erred in admitting his confession into evidence. The appellant argues that the State did not show that he voluntarily waived his rights before making the confession as required by Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694.

The record reflects that at 4 p. m. on April 21, 1970, the day following appellant’s return to Dallas County jail from the penitentiary pursuant to a bench warrant, the appellant was taken before Tom Nay-lor, a Justice of the Peace in Dallas County, and warned of his rights as required by Article 15.17, Vernon’s Ann.C.C.P. Immediately thereafter, appellant was taken to the Sheriff’s office, where he was again warned pursuant to Article 38.22, Vernon’s Ann.C.C.P., and gave a confession.

During the Jackson v. Denno 2 or Article 38.22, Vernon’s Ann.C.C.P. hearing held in the jury’s absence, Detective G. F. Rose of the Dallas Police Department testified that he was the person who read to the appellant the Miranda and Article 38.22, Vernon’s Ann.C.C.P. warnings, and that the appellant said he understood his rights, that he did not want a lawyer, and that he wanted to discuss the case. Detective Rose then took appellant’s statement and reduced it to writing. Later, he summoned Lowell Duncan, a newsman from a television station, who was present when the appellant signed the confession.

The appellant did not testify nor make any assertion he was coerced or enticed into giving the confession or that he did not affirmatively waive his rights.

At the conclusion of the hearing the careful trial judge filed his findings of fact and conclusions of law in some detail and decided “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the confession had been made after proper warnings, etc., and “was freely and voluntarily made and was admissible.”

In the presence of the jury Rose repeated his testimony. Lowell Duncan, the newsman, testified that he, along with the appellant and Detective Rose, read the confession and that he witnessed the appellant sign the statement (which contained the Miranda warnings on its face). Duncan further related that he first personally inquired of the appellant if he understood what he signed and received an affirmative answer, and that the appellant also told him he had not been forced or coerced in signing the statement.

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Davis v. State, 501 S.W.2d 629, 1973 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 2112 (Tex. 1973).

501 S.W.2d 629 (Davis v. State) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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