Donald Ray McCray v. State

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: February 27, 2020
• Docket: 07-19-00430-CR
• Status: Published

Opinion

In The Court of Appeals Seventh District of Texas at Amarillo

No. 07-19-00430-CR

DONALD RAY MCCRAY, APPELLANT

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE

On Appeal from the 251st District Court Potter County, Texas Trial Court No. 70,652-C, Honorable Abe Lopez, Presiding

February 27, 2020

MEMORANDUM OPINION Before QUINN, C.J., and PARKER and DOSS, JJ.

Appellant, Donald Ray McCray, was convicted of retaliation against a public

servant. Before trial, appellant’s appointed counsel was allowed to withdraw as attorney

of record but continued as “standby” counsel, and appellant was permitted to represent

himself at trial. Following his conviction, appellant filed a notice of appeal, pro se. He did

not request appointment of appellate counsel and counsel has not been appointed.

Appellant filed a brief on January 6, 2020, prior to the filing of the appellate record.

Appellant did not present any cognizant issues for review or cite to any legal authority in his brief. Instead, he argued, among other things, that his conviction was “an act of

treason to overthrow the government” and that he is being prosecuted by a “criminal

syndicate, mafia organization.” Appellant has also filed a “First Complaint Notice” and

“Second Complaint Notice,” both of which are unintelligible.

Applicable Law

An accused is entitled to the assistance of counsel at trial and through the

conclusion of his direct appeal. Buntion v. Harmon, 827 S.W.2d 945, 948–49 (Tex. Crim.

App. 1992). Criminal defendants have a Sixth Amendment right to conduct their own

defense at trial if they knowingly and intelligently relinquish their right to counsel. Faretta

v. Cal., 422 U.S. 806, 835, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562 (1975). However, the Sixth

Amendment right to self-representation does not extend to the direct appeal from a

criminal conviction. Martinez v. Court of Appeal of Cal., 528 U.S. 152, 162–63, 120 S.

Ct. 684, 145 L. Ed.2d 597 (2000) (finding no federal constitutional right of self-

representation on direct appeal from a criminal conviction because the government’s

interest in the fair administration of justice outweighs any invasion of appellant’s self-

representation interest); Scheanette v. State, 144 S.W.3d 503, 505 n.2 (Tex. Crim. App.

2004) (defendant has no constitutional right to represent himself on direct appeal, citing

Martinez); Hadnot v. State, 14 S.W.3d 348, 350 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000,

order) (per curiam) (“No Texas court has recognized a state constitutional right to self-

representation on direct appeal.”).

Rather, appellate courts have discretion to permit an appellant to represent himself

on appeal if he can do so without interfering with the administration of the appellate

process. Bibbs v. State, No. 07-10-0300-CR, 2011 Tex. App. LEXIS 9490, at *4 (Tex.

2 App.—Amarillo Dec. 2, 2011, order) (per curiam). Our exercise of that discretion depends

on a case-by-case analysis of the best interest of the appellant, the State, and the

administration of justice. Id. In that regard, we are guided by the principle that an

appellant cannot use his desire for self-representation as a means of manipulating or

obstructing the orderly procedure of the court or interfering with the fair administration of

justice. Hubbard v. State, 739 S.W.2d 341, 344 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987).

Analysis

Appellant’s brief and other filings raise concerns as to whether allowing appellant

to represent himself on appeal is in his best interest, the State’s best interest, and in

furtherance of the proper administration of justice. We, therefore, abate this appeal and

remand the cause to the trial court for further proceedings. Upon remand, the trial court

shall conduct a hearing to determine the following:

1. whether appellant still desires to prosecute the appeal;

2. whether appellant is indigent and entitled to the appointment of appellate counsel;

3. whether appellant still desires to represent himself on appeal;

4. if appellant desires to represent himself, whether his decision to do so is competently and intelligently made, including whether he is aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation on appeal, see Hubbard, 739 S.W.2d at 345; and

5. if appellant desires to represent himself, whether allowing him to do so is in his best interest, in the best interest of the State, and in furtherance of the proper administration of justice.

The trial court is also directed to enter such orders necessary to address the

aforementioned questions. So too shall it include its findings on those matters in a

supplemental record and cause that record to be filed with this court by March 25, 2020.

3 If it is determined that appellant is entitled to appointed counsel and that allowing

appellant to represent himself on appeal is not in his best interest, in the best interest of

the State, and in furtherance of the proper administration of justice, the trial court shall

appoint appellate counsel. The name, address, email address, telephone number, and

State Bar number of any newly appointed counsel shall be included in the aforementioned

findings.

Additionally, the clerk’s record does not contain the trial court’s certification of

appellant’s right of appeal. On remand, the trial court shall prepare a certification of

appellant’s right of appeal and include the certification in the supplemental record filed

with this court. TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(a)(2), 34.5(c)(2).

Should further time be needed to perform these tasks, then same must be

requested before March 25, 2020.

It is so ordered.

Per Curiam

Do not publish.