Opinion issued May 9, 2023
In The
Court of Appeals For The
First District of Texas ———————————— NO. 01-22-00782-CR ——————————— EX PARTE RENE MORENO, Appellant
On Appeal from the 482nd District Court Harris County, Texas Trial Court Case No. 1788826
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant, Rene Moreno, challenges the trial court’s September 29, 2022
order denying his pretrial application for writ of habeas corpus seeking a reduction
in bail.1 In two points of error, appellant contends that (1) the trial court abused its
1 See TEX. R. APP. P. 31. discretion in finding there was sufficient evidence that appellant was a future danger
to the community, and (2) the $750,000 bond set by the trial court is oppressive.
We affirm.
Background
Appellant was arrested on May 18, 2022 and was charged with the felony
offense of capital murder.2 On August 11, 2022, a Harris County Grand Jury issued
a true bill of indictment, alleging that appellant, on or about September 3, 2021,
“unlawfully, while in the course of committing and attempting to commit the
robbery of [complainant], intentionally cause[d] the death of [complainant] by
shooting [complainant] with a deadly weapon, namely, a [f]irearm.” Appellant
remains in custody.
June 9, 2022 Bond Hearing
On June 9, 2022, the trial court held a bond hearing. The trial court heard
testimony from three witnesses during the bond hearing: Alfred Vera (a homicide
detective for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office), Rene Manuel Moreno (appellant’s
father), and Marc Metze (owner of Better Now Than Later Bail Bonds).
Detective Vera was the lead investigator of the September 3, 2021 shooting
incident which led to appellant being charged with capital murder. Detective Vera
2 See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 19.03(a)(2) (defining “capital murder” to include murder committed “in the course of committing or attempting to commit . . . robbery . . .”).
2 testified that appellant and another individual attempted to rob the complainant, who
was “selling marijuana” in the parking lot of an apartment complex, and a shootout
ensued.
Detective Vera testified that, by the time he arrived on the scene, the
complainant had been transported to a local hospital, where he eventually died from
injuries sustained in the shootout. Regarding the state of the scene, Detective Vera
stated that “there was blood on the concrete of the parking lot and multiple shell
casings.” Specifically, Detective Vera testified that “over 30 shell casings,” from a
variety of calibers, were found at the scene.
There was also a “blood trail” that led toward a “grassy area.” Investigators
were able to obtain video footage from a nearby “Ring doorbell surveillance,” which
showed two individuals leaving the scene of the crime, one of whom was wearing
only one shoe and was limping. The individual who was wearing only one shoe and
limping was later identified as appellant, who “got shot in his foot” during the
shootout.
Detective Vera also testified that in a separate investigation, the Harris
County’s Sheriff’s Office was investigating the murder of Jonathan Moreno,
appellant’s brother. In connection with that investigation, the Harris County
Sheriff’s Office obtained consent to search appellant’s cellular telephone. Detective
Vera was thereby able to review “text messages, photos, and some news articles
3 found in [appellant’s] phone . . . focus[ed] on items related to the September 3[],
2021 shooting.” Specifically, Detective Vera was able to review a text message
chain, including shared photographs and hyperlinks to news articles, between
appellant and a female witness, who was later interviewed by the Harris County
Sheriff’s Office.
Detective Vera testified that on September 3, 2021, the night of the shooting,
at approximately 10:39 p.m., appellant sent a text message to the female witness
stating, “I got shot . . .[o]n the foot.” The following morning, on September 4, 2021,
at 7:48 a.m., appellant texted that he “couldn’t go to a hospital that close [because]
the law’s looking.” He also stated that the police “literally blocked up miles of
streets,” and he “ran two miles” away from the scene. In commenting on the alleged
attempted robbery and shootout, appellant texted that complainant “had a 50 drum
on a drac and an AR-15 and we had pistols,” and that “[l]ike 50 shots was left off.”
Appellant later stated to the female witness that they “let six in him,” but “everything
happen for a reason,” and appellant “won’t regret it unless [he] get locked up.”
On September 4, 2021, at 9:57 a.m., appellant sent a photograph to the female
witness of a foot which had a hole in the center of it, and which appeared to be
covered in blood. This photograph, according to Detective Vera, was also found on
appellant’s phone. In his text messages with the female witness, appellant also stated
that he will “need a boot.”
4 Appellant’s text messages with the female witness also discussed the police
presence after the shooting, commenting that “[t]hey had, like, 40 cops pulled up on
the scene.” Appellant then stated that “[t]he laws got on foot too eventually,” and
he fled the scene through some nearby woods, and his “arms is fucked up, too,” as
he was “running like a slob just pushing through” the trees and brush.
Later that morning, at approximately 11:34 a.m., appellant and the female
witness exchanged hyperlinks to news articles regarding the shootout from the
previous night. After discussing several of these articles, appellant states, “Ima lay
the fuck low.”
Detective Vera testified that the Sheriff’s Office “was actively looking for”
appellant beginning in November 2021. The Sheriff’s Office searched for him at his
parents’ residence, and other locations he was associated with, but he was not found
until May 18, 2022, when he was ultimately arrested.
The trial court also heard testimony from Rene Manuel Moreno, appellant’s
father, regarding their financial condition and their ability to pay a bond for
appellant’s release pending trial. Mr. Moreno testified that he is a “senior manager
at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q,” making a base salary of approximately $46,000 per year. He
also testified that his wife, Raquel Moreno, is “employed at Hobby Lobby,” and
makes approximately $37,000 per year. In 2018, the Moreno family purchased a
home. The Moreno’s have approximately $30,000 of equity in their home, which
5 has a value of approximately $384,000, with an outstanding mortgage loan of
approximately $354,000. Mr. Moreno further testified that he has a 401(k)-account
worth approximately $34,000. After appellant was arrested, Mr. Moreno also sold
a pickup truck he owned, hoping to use the proceeds to pay appellant’s bond. Mr.
Moreno testified that he profited $18,000 on the sale of his pickup truck.
Mr. Moreno testified at the bond hearing that the family has no other assets to
“give as collateral” to pay appellant’s bond. However, other family members,
including his brother and sister-in-law, have agreed to co-sign to assist in paying
appellant’s bond.
The trial court also heard testimony from Marc Metze, the owner of Better
Now Than Later Bail Bonds. Metze testified that he spoke with the Moreno family
“about a bond for” appellant. As of the date of the hearing, Metze testified that the
Morenos had approximately $20,000 for payment of a bond. The Morenos had
offered to use their home as collateral, but “it is a homestead,” and therefore “is not
good collateral.” Because Texas law requires, “on a case like this,” that a bonding
company receive at least 10% of the bond amount up front, Metze testified that,
based on the state of the Morenos’ financial condition, “the max amount” of bond
the Morenos could afford would be $200,000.
At the conclusion of the June 9, 2022 hearing, the trial court “assess[ed] a
bond at $750,000” for appellant.
6 Pretrial Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus
On September 29, 2022, appellant filed a pretrial application for writ of habeas
corpus seeking a reduction in bail, arguing that he “is unable to post bond in such
amount,” and that the $750,000 bond amount set by the trial court “is unreasonable
and penal in nature.”3 According to the habeas application, appellant’s parents, who
“would be responsible for [his] bail as well as his legal fees,” are not able to afford
the bail amount, and that “[s]etting bail at an amount that [he] can afford will not
result in his failure to appear because he and his family have too much to lose and
nowhere to go.”
Notably, appellant’s habeas application does not state what amount he could
afford. However, appellant asserted that “there are alternative methods of ensuring
community safety instead of keeping [him] in custody,” such as “GPS monitoring
and supervision by the Community Supervision Department.”
Appellant’s habeas application also notes that he “has a medical eye condition
which requires him to wear specialized contacts to prevent him from losing sight.”
Since he has been in custody, appellant “has been unable to get access to those
contacts.”
3 See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.15; see also id. art. 1.08 (“The writ of habeas corpus is a writ of right and shall never be suspended.”); Ex parte Weise, 55 S.W.3d 617, 619–20 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001) (when faced with excessive bail, defendant has right to assert his constitutional right to reasonable bail through use of application for pretrial writ of habeas corpus).
7 Hearing on Appellant’s Habeas Application
On September 29, 2022, the trial court held a hearing on appellant’s pretrial
application for writ of habeas corpus for reduction in bail. At the outset of the
hearing, the trial court stated that it was “taking judicial notice of the [trial court’s]
file.” At the hearing, appellant called two witnesses to testify, Dr. Brian Cox, an
optometrist who treated appellant for several years prior to his arrest, and Raquel
Moreno, appellant’s mother.
Dr. Cox testified regarding his treatment of appellant for an “ophthalmic
condition called anisometropia.” Dr. Cox testified that he had been treating
appellant for this condition since 2014. Anisometropia is a condition “where the
two eyes have significantly different powers between them.” Dr. Cox testified that,
in appellant’s case, “his right eye is nearsighted and his left eye is farsighted with
astigmatism.” This condition cannot be treated by glasses and is generally treated
by use of “contact lenses to minimize any double vision and provide the best optimal
clarity.”
In appellant’s case, the contact lenses prescribed by Dr. Cox “are considered
medical necessity, based on insurance.” Without his prescribed contact lenses, Dr.
Cox testified that appellant would be “[v]isually disabled,” and “outside of reaching
as far as you can reach, [his vision is] extremely blurry beyond that.” Raquel Moreno
testified that appellant has “been dealing with” anisometropia since he was four
8 years old. She testified that she has contacts prescribed by Dr. Cox, but she has been
unable to get the contacts to appellant, who has been without his contacts since he
was taken into custody on May 18, 2022.
Ms. Moreno testified that she has contacted the jail but was told that “he
needed to go through medical . . . that he needed to put in a request.” Ms. Moreno
“let [appellant] know that he need[ed] to put in a request,” but after a month,
“nothing was done.” At that point, Ms. Moreno “went to the jail [herself], in person,
and [she] talked to one of the officers in the front.” Ms. Moreno was told that
“glasses were okay to bring in,” however, Ms. Moreno and Dr. Cox testified that
glasses would not help with appellant’s condition, and at the time of the hearing,
appellant had not been permitted his contact lenses.
Ms. Moreno testified that appellant “complained about headaches due to not
being able to see,” and that, because of his vision impairment, his ability to engage
in any activity was limited. Ms. Moreno stated that she believed appellant had made
“at least 30” requests to medical for assistance with his condition, all of which have
gone ignored. Ms. Moreno was “afraid that [appellant is] not able to keep his mind
busy while he is” in custody because “he’s not able to read any books. He can’t
really do anything because he can’t see. He is not able to watch TV. He’s not able
to do anything.” Notably however, Ms. Moreno testified that she is not aware of
anyone asking the trial court to “order the jail . . . to give [appellant] his contacts.”
9 With respect to the amount of his bond, Ms. Moreno testified that she has
“tried everything to bail [appellant] out.” She testified that the family has “made
several contacts” with a bondsman and sold a truck for approximately $20,000. Ms.
Moreno and her husband have approximately $40,000 in equity in their home and
discussed selling their home. However, Ms. Moreno testified that the bondsman told
her and her husband that “even if [they] sell the house, [they] won’t be able to bail
[appellant] out because [they] don’t have any personal equity on anything else to
back up the bail.” According to Ms. Moreno, the bondsman stated to her and her
husband that they “would need [$750,000] in collateral.”
Ms. Moreno testified that her husband “is a manager at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q,” and
that she “work[s] at Hobby Lobby” and has “been doing Uber Eats.” She stated that
there is no other way, or time, they could gain any extra income, and no other way
they know of to change their financial status. However, if she was able to bond her
son out, he could live at home and be placed on a 24-hour house arrest.
Trial Court’s Ruling
At the conclusion of the hearing on appellant’s pretrial application for writ of
habeas corpus, the trial court denied appellant’s application. The trial court noted
that “it is the [trial court’s] impression” that it “would have to reduce the bond to
$50,000 for [appellant’s] parents to have the ability to make that bond and
[appellant] would be released.” The trial court further noted that it “recall[ed] the
10 testimony presented by the State and the Defense during the” June 9, 2022 bail
hearing, and that it “is going to deny” appellant’s pretrial application for writ of
habeas corpus and “leave the bond at $750,000” for the felony offense of capital
murder.
Standard of Review
It is not the purpose of this Court, nor does this Court have the authority, to
grant habeas corpus relief in criminal cases. See TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 22.221(d)
(limited jurisdiction of intermediate appellate courts to issue writ of habeas corpus
where “the restraint of liberty is by virtue of an order, process, or commitment issued
by a court or judge because of the violation of an order, judgment, or decree
previously made, rendered or entered by the court or judge in a civil case”); TEX.
CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 11.05 (“The Court of Criminal Appeals, the District
Courts, the County Courts, or any Judge of said Courts, have power to issue the writ
of habeas corpus . . .”). In an appeal from an order denying habeas relief for a claim
of excessive bail, we are limited to reviewing a trial court’s decision about the
amount of bail for an abuse of discretion. See Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848, 850
(Tex. Crim. App. 1981); Montalvo v. State, 315 S.W.3d 588, 592 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, no pet.).
A trial court abuses its discretion if it acts without reference to any guiding
rules or principles. Ex parte Hunt, 138 S.W.3d 503, 505 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth
11 2004, pet. ref’d). A reviewing court will not disturb a decision of the trial court if
that decision is within the zone of reasonable disagreement. Ex parte Tata, 358
S.W.3d 392, 397 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2011, pet. dism’d). We
acknowledge that an abuse-of-discretion review requires more of the appellate court
than simply deciding that the trial court did not rule arbitrarily or capriciously.
Montalvo, 315 S.W.3d at 593. An appellate court must instead measure the trial
court’s ruling against the relevant criteria by which the ruling was made. Id. It is
not an abuse of discretion for the trial court merely to decide a matter within its
discretion in a different manner than the appellate court would under similar
circumstances. Ex parte Miller, 442 S.W.3d 478, 481 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no
pet.). The burden of proof is on the defendant who claims that his bail is excessive.
See Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d at 849; Montalvo, 315 S.W.3d at 592.
Excessive Bail
In his appellant’s brief, appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying
him habeas relief, and reduction of his bond, (1) by finding that appellant “was a
future danger to the community,” and (2) because the $750,000 bond is
“oppressive.”
Before conviction, every citizen accused of a criminal offense has a “strong
interest in liberty.” United States v. Salerno, 481 U.S. 739, 750 (1987). Thus, the
Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “[e]xcessive bail
12 shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.” U.S. CONST. amend. VIII; see also Schilb v. Kuebel, 404
U.S. 357, 365 (1971) (Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of excessive bail applies to
states). The Texas Constitution also guarantees that “[a]ll prisoners shall be bailable
by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offenses, when the proof is evident.” TEX.
CONST. art. I, § 11; see also id. art. I, § 13 (“Excessive bail shall not be
required . . . .”); TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 1.07 (“Any person shall be
eligible for bail unless denial of bail is expressly permitted by the Texas Constitution
or by other law.”).
A defendant’s right to pretrial bail, however, may be subordinated to the
greater needs of society. Salerno, 481 U.S. at 750–51; see also Ex parte Beard, 92
S.W.3d 566, 573 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, pet. ref’d) (noting “a balance must be
struck between the defendant’s presumption of innocence and the State’s interest”).
In balancing the liberty interest of a defendant and the safety interest of society, the
Texas Legislature has adopted rules and guidelines for determining when a
defendant should obtain pretrial release through the posting of adequate bail. See
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.01 (“‘Bail’ is the security given by the accused
that he will appear and answer before the proper court the accusation brought against
him . . . .”); Ex parte Jefferson, No. 07-20-00123-CR, 2020 WL 4249743, at *2
(Tex. App.—Amarillo July 23, 2020, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for
13 publication). The primary purpose of pretrial bail is to secure a defendant’s
appearance at trial on the offenses with which he is charged. See TEX. CODE CRIM.
PROC. ANN. art. 17.01; Ex parte Rodriguez, 595 S.W.2d 549, 550 (Tex. Crim. App.
[Panel Op.] 1980); Ex parte Vasquez, 558 S.W.2d 477, 479 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977).
In exercising its discretion in setting the dollar amount of bail and any
conditions of bail, a trial court must consider the following statutory factors:
1. Bail shall be sufficiently high to give reasonable assurance that a criminal defendant will appear at trial and comply with other court orders and conditions of the bond;
2. The power to require bail is not to be used as an instrument of oppression;
3. The nature of the offenses and the circumstances of their commission;
4. The ability to make bail is to be regarded, and proof may be taken on this point; and
5. The future safety of a victim of the alleged offenses and the community.
See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.15; see also Ludwig v. State, 812 S.W.2d
323, 324 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991); Golden v. State, 288 S.W.3d 516, 518 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. ref’d).
In determining an appropriate amount of bail, the trial court may also consider
a defendant’s work record, his family and community ties, his residency, his prior
criminal record, his conformity with previous bond conditions, and the aggravating
14 factors alleged to have been involved in the charged offenses. See Ex parte Rubac,
611 S.W.2d at 849–50; Montalvo, 315 S.W.3d at 593.
The burden of proof is on the defendant who claims that his bail is excessive.
See Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d at 849; Montalvo, 315 S.W.3d at 592.
The trial court set appellant’s bail at $750,000 for the felony offense of capital
murder. In his appellant’s brief, appellant specifically argues that the trial court erred
in setting his bail at $750,000 and denying his request for habeas relief to reduce that
bail amount, because (1) there was “insufficient evidence of danger to the
community,” and (2) the $750,000 bond amount is oppressive.
While appellant argues that the $750,000 bond set by the trial court is
oppressive, we note that, in his pretrial application for writ of habeas corpus,
appellant requested that “he be allowed bail in a reasonable amount,” but does not
state what a “reasonable amount” would be in this case. Further, at the hearing on
appellant’s pretrial application for writ of habeas corpus seeking a reduction in bond,
the bulk of the testimony heard by the trial court was regarding appellant’s eye
condition and the efforts made by appellant, and his mother, to obtain access to his
prescription contact lenses since he has been in custody.
We review the factors used by the trial court to set the amounts of appellant’s
bail to determine whether bail is excessive.
15 Sufficiency of Bail
The primary purpose of pretrial bail is to secure a defendant’s appearance at
trial on the offense with which he is charged. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art.
17.01; Ex parte Rodriguez, 595 S.W.2d at 550; Ex parte Vasquez, 558 S.W.2d at
479. One factor in considering whether a bail amount is reasonable is the potential
sentence a criminal defendant is facing. See Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d at 849.
Here, appellant is charged with capital murder, and faces a minimum sentence of life
without the possibility of parole, with the State having the option to seek the death
penalty. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 12.31(a). This potential sentence favors a
high bail to avoid the potential of appellant fleeing. See Ex parte Cardenas, 557
S.W.3d 722, 731 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg 2018, no pet.) (affirming
trial court’s denial of application for writ of habeas corpus for reduction of $750,000
bond, reasoning that “[b]ecause Cardenas faces a significant potential sentence,
possibly a life sentence, the trial court could have concluded that there is a possibility
that Cardenas will not appear for trial and that bail should ‘be sufficiently high to
give reasonable assurance that’ Cardenas will appear at trial”).
Additionally, “[a] defendant’s ties to the community and work history bear on
the adequacy of the bail to give reasonable assurance he will appear.” Richardson
v. State, 181 S.W.3d 756, 759 (Tex. App.—Waco 2005, no pet.). Here, there is
minimal evidence of appellant’s ties to the community and work history. There was
16 no testimony at the hearing on appellant’s habeas application discussing his work
history or his ties to the community, other than his family residing in Houston and
his need for prescription contact lenses. Appellant’s mother did testify that, if
appellant were released on bond pending trial, he could live in the family home.
At the June 9, 2022 bond hearing, there was testimony from appellant’s father
that, at the time of his arrest, appellant was employed as “a back-of-the-house
worker” at Rooms To Go. Mr. Moreno testified that he believed appellant made
“like, $16 an hour.” However, there was no additional evidence regarding this, or
any other, employment of appellant. We again note that the burden of proof is on
the defendant who claims that his bail is excessive. See Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d
at 849; Montalvo, 315 S.W.3d at 592.
The significant potential sentence faced by appellant, and the lack of evidence
regarding his ties to the community or employment history, weighs against a
determination that the bail amount set by the trial court was excessive. See
Richardson, 181 S.W.3d at 759 (“A defendant’s ties to the community and work
history bear on the adequacy of bail to give reasonable assurance he will appear.”).
Whether Bail is Being Used as an Instrument of Oppression
Bail needs to be set in an amount that is sufficient to give reasonable assurance
that a defendant will appear at trial for the offenses charged. See Ex parte Dupuy,
498 S.W.3d 220, 232 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, no pet.). Yet, when
17 bail is set so high that a person cannot realistically pay for it, the trial court essentially
“displaces the presumption of innocence and replaces it with a guaranteed trial
appearance.” Id. at 233 (internal quotations omitted). Bail may not be used as an
instrument of oppression. See Ex parte Guerra, 383 S.W.3d 229, 233–34 (Tex.
App.—San Antonio 2012, no pet.); see also TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art.
17.15(2). Bail set in a particular amount becomes oppressive when it assumes that
the defendant cannot afford bail in that amount and when it is set for the express
purpose of forcing the defendant to remain incarcerated. See Ex parte Nimnicht, 467
S.W.3d at 70; Ex parte Durst, 148 S.W.3d 496, 499 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 2004, no pet.) (where bail amount set “solely to prevent [defendant] from
getting out of jail,” “bail [was] being used as an instrument of oppression”).
To this end, in his brief, appellant argues that the trial court “[i]ntentionally
set[] bail so high as to ensure that Mr. Moreno cannot pay it for the sole reason that
Mr. Moreno has been charged with a violent crime,” which, according to appellant,
“violates the Excessive Bail Clause of both the federal and Texas constitutions.”
However, we must consider whether the record supports appellant’s conclusory
assertion, that the trial court made its decision regarding the bail amount “for the
purpose of forcing [the defendant] to remain incarcerated pending trial.” Milner v.
State, 263 S.W.3d 146, 149 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.).
18 Here, there is no evidence that the trial court set appellant’s bail at $750,000,
for the offense of capital murder which, as noted above, is punishable by
incarceration for life without the possibility of parole, or death, for the sole purpose
of keeping appellant incarcerated. See Ex parte Anderson, 2021 WL 499080, at *16–
17; Ex parte Dupuy, 498 S.W.3d at 233; Ex parte Nimnicht, 467 S.W.3d at 70; cf.
Ex parte Harris, 733 S.W.2d 712, 714 (Tex. App.—Austin 1987, no pet.) (trial court
stated, “I’d rather see him in jail than to see someone’s life taken”).
We also note that the bail amount set by the trial court is akin to other cases
involving a defendant charged with a first-degree felony offense, such as capital
murder. See Ex parte Dupuy, 498 S.W.3d at 233 (review of bail set in other cases
may be instructive); see, e.g., Ex parte Temple, 595 S.W.3d 825, 830–31 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2019, pet. ref’d) (“While a $1,000,000 bond may be
high, it is within the range of bail amounts that have been upheld for first-degree
felony offenses including murder and capital murder.”); Ex parte Gonzalez, 383
S.W.3d 160, 167 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012, pet. ref’d) (affirming $1,500,000
bond for capital murder); Munoz v. State, No. 01-08-00223-CR, 2009 WL 214505,
at *5 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 29, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op., not
designated for publication) (trial court did not err in setting bail amount at
$1,000,000 for felony offense of capital murder); Ex parte Brown, No.
05-00-00655-CR, 2000 WL 964673, at *1 (Tex. App.—Dallas July 13, 2000, no
19 pet.) (not designated for publication) (affirming $1,000,000 bail for felony offense
of capital murder).
Here, there is no evidence showing that the trial court used bail as an
instrument of oppression. That lack of evidence weighs against a determination that
the bail amount set by the trial court was excessive. See Montalvo, 315 S.W.3d at
596 (“[T]he habeas corpus record . . . does not suggest that the trial court deliberately
set bail at an excessively high level solely to prevent [defendant] from posting
bail.”).
Nature and Circumstances of the Offenses
The trial court must consider the nature and surrounding circumstances of the
charges against appellant in setting the amount of bail. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC.
ANN. art. 17.15(3); Golden, 288 S.W.3d at 518; see also Ex parte Sells, No.
02-20-00143-CR, 2020 WL 7639574, at *3 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 23, 2020,
no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (noting “bail is not set in a
vacuum” and courts “must consider the nature and surrounding circumstances of the
charges against” defendant); Ex parte Nimnicht, 467 S.W.3d at 67 (“When
determining reasonable bail, a trial court shall give the most weight to the nature of
the offense and the length of possible sentence.”). When the nature of the offense is
serious, as is the case here, “a lengthy prison sentence following trial is probable.”
Ex parte Scott, 122 S.W.3d 866, 869 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.).
20 “Pretrial bond in these kind[s] of cases should be set sufficiently high to secure the
presence of the accused at trial because the accused’s reaction to the prospect of a
lengthy prison sentence might be not to appear.” Ex parte Hulin, 31 S.W.3d 754,
761 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2000, no pet.).
In his brief, appellant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in
denying his requested habeas relief because there was only a “bare allegation of [a]
crime of violence,” and there were “no affirmative links to violence” on the part of
appellant. However, appellant is charged with the felony offense of capital murder.
See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 19.03(a)(2) (capital murder includes allegations that
“person intentionally commits the murder in the course of committing or attempting
to commit . . . robbery”), (b) (classifying capital murder as first-degree felony). If
convicted, appellant faces a range of punishment from life imprisonment without the
possibility of parole to the death penalty. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 12.31
(stating punishment range for capital offense).
The indictment alleges that appellant, on or about September 3, 2021,
“unlawfully, while in the course of committing and attempting to commit the
robbery of [complainant], intentionally caused the death of [complainant] by
shooting [complainant] with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm.” During the June
9, 2022 bond hearing, there was testimony regarding the nature of the incident which
led to appellant being charged with capital murder. Detective Vera testified that, on
21 the night of the shooting, the complainant was selling drugs in the parking lot of a
residential apartment complex. There was evidence that appellant and another
individual went to the apartment complex intending to rob complainant, but a
shootout ensued.
Detective Vera testified that upon arriving at the scene of the shooting, he
noticed that “there was blood on the concrete of the parking lot and multiple shell
casings.” Specifically, Detective Vera testified that “over 30 shell casings,” from a
variety of calibers, were found at the scene. Detective Vera also testified that in a
series of text messages between appellant and a female witness on the night of, and
the day after, the shootout, appellant stated that complainant “had a 50 drum on a
drac and an AR-15 and we had pistols,” and that “[l]ike 50 shots was left off.”
Appellant later stated to the female witness that they “let six in him.”
Appellant is charged with capital murder, a first-degree felony offense, and is
accused of, in an attempt to commit a robbery of a drug dealer, engaging in a
shootout in a residential apartment complex, in which between 30 and 50 shots were
fired, and the complainant was killed after sustaining gunshot wounds to the lung
and the spinal cord. The offense which appellant is charged with is both serious and
violent in nature. See Ex parte Payten, 2013 WL 5968449, at *3–4 (considering
nature and circumstances of offense to be violent where complainant was “shot in
the face”); Narvez v. State, No. 01-08-00331-CR, 2009 WL 40263, at *3 (Tex.
22 App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Jan. 8, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for
publication) (shooting of complainant in neck with firearm constituted violent
offense); Hughes v. State, 843 S.W.2d 236, 237 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
1992, no pet.) (first-degree felony offense of murder constitutes “a violent crime”);
see also Ex parte Garza, No. 04-02-00803-CR, 2003 WL 21750013, at *1–2 (Tex.
App.—San Antonio July 30, 2003, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for
publication) (murder of “unarmed victim who was repeatedly shot [in the back] as
he tried to flee” was “brutal” offense); Ex parte Saldana, Nos. 13-01-360-CR,
13-01-361-CR, 2002 WL 91331, at *4 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg Jan.
24, 2002, no pet.) (not designated for publication) (considering murder of
complainants who “received two shots to the head” to be “brutal” offense).
“[W]hen considering the nature of the offense [charged] in setting [a
defendant’s] bail” amount, the trial court may also consider “the punishment
permitted by law” for the offense with which the defendant is charged. See Ex parte
Vasquez, 558 S.W.2d at 480; see also Ex parte Ivey, 594 S.W.2d 98, 99 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1980); Ex parte Nimnicht, 467 S.W.3d at 67 (“When determining reasonable
bail, a trial court shall give the most weight to the nature of the offense and the length
of possible sentence.”). Appellant is charged with the felony offense of capital
murder. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 19.03(a)(2). If convicted, appellant faces a
range of punishment from life imprisonment without the possibility of parole to the
23 death penalty. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 12.31 (stating punishment range for
capital offense). Simply stated, if appellant is found guilty of the offense of capital
murder, he faces punishment of, at the very least, life in prison. See O’Brien v. State,
No. 02-12-00176-CR, 2012 WL 2922545, at *5 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
July 5, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (possibility of
substantial sentence supported setting of high bail amount).
The potential sentence appellant faces weighs against a determination that the
bail amount set by the trial court was excessive. See Ex parte Williams, Nos.
12-18-00174-CR, 12-18-00175-CR, 2018 WL 5961309, at *2 (Tex. App.—Tyler
Nov. 14, 2018, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (“The . . . severe
punishment ranges to which [defendant] may be subjected weighs in favor of the
trial court’s decision [to deny defendant’s habeas application and] not to reduce the
amount of his bonds.”).
Future Safety of the Community
The trial court must also consider the future safety of the community in setting
appellant’s bail amount. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.15(5); Golden,
288 S.W.3d at 518. We first note the seriousness of the first-degree felony offense
with which appellant is charged. See Milner v. State, 263 S.W.3d 146, 151 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 14, 2006, no pet.) (“[T]he gravity and nature of the
charges against [defendant] indicate that he presents a risk to the safety of the
24 community.”); see also Priel v. State, No. 07-09-0349-CR, 2010 WL 445287, at *1–
3 (Tex. App.—Amarillo Feb. 9, 2010, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for
publication) (given “the severity of the crime involved,” appellate court could not
conclude “that the trial court erred in refusing to reduce [defendant’s] bail”).
In his brief, appellant argues that “the evidence was not sufficient to support
a finding that [appellant] is a future danger to the community.” Appellant suggests
that the “mere allegation that [appellant] is charged with capital murder is not
sufficient to support an excessive bail amount because [appellant] is presumed
innocent.” The trial court noted that it was “fully aware that [appellant] . . . is
presumed innocent and will continue to be presumed to be innocent unless and until
the State proves the allegations against” him. Despite his presumption of innocence,
a trial court must consider “the gravity and nature of the charges against” a defendant
to determine whether “he presents a risk to the safety of the community.” See
Milner, 263 S.W.3d at 151.
The alleged offense here is serious and violent in nature. The shooting
incident took place in the parking lot of a residential apartment complex as appellant
purportedly attempted to rob the complainant, who was dealing drugs in the
apartment parking lot. During the attempt to commit that robbery, a shootout
ensued, where, according to Detective Vera, “over 30 shell casings,” from a variety
of calibers, were recovered. And, according to appellant, complainant “had a 50
25 drum on a drac and an AR-15 and we had pistols,” and that “[l]ike 50 shots was left
off.” See Ex parte Ragston, 422 S.W.3d 904, 908 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
2014, no pet.) (“The violent nature of the offense demonstrates a potential risk to the
community.”); see also Ex parte Bowman, No. 14-17-00736-CR, 2017 WL
6545099, at *3 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Dec. 21, 2017, no pet.) (mem. op.,
not designated for publication) (same).
Here, the trial court could have reasonably found that appellant posed a danger
to the community and the potential danger that appellant posed to the community
weighs against a determination that the bail amount set by the trial court was
excessive. See Salerno, 481 U.S. at 750–51 (defendant’s right to pretrial bail may
be subordinated to greater needs of society).
Ability to Make Bail
Although the ability or inability to make bail does not control the amount of
bail set, it is a factor that the trial court must consider in setting a defendant’s bail
amount. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.15(4); Ex parte Rodriguez, 595
S.W.2d at 550; Golden, 288 S.W.3d at 518–20. That said, a defendant’s inability to
pay the bail amount set by the trial court does not automatically render the amount
excessive. See Ex parte Vance, 608 S.W.2d 681, 683 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980); Ex
parte Scott, 122 S.W.3d 866, 870 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, no pet.). If the
defendant’s ability to make bail controlled the amount that the defendant paid, then
26 the trial court’s role in setting the bail amount would be eliminated and the defendant
would be in the position to determine the amount of bail. Milner, 263 S.W.3d at
150.
At the hearing on appellant’s pretrial application for writ of habeas corpus,
appellant’s optometrist, Dr. Brian Cox, testified regarding his treatment of appellant
for an “ophthalmic condition called anisometropia.” Specifically, Dr. Cox testified
regarding the medical necessity for appellant to have access to “contact lenses to
minimize any double vision and provide the best optimal clarity.” This testimony
had no bearing on appellant’s ability to make bail.
Also at the hearing on appellant’s pretrial application for writ of habeas
corpus, appellant’s mother, Raquel Moreno, testified. Ms. Moreno testified
regarding her unsuccessful efforts to get appellant his prescription contact lenses.
Again, this testimony had no relevance to appellant’s ability to make bail.
However, Ms. Moreno also testified regarding her efforts to pay appellant’s
bail. Ms. Moreno testified that she has “tried everything to bail [appellant] out.”
She testified that the family has “made several contacts” with a bondsman and sold
a truck for approximately $20,000. Ms. Moreno and her husband have
approximately $40,000 in equity in their home and discussed selling their home.
However, Ms. Moreno testified that the bondsman told the Morenos that “even if
[they] sell the house, [they] won’t be able to bail [appellant] out because [they] don’t
27 have any personal equity on anything else to back up the bail.” According to Ms.
Moreno, the bondsman stated to her and her husband that they “would need
[$750,000] in collateral.”
Ms. Moreno testified that her husband “is a manager at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q,” and
that she “work[s] at Hobby Lobby” and has “been doing Uber Eats.” She stated that
there is no other way, or time, they could gain any extra income, and no other way
they know of to change their financial status.
During the June 9, 2022 bond hearing, the trial court heard testimony from
Marc Metze, the owner of Better Now Than Later Bail Bonds. Metze testified that
he spoke with the Moreno family “about a bond for” appellant. At that time, Metze
testified that, based on the state of the Morenos’ financial condition, “the max
amount” of bond the Morenos could afford would be $200,000. In connection with
appellant’s application for writ of habeas corpus, Metze submitted an affidavit which
stated that he is “unable to secure the bond for” appellant, and that, to do so, he
would “require $750,000 in collateral,” which the “Morenos do not have.” However,
Metze further testified that “[i]f the bond is lowered to an amount for which the
Morenos have sufficient collateral and are able to make the 10% down payment,” he
would “be able to secure the bond.”
Notably, during the hearing on appellant’s habeas application, appellant
offered no evidence regarding his own financial situation. There was no testimony
28 from appellant regarding his employment history or the amount of bail he could pay,
independently from his parents. The only evidence of appellant’s financial condition
was from the June 9, 2022 bond hearing, where appellant’s father testified that prior
to being taken into custody, appellant “was a back-of-the-house worker” at Rooms
To Go. Mr. Moreno testified that he believed appellant made “like, $16 an hour.”
However, there was no additional evidence regarding this, or any other, employment
of appellant. See, e.g., Lawhon v. State, Nos. 03-15-00265-CR, 03-15-00277-CR,
03-15-00288-CR, 2015 WL 7424763, at *3 (Tex. App.—Austin Nov. 20, 2015, no
pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (noting defendant’s mother’s
testimony that defendant was employed before being arrested provided some
evidence that defendant “had at least some income”); see also Ex parte Anderson,
2021 WL 499080, at *15–16.
While there is some evidence regarding his family’s financial condition and
ability to pay his bond, the lack of evidence regarding appellant’s ability, or inability,
to make bail weighs against a determination that the bail amount set by the trial court
was excessive See Ex parte Anderson, 2021 WL 499080, at *15–16 (trial court did
not err in denying habeas relief where no “evidence about appellant’s specific assets
or financial resources . . . [or] what efforts, if any, were made by appellant to furnish
bail in the amounts set by the trial court” was presented to trial court); Ex parte
Miller, 631 S.W.2d 825, 827 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1982, pet. ref’d) (“[I]t [is]
29 incumbent on the accused . . . to show that he . . . made an effort to furnish bail in
the amount set.”).
Further, even if appellant is unable to pay the bail amount set by the trial court,
this alone does not render the bail amount excessive, and given the lack of detail in
the evidence presented about appellant’s ability, or inability, to make bail, the trial
court could have concluded that the bail amount was reasonable. See Ex parte
Anderson, 2021 WL 499080, at *16; Awadalla v. State, No. 02-18-00513-CR, 2019
WL 984860, at *4 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Feb. 28, 2019, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not
designated for publication) (“Although worth considering, inability to make bail
does not control over the other factors.”); Ex parte Castillo-Lorente, 420 S.W.3d
884, 889 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, no pet.). The lack of evidence
about appellant’s purported inability to make bail weighs against a determination
that the bail amount set by the trial court was excessive. See Ex parte Rubac, 611
S.W.2d at 849 (burden to establish bail is excessive lies with defendant); Montalvo,
315 S.W.3d at 592.
Other Factors
Along with considering the factors set out in Texas Code of Criminal
Procedure article 17.15, the trial court, when setting the bail amount, can also
consider a defendant’s work record, his family and community ties, his residency,
his prior criminal record, his conformity with previous bond conditions, and the
30 aggravating factors alleged to have been involved in the charged offenses. See Ex
parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d at 849–50; Montalvo, 315 S.W.3d at 593. We have already
discussed the nature and circumstances of the serious and violent first-degree felony
offense, capital murder, with which appellant is charged.
In considering the other factors, we note that a defendant’s ties to the
community in which he lives can be an assurance that he will appear at trial for the
offenses charged. See Ex parte Nimnicht, 467 S.W.3d at 68 (noting court’s review
of defendant’s ties to community includes assessment of defendant’s residence
history, family ties to community, and work history). Appellant’s father testified
during the June 9, 2022 bond hearing, and his mother testified during the habeas
hearing. Their testimony lays bare the care and affection appellant’s parents hold
for him. Their testimony also tends to establish their ties to the community.
However, the record is absent of any evidence of appellant’s ties to the community.
Further, there is minimal evidence in the record regarding appellant’s work
history. At the hearing on appellant’s habeas application, there was no evidence
presented to the trial court regarding appellant’s work history. During the June 9,
2022 bond hearing, appellant’s father briefly noted that, prior to his arrest, appellant
had been employed as a “back-of-the-house” worker at Rooms To Go. However,
Mr. Moreno did not provide any other information regarding that employment, or
31 any other employment appellant has held. Further, there was no other evidence
offered regarding appellant’s work history.
Notably, there is no evidence in the record to suggest that appellant had a prior
criminal record. However, as noted by the State in its brief, capital murder, which
appellant has been charged with, “is inherently an aggravated offense.” And the fact
that appellant did not have a prior criminal record, alone, is insufficient to show that
the bail set by the trial court is excessive.
Appellant had the burden to show that the bail amount set by the trial court
was excessive. See Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d at 849; Montalvo, 315 S.W.3d at
592. Given the balance of all the relevant factors discussed above,4 we cannot
conclude that the trial court erred by setting appellant’s bail at $750,000 for the
first-degree felony offense of capital murder. We hold that the trial court did not err
in denying appellant’s pretrial application for writ of habeas corpus.
We overrule appellant’s issues.
Conclusion
We affirm the order of the trial court.
4 See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.15; Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848, 849–50 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981); Montalvo v. State, 315 S.W.3d 588, 592–93 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, no pet.).
32 Amparo Guerra Justice
Panel consists of Justices Landau, Countiss, and Guerra.
Do not publish. TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).