Guardiola, Jose Pablo

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: January 29, 2014
• Docket: WR-74,963-02
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS NOS. WR-74,963-02 and 03

EX PARTE JOSE PABLO GUARDIOLA, Applicant

ON APPLICATIONS FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NOS. 2008CR1071-W1 and 2008CR1072-W1 IN THE 175th DISTRICT COURT FROM BEXAR COUNTY

Per curiam.

OPINION

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 these applications for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex

parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of possession

of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of marihuana. He was sentenced to

ten years’ imprisonment in each cause. He did not appeal these convictions.

Applicant contends, inter alia, that material and exculpatory evidence was withheld from the

defense in violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 US 83 (1963). Specifically, the defense was not

made aware of misconduct on the part of the arresting officers that included lying about the use of

a confidential informant in order to obtain a search warrant. 2

The trial court determined that due process was violated in these cases and recommends that

relief be granted on a basis other than Brady. The State agrees that relief should be granted. We

disagree with the trial court’s conclusion of law, but agree that Applicant is entitled to relief. While

it is clear from the record that the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office was unaware of the police

misconduct that occurred in this case, the prosecutor has a duty to pass along evidence even if it is

only known to the police. Kyles v. Whitley, 115 S.Ct. 1555, 514 U.S. 419, 131 L.Ed. 490 (1995).

Relief is granted. The judgments in Cause Nos. 2008CR1070-W1 and 2008CR1072-W1 in

the 175th District Court of Bexar County are set aside, and Applicant is remanded to the custody

of the Sheriff of Bexar County to answer the charges as set out in the indictments. The trial court

shall issue any necessary bench warrant within 10 days after the mandate of this Court issues.

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

Institutions Division and Pardons and Paroles Division.

Delivered: January 29, 2014 Do not publish