Houston v. State

1977 OK CR 226, 567 P.2d 1002, 1977 Okla. Crim. App. LEXIS 576
CourtCourt of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma
DecidedAugust 5, 1977
DocketNo. F-76-946
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 1977 OK CR 226 (Houston v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Houston v. State, 1977 OK CR 226, 567 P.2d 1002, 1977 Okla. Crim. App. LEXIS 576 (Okla. Ct. App. 1977).

Opinion

OPINION

BUSSEY, Presiding Judge:

Appellant, Junior Ray Houston, hereinafter referred to as defendant, was charged, tried to the court and convicted in the District Court, Cleveland County, Case No. CRF-76-423, for the offense of Burgla[1003]*1003ry in the Second Degree, After Former Conviction of a Felony, in violation of 21 O.S.1971, § 1435. His punishment was fixed at a term of ten (10) to thirty (30) years under the direction and control of the Department of Corrections of the State of Oklahoma. From said judgment and sentence, a timely appeal has been perfected to this Court.

The first witness for the State was Richard Glenn Dennis, who lived next to the residence allegedly burglarized in the case at bar. Mr. Dennis testified that at approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 25, 1976, he was aroused by neighborhood dogs barking excessively. Upon moving to the back door to investigate, he looked toward the residence next door at 113 East Keith Street in Norman, Oklahoma, and noticed movement inside. Knowing the occupants of the residence to be on vacation, the witness stated he then telephoned the police.

The State then called Arley Lawrence Anderson, Jr. He testified that, Bennie Currie, the owner of the residence at 113 East Keith, was his father-in-law. The witness further stated that Mr. Currie had asked him to feed and water their dog and also check the mail while they were on vacation. Mr. Anderson stated that he had been at the residence early in the evening on July 25, for that purpose and had entered the house with a key provided by the Curries. At that time, he noticed that all the windows were still securely nailed shut, just as the Curries had left them. The witness noticed nothing out of place. At approximately 12:00 p.m. that evening, he was called back to the residence because of the reported burglary. Upon returning, he noticed that two southwest windows had been pried open and the screens removed. After entering the residence, he observed that items in the house had been scattered, and many of the drawers had been dumped. The witness stated that only he and his wife had permission to enter the residence while the Curries were on vacation.

Bennie Wyman Currie, the owner of residence at 113 East Keith, was next called to testify. He testified to substantially the same facts as Mr. Anderson had previously.

By agreement of defense counsel Reginald Gaston, Assistant District Attorney for Cleveland County, was called to testify out of sequence. He identified State’s Exhibit Nos. 1 and 2, as certified copies of two judgments and sentences on a plea of guilty entered by the defendant, and he stated that he was present when both guilty pleas were entered. The witness stated that the copies reflected that the defendant was represented by counsel at both the entries of guilty pleas. Thereupon, State’s Exhibit Nos. 1 and 2 were entered into evidence without objection.

Officers Dennis Fox and George Dodson were the next witnesses for the State. They testified to substantially the same facts surrounding their response to a possible burglary in progress call at approximately 11:20. Both officers arrived at the residence at the same time and proceeded into the front yard of the adjoining house, where they met Mr. Dennis. Mr. Dennis showed the officers the house. When the officers approached the residence at 113 East Keith, they noticed a southwest window with the screen off which had been pried open. After calling for backup units, Officer Dodson observed two individuals moving around in the house with household goods in their arms. The officer identified the defendant, in-court, as one of the subjects he saw inside the house. After backup units arrived and secured the area, Officer Dodson called through the open window on the southwest side for the subjects inside to step into the living room, in plain view. Thereupon one subject, a Mr. Carey Chil-dress, stepped into the living room and surrendered to the officers. The subject inside the house identified in-court as the defendant, remained in the bedroom despite orders from the officers to surrender. Finally, after Officer Dodson had called many times and secured a shotgun, the defendant surrendered. Both officers testified that the defendant appeared to be acting normally at this time, and was not under the influence of any intoxicants. They both described the condition of the residence as being, “ransacked.”

[1004]*1004Roger Marquis, the officer who transported the defendant to the jail stated that the defendant did not appear to be under the influence of anything nor was his speech slurred.

Carey Childress was then called to testify. He stated that he accompanied the defendant to the house in question to, “steal a stereo.” Upon arrival, the witness and the defendant forced open a southwest window and entered the house. He further stated that it was the defendant’s idea to steal the stereo and that neither he, nor the defendant had any liquor or drugs on the day of the burglary. Mr. Childress’ testimony relating to the events that occurred after the police arrived were substantially the same as those testified to by the officers. Following the introduction of the aforementioned evidence, the State rested its case.

Defense counsel then requested a medical examination of the defendant, “. [T]o determine if he is intoxicated.” (Tr. 102). Even though the defendant had been in the custody of the sheriff during the trial, the trial judge allowed the defendant to testify, “. . . [F]or the limited purpose of an evidentiary hearing, as to whether he is intoxicated.” (Tr. 105). Upon taking the stand, the defendant admitted that he was, “crashing out,” on “downers,” that he had taken at approximately 7:00 a.m. that morning. On cross-examination, the defendant explained that when he was arrested and taken into custody, he had several pills hidden in the heels of his shoes and had been taking them since he had been taken into custody a week before. He further stated that he had been taking drugs regularly since 1969. The defendant answered in the affirmative questions as to whether he was able to assist his counsel in his defense, whether he knew the nature of the charges against him, and whether he was aware of what was going on around him. Following the defendant’s testimony, the trial judge, while denying the motion for a medical examination, allowed a recess for approximately four to five hours so that counsel could, “. . . [H]ave the benefit of his clients best ability in presenting whatever defense he may have . . .” (Tr. 113). When the court reconvened that afternoon, the defendant’s demurrer to the evidence was overruled. The defense then presented testimony from two witnesses, saving the defendant for last so that the court would be sure the defendant was not under the influence of any drug when he was to testify.

The defense first called Rena Houston, the defendant’s mother. She testified that she believed her son had a liquor and drug problem. She saw him the afternoon of the burglary, and asked him to go to Oklahoma City with her, but he declined. She stated that her son appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when she saw him that day.

The next witness to testify was Peggy Blalock, the defendant’s ex-wife. She stated that she saw the defendant at her house, the day of the burglary, drinking for most of the day. At approximately 9:30 or 10:00 p.m., the witness and one Floyd Blalock, took the defendant to Carey Childress’ house. Ms. Blalock stated that, at that time, the defendant appeared to be intoxicated.

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Related

White v. State
1995 OK CR 15 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1995)
Staten v. State
1987 OK CR 130 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1987)
Rogers v. State
1978 OK CR 86 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma, 1978)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
1977 OK CR 226, 567 P.2d 1002, 1977 Okla. Crim. App. LEXIS 576, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/houston-v-state-oklacrimapp-1977.