Powell, Calvin Truvaughn

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: December 11, 2024
• Docket: WR-94,796-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS NO. WR-94,796-01

EX PARTE CALVIN TRUVAUGHN POWELL, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 1198204-A IN THE 185TH DISTRICT COURT FROM HARRIS COUNTY

Per curiam. YEARY, J., filed a dissenting opinion in which KELLER, P.J., joined.

OPINION

Applicant was convicted of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and

sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. Applicant filed this application for writ of habeas corpus in

the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this Court. See TEX. CODE CRIM.

PROC. art. 11.07.

Applicant alleges that his guilty plea was involuntary due to the use of false evidence, and

he was denied due process when the State used material false evidence to induce his guilty plea.

Applicant’s grounds concern the discovery of misconduct by former Houston Police Officer Gerald

Goines, whose allegations prompted the issuance of a search warrant for Applicant’s residence.

Based on the record, the trial court found that Applicant’s guilty plea was involuntary because it was 2

induced by false evidence provided by Goines. Ex parte Mathews, 638 S.W.3d 685 (Tex. Crim. App.

2022); Ex parte Coty, 418 S.W.3d 597 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014). The State and trial court both

recommend granting relief. We agree.

Relief is granted. Ex parte Chabot, 300 S.W.3d 768, 772 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009); Brady v.

United States, 397 U.S. 742 (1970). The judgment in cause number 1198204 in the 185th District

Court of Harris County is set aside, and Applicant is remanded to the custody of the Sheriff of Harris

County to answer the charges as set out in the indictment. The trial court shall issue any necessary

bench warrant within ten days from the date of this Court’s mandate.

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

Institutions Division and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Delivered: December 11, 2024 Do not publish