State v. Amanda Rodriguez

Opinion

Fourth Court of Appeals San Antonio, Texas MEMORANDUM OPINION No. 04-13-00534-CR

The STATE of Texas, Appellant

v. Amanda Amanda RODRIGUEZ, Appellee

From the 144th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas Trial Court No. 2011CR9250 The Honorable Angus McGinty, Judge Presiding

Opinion by: Sandee Bryan Marion, Justice

Sitting: Sandee Bryan Marion, Justice Rebeca C. Martinez, Justice Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice

Delivered and Filed: January 22, 2014

AFFIRMED

The State appeals the trial court’s order granting a new trial. Because the State failed to

preserve error, we affirm.

BACKGROUND

Appellee, Amanda Rodriguez, pled no contest to aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Pursuant to a plea bargain, the trial court sentenced her to a prison term of ten years. She timely

filed a motion to withdraw plea and motion for new trial alleging her plea was involuntary due to

ineffective assistance of counsel. In support of this motion, appellee attached her sworn affidavit 04-13-00534-CR

in which she stated her trial counsel failed to perform an independent investigation and familiarize

himself with the facts and law. As a result, her plea was involuntary because she was unaware of

favorable evidence and a potential defense. Appellee also attached an affidavit from Dr. Joann

Murphey, a psychologist who specializes in child sexual abuse. Dr. Murphey’s affidavit stated

she had concerns about the credibility of the complainant’s allegations based on her review of case

records and the complainant’s recorded interview. Dr. Murphey also testified at the hearing on

the motion to withdraw plea and motion for new trial. The trial court granted the motion, and the

State filed this appeal.

The State argues the trial court abused its discretion by granting the motion because

(1) appellee’s affidavit was not in evidence and the trial court could not have relied on it to

conclude appellee’s plea was involuntary, and (2) Dr. Murphey’s testimony would be inadmissible

at trial. Appellee counters that the State failed to complain in the trial court and has waived its

complaints on appeal.

DISCUSSION

The general rule is that a party must first complain in the trial court to preserve a complaint

for appellate review. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a) (“As a prerequisite to presenting a complaint for

appellate review, the record must show that: (1) the complaint was made to the trial court by a

timely request, objection, or motion . . . .”). Procedural default notions apply equally to the

defendant and the State. See State v. Mercado, 972 S.W.2d 75, 78 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998) (“[I]n

cases in which the State is the party appealing, the basic principle of appellate jurisprudence that

points not argued at trial are deemed to be waived applies equally to the State and the defense.”).

However, an exception to the general rule applies in cases where a party did not have an

opportunity to raise its complaint in the trial court. See Landers v. State, 402 S.W.3d 252, 254

(Tex. Crim. App. 2013). -2- 04-13-00534-CR

Here, after the trial court imposed sentence, appellee timely filed a motion to withdraw

plea and motion for new trial. In support of her motion, appellee attached several exhibits,

including her affidavit and Dr. Murphey’s affidavit. The State filed its response the same day the

trial court held a hearing on the motion. Although the State’s response referenced several of

appellee’s exhibits, the State did not object to the trial court’s consideration of either affidavit.

During the hearing, the trial court heard the testimony of Dr. Murphey, and the State did not object.

During closing argument, the parties argued the content of the affidavits as well as other exhibits

attached to appellee’s motion. Once again, the State did not object. Thus, the State had several

opportunities to raise its complaints to the trial court, but did not do so. Accordingly, we conclude

the State failed to preserve error and has waived its complaints on appeal. We affirm the trial

court’s order granting appellee’s motion for new trial and motion to withdraw plea.

Sandee Bryan Marion, Justice

Do not publish

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