Williams, Alfred James

Opinion

PD-0482-15

COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS

Transmitted 6/8/2015 12:00:00 AM Accepted 6/8/2015 4:13:11 PM ABEL ACOSTA

ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED CLERK

NO. PD-0482-15

COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS

ALFRED JAMES WILLIAMS, Appellant

v.

THE STATE OF TEXAS,

_______________________________________________________________

On Appeal from the 350th District Court of Taylor County, Texas

Cause No. 10,254 (Hon. Thomas M. Wheeler)

and

NO. 11-12-00335-CR

from the

THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT EASTLAND, TEXAS

PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

_______________________________________________________________

FREDERICK T. DUNBAR State Bar #24025336 4542 Loop 322, Suite 102 Abilene, Texas 79602 Ph: (325) 437-7000

June 8, 2015 Fax: (325) 437-7007

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT

2

IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

In accordance with Rule 68.4 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, the following is a list of names and addresses of the parties to the trial court’s judgment and their counsel:

Appellant: Alfred James Williams

Trial Counsel for Scottie Allen Appellant Nicole Hines-Glover The Allen Law Firm 4144 North Central Expressway Suite 650 Dallas, Texas 75204

Appellate Counsel for Appellant: Frederick Dunbar 4542 Loop 322 Suite 102 Abilene, Texas 79602

Trial Counsel for the State: Dan Joiner Erin Stamey 300 Oak Street Abilene, Texas 79602

Appellate Counsel for the State: James Eidson Patricia Dyer 300 Oak Street Abilene, Texas 79602

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Identity of Parties and Counsel…………………………………………….2

Table of Contents …………………………………..……….……….…….3

Table of Authorities ……………………………….………...……………..4

Statement Regarding Oral Argument………………..……….………….…6

Statement of the Case ………………………………..……….……………7

Statement of Procedural History …………………………..….……………7

Statement of Issues Presented…………..………….…………….…………7 Issue One

The Court of Appeals erred in holding the trial court acted within its discretion in denying his Motion for Mistrial, as the State thrice violated a motion in limine, characterizing Appellant as a murderer in a murder case.

Issue Two

The Court of Appeals erred in subtracting from the detailed and specific statutory language of Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 9.3 l(b)(5)(A), and erred in holding any error was harmless.

Issue Three

The Court of Appeals erred in holding Appellant was not harmed by a Brady violation.

Argument and Authorities…………………………………………….……..8

Prayer for Relief……………………………………………….……….…..29

Certificate of Compliance ……………………………………………….…30

Certificate of Service ………………………………………….….………..31

Appendix………………………………………..…………………..………32

4

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

Cases Page

Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157, 171 (Tex.Crim.App.1985)............. 26

Baker v. State, 11-10-00329-CR, 2012 WL 5988900 (Tex. App. -Eastland November 29, 2012, no pet.) ..................................................................... 15 Boykin v. State, 818 S.W.2d 782, 785 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) ............ 17 Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1 194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963)................................................................................................passim Carmen v. State, 276 S.W.3d 538, 546 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, pet. ref d) ..........................................................................................26 Coe v. State, 683 S.W.2d 431, 435-36 (Tex.Crim.App.1984) ..............13 Ex parte Reed, 271 S.W.3d 698, 726 (Tex.Crim.App.2008) .................27 Hampton v. State, 86 S.W.3d 603, 612 (Tex.Crim.App.2002) ........... ...27 Hawkins v. State, 135 S.W.3d 72, 77 (Tex.Crim.App.2004)…………...10 Hernandez v. State, 309 S.W.3d 661, 664 (Tex. App.-Houston (14th Dist.] 2010, pet. ref'd)…………………………………………………………16 Hill v. State, 817 S.W.2d 816, 817 (Tex.App.--Eastland 1991, pet. ref d) .............................................................................................................. 12 Hinojosa v. State, 4 S.W.3d 240, 253 (Tex.Crim.App.1999) ............... ..9 Janney v. State, 938 S.W.2d 770, 773 (Tex. App. Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, no pet.)………………………………………………………………..9,13 Lee v. State, 259 S.W.3d 785, 789 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, pet. ref'd)…………………………………………………………………...16 Lockett v. State, 744 S.W.2d 229, 231 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th] Dist.I 987, pet. ref'd)………………………………………………………………..12 McGinn v. State, 961 S.W.2d 161, 165 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998) .......... 14

Mosley v. State., 983 S.W.2d 249, 259 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998)……….14

5

Palmer v. State, 902 S.W.2d 561, 565 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1995, no pet)……………………………………………………………27 Richards v. State. 912 S.W.2d 374, 379 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1995, pet. ref d)…………………………………………………………12 Robinette v. State, 816 S.W.2d 817, 819 (Tex.App.--Eastland 1991, no pet.) .............................................................................................................. 12 Scruggs v. State, 782 S.W.2d 499, 500-503 (Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1989, pet. ref d)………………………………………………………...12 Tate v. State, 762 S.W.2d 678, 681 (Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1988, pet. granted)…………………………………………………………………….12 Thompson v. State, 89 S.W.3d 843, 850 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, pet. ref d)………………………………………………………………..8 Statutes TEX. PEN.CODE ANN. §9.31 (b)(5)(A)………………………....3,8,16 Secondary Authority "discussion." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2013. Web. 28 June 2013 ..............................................................................19

"explain." ,Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2013. Web. 28 June 2013 ..............................................................................19

"seek." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2013. Web. 28 June 2013 ..............................................................................20

NO. PD-0482-15

COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS

ALFRED JAMES WILLIAMS, Appellant

v.

THE STATE OF TEXAS,

_______________________________________________________________

On Appeal from the 350th District Court of Taylor County, Texas

Cause No. 10,254 (Hon. Thomas M. Wheeler)

and

NO. 11-12-00335-CR

from the

THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT EASTLAND, TEXAS

PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

_______________________________________________________________

TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS:

ALFRED JAMES WILLIAMS, (sometimes referred to as “Appellant,”)

submits this Petition for Discretionary Review, and would respectfully show unto

the Court the following:

STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT

Oral argument is requested because this case involves vital issues of State

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and Constitutional law, as well as fundamental fairness, including the important

policy considerations attending the willful and repeated violation of an order in

limine regarding jury argument, and the construction of an important statute

regarding self-defense.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

Williams was charged by indictment with the murder of Kerion Harness.

(CR 15). The offense was alleged to have been committed on October 18, 2011.

(CR: 15). On October 7, 2012, the jury found appellant guilty. (CR: 38).

Punishment, assessed by the jury on October 8, 2012, was twenty-five (25) years

confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice- Institutional Division

and no fine. (CR: 97).

STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Appellant appealed to the Eleventh Court of Appeals at Eastland, Texas,

complaining of the trial court’s denial of his motion for new trial due to improper

jury argument, the submission of a limiting instruction on self-defense in the jury

charge, and in the trial court’s overruling of Appellant’s Brady complaint. In a

memorandum opinion released on March 31, 2015, authored by the honorable

Mike Willson, the Court affirmed Appellant’s conviction. (Apx. 1).

STATEMENT OF ISSUES PRESENTED

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Issue One

The Court of Appeals erred in holding the trial court did not err in denying his Motion for Mistrial, as the State thrice violated a motion in limine, characterizing Appellant as a murderer in a murder case.

Issue Two

The Court of Appeals erred in subtracting from the detailed and specific statutory language of Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 9.3 l(b)(5)(A), and erred in holding any error was harmless.

Issue Three

The Court of Appeals erred in holding Appellant was not harmed by a Brady violation

ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES

Issue One Restated

The Court of Appeals erred in holding the trial court did not err in denying his Motion for Mistrial, as the State thrice violated a motion in limine, characterizing Appellant as a murderer in a murder case.

The law provides for, and presumes, a fair trial free from improper argument

by the State. Thompson v. State, 89 S.W.3d 843, 850 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st

Dist.] 2002, pet. ref'd). There are four permissible areas of jury argument:

(1) summation of the evidence, (2) reasonable deductions from the evidence, (3)

answers to the argument of opposing counsel, and (4) pleas for law enforcement.

9

It is improper to refer to a defendant by a derogatory term designed to

subject him to personal abuse. Schumacher v. State, 72 S.W.3d 43, 49 (Tex.App.-

Texarkana 2001, pet. ref'd).

A denial of a motion for mistrial is reviewed under an abuse of discretion

standard. See Ladd v. State, 3 S.W.3d 547, 567 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). A

mistrial is required if the impropriety is “clearly calculated to inflame the minds

of the jury and is of such a character as to suggest the impossibility of

withdrawing the impression produced on the minds of the jury.” Hinojosa v.

State, 4 S.W.3d 240, 253 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). This presumption may apply

even where the instruction follows violation of an order in limine. Janney v.

State, 938 S.W.2d 770, 773 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, no pet.).

(emphasis added).

To evaluate whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying a

mistrial for improper jury argument, three factors are balanced: (1) the

severity of the misconduct (the magnitude of the prejudicial effect of the

prosecutor's remarks), (2) the measures adopted to cure the misconduct (the

efficacy of any cautionary instruction by the judge), and (3) the certainty of

conviction absent the misconduct (the strength of the evidence supporting the

10

conviction). Hawkins v. State, 135 S.W.3d 72, 75 (Tex.Crim.App. 2004).

Mistrial is the appropriate remedy when the objectionable events

are so emotionally inflammatory that curative instructions are not likely to

prevent the jury from being unfairly prejudiced against the defendant. Id. Looking

at the facts of this case, the comments were not curable.

The State agreed to the Defendant's Motion in Limine that he could not

call Appellant names other than his given name or nicknames, and the Court

so ordered. (RR3: 5-6). The prosecutor twice called Appellant a "murderer,"

the second time just moments after the Court had sustained an objection to

his use of the word the first time. (RR6: 55). Thus, the first time the

prosecutor was flouting the Court's order in limine to which the prosecutor

agreed, and the second he flouted the order in limine and an immediate prior

ruling regarding the matter. (RR6: 55).

This is on top of the State's comment that the defense wanted the jury

to devalue life, yet another disparaging comment outside the record which

drew a timely objection and instruction to disregard, with a subsequent

motion for mistrial denied by the trial court.(RR6: 54). Claiming that the

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defense wanted the jury to devalue life is effectively calling Appellant a

"murderer."

In summary, the prosecutor not only twice flouted the Court's order in

limine on name-calling, he called the Appellant a "murderer" twice in a murder

trial, the second time being the last substantive thing that was said to the jury

by either counsel, thereby exacerbating its prejudicial impact. (RR6: 55). This

is on top of a recent instance of accusing the defense of wanting the jury to

devalue life, presumably an attack on both defense counsel and Appellant.

This is not an isolated instance of an irrelevant insult of a defendant. This is

twice calling the accused a "murderer" in a murder trial, shortly after saying he

wants the jury to devalue life. These disparaging remarks go to the very issue

the jury is to decide. This factor weighs in favor of mistrial.

As far as the curative measures go, they seem somewhat appropriate

and on point, but given the extreme nature of the misconduct, Appellant

would contend they are not sufficient to cure the prejudice, and the above

comments are sufficiently egregious to be rightly deemed incurable.

Regarding the first prong, Appellant is charged with murder, so the

12

impact of the improper comments is high. (CR: 15). This is a case where the

issue of self­ defense had solid support in the evidence. There was abundant

evidence from several witnesses that Kerion was very aggressive, spoke of

shooting, and went to his car as if to get a gun. (RR3: 35, 41,52, 54, 57-9,85,

98, 121-2,139-140; RR5: 21,23, 40-2). Therefore, Appellant had a viable self-

defense argument, and the evidence on this issue was far from being

overwhelming against Appellant.

Therefore, this factor goes in favor of mistrial.

The Eastland Court of Appeals itself Court has held more than once that a

denial of mistrial was an abuse of discretion when a trial court ruling was

violated more than once by the State; Robinette v. State, 816 S.W.2d 817, 819

(Tex.App.--Eastland 1991, no pet.); Hill v.State, 817 S.W.2d 816, 817

(Tex.App.--Eastland 1991, pet. ref ‘d).

In Lockett v. State, 744 S.W.2d 229, 231 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th]

Dist.1987, pet. ref'd). Tate v. State, 762 S.W.2d 678, 681 (Tex.App.--Houston [1st

Dist.] 1988, pet. granted); Scruggs v. State, 782 S.W.2d 499, 500-503 (Tex.App.--

Houston [1st Dist.] 1989, pet. ref'd), and Richards v. State, 912 S.W.2d 374, 378

(Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1995, pet. ref'd), the Courts ascribed

13

considerable significance to whether or not an order in limine had been

disobeyed by the State. The Janney Court implicitly acknowledged this by using

the word ''even" in qualifying its statement about the curative power of Court

instructions following a limine violation. Janney, supra, at 773.

Technically, after Appellant's objection, the trial court instructed the

prosecutor and not the jury, and then trial counsel moved for mistrial without

asking for an instruction to disregard. (RR6: 55). Jumping the gun from

objection to a request for mistrial without the intermediate step of asking for an

instruction to disregard is not necessarily waiver. Coe v. State, 683 S.W.2d 431,

435-36 (Tex.Crim.App.1984 ). Appellant would contend under the facts of

this case, since the Court did give an instruction, albeit to the prosecutor and

not the jury, and given that the exact same issue had been addressed in the

prescribed procedure just moments before, the issue should be held to be

preserved. The Court of Appeals held that it was. (Apx. 1).

However, to the extent the Court of Criminal Appeals believes that the

trial counsel failed to preserve the issue by not asking for an instruction to

disregard, this actually changes the analysis very little in effect, because

failing to request an instruction to disregard is not fatal if the prejudicial effect

14

is incurable by a limiting instruction. McGinn v. State, 961 S.W.2d 161, 165

(Tex. Crim. App. 1998). As stated above, and for the reasons set forth above,

Appellant contends the prosecutorial statements here to be incurable.

The State may argue in trying to distinguish some of the above cases

that the harm analysis has changed to a Rule 44.2(b) analysis. Mosley v.

State, 983 S.W.2d 249, 259 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998). Appellant would

contend under the facts of this case that does not require a different result,

and the underlying considerations are the same. The bottom line is that

based on the above authorities, it is well­ established that a defendant has a

right not to be assailed by disparaging terms during his trial, and that

multiple violations of court orders regarding a prejudicial matter are far

more serious than an isolated instance. It should also be axiomatic that

orders in limine serve a purpose and should be obeyed. What are these

strictures worth if a prosecutor can flout them this many times with

impunity?

It is illogical to recognize the importance of orders in limine and

forbidding name-calling and then to allow repeated violations of these

15

policies with impunity, especially where these violations are the last things

the jury hears, and they go to the very issues to be decided. Indeed, the

Eastland Court of Appeals recently quoted Orona v. State, 791 S.W.2d 125,

130 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990), noting the concern of "whether declaring the

error harmless would encourage the State to repeat it with impunity." Baker

v. State, 11-10-00329-CR, 2012 WL 5988900 (Tex. App. - Eastland

November 29, 2012, no pet.).

That concern is clearly present here, and the Court of Appeals' recent

quote of Orona shows that though harm analysis may have changed, the

underlying policy considerations have not. Yet the court of Appeals in our

instant casr held the error harmless. (Apx. 1). Finding a lack of prejudice in this

case would vitiate the integrity of the trial process itself. This was a case that

could have gone either way based on these facts, and the prosecutor's

conduct was repeated, extreme, went to the very issue in the case, and was

the last thing the jury heard before deliberations. Orders in limine and the

right to a trial free from personal attacks from the State are worth little if

prejudice is not found in this case.

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Issue Two Restated

The Court of Appeals erred in subtracting from the detailed and specific statutory language of Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 9.3 l(b)(5)(A), and erred in holding any error was harmless.

A charge limiting a defendant's right to self-defense under TEX.

PEN.CODE ANN. § 9.3 l(b)(5)(A) is properly given when (1) self-defense is an

issue; (2) there are facts in evidence that show that the defendant sought an

explanation from or discussion with the victim concerning their differences;

and (3) the defendant was unlawfully carrying a weapon. Lee v. State, 259

S.W.3d 785, 789 (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, pet. ref"d). Hernandez v.

State, 309 S.W.3d 661, 664 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, pet. ref"d).

The trial court included an instruction in the charge limiting

Appellant's right to self-defense under TEX. PEN.CODE ANN. §

9.31(b)(5)(A). (CR: 77).

Appellant timely objected to inclusion of this instruction, which was

overruled. (RR6:4-5).

When attempting to discern legislative intent or purpose, a Court

necessarily focuses its attention on the literal text of the statute in

17

question and attempts to discern the fair, objective meaning of that text

at the time of its enactment. Boykin v. State, 818 S.W.2d 782, 785

(Tex.Crim.App. 1991). This is because the text of the statute is the

law in the sense that it is the only thing actually adopted by the

legislators, probably through compromise, and submitted to the Governor

for her signature. Id. The Court focuses on the literal text also because the

text is the only definitive evidence of what the legislators (and perhaps the

Governor) had in mind when the statute was enacted into law. Id. There

really is no other certain method for determining the collective legislative

intent or purpose at some point in the past, even assuming a single intent

or purpose was dominant at the time of enactment. Id. Yet a third reason

for focusing on the literal text is that the Legislature is constitutionally

entitled to expect that the Judiciary will faithfully follow the specific text

that was adopted. Id.

Thus, if the meaning of the statutory text, when read using the

established canons of construction relating to such text should have been

plain to the legislators who voted on it) a Court ordinarily gives effect to

18

that plain meaning. Id. Where the statute is clear and unambiguous the

Legislature must be understood to mean what it has expressed, and it is not for

the courts to add or subtract from such a statute. Id.

The statute in question that limits self-defense is strikingly specific, using

many specific terms. The definitions of these terms bear analysis.

The word "seek" is defined thus:

1: to resort to :go to 2 a :to go in search of : look for b :to try to discover

3: to ask for :request <.seeks advice> 4: to try to acquire or gain :aim at <.seek fame> 5: to make an attempt :try -used with to and an infinitive

2 a :to be sought

b :to be lacking <in critical judgment ...they were sadly to seek

"seek." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2013. Web. 28 June 2013.

The word "explain" is defined thus:

1 a :to make known <explain the secret of your success>

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b :to make plain or understandable <footnotes that explain the terms>

2: to give the reason for or cause of <unable to explain his strange conduct>

3: to show the logical development or relationships of <explained the new

theory>

intransitive

:to make something plain or understandable <a report that suggests rather than

explains>

:to clarify one's statements or the reasons for one1s conduct

"explain." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam- Webster, 2013. Web. 28 June 2013.

Discussion is defined as follows:

l :consideration of a question in open and usually informal debate

2: a formal treatment of a topic in speech or writing

"discussion." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2013. Web. 4 July 2013.

Clearly, the statute requires affirmative acts of trying to engage the

other party regarding the subject of disagreement while unlawfully carrying,

not merely going where one knows that party will be and responding to his

mouthing.

20

A review of the germane facts is as follows:

According to the testimony of Demarques, on October 18, Appellant

and Demarques were going to Dallas, and parked Demarques' car by the

complex dumpster to clean it out. (RR3: 30-1). Kerion then pulled up in a

confrontational mood. (RR3: 33). After threats from Kerion, Appellant went

to his baby's mother's house. (RR3: 34-5). His exchanges were with Flo.

(RR3: 39-41 , 64). Kerion swore and went to the car. (RR3: 41, 65). His

girlfriend said "Don't get that" and then the shooting occurred. (RR3: 41 J

52, 65).

Jackie Lenius affirmed Kerion and she pulled up by Demarques and

Appellant at the dumpster, Kerion was perturbed because he believed

Demarques to be looking for him. (RR3: 82).

Kerion told Demarques that Demarques was looking for him, he was

not going to talk but going to shoot. (RR3: 85). She asked Appellant if he

were going to shoot in front of her kids, he responded affirmatively. (RR3:

86). Kerion said "okay," "okay," and then reached for his driver door.

(RR3:87-88). It was Demarques, not Appellant, that Kerion confronted at the

21

scene. (RR3: 97). She never saw Appellant leave the scene. (RR3: 98).

Appellant was not involved in any arguments that preceded the shooting on

the 18th. (RR3: 99). That he would shoot were the last words Kerion uttered

before he reached for the car door and got shot. (RR3: 98).

Florence "Flo" Patterson next testified for the State. He was friends with

Harness. (RR3: 104). They had known each other in Louisiana. (RR3: 104). On

October 17th, he had gotten into an argument with Appellant. (RR3: l 05). They

had two arguments over his owing Appellant $200. (RR3: l06). Appellant did

pull out a gun but put it up at D-Train' s insistence. (RR3: 106-7). He saw D-

Train and Kerion at the apartment complex the next day arguing, and

Appellant dropped by 15 to 20 minutes later. (RR3: l 09).When he ran over

there he heard a gun cock, so he ran away. (RR3: 110).

Shortly after he got back down there, he saw A.J. arrive. (RR3: 111).

Appellant had a gun in his backside. (RR3: 1 11). There was a lot of

arguing. (RR3: 1 11).

Appellant pulled out a gun. (RR3: 11 1). Kerion said something, though he

couldn 't remember what. (RR3: 112). Kerion ran to his car, and Flo

thought he was going for a gun. (RR3: 112). He never saw Kerion with a

22

gun. (RR3: 112). Appellant then shot him. (RR3: 112). Kerion leaned into

the car when Appellant shot him. (RR3: 113).

Flo testified Appellant had two fights with Flo, and Appellant had the

advantage. (RR3: 115). Kerion had come to his aid. (RR3: 115). Kerion's

attitude was that he was going to continue the dispute from the previous

day with Appellant and Demarques. (RR3: 118). He affirmed he thought

Kerion was going for a gun when he moved to his car because of the

altercations going on. (RR3: 121-2). Kerion ran toward the car and leaned

down. (RR3: 122-3). That's when he heard the shots. (RRJ: 123). After

being shown his statement, he c1arified that Appellant had shown his

pistol, but not pointed it at him. (RR3: 127).

Easter Marshall testified that on the 18th she and Flo had gone to get

something to eat, and then pulled up on D-Train and Kerion at the garbage

cans. (RR3: 136).

Flo got out walk to them while after she parked and remained a bit

back. (RR3: 136-7). She could not hear what was being said. (RR3: 137).

Appellant showed up later. (RR3: 138). She saw his gun. (RR3: 138).

23

"They," meaning everyone there, were arguing, but she could not hear what

anyone was saying. Appellant put a clip in the gun after ''they'' had argued a

while. (RR3: 139). Kerion was walking toward his open car door when

Appellant shot him. (RR3: 139-140). Kerion leaned into his car door before he

was shot. (RR3: 140).

On cross-examination, the witness expressed uncertainty as to how far

she was from this exchange. (RR3: 144-6). She could hear arguing but could

not hear the words. (RR3: 146).

Appellant testified that as he returned to the car near the dumpster after

retrieving the gun, he saw arguing, and approached. (RR5: 37). He went there

to find what was going on. (RRS: 37). He was not coming to confront Kerion

or Flo. (RR5: 37). Kerion and D-Train were arguing vigorously. (RRS: 38). Flo

stared him down, and Appellant inquired about his money. (RR5: 38). Their

disputed ended with assurances that Flo would pay Appellant. (RR5: 38-9).

Kerion approached him saying that he knew Appellant but Appellant didn't

know him. (RR5: 39). Kerion told him that they had gotten into on the phone

about a month and a half ago because Appellant would not sell him marijuana.

(RRS: 40).

24

Appellant testified Kerion approached him saying that he knew

Appellant but Appellant didn't know him. (RR5: 39). Kerion told him that

they had gotten into on the phone about a month and a half ago because

Appellant would not sell him marijuana. (RRS: 40). Kerion was acting in

a hostile manner. (RR5: 40). He said he wasn't talking about fighting, but

shooting. (RRS: 40). Flo told Kerion that Appellant had a gun on him.

(RR5: 41). It was visible to Flo. (RRS: 41). Kerion inquired of Appellant

if he had a gun on him. (RR5: 41).

Appellant then responded that Kerion was talking about shooting, yet

it wasn't that serious a matter. (RR5: 42). Kerion said he "ain't trying to

hear all that shit. "(RR5: 42). Kerion approached with his hands out, as if to

grab Appellant's gun. (RRS: 42). He reached at Appellant with one hand.

(RRS: 42). Appellant took a step back and told Kerion not to walk up on

him like that anymore. (RR5: 42).

Kerion said "so you got a gun and you ain't gonna use it?" He further

stated "I'm gonna bust you in your ass" and he darted toward the car.

(RR5: 43). Appellant interpreted this as meaning he was going to shoot

him, and it scared him. (RR5: 43). The car door was open. (RR5: 43-4).

25

Jackie, standing by the passenger side of the car said to Kerion "don't do

that" or "don't get that." (RR5: 44). Appellant thought Kerion was going to

shoot. (RR5: 44).Kerion darted toward the car and reached down in the

car. (RRS: 44). Appellant just reacted, firing the gun toward the ground,

trying to make him jump. (RR5: 44). He was not trying to kill, just trying to

shoot in his direction. (RRS: 45). He saw Kerion fall, and Appellant took off

running. (RR5: 45).

Admittedly, if the testimony of Demarques is believed, the Appellant

returned with a gun to a scene where he knew Harness would be. Clearly,

returning to the scene where be knew Kerion would be with a gun and

mouthing back at Kerion is something that was unwise for Appellant to have

done. The plain language of the statute requires more, however. lt requires that

he actively engage Harness in a discussion or explanation of their differences,

and that simply did not occur.

Given Appellant properly preserved error by objecting to the charge, reversal is

mandated if Appellant suffered some harm by the erroneous inclusion of the

26

limiting instruction. See Carmen v. State, 276 S.W.3d 538, 546 (Tex. App.­

Houston [1st Dist] 2008, pet. ref d).

The four-part analysis for assessing harm consists of reviewing (l ) the entire

jury charge; (2) the state of the evidence, including the contested issues and weight

of probative evidence; (3) the arguments of counsel; and (4) any other relevant

information revealed by the record of the trial as a whole. Id at 546-7; Almanza

v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157 171 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985).

The jury charge clearly centered largely on the issue of self-defense. (CR:

68-84). This was the only objected-to portion of the charge. (RR6: 4-5). It was the

only seriously-contested issue in the case, the Appellant having conceded he shot

Harness. Arguments of counsel centered on self-defense, and indeed the State

f1atly said "Self-defense is going to be the main issue in this case." (RR6:

32) Thus, the evidence of self-defense was strong, as set forth in the

recitation of relevant facts within this issue. The State, in closing argument,

emphasized its argument that Appellant had sought an explanation or

discussion with Harness. (RR6: 30, 34). Clearly, harm existed in this case.

Issue Three Restated

27

The Court of Appeals erred in holding Appellant was not harmed by a Brady violation

For there to be reversible error under Brady, a defendant must show that

(1) the State failed to disclose evidence, regardless of the prosecution's good or bad faith;

(2) the withheld evidence is favorable to him;

(3) the evidence is material, that is, there is a reasonable probability that had the evidence been disclosed, the outcome of the trial would have been different.

Hampton v. State, 86 S.W.3d 603, 612 (Tex.Crim.App.2002).

"The State" includes, in addition to the prosecutor, other lawyers and

employees in his office and members of law enforcement connected to the

investigation and prosecution of the case. Ex parte Reed, 271 S.W.3d 698,

726 (Tex.Crim.App.2008).

The defendant must show that, "in light of all the evidence, it is reasonably

probable that the outcome of the trial would have been different had the

prosecutor made a timely disclosure." Hampton, 86 S.W.3d at 612. When there

has been an untimely disclosure of evidence, rather than a complete failure to

disclose, the inquiry becomes whether the defendant was prejudiced by the

tardy disclosure. See Palmer v. State, 902 S.W.2d 561, 565 (Tex. App.-

28

Houston [1st Dist.] 1995, no pet.).

Veronica Hardeman testified that Appellant told her he saw a friend put

the gun from the car in the bushes. (RR3: 209).

Wallace McDaniel testified Sergeant Lynn Beard stated there was a

rumor that someone had removed something, perhaps even a gun, from the

victim's car. (RR4: 90).

Detective Moscarelli testified there was a two-hour gap in the interview

tape of Veronica Hardeman. (RR4: 116-7). He took notes about Veronica

saying Appellant having mentioned that someone had taken a gun from the car

and put it in a bush. (RR4: 117-9).

Sergeant Lynn Beard a rumor developed about a person taking an

object out of Harness' car and hiding it in a bush. (RR4: 135). Some said it

was a gun. (RR4: 135). He could hear the rumor that someone had removed

something, maybe a gun, maybe not, from the car, but no one was identified

specifically, though he instructed the detectives to look. (RR4: 138).

Detective John Clark affirmed he did hear of such rumors days later.

(RR4: 157-8). None of this information was disclosed to the Defendant prior to

29

trial. (RR3: 229-230). The prosecution conceded the Hardeman information

"would be Brady" if in possession of the police. (RR3: 230-1). Failure by the

State to disclosethis information deprived Appellant of the opportunity to

question witnesses at the apartment complex and to discover additional

information about the gun. For the reasons articulated in Issues One and Two

above, there is strong evidence of self­ defense, and self-defense was key to

Appellant's defense, so deprivation of the opportunity to find evidence that

Kerion had access to a gun is prejudicial as a m a t t e r of law. The Court of

Appeals held that Appellant waived this point by not requesting a continuance

to further investigate. (Apx. 1). However, as any evidence was long despoiled

by the passage of time, a continuance would be pointless.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

The Court of Appeals in holding Appellant was not entitled to a mistrial

when he was three times impermissibly and personally attacked by the State with

respect to the very thing he for which he was on trial – whether or not he

committed murderer. For the State to repeat a violation of an order in limine three

times with impunity is something the Court of Criminal Appeals should address as

a matter of policy. Further, the Court of Appeals erred in its construction of a very

30

specifically worded statute, finding evidence that Appellant sought an explanation

or discussion of his differences with the decedent when to do so ignores the plain

meaning of the words “sought,” “explanation,” and “discussion,” three power

words the Legislature saw fit to specifically include in the statute. The evidence

regarding self-defense in this case is simply too strong to hold either of these errors

harmless. Additionally, the Court of Appeals erred in overruling Appellant’s Brady

issue. Accordingly, Appellant’s conviction should be reversed, and this case

remanded for a new trial.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Rick Dunbar_____________ FREDERICK DUNBAR Texas Bar No. 24025336 4542 Loop 322 Suite 102 Abilene, Texas 79602 Telephone: 325/437.7000 Facsimile: 325/437.7007

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

Appellant’s Petition for Discretionary Review, according to the word

count function of counsel for Appellant’s word-processing software, contains 4341

words, excluding the caption, identity of parties and counsel, statement regarding

oral argument, table of contents, index of authorities, statement of the case,

31

statement of issues presented, statement of jurisdiction, statement of procedural

history, signature, proof of service, certification, certificate of compliance, and the

appendix As this is within the limits established, Appellant respectfully certifies

compliance.

/s/ Rick Dunbar_____________ Rick Dunbar

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on this 6th day of June, 2015, a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing was forwarded to the Taylor County District Attorney and the State Prosecuting Attorney in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law.

/s/ Rick Dunbar_____________ Rick Dunbar

32

APPENDIX

Opinion of the Texas Court of Appeals, Eleventh District, At Eastland…………….…………...1

Opinion filed March 31, 2015

In The

Eleventh Court of Appeals

__________

No. 11-12-00335-CR

__________

ALFRED JAMES WILLIAMS, Appellant V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the 350th District Court Taylor County, Texas

Trial Court Cause No. 10254-D

MEMORANDUM OPINION

The jury convicted Appellant, Alfred James Williams, of murder. Appellant pleaded “true” to an enhancement paragraph for one prior felony conviction. The jury assessed punishment at confinement for twenty-five years, and the trial court sentenced Appellant accordingly. On appeal, Appellant asserts that the trial court erred when it (1) denied his motion for a mistrial, (2) included a limitation in the

2

jury instruction on self-defense, and (3) overruled his alleged Brady1 claims. We affirm.

I. Evidence at Trial

Appellant, Floyd Patterson (Flo), and Demarques Donte Taylor (D-Train)

got into an argument one night. Appellant also got into an argument with Kerion Harness that night. All were at the Little Elm Apartments in Abilene. Their disagreements spilled over into the next day when Appellant and Kerion met in the parking lot at Little Elm Apartments. The argument ended there in that parking lot when Appellant shot and killed Kerion.

Prior to the shooting, D-Train and Appellant had decided to go to Dallas;

they had parked D-Train’s car next to a dumpster in the parking lot at the Little Elm Apartments to clean out the car. Jackie Lenius said that she, Kerion, and their children went to a friend’s apartment at the complex and that Kerion went inside to get marihuana. As they were leaving the complex’s parking lot, Kerion saw D-Train and Appellant, and he stopped his car to talk to them. D-Train heard Kerion say, “I heard you n-----s . . . came by . . . the Scroggins’ house . . . looking for me.” D-Train responded that he was not looking for Kerion. Kerion then said to Appellant, “I know you but you don’t know me,” and “I know you, n----r. You don’t even know me.” 2 Flo then walked up and got into an argument with Appellant over money. Appellant then walked upstairs to D-Train’s apartment; Flo saw Appellant leave and return.

Surveillance equipment 3 recorded Appellant when he walked up to D-Train’s apartment and returned downstairs with a handgun in his hand; he also had put on a hoodie. Flo and Appellant exchanged words about whether Appellant

1 Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). 2 This was apparently a reference to a prior drug deal between Appellant and Kerion. 3 George Gonzales placed video surveillance equipment in his apartment window so he could monitor his vehicle, which had been vandalized, and he maintained a log of his recordings. Gonzales said he saw Appellant in the video come out with a gun in his hand.

would shoot Flo. Appellant remarked, “You right, you d--n right . . . I got mine” as he displayed his handgun. Flo claimed to hear Appellant “cock” his handgun. Kerion and Appellant argued, and Kerion said, “I heard ya’ll was looking for me.” Kerion also said, “I’m from Louisiana; we don’t fight, we shoot.” Appellant lifted his shirt and said, “you wanna shoot?” and he pulled his gun from his waistband; Lenius asked, “[A]re you gonna shoot in front of my kids?” Appellant responded, “[H]--l yeah.”

Easter Marshall said that Appellant had a gun and that she saw him put a clip in it during the argument. She said Flo, D-Train, Appellant, and Kerion were talking when Kerion leaned down near the driver’s side door, which was open. D-Train said that Kerion said, “F--k that” and turned and walked toward his car. D-Train said that Lenius said, “Let’s go; f--k that s--t; don’t get that”; “[d]on’t get that; let’s go,” as Kerion approached his car. Lenius denied that Kerion said anything. According to Lenius, Kerion turned and reached for the car door, which had to be opened from the inside. As Kerion reached to open the door, Appellant shot him twice. Kerion stumbled around his car and collapsed in the front passenger seat.

Neither D-Train nor Flo saw Kerion with a gun. Lenius denied that Kerion threatened anyone and denied that he had a gun in the car. Lenius and Marshall corroborated Flo’s and D-Train’s testimony that Appellant shot Kerion. After the shooting, Appellant said to D-Train, “Let’s go, I just shot this n----r.” Appellant ran off, but D-Train did not go with him. D-Train drove to his grandmother’s house where he was later arrested by police. Aleshia Barnes testified that Appellant ran into her house, and asked to use the phone. Appellant told Barnes that he had just “shot somebody,” and Appellant had a handgun in his jacket. Barnes gave him the phone; he called someone and eventually left.

Jamie McQueen testified that her cousin, Kathy Taylor, is married to D-Train and that McQueen was at the Little Elm Apartments when shots were fired; she and Taylor and their kids got into Kathy’s car and left. Once stopped in

4

traffic, they picked up Appellant and then drove him to another apartment complex. While in the car, Appellant said he had just shot someone. Once at the apartment, Appellant got a ride to Dallas from Veronica Hardeman; 4 he gave the gun to McQueen and Taylor, who threw it into a creek bed. They later directed police to the location of the gun.

Ernest Moscarelli, a detective with the Abilene Police Department, responded to the scene. He spoke to Lenius, interviewed Flo and D-Train, and later interviewed Taylor and McQueen. He also interviewed Hardeman twice, once in his office and once in the video room. Lynn Beard, a Sergeant with the Abilene Police Department, responded to the scene and helped interview people and searched the complex. Sergeant Tony Lassetter, a police officer with the Abilene Police Department interviewed Lenius at the scene. Detective Moscarelli interviewed Hardeman, who he suspected was untruthful in her interview. He also viewed the surveillance videotape and confirmed recovery of the gun from the creek bed.

Stephanie Hughes and Wallace McDaniel—the former, a forensic specialist, and the latter, a criminalist officer—collected evidence at the scene, which included shell casings, and recovered the gun from the creek bed. Amanda Flory, a forensic specialist with Alliance Forensics Laboratory in Fort Worth, tested the recovered handgun and the shell casings and found that they matched. Nizam Peerwani, the medical examiner, conducted an examination and autopsy of Kerion; he found no defensive wounds, but he found two gunshot wounds, one in the back and the second in the right arm. The gunshot to the back killed Kerion.

Appellant testified in his own defense and asserted that he shot Kerion because he thought Kerion was going for a gun in his car. Appellant denied he knew Kerion; testified that Kerion had threatened him the night before the shooting

4 Veronica Hardeman, who was friends with Appellant, picked him up at the Pebble Creek Apartments and took him to Dallas after the shooting. Appellant told her he shot Kerion because he thought Kerion was going for a gun, but Appellant told her he never saw a gun.

and the day of the shooting; and explained that, when Kerion turned to go to his car and reached inside the window of the driver’s door, Appellant shot him.

II. Analysis

We review a trial court’s denial of a motion for mistrial under an abuse of discretion standard. Archie v. State, 221 S.W.3d 695, 699 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Hawkins v. State, 135 S.W.3d 72, 77 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). Appellate review of error in a jury charge involves a two-step process. Abdnor v. State, 871 S.W.2d 726, 731 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). We must first determine whether error occurred. If so, we must then evaluate whether the error requires reversal. Id. at 731–32. To establish reversible error under Brady, a defendant must show: (1) the State failed to disclose evidence, regardless of the prosecution’s good or bad faith; (2) the withheld evidence is favorable to him; and (3) the evidence is material, that is, there is a reasonable probability that had the evidence been disclosed, the outcome of the trial would have been different. Pena v. State, 353 S.W.3d 797, 809 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011); Hampton v. State, 86 S.W.3d 603, 612 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). We will address each of Appellant’s issues sequentially.

A. Issue One: Mistrial Appellant argues that the trial court erred when it denied his motions for mistrial following comments made by the prosecutor in closing argument that Appellant was a “murderer” and wanted the jury to “devalue life.” We apply an abuse of discretion standard during review, and we will uphold the denial of a motion for mistrial if it is within the zone of reasonable disagreement. Archie, 221 S.W.3d at 699 (citing Wead v. State, 129 S.W.3d 126, 129 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004)). “Only in extreme circumstances, where the prejudice is incurable, will a mistrial be required.” Hawkins, 135 S.W.3d at 77.

The law provides for, and presumes, a fair trial free from improper argument by the prosecuting attorney. Long v. State, 823 S.W.2d 259, 267 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). Permissible jury argument falls into one of four areas: (1) summation of the evidence; (2) reasonable deduction from the evidence; (3) an answer to the

6

argument of opposing counsel; or (4) a plea for law enforcement. Brown v. State, 270 S.W.3d 564, 570 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008); Cannady v. State, 11 S.W.3d 205, 213 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Even when an argument exceeds the permissible bounds of these approved areas, it is not reversible unless the argument is extreme or manifestly improper, violates a mandatory statute, or injects into the trial new facts harmful to the accused. Wesbrook v. State, 29 S.W.3d 103, 115 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). The remarks must have been a willful and calculated effort on the part of the State to deprive Appellant of a fair and impartial trial. Id. (citing Cantu v. State, 939 S.W.2d 627, 633 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997)).

Instructions to the jury will generally cure most improprieties that occur during trial, and we presume that a jury will follow the judge’s instructions. Gamboa v. State, 296 S.W.3d 574, 580 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). A mistrial is an appropriate remedy only in extreme circumstances and is reserved for a narrow class of highly prejudicial and incurable errors. Hawkins, 135 S.W.3d at 77. If the harm caused by an improper jury argument is incurable, a motion for mistrial preserves error for appellate review. Cruz v. State, 225 S.W.3d 546, 548 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Young v. State, 137 S.W.3d 65, 70 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). In determining whether improper jury argument warrants a mistrial, the Mosley court balanced three factors: (1) severity of the misconduct (the magnitude of the prejudicial effect of the prosecutor’s remarks); (2) measures adopted to cure the misconduct (the efficacy of any cautionary instruction by the judge); and (3) the certainty of conviction absent the misconduct (the strength of the evidence supporting the conviction). Mosley v. State, 983 S.W.2d 249, 259 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998).

The prosecutor asserted that Appellant wanted the jury to “devalue life” and also called him a “murderer” on three separate occasions. None of these comments were proper jury argument. See Brown, 270 S.W.3d at 570; Cannady, 11 S.W.3d at 213. Defense counsel objected the first time when the prosecutor said that Appellant wanted the jury to “devalue life”; the trial court sustained the objection

7

and provided an instruction to disregard. Appellant moved for mistrial, which was denied. When the prosecutor again gave an improper jury argument by calling Appellant a “murderer,” defense counsel objected, and the court again instructed the jury to disregard and told the jury to decide the case on the evidence. Appellant again moved for a mistrial, which was denied. The third time the prosecutor gave an improper jury argument was when he called Appellant a “murderer” twice in short succession; the trial court instructed the prosecutor to “restrict the characterizations.” Appellant moved for mistrial a third time, and the trial court denied the motion.

Under the first Mosley factor, we conclude that the prosecutor’s comments were both improper and prejudicial. See Mosley, 983 S.W.2d at 258–60. Under the second Mosley factor, the trial court properly instructed the jury twice to disregard the prosecutor’s comments. Id. at 259–60. After the second objection, the trial court essentially instructed the jury it was the jury’s decision to resolve facts and determine if Appellant was guilty of the offense charged. All of these instructions cured the errors by the prosecutor, which although improper and prejudicial, were isolated and occurred in short succession. Id.; see Gamboa, 296 S.W.3d at 580.

Under the final Mosley factor, we observe that the prosecutor did not inject new or harmful facts into the trial and did not violate a mandatory statute. See Mosley, 983 S.W.2d at 258–60. His comments were made in connection with his summation of evidence at the end of his argument, in which he argued that Appellant had committed murder beyond a reasonable doubt when he shot Kerion in the back without justification. Given the evidence the State amassed against Appellant and Appellant’s own testimony, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Appellant’s motions for mistrial. Even if it did, any error was harmless because it was not incurable, did not affect Appellant’s substantial rights, and did not deprive him of a fair trial. Id.; see TEX. R. APP. P. 44.2(b); Hawkins, 135 S.W.3d at 77. We overrule Appellant’s first issue.

B. Issue Two: Alleged Jury Charge Error Appellant asserts that the trial court erred when it included an instruction in the jury charge5 that limited Appellant’s right to self-defense under Section 9.31(b)(5)(A) of the penal code. TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 9.31(b)(5)(A) (West 2011). Self-defense is a justification for conduct that would otherwise be criminal. See id. §§ 9.02, 9.31. “[A] person is justified in using force against another when and to the degree [he] reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to protect [himself] against the other’s use or attempted use of unlawful force.” Id. § 9.31(a). But “[t]he use of force against another is not justified . . . if the actor sought an explanation from or discussion with the other person concerning the actor’s differences with the other person while the actor was” unlawfully carrying a weapon under Section 46.02. Id. § 9.31(b)(5)(A). “A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun . . . if the person is not: (1) on the person’s own premises or premises under the person’s control.” Id. § 46.02(a)(1) (West Supp. 2014).

A charge limiting a defendant’s right of self-defense is properly given when (1) self-defense is an issue, (2) there are facts in evidence that show the defendant sought an explanation from or discussion with the victim concerning their differences, and (3) the defendant was unlawfully carrying a weapon. Id. § 9.31(b)(5)(A); Davis v. State, No. 05-10-00732-CR, 2011 WL 3528256, at *10 (Tex. App.—Dallas Aug. 12, 2011, pet. ref’d) (not designated for publication); Lee v. State, 259 S.W.3d 785, 789 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, pet. ref’d). To determine whether the limitation was warranted, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to giving the instruction. See Fink v. State, 97 S.W.3d 739, 743 (Tex. App.—Austin 2003, pet. ref’d). If there is any evidence raising a

5 The trial court shall “deliver to the jury . . . a written charge distinctly setting forth the law applicable to the case [and] not expressing any opinion as to the weight of the evidence.” TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 36.14 (West 2007). A trial court must instruct the jury on statutory defenses, affirmative defenses, and justifications when raised by the evidence. Walters v. State, 247 S.W.3d 204, 208–09 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).

fact issue on the limitation, an instruction should be submitted. Bumguardner v. State, 963 S.W.2d 171, 175–76 (Tex. App.—Waco 1998, pet. ref’d).

When we review a claim of jury charge error, we engage in a two-step process. First, we determine whether error exists, and then we determine whether sufficient harm resulted from the error to require reversal. Barrios v. State, 283 S.W.3d 348, 350 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009); Olivas v. State, 202 S.W.3d 137, 143 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006); Abdnor, 871 S.W.2d at 731–32; Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157, 171 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985). We do not reach the harm issue, however, unless we first find error in the charge. See Barrios, 283 S.W.3d at 350. If the error in the charge was the subject of a timely objection, reversal is required if there is some harm to the defendant because of the error. CRIM. PROC. art. 36.19 (West 2006); Ovalle v. State, 13 S.W.3d 774, 786 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); Almanza, 686 S.W.2d at 171. Appellant objected to the inclusion of the instruction and preserved error.

Appellant was unlawfully carrying a gun when he shot Kerion, but he argues the limiting instruction was improper because he did not seek a discussion with Kerion over differences. In Hernandez, the court held that a trial court did not err when it submitted the instruction because Hernandez and another person, Omar, had a disagreement over who had some guns that belonged to Gilberto. Hernandez v. State, 309 S.W.3d 661, 665 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, pet. ref’d). Hernandez claimed that, although Gilberto asked him to speak to Omar, the differences were between Omar and Gilberto and that, therefore, the limiting instruction was improper. Id. at 64–65. The appellate court rejected that assertion and held that a discussion between Appellant and Omar satisfied the statute and that the trial court properly submitted the instruction. Id. at 665–66. The day before the shooting, Kerion and Appellant argued and threatened each other. The next day, while Appellant and D-Train emptied D-Train’s car of trash, Kerion parked his car nearby and approached them; a short time later, Appellant went into D-Train’s apartment, got a gun, and returned. Kerion asked D-Train and

Appellant if they were looking for him; D-Train said no, and Appellant argued with Kerion. Kerion said, “F--k that” and started to walk toward his car. Appellant shot Kerion in the back as Kerion leaned into his car. The trial court did not err when it submitted the instruction. See Hernandez, 309 S.W.3d at 665.

Even if we were to hold that the trial court erred in giving the limiting instruction, which we do not, the result would be no different. See Ovalle, 13 S.W.3d at 786; Almanza, 686 S.W.2d at 171. In evaluating whether there was some harm from jury charge error, we should consider “the entire jury charge, the state of the evidence, including the contested issues and weight of probative evidence, the argument of counsel and any other relevant information revealed by the record of the trial as a whole.” Barron v. State, 353 S.W.3d 879, 883 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011) (quoting Almanza, 686 S.W.2d at 171). Appellant shot Kerion following an argument. The medical examiner testified that Kerion died from a gunshot wound. The police found shell casings at the scene and recovered Appellant’s gun; ballistics testing matched them to each other. No one, not even Appellant, testified that Kerion had a gun when he was shot. After a review of the evidence, the jury charge, the contested issues, and the arguments of counsel, we note that the evidence was disputed but that, even if the instruction was in error and should not have been part of the jury charge, there was no harm. We overrule Appellant’s second issue.

C. Issue Three: Alleged Brady Violation Appellant asserts that a Brady violation occurred when the State did not disclose that a witness, Veronica Hardeman—who had been told by Appellant that he saw someone get in the victim’s car, get a gun, and hide the gun in the bushes— had given that information to law enforcement. Appellant also argues that a second Brady violation occurred when the State failed to disclose that Sergeant Beard had heard rumors about a gun in the victim’s car that had been taken and hidden at the apartment complex. Both violations, Appellant claims, prejudiced him because the State suppressed material evidence that was favorable to him.

The State has an affirmative duty to disclose exculpatory evidence that is material either to guilt or punishment. Brady, 373 U.S. at 86. Brady requirements extend to both impeachment and exculpatory evidence, and no request is required by the defendant. United States v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667 at 676–77 (1985); United States v. Agurs, 427 U.S. 97, 111–12 (1976); Harm v. State, 183 S.W.3d 403, 409 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). Prosecutors have a duty to learn of Brady evidence known to others acting on the State’s behalf in a particular case. Kyles v. Whitley, 514 U.S. 419, 437–38 (1995). The State’s duty to reveal Brady material attaches when the information comes into its possession, not when requested. Thomas v. State, 841 S.W.2d 399, 407 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992).

As an initial procedural matter, when a defendant asserts during trial that a Brady violation has occurred, he is entitled to a recess of the trial to obtain production of the material. Crawford v. State, 892 S.W.2d 1, 4 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). A defendant must request a continuance or a recess to protect due process; otherwise, the complaint about the State’s failure to disclose information is waived. Payne v. State, 516 S.W.2d 675, 677 (Tex. Crim. App. 1974); State v. Fury, 186 S.W.3d 67, 74 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. ref’d). A defendant’s failure to request a continuance indicates the tardy disclosure was not prejudicial. Fury, 186 S.W.3d at 73–74. In this case, the trial court held a Brady hearing, and defense counsel questioned two police officers but never requested a continuance or a recess. Appellant has waived error. Payne, 516 S.W.2d at 677; Fury, 186 S.W.3d at 74.

But even if we are incorrect, and Appellant had preserved error, his Brady claims still fail. First, the information that Hardeman testified about came from Appellant. Appellant told her that he shot Kerion because he thought Kerion was going for a gun but that he never saw a gun. Hardeman did not cooperate with police and did not initially tell them that Appellant told her someone had taken a gun from Kerion’s car and hidden it in the bushes; this occurred in a later interview. The State does not have a duty to disclose evidence, if the defendant

12

actually knew of the exculpatory evidence or could have accessed it from other sources. Pena, 353 S.W.3d at 810. If Appellant failed to investigate information he knew or should have known, then there is no Brady violation. Dalbosco v. State, 978 S.W.2d 236, 238 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1998, pet. ref’d).

Second, Appellant claimed he was unaware of the rumors Sergeant Beard had heard and claimed his trial would have been different had this information been disclosed. To show a Brady violation, Appellant must establish that the State suppressed material evidence favorable to him. Harm, 183 S.W.3d at 406 (citing Little v. State, 991 S.W.2d 864, 866 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999); Thomas, 841 S.W.2d at 402–03). The materiality of the undisclosed information is not sufficiently proven by showing a mere possibility that the undisclosed information might have helped in the defense or might have affected the outcome of the trial. Hampton, 86 S.W.3d at 612. When evaluating whether the materiality standard is satisfied, we balance the strength of undisclosed evidence against evidence supporting the conviction. Id. at 613. When such evidence is disclosed during trial, the issue is whether the defendant was prejudiced by the late disclosure. Little, 991 S.W.2d at 867. But the question is not whether the defendant would more likely than not have received a different verdict with the undisclosed evidence, but whether, in its absence, he received a fair trial—understood as a trial resulting in a verdict worthy of confidence. Kyles, 514 U.S. at 434; Pena, 353 S.W.3d at 812 n.11. We analyze the alleged Brady violation in light of all the other evidence adduced at trial. Hampton, 86 S.W.3d at 612–13.

After the shooting, Officer Wilson spoke to Hardeman, who mentioned nothing about a gun in the bushes at the Little Elm Apartments. Later, Detective Moscarelli interviewed Hardeman twice; his notes about the second interview reflected that she claimed Appellant had told her someone had taken a gun from Kerion’s car and hidden it in the bushes at the apartment complex. Detective Moscarelli questioned the validity of Hardeman’s statements because she had initially denied any involvement, she was evasive and uncooperative, her

13

comments about the gun in the bushes were not specific, and she said she got the information from Appellant.

Detective Moscarelli ordered a search of the apartment complex, but a gun was never recovered there. John Clark, a detective with the Abilene Police Department, testified that he and several other officers were sent to the apartment complex after the shooting to look for a gun on the property. Officer Beard told him where to search, but no gun was recovered there. Austen Walker, a detective with the Abilene Police Department, searched the entire complex for evidence but did not find a gun there. Sergeant Beard said that, although he had heard a rumor about a gun on the property, he could get no names of people to interview about the rumor. The police did not follow up on the rumor because no witness had described the victim as having a gun at the time of the shooting.

Appellant shot and killed Kerion. He did so after he got a gun from D-Train’s apartment and came back to D-Train’s car to continue his argument with Kerion—an argument that ended in Kerion’s murder. Appellant’s gun was recovered; the shell casings matched it. No one testified that Kerion had a gun in his hand when he was shot, and his girlfriend testified there was no gun in the car. The police found no gun at the apartment complex and no witness who would corroborate the rumor, which originated with Appellant. Appellant claimed self- defense and received a self-defense instruction, but the jury decided that issue against him. Appellant has not explained how an earlier disclosure of the complained-of information prejudiced him or would have made any difference at trial. We have reviewed the evidence for and against the conviction and the evidence that Appellant claims was a Brady violation, and we hold there was no violation. But even if we are incorrect, Appellant was not prejudiced by the tardy disclosure. We overrule Appellant’s final issue.

III. This Court’s Ruling

We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

MIKE WILLSON JUSTICE

March 31, 2015 Do not publish. See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b). Panel consists of: Wright, C.J., Willson, J., and Bailey, J.