Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, 2015

in Re Thomas Wayne Florence

in Re Thomas Wayne Florence
Court of Civil Appeals of Texas · Decided April 8, 2015

in Re Thomas Wayne Florence

Opinion

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"3- i -15 1©HN I , KIMMMW DISTRICT;CLERK GAlMESTOHCOUm^l ©*<.?;

Thomas Wayne Florence Allred Un.itTD.CJ #1729344 3/25/2015 2101 FM 369 North Iowa Park, TX 76367

Dear Thomas Wayne Florence, Cause: 10CR1217-83-5, Styled: Ex Parte: Thomas Wayne Florence, & filed in the 56th District Court of Galveston County, Texas I am responding to your correspondence that was received on March 16 2015 and March 24, 2015. This office has not received any records from T-Mobile Inc. or Cricket Comm. I am sending copies to you from your previous Application for Post- Conviction Habeas Corpus4Q- re^p^seste^^tt&M^^ Please find enclosed copies of the following documents filed in the above number and styled cause.

1. Correspondence from Court of Appeals noting receipt of Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus (mmmm^mNwtMmmfWmW) 2. Correspondence from Court of Appeals Dismissing Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus (iOCR1217?8331?WrirN@g63^7S?0^) 3. NotifieSfio1f^€lerk of^ 4. Transmittal Letter to Court of Appeals dated April 30, 2014 (10CR1217-83-3) 5. Correspondence from Court of Appeals dated May 2, 2014 (10CR1217-83-3 WR No. 63,775-16 6. Clerks Index to Court of Appeals (10CR1217-83-3) 7. Transmittal Letter noted Received from Court of Appeals (10CR1217-83-3) 8. Supplemental Index (10CR1217-83-3) 9. Correspondence from Court of Appeals Denying Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus dated July 9, 2014 10. Clerks Notification to Deft as to Denial of Writ dated July 14, 2014

www.co.galveston.tx.us/district_clerk

600 59th Street, Suite 4001 • GALVESTON, TEXAS 77551 alb JOHN D i€iMM RD DOSTRflCT CLERK GALVESTON COORSTY

Please take note that I have already completed the record on Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus 10CR1217-83-5. This was sent to the Court of Appeals on March 13, 2015.1 sent you copies of the index on the same date. Therefore I will have to supplement the record with the documents that you are filing after that date. Please keep in mind when sending new documents that the record has already been sent to the court of appeals.

Sincerely, John D. Kinard DISTRICTS CLERK jAWESljoN COL)N feme Kahla, Deputy

CC: File Copy

www.co.galveston.tx.us/district_clerk

Jdh 59th Street, Suite 4001 • GALVESTON, TEXAS 77551 (•"J?

OFFICIAL NOTICE FROM COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS P.O. BOX 12308, CAPITOL STATION, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711

RE: Writ No. WR-63,775-07 STYLE: Florence, Thomas Wayne TRIAL CT NO: 10CR1217-83 2 1M $ ©8.29£ 000423S37J NOV1 7 201 ' 11/14/2011 MAILED FROM ZIP CODE 78 701 On this day, the application for 11.07, Writ of Habeas Corpus has been received and^jare&sented to the Court. en a >< cr> Louise Pearson, Clerk <aX

CVJ 5' —u: District Clerk Galveston County c> > Jason E. Murray -£— y. 600 59th St. Suite 4001 Galveston, TX 77551

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OFFICIAL NOTICE FROM COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS P.O. BOX 12308, CAPITOL STATION, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 .^P°% RE: Writ No. WR-63,775-07 STYLE: Florence, Thomas Wayne TRIAL CT NO: 10CR1217-83 $ 00.29° 12/7/2011 DEC 0 7 2011 This is to advise that th*i ECODE.13 701 applicatioij__for ar^Dat of habeas corpus because a direct appeal was pendingTbn thjk date the application was filed. TEX. CODE GRIM. PROC.c&rt. %T*Ml, Sec. 1, 3(a)- (b) . t5 Louise Pearson, Clerk i •3 CSV..

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"'...'"" District Clerk Galveston County Jason E. Murray 59th St. Suite 4001 ii...ii,.^ia!fai.l,,mM.ii,„,.,iiiu

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JASON E. MURRAY DISTRICT CLERK GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS Galveston Office League City Office 59"" Street, RM 4409 174CaIderRd.

Galveston, Tx 77551-2388 League City, Tx 77573 Phone(409)766-2424 Phone (281)316-8729 Fax (409)766-2292 Fax (281)316-8740

THOMAS FLORENCE #1729344 / 109293 GALVESTON COUNTY JAIL

December 19,2011 IN RE: THOMAS FLORENCE Cause Number 10CR1217-83

Dear THOMAS FLORENCE, Please find a copy of the notification to this office that the court of criminal appeals of the state of Texas has dismissed without written order your application for writ of habeas corpus.

Sincerely, Jason E. Murray District Clerk Galveston, County, Texas

1st Um feicm* By: LACY BELCHER, Deputy

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John 0. Klnard DISTRICT CLERK GALVESTON COUNTY,TEXAS Galveston Office League City Office 59th Street, RM 4409 174 Calder Rd. Galveston, Tx 77551-2388 League City, Tx 77573 Phone(409)766-2424 Phone (281)316-8729 Fax (409)766-2292 Fax (281) 316-8740

4/30/2014 Abel Acosta, Clerk Court of Criminal Appeals Supreme Court Building P.O. Box 12308 Capitol Station Austin, Texas 78711

IN RE: Ex Parte: Thomas Wayne Florence CASE NUMBER- 10CR1217-83-3 56th District Court Dear Mr. Acosta:

Enclosed please find the transcript on a Post Conviction Habeas Corpus in the above styled and numbered cause. Please acknowledge receipt of this transcript on the enclosed copy of this letter and return to my office.

Sincerely, JOHN D. KINARD DISTRICT CLERK GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS By: l%l Terrie Kahla Enclosures

cc: Thomas Wayne Florence, APPLICANT Honorable Jack Roady, District Attorney Receipt acknowledged of the above transcript on the .day of.

Signature 60059' Street, Room 4001, Galveston County Justice Center, Galveston, Texas 77551-2388 10CR 1217 —83 ^ Phone (409) 766-2424 Fax (409) 766-2292 dccorr Correspondence 849043 MP 0 ° Jfl 3 /CSf, ?A \ fl - sy*- miM^'M^

°m^L NOTICE mWi COURt OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS P.O. BOX 12308, CAPITOL STATION, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 OFFICIAL BUSINESS r»Wv <?**"*% PENALTY PENALTY FftP FOR ISMaMM 3 ^''V ••—7,,^,,^,, t*$^ PRIVATE USF ®^Wff ?2 1R * 00,34° , "isSttfiS^fe Wlb FF19M ZIP CODE 78 701 5/2^2014 £ X/ 2C On this day, the application for 11.07 Wtft of Habeas Coggf sbee^eceived and presented to the Court. _g7, J^ .,_ -Abel Acosta, Cle^ C/ 3» V^-63,775-16 Florence, Thomas Wayne Trial Court SgiafcRttffc^ DISTRICT CLERK GALVESTON dlufWr'' JOHN KINARD S00 59THST SUITE 4001 GALVESTON TX 77551 l'»lul'j»l/Mlil»lhl«|i'»i|>)!|i«},ij»/»*!|ij„j,,»|jjj,/i);f

10CR1217-83-3 SespLence from Court of Appeal 855385 V i M H POST CONVICTION HABEAS CO/f#lUS (ARTICLE 11.07, V.A.C.C.P.) [^J (, w k _( 10CR1217-83-3- Court No. 56th District Court PETITIONER- Thomas Wayne Florence #1729344 ADDRESS: James V. Allred Unit 2101 FM 369 North Iowa Park, TX 76367 FROM: John D. Kinard, District Clerk 59th Street, Ste. 4001 Galveston, Texas 77551-2338 JUDGE: Lonnie Cox-56th District Court ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER: ATTORNEY FOR STATE: PROSE Jack Roady District Attorney 59th Street, Ste. 1001 Galveston, Texas 77551-2338 INDEX Page

Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus 1 Correspondence Notice to Petitioner of Filing Waiverof Serviceby District Attorney 250 Motion for Leave of Court to Submit WR No. 63,775-15 251 Answer to Application for Post-Conviction Writ of Habeas Corpus 254 Findings ofFact and Conclusions ofLaw Without Evidentiary Hearing on Application for Writ of 267 Habeas Corpus Case Summary Indictment (Challenged Conviction) 270 Judgment and Sentence (Challenged Conviction) 272 Opinion (Challenged Conviction) 279 Mandate (Challenged Conviction) 304 Case Summary (Challenged Conviction) 306 Clerks Certificate

10CR1217-83-3 DCA.PINDEX Appeal - Index 849047

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-58 John D. Kinard DISTRICT CLERK GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS Galveston Office League City Office 59th Street, RM 4409 174 Calder Rd. Galveston, Tx 77551-2388 League City, Tx 77573 Phone(409)766-2424 Phone (281)316-8729 Fax (409)766-2292 Fax (281) 316-8740

6/23/2014 Abel Acosta, Clerk Court of Criminal Appeals Supreme Court Building P.O. Box 12308 Capitol Station Austin, Texas 78711

IN RE: Ex Parte:Thomas Wayne Florence CASE NUMBER - 10CR1217-83-3 56th District Court

Dear Mr. Acosta:

Enclosed please find the Supplemental transcript on a Post Conviction Habeas Corpus in the above styled and numbered cause.

Please acknowledge receipt of this transcript on the enclosed copy of this letter and return to my office.

Sincerely, JOHN D. KINARD DISTRICT CLERK RECEIVED IN GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS By:/s/ TerrieKahla JUN 26 2IM Enclosures Abel Acosta, Glen. cc: Thomas Wayne Florence, APPLICANT Honorable Jack Roady, District Attorney Receipt acknowledged of the above Supplemental transcript on the. day of ,

Signature 60059th Street, Room 4001, Galveston County Justice Center, Galveston, Texas 77551-2388 10CR1217-83-3 Phone (409) 766-2424Mm/m292 1-2424 FaxJ409k766f2 ^_ Transmit a| ^ ^ ^ -" Jr\ 3" POST CONVICTION HABEAS CORPUS (ARTICLE 11.07, V.A.C.C.P.) m., 10CR1217-83-3- Court No. 56th District Court

PETITIONER: Thomas Wayne Florence #1729344 ADDRESS: 2101 FM 369 N Iowa Park, Texas 76367

FROM: John D. Kinard, District Clerk 59th Street, Ste. 4001 Galveston, Texas 77551-2338 JUDGE: Lonnie Cox -56th District Court

ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER: ATTORNEY FOR STATE:

PRO SE Jack Roady District Attorney 59th Street, Ste. 1001 Galveston, Texas 77551-2338 INDEX Page

Applicant's Response and Objection

Case Summary

Clerks Certificate 10

10CR1217-83-3 DCAPtNDEX Appeal - Index 853746 , r: r'l ('='K~\

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>^ FIT F COPY OFFICIAL NOTICE FROM COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS rLlj P.O. BOX 12308, CAPITOL STATION, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711

Q> 7/9/2014 ^> Florence, Thomas Wayne Tr. Ct. No ID R1217-83-3 WR-63,775-16 ^^ This is to advise that the Court has denied without written order the application for g*^ writ of habeas corpus on the findings f0 rial court without a hearing.

S13T2 — Abel Acosta, Clerk l**6s_l &3 DISTRICT CLERK GALVESTON COUNTY O JOHN KINARD 59TH ST. SUITE 4001 GALVESTON, TX 77551 * DELIVERED VIA E-MAIL *

Q r OFFICIAL NOTICE FROM COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS FILE COPY P.O. BOX 12308, CAPITOL STATION, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711

7/9/2014 Florence, Thomas Wayne Tr. Ct. N I0CR1217-83-3 WR-63,775-16 This is to advise that the Court has de ii i i.-out written order the application for writ of habeas corpus on the findings < I. rial court without a hearing.

Abel Acosta, Clerk DISTRICT ATTORNEY GALVESTON COUNTY JACKROADY 59TH STREET SUITE 1001 GALVESTON, TX 77551 * DELIVERED VIA E-MAIL *

W' FII F r o p y OFFICIAL NOTICE FROM COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS rlijC P.O. BOX 12308, CAPITOL STATION, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711

7/9/2014 Florence, Thomas Wayne Tr. Ct N. • OR1217-83-3 WR-63,775-16 This is to advise that the Court has denied without written order the application for writ of habeas corpus on the findings t <. - I court without a hearing. *"-s2K2&»-' ^el ^costai clerk THOMAS WAYNE FLORENCE ALLRED UNIT - TDC #1729344 21.01 FM 369 NORTH IOWA PARK, TX 76367

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John D. Kinard DISTRICT CLERK GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS Galveston Office League City Office 59th Street, RM 4409 174 Calder Rd. Galveston, Tx 77551-2388 League City, Tx 77573 Phone(409)766-2424 Phone (281)316-8729 Fax (409)766-2292 Fax (281) 316-8740

Thomas Wayne Florence #1729344 2101 FM 369 N.

Iowa Park, Texas 76367

7/14/2014 IN RE: Thomas Wayne Florence Cause Number 10CR1217-83-3

Dear Thomas Wayne Florence Please find a copy of the notification to this office that the court of criminal appeals of the state of Texas has denied without written order your application for writ of habeas corpus.

Sincerely, John D. Kinard District Clerk Galveston, County, Texas

By: Terrie Kahla, Deputy

10CR1217-83-3 DCCORR Correspondence 891053 i /:':,! .'".i . . •• ;' • '

JA * JA er-

John D. Kinard DISTRICT CLERK GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS Galveston Office League City Office 60059th Street, RM 4409 174 Calder Rd. Galveston, Tx 77551-2388 League City, Tx 77573 Phone(409)766-2424 Phone (281)316-8729 Fax (409)766-2292 Fax (281) 316-8740

3/25/2015 Abel Acosta, Clerk Court of CrimjfldTAppeals Supremeve&urt Building P-O^Box 12308 Capitol Station (ustin,Texas 78711

IN RE: Ex Parte: Thomas Wayne Florence CASE NUMBER - 10CR1217-83-5 56th District Court Dear Mr. Acosta:

Enclosed please find the Supplemental transcript on a Post -Conviction Habeas Corpus in the above styled and numbered cause.

Please acknowledge receipt of this transcript on the enclosed copy of this letter and return to my office.

Sincerely, JOHN D. KINARD DISTRICT CLERK GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS

By: /s/ Terrie Kahla Enclosures

cc: _K>omas Wayne Florence, APPLICANT Honorable Jack Roady, District Attorney Receipt acknowledged of the above transcript on the. day of _

Signature 60059th Street, Room 4001, Galveston County Justice Center, Galveston, Texas 77551-2388 Phone (409) 766-2424 Fax (409) 766-2292 Jr\ POST CONVICTION HABEAS CORPUS (ARTICLE 11.07, V.A.C.C.P.) 10CR1217-83-5- Court No. 56th District Court

PETITIONER: Thomas Florence #1729344 ADDRESS: 2101 FM 369 N.

Iowa Park, Texas 76367

FROM: John D. Kinard, District Clerk 59th Street, Ste. 4001 Galveston, Texas 77551-2338 JUDGE: Lonnie Cox -56th District Court

ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER: ATTORNEY FOR STATE:

PROSE Jack Roady District Attorney 60059th Street,Ste. 1001 Galveston/Texas 77551-2338 SUPPLEMENTAL INDEX Page

Correspondence with attached Exhibits dated March 16, 2015

Petitioners Rebuttal and Response dated March 20, 2015 47

Clerk Certificate 66

K> JOHM D-. ICIWARD M§ DISTRICT? C1.ERIC GALVESTOW COUNTO? s^K3>S

Thomas Wayne Florence #1729344 9/10/2014 2101 FM 369 N Iowa Park, Texas 76367

Dear Thomas Wayne Florence, Cause: 10-CR-1217, Styled: The State of Texas vs. Thomas Wayne Florence, & filed in the 56th District Court of Galveston County, Texas In response to your request that was received by this office on September 8, 2014 requesting copies of case summary sheets orr-$QjgM^7il8351gan^-l®^ find enclosed copies of the below documents filed in the above number and styled cause. The writ that was filed on-^^^^^m^m^^M^B^) arid on^mm}mrm^mJMmB^E2;if^B^^ does not have separate Case Summary sheets as they were filed in the Original Cause (JOX^aSffiT). Please refer to the original case summary for that information. As a courtesy I have provided you With the Case Summary sheet for 10CR1217-83-3. Per your request for a cost of the Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus that was filed in in 10CR1217-83-3, the document is pages. The cost for a certified copy would be $247.00 and it would be $73,00 for non- eertjfied copy.

1. Case Summary of 10CR1217 2. Case Summary of 10CR1217-83-3

Sincerely, John D. Kinard DISTRICT CLERK

:V:i£_l_®& Terrie Kahla, Deputy CC: File Copy www.co.galveston.tx.us/district_clerk

600 59th Street, Suite 4001 • GALVESTON, TEXAS 77551

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§ GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS "'J THOMAS WAYNE FLORENCE § 56TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

ANSWER TO APPLICATION FOR POST-CONVICTION WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

COMES NOW, the State of Texas, by and through her Criminal District Attorney of Galveston County, Texas, and files this Answer.

The State generally denies each and every allegation in the Application for Writ ofHabeas Corpus.

Applicant raises 13 grounds in his 11.07 writ of habeas corpus.

Applicant raised almost all of these issues in his direct appeal. See-Morenee ^^^01-M?00oW<§lf^^

oveirulingitheseiissuesis-attached.

Matters raised on direct appeal should not be re-litigated on habeas review unless the judgment is subsequently rendered void or a subsequent change in the law is made retroactive. Ex parte Drake, 883 S.W.2d 213, 215-16 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). To the extent these issues weren't raised on o

10CM217-83-3 DCANO Answer Original 844810

J& A3 direct appeal, they should've been. Ex parte Banks, 769 S.W.2d 539, 540 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989). "Even a constitutional claim is forfeited if the applicant had the opportunity to raise the issue on appeal." Ex parte Townsend, 137 S.W.3d 79, 81 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004).

Applicant also alleged that his rights were violated because his Motion to Recuse Justice Keyes was denied. A challenge to a lower court's ruling on a recusal motion is not cognizable in a writ of habeas corpus.

Green v. State, 374 S.W.3d 434, 453 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012), reh'g denied (Aug. 22, 2012), cert denied, 133 S. Ct. 473, 184 L. Ed. 2d 294 (U.S. 2012). "The writ of habeas corpus is the remedy to be used when any person is restrained in his liberty." Tex. Code Crm. Proc. art, 1.1.01. A correction of an erroneous ruling on a motion to recuse would not affect the legality of a defendant's literal "custody" or "restraint." Green, 374 S.W.3d at 453.

Appieant^omplam on-t0/26/2010Mw|P^ filed?the^lO/26/201^^^ issued^ojad33A14/£0^^^ e®jseiawRii§iff^^

J<b A4- Finally, Applicant maintains he has new evidence of his innocence.

Applicant proffers what appears to be a newspaper article discussing the terms of pregnancy. The State argues that this is not new evidence and that this ground was reviewed as a sufficiency challenge ondirect appeal.

If, the reviewing Court finds Applicant's article brings new evidence, then such evidence establishing innocence should be specifically weighed against the evidence of Applicant's guilt, including all of the testimony at trial. See Ex parte Smith, WR-80,100-01, 2014 WL 172300, *1 (Tex. Crim., App. Jan. 15,2014) (not designated for publication). An applicant for habeas relief based on a claim of actual innocence must demonstrate that the newly discovered evidence, if true, creates a doubt as to the correctness of the verdict sufficient to undermine confidence in the verdict and that it is probable that the verdict would be different on retrial. Ex Parte Holloway, 413 S.W.3d 95, 97 (Tex, Crim. App. 2013). Here, the Applicant has not proved by clear and convincing evidence that the verdict would be different on retrial. Id. The Applicant has failed to prove that no reasonable juror would have convicted him in light of the new evidence. Id.

WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the State prays the Court deny all relief sought by Applicant and send Applicant hence without delay.

J&r J& Service was accomplished by mailing a true and correct copy of this instrument to:

Thomas Wayne Florence TDCJ Inmate No. 1729344 James V. Allred Unit 2101 FM 369 North Iowa Park, TX 76367

Respectfully submitted, JACKROADY Crimjjri&l District Attorney

)NLINDBLAE)E sistant Criminal District Attorney 59* Street, Suite 1001 P.O. BOX 17254 Galveston, Texas 77552 (409) 766-2355 FAX: (409)765-3261 SBOT# 24062850

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