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Ex Parte Denton

Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
Mar 29, 2006
207 S.W.3d 768 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006)

Opinion

No. WR-63051-01.

March 29, 2006.

Keith Alan Denton, pro se.

Andrea M. Thompson, Asst. Dist. Atty., Fort Worth, Matthew Paul, State's Atty., Austin, for state.


ORDER


This is a post-conviction application for a writ of habeas corpus forwarded to this Court pursuant to TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 11.07, § 3. Applicant was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child under fourteen years of age, and punishment was assessed at confinement for life. Applicant's conviction was affirmed on appeal. Denton v. State, No. 02-02-467-CR, 2004 WL 362265 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth, Feb. 26, 2004, pet. ref'd).

Applicant alleges that trial counsel was ineffective, and that his conviction was obtained by the use of a coerced confession because he is actually innocent. To support these allegations, the Applicant submitted a purported sworn affidavit from Sherry Smith, in which she states that she had her daughter "lie" in order to secure a conviction in this cause. The affidavit was purportedly notarized by Christy Putnam.

However, in its findings of fact, the trial court found that the affidavit was forged and perjurious. Specifically, the trial court obtained an affidavit from Sherry Smith in which she denies ever signing the affidavit provided by the Applicant. The trial court also obtained an affidavit from Christy Putnam, in which she denies ever notarizing the affidavit provided by the Applicant. The trial court concluded that the affidavit provided by the Applicant was false and forged.

We find that Applicant has abused The Great Writ by submitting false evidence, deny this application, and cite him for abuse of the writ. Applicant has waived and abandoned any contention he might have in regard to the instant conviction, at least insofar as existing claims which he could or should have brought in this application. Ex parte Jones, 97 S.W.3d 586 (Tex.Crim.App. 2003); Middaugh v. State, 683 S.W.2d 713 (Tex.Crim.App. 1985); Ex parte Emmons, 660 S.W.2d 106 (Tex.Crim.App. 1983). Additionally, based on Applicant's submission of perjurious evidence, we find that Applicant has filed a frivolous lawsuit.

It is therefore ORDERED that the present application submitted under TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. 11.07 is denied. In addition, we cite Applicant for abuse of the writ.


Summaries of

Ex Parte Denton

Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
Mar 29, 2006
207 S.W.3d 768 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006)
Case details for

Ex Parte Denton

Case Details

Full title:Ex parte Keith Alan DENTON

Court:Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas

Date published: Mar 29, 2006

Citations

207 S.W.3d 768 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006)