Nos. 2-08-046-CR, 2-08-047-CR, 2-08-048-CR, 2-08-049-CR
Delivered: February 26, 2009. DO NOT PUBLISH. Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b)
Appealed from the 213th District Court of Tarrant County.
PANEL: LIVINGSTON, GARDNER, and MCCOY, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.
TERRIE LIVINGSTON, Justice.
Introduction
Appellant Felton E. Wilson appeals his four drug-related convictions. We affirm his convictions, and we grant his appellate counsel's motion to withdraw on the basis of counsel's Anders brief. See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744-45, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 1400 (1967). Background Facts
A Tarrant County grand jury issued four indictments against appellant for charges of possession of marijuana of more than four ounces but less than five pounds, possession of a controlled substance (methylenedioxy methamphetamine) of more than four but less than four hundred grams, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) of less than one gram, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine) of more than four but less than two hundred grams. The indictments related to the marijuana and the cocaine of less than one gram each contained an enhancement paragraph alleging that appellant had prior convictions that allowed him to be punished for those state jail felonies at a third degree felony level. See Tex. Health Safety Code Ann. §§ 481.115(b), 481.121(b)(3); Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.42(a)(1) (Vernon Supp. 2008). After the State filed various pretrial documents, appellant entered an open plea of guilty to each charge. While entering the guilty pleas, appellant received admonishments, waived constitutional and statutory rights, and made judicial confessions to "each and every act alleged" in the indictments, specifically including the enhancement paragraphs. The trial court accepted his pleas, found him guilty of each of the four charges, and deferred sentencing so that a presentence investigation could be conducted. At a sentencing hearing in February 2008, the trial court accepted the presentence investigation report into evidence without objection, heard brief testimony from appellant's pastor, and listened to closing arguments from the parties. The trial court then sentenced appellant to ten years' confinement on each of the charges related to the marijuana and the cocaine under one gram, and it sentenced him to twenty years' confinement on the other cocaine charge and also on the methylenedioxy methamphetamine offense. The trial court ordered these sentences to run concurrently. Appellant filed notices of these appeals. In July 2008, appellant's appellate counsel filed a motion to withdraw that expressed his determination that there were no meritorious grounds to continue the appeals; he concurrently filed a brief that satisfies the requirements of Anders by presenting a professional evaluation of the record demonstrating why there are no arguable grounds for relief. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744-45, 87 S. Ct. at 1400; In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d 403, 406-12 (Tex.Crim.App. 2008). Appellant filed a pro se letter brief.Our Duties under Anders
As the reviewing court, we must conduct an independent evaluation of the record to determine whether counsel is correct in concluding that the appeals are frivolous. See Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 511 (Tex.Crim.App. 1991); Mays v. State, 904 S.W.2d 920, 923 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth 1995, no pet.). Only then may we grant counsel's motion to withdraw. See Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 82-83, 109 S. Ct. 346, 351 (1988). Because appellant entered open pleas of guilty, our independent review for potential error is limited to jurisdictional defects, the voluntariness of appellant's pleas, error that is not independent of and supports the judgment of guilt, and error occurring after entry of the guilty pleas. See Monreal v. State, 99 S.W.3d 615, 620 (Tex.Crim.App. 2003); Young v. State, 8 S.W.3d 656, 666-67 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000); Jack v. State, 871 S.W.2d 741, 743-44 (Tex.Crim.App. 1994); Scott v. State, 86 S.W.3d 374, 375 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth 2002, no pet.). These Appeals are Frivolous
We have carefully reviewed the record, counsel's Anders brief, and appellant's pro se brief. We agree with counsel that these appeals are wholly frivolous and without merit. We find nothing in the record that might arguably support the appeals. See Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d 824, 827-28 (Tex.Crim.App. 2005). We therefore grant counsel's motion to withdraw and affirm the trial court's judgments.