<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META NAME="Generator" CONTENT="WordPerfect 9">
<TITLE></TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY TEXT="#000000" LINK="#0000ff" VLINK="#551a8b" ALINK="#ff0000" BGCOLOR="#c0c0c0">

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-size: 14pt"><STRONG><CENTER>TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN</STRONG></SPAN></CENTER>
</P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"></SPAN><STRONG><CENTER></CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

<P><STRONG><CENTER>ON MOTION FOR REHEARING</CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

<P><STRONG><CENTER></CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"><HR ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="26%">
</SPAN></P>
<SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"><STRONG><CENTER>NO. 03-9<A NAME="1">8</A>-00<A NAME="2">476</A>-CR</CENTER>
</STRONG></SPAN>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"><STRONG><HR ALIGN="CENTER" WIDTH="26%">
</STRONG></SPAN></P>


<CENTER><A NAME="3">Kenneth Duane Porter</A>, Appellant</CENTER>


<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"><STRONG><CENTER>v.</CENTER>
</STRONG></SPAN></P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"><STRONG><CENTER>The State of Texas, Appellee</CENTER>
</STRONG></SPAN></P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"><STRONG><HR SIZE="3">
</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular" STYLE="font-size: 11pt"><STRONG><CENTER>FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF <A NAME="4">WILLIAMSON</A> COUNTY, <A NAME="5">277TH</A> JUDICIAL DISTRICT</CENTER>
</STRONG></SPAN>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular" STYLE="font-size: 11pt"><STRONG><CENTER>NO. <A NAME="6">97-172-K277</A>, HONORABLE <A NAME="7">JOHN R. CARTER</A>, JUDGE PRESIDING</STRONG></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"><STRONG></CENTER>
</STRONG></SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular"><STRONG><HR SIZE="3">
</STRONG></SPAN></P>



<STRONG></STRONG><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular">	We issue the following supplemental opinion in connection with our earlier
overruling of the State's motion for rehearing</SPAN>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular">	In our opinion of June 17, 1999, we held that the digital data contained within
appellant's computer do not constitute a "reproduction of a film image" unless and until that data
are used to create a visual image, presumably either on the screen of the monitor or in some "hard
copy" form.  We therefore reversed Porter's conviction for possession of child pornography. 
However, there is an additional hurdle the State has not overcome in the present case.</SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular">	The relevant statute, since amended, defined "film image" to include "a
photograph, slide, negative, film, or videotape, or a reproduction of any of these."  Act of May
27, 1985, 69th Leg., R.S., ch. 530, § 2, 1985 Tex. Gen. Laws 2133, 2134 (Tex. Penal Code
Ann. § 43.26, since amended) (current version at Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 43.26 (West Supp.
1999)).  It is common knowledge, however, that modern digital cameras do not use any kind of
film, but record real-life images directly in digital form.  If the images at issue here were stored
directly in this digital form, there would never have been a "film image," as defined by the
statute, for there to be a "reproduction" of.  The present record contains no evidence whatsoever
of how the digital data found in appellant's computer was originally produced.  Accordingly, the
State failed to prove that the materials possessed by appellant contained a film image, as required
by the statute at the time of the charged offense.</SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular">	The upshot of this case may be to demonstrate that the legislature had a very good
reason for the 1997 amendments to section 43.26 of the Penal Code.</SPAN></P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular">					<SPAN STYLE="text-decoration: underline">                                                                      </SPAN></SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular">					Bea Ann Smith, Justice</SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular">Before Justices Jones, B. A. Smith, and Yeakel</SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular">Filed:   August 26, 1999</SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times Regular">Publish</SPAN></P>

</BODY>
</HTML>
