
Opinion issued August 1, 2002




 







In The
Court of Appeals
For The
First District of Texas



NO. 01-01-00057-CR



TERRY ZONE, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee



On Appeal from the 228th District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 847,701



O P I N I O N

	A jury convicted appellant, Terry Zone, of possession of more than one but less
than four grams of cocaine.  The jury also found two enhancement paragraphs to be
true and assessed punishment at 40 years confinement.  We affirm.
Facts
	The police received an anonymous tip that two black men were selling drugs
near a gray car at 138 Goodson at approximately 1 p.m. on June 16, 2000.  Houston
Police Officer Randy Crowder was dispatched to the north Houston location to
investigate the suspected drug sale.  When Officer Crowder arrived at the address, he
saw two black men, Troy Walker and appellant, under a tree near a gray Cadillac.
	Officer Crowder testified in his affidavit that, when the men saw him arrive in
his marked patrol car, Walker gave appellant something, and appellant began to
quickly walk away from the patrol car.  Officer Crowder told appellant to "wait a
minute" and, when appellant ignored him, he told appellant to stop.  Officer Crowder
testified that, because he could not see appellant's hands, he pulled his gun, ran in
front of appellant, and told appellant to show his hands.  When Officer Crowder
determined appellant had no weapons in his hands, he put his gun away.  Officer
Crowder then asked appellant his name and why he would not stop when asked to do
so.  Appellant did not respond.  Officer Crowder testified that, because he thought
appellant might flee when he spoke to Walker, he handcuffed appellant, patted him
down for weapons, and placed him in the back of his patrol car.  Officer Crowder
testified that while he patted down Walker and put him in the patrol car, he noticed
appellant trying to swallow something.  Officer Crowder then told appellant he could
die if he swallowed drugs.  Appellant refused to spit out the drugs, so Officer
Crowder pressed his asp (1) on appellant's cheek.  Appellant spit out 12 rocks, (2) at least
5 of which were later identified as cocaine.
	The accounts of the events by appellant, Walker, and Marquita Gibson, a
witness to the detention, differed from Officer Crowder's testimony.  According to
their testimony: (1) Walker did not hand anything to appellant; (2) appellant was
already walking away from the tree before he noticed Officer Crowder's patrol car;
(3) Officer Crowder ordered appellant to lie on the ground and handcuffed him; (4)
Officer Crowder "slammed" appellant's face to the ground, choked appellant, and
jammed his asp into appellant's mouth; and (5) appellant spit out "a substance" which
Officer Crowder recovered.
Motion to Strike
	In his second point of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred in
denying his motion to strike Officer Crowder's untimely filed affidavit.  The affidavit
was filed less than five days before the motion to suppress hearing.  Tex. Code Crim.
Proc. Ann. art. 28.01 (Vernon 1989).
	In response, the State argued that, because of a scheduling conflict of which the
court coordinator was aware, it was unable to timely file the affidavit.  The State
moved for a continuance and, alternatively, offered the live testimony of Officer
Crowder.  The trial court denied the request to let Officer Crowder testify, denied
appellant's motion to strike Officer Crowder's affidavit, denied the motion for
continuance, and  denied appellant's motion to suppress.
	Neither appellant nor the State presented any controlling authority to determine
this matter.  Appellant argues by analogy that, because a defendant's failure to timely
file an election of punishment or a motion for new trial results in adverse
consequences to a defendant, equity demands the State should suffer similar
consequences when it does not file its affidavit at least seven days before the hearing. 
The State, however, contends the issue is moot because (1) the same issues were
litigated at trial and (2) the issues were submitted to the jury.
	Article 28.01 provides that "[w]hen a criminal case is set for such pre-trial
hearing, any such preliminary matters not raised or filed seven days before the
hearing will not thereafter be allowed to be raised or filed, except by permission of
the court for good cause shown . . . ."  Id. at 28.01 §2.  Under article 28.01,
preliminary matters include: the appointment of counsel, pleadings of the defendant,
any special pleas, exceptions to the form or substance of the indictment, motions for
continuance, motions to suppress evidence, motions to change venue, discovery
motions, entrapment issues, and motions for appointment of an interpreter.  Id. at
28.01 §1.  In Clarke v. State, 928 S.W.2d 709, 720 (Tex. App.--Fort Worth 1996, pet.
ref'd), the court held that the State's filing of controverting affidavits to a defendant's
motion to transfer venue was not subject to the seven-day time limitation under
section 2 of article 28.01.  We agree.  The seven day deadline pertains to the filing of
the motion, not the supporting affidavits.  We hold that the State's filing of Officer
Crowder's affidavit in response to appellant's motion to suppress is not subject to the
section 2 article 28.01 requirements.  
	We overrule appellant's second point of error.  
Motion to Suppress
	In his first point of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying
his motion to suppress concerning the search of his person.  In reviewing the trial
court's ruling on the motion to suppress, we apply a bifurcated standard of review. 
Carmouche v. State, 10 S.W.3d 323, 327 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).  We give almost
total deference to the trial court's determination of historical facts, while we conduct
a de novo review of the trial court's application of the law to those facts.  Id.  During
a motion to suppress hearing, the trial court is the sole trier of fact; accordingly, the
trial judge may choose to believe or disbelieve all or any part of a witness's
testimony.  See State v. Ross, 32 S.W.3d 853, 855 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); King v.
State, 35 S.W.3d 740, 742 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2000, no pet.).  When, as
here, no findings of fact are filed, we must view the evidence in the light most
favorable to the ruling and sustain the decision if it is correct on any applicable theory
of the law.  Ross, 32 S.W.3d at 855-56; King, 35 S.W.3d at 742.
Reasonable Suspicion
	In determining the reasonableness of the investigative detention, we examine
the totality of the circumstances.  See Woods v. State, 956 S.W.2d 33, 38 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1997).  We look to the facts available to the officer at the time of the detention
to determine if reasonable suspicion existed.  Davis v. State, 947 S.W.2d 240, 243
(Tex. Crim. App 1997).  The police officer must be able to point to specific and
articulable facts which, taken together with rational inferences from those facts and
the officer's experience and general knowledge, reasonably warrant the intrusion. 
Citizen v. State, 39 S.W.3d 367, 370 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2001, no pet.). 
The officer must have a reasonable suspicion that some abnormal activity has
occurred or is occurring; an indication that the activity is criminal in nature; and some
suggestion to connect the detained person with the abnormal activity.  Willhite v.
State, 937 S.W.2d 604, 606 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, pet. ref'd). The
determination of reasonable suspicion must be based on common sense judgments
and inferences about human behavior.  See Illinois v. Wardlow, 528 U.S. 119, 125, 
120 S. Ct. 673, 676 (2000); Simpson v. State, 29 S.W.3d 324, 328 (Tex.
App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, no pet.).
 When information alleged to support reasonable suspicion comes from a totally
anonymous source, something more than the anonymous tip is required to provide the
reasonable suspicion necessary to make a valid detention.  Guevara v. State, 6
S.W.3d. 759, 763 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, pet. ref'd).  Relying on
information received from an informant is acceptable if the informant's statement is
reasonably corroborated by other matters within the officer's knowledge.  Id. 
Because Officer Crowder testified, by way of affidavit, that he saw Walker hand
something to appellant and saw appellant flee, he possessed more information than
the mere description of two black men near a gray car.  Furthermore, the informant's
tip was made more reliable when Officer Crowder arrived and determined the
informant had accurately described the scene.  See Florida v. J.L., 529 U.S. 266, 272,
120 S. Ct. 1375, 1379 (2000).
	Appellant argues that Officer Crowder was not justified in detaining him
because, based on the totality of the circumstances, Crowder did not have a
reasonable suspicion that criminal activity was underway.  Appellant specifically
contends that the following factors are insufficient to give rise to reasonable
suspicion: (1) the area where appellant was stopped was known for drug activity and
trespassers; (2) Walker's and appellant's contact constituted a furtive movement; and
(3) appellant refused to comply with Officer Crowder's command to stop.
	Appellant cites Gurrola v. State, 877 S.W.2d 300, 303 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994),
for the proposition that a detention cannot be based on an area's reputation for drug
dealing.  In Gurrola, a police officer saw four people arguing in a parking lot,
detained them, searched them, and found narcotics on the defendant.  Id.  The
Gurrola court held that the officer did not have reasonable suspicion to detain people
arguing in a parking lot.  Id.  The facts of this case are distinguishable.  First, Officer
Crowder had been notified that narcotics were presently being sold at the location
where appellant and Walker were seen.  Second, Officer Crowder stated that he saw
Walker hand something to appellant and that he saw appellant walk quickly away
from Walker.
	Appellant relies on Hawkins v. State, 758 S.W.2d 255, 260 (Tex. Crim. App.
1988), Gamble v. State, 8 S.W.3d 452, 454 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, no
pet.), and Cook v. State, 1 S.W.3d 722, 726 (Tex. App.--El Paso 1999, no pet.)  for
the proposition that a furtive movement does not give rise to reasonable suspicion. (3) 
	Appellant's case is distinguishable from Hawkins, Gamble, and Cook.  Here,
unlike Hawkins and Gamble, Officer Crowder saw appellant's furtive movement and
Walker's handing something to appellant before he detained appellant.  Furthermore,
unlike Cook, Officer Crowder had a report that two black men were selling drugs near
a gray car at the specific address.
	Appellant argues that his failure to stop and talk to Officer Crowder cannot be
the basis of reasonable suspicion.  An individual has the right to refuse to answer a
police officer's questions and walk away unless the officer has reasonable suspicion
to detain that person.  See Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491, 497-98, 103 S. Ct. 1219,
1232-34 (1983); Gurrola, 877 S.W.2d at 303.  Here, Officer Crowder had reasonable
suspicion to stop and detain appellant based on the informant's tip that accurately
described the scene, the handoff between appellant and Walker, and appellant's
attempted evasion.  See Wardlow, 528 U.S. at 125, 120 S. Ct. at 676 (held that
nervous, evasive behavior is pertinent factor in determining reasonable suspicion);
Simpson, 29 S.W.3d at 329.
Scope of Detention
	Appellant argues the detention exceeded its permissible scope because Officer
Crowder never expressed a concern for his safety, and he did more than frisk
appellant for weapons. 
	An investigative detention must be temporary and last no longer than is
necessary to effectuate the purpose of the stop.  Royer, 460 U.S. at 500, 103 S. Ct. at
1325-26; Davis, 947 S.W.2d at 245.   The investigative methods employed should be
the least intrusive means reasonably available to verify or dispel the officer's
suspicion in a short period of time.  Davis, 947 S.W.2d at 245. 
	As a general rule, officers may use such force as is reasonably necessary to
effect the goal of the stop:  investigation, maintenance of the status quo, or officer
safety.  Rhodes, 945 S.W.2d at 117 (citing United States v. Sokolow, 490 U.S. 1, 10,
109 S. Ct. 1581, 1587 (1989)).  In Rhodes, the court held that a traffic stop was a
valid investigative detention and not an arrest where the officer handcuffed the
passenger.  Rhodes, 945 S.W.2d at 115.  The officer in Rhodes testified that he was
not arresting the passenger.  Id.  He stated he handcuffed the passenger primarily out
of concern for his own safety, because it was dark, and he was in a high-crime area. 
Id.  He stated that the officers had just finished a car chase during which a bag was
dropped from the car, and he was left alone with the passenger.  Id.
	Here, Officer Crowder saw Walker hand appellant what he suspected was
drugs; he was alone and in an area known for drug trafficking; appellant did not
respond to his questions; and, he was afraid appellant would flee.  As a result, he
handcuffed appellant and placed him in the patrol car to prevent him from fleeing
while he questioned Walker.  We conclude Officer Crowder used reasonable force to
investigate appellant and prevent him from fleeing, and that he was, therefore, validly
detained by Officer Crowder.
Arrest
	Appellant also argues Officer Crowder illegally arrested him because, when
Officer Crowder drew his gun and ordered appellant to lie on the ground,  Officer
Crowder lacked probable cause and did not have a warrant.  The test for whether an
officer has probable cause for a warrantless arrest is whether, at the moment of arrest,
the facts and circumstances within the officer's knowledge, and of which the officer
had reasonably trustworthy information, were sufficient to warrant a prudent person
in believing that the arrested person had committed or was committing an offense. 
Cedano v. State, 24 S.W.3d 406, 410 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2000, no pet.). 
	Appellant also contends that, under the arrest definition found in article 15.22
of the Code of Criminal Procedure, he was arrested when Officer Crowder drew his
gun, ordered him to the ground, handcuffed him, and took him to the patrol car. 
Article 15.22 provides that a "person is arrested when he has been actually placed
under restraint or taken into custody by an officer or person executing a warrant of
arrest, or by an officer or person arresting without a warrant."  Tex. Code Crim
Proc. Ann. art. 15.22 (Vernon 1977).  In Francis v. State, we held "the article 15.22
arrest definition is inadequate, by itself, to be used as the standard for distinguishing
arrests from investigative detentions."  Francis, 896 S.W.2d 406, 410 (Tex.
App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1995, pet. dism'd) (citing Amores v. State, 816 S.W.2d
407, 418 n.3 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991)); see also Glenn v. State, 967 S.W.2d 467, 471
(Tex. App.--Amarillo 1998), pet. dism'd, 988 S.W.2d 769 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). 
Our holding in Francis was based, in part, on two facts.  First, the article 15.22 arrest
definition was enacted prior to the emergence of the concept of a temporary
investigative detention.  Id.  Second, we recognized that, in deciding cases like
Amores, the Court of Criminal Appeals considered the officer's opinion and "other
facts and circumstances of the detention, in determining whether an arrest has taken
place."  Id. (citing Hoag v. State, 728 S.W.2d 375, 379 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987)); see
also Amores, 816 S.W.2d at 411.  Therefore, we determine whether appellant was
arrested, not based on the definition of arrest in article 15.22, but by "looking at all
of the circumstances surrounding the incident."  Amores, 816 S.W.2d at 411.
	We have already concluded that, under these facts, appellant was validly
detained when Officer Crowder handcuffed him and placed him in the  patrol car and
attempted to question Walker.  During appellant's detention, Officer Crowder saw
appellant attempt to swallow the cocaine, and he was able to get appellant to spit the
cocaine out of his mouth.  We hold that, because probable cause developed during the
valid detention of appellant, he was not illegally arrested.
	Based on the totality of the circumstances, and viewing the evidence in the
light most favorable to the trial court's previous ruling, we conclude the trial court did
not err in denying appellant's motion to suppress the cocaine.  See Ross, 32 S.W.3d
at 855-56; Woods, 956 S.W.2d at 38; Francis, 896 S.W.2d at 411.
	We overrule appellant's first point of error.
Legal Sufficiency
	In his third point of error, appellant argues that the evidence was legally
insufficient to show he possessed more than one gram but less than four grams of
cocaine.  Specifically, appellant contends that, because Houston Police Department
chemist and criminalist Dennis Green did not test all 12 "rocks" of crack cocaine
recovered from his mouth and because Green did not testify as to the total weight of
the "rocks" he tested, the total weight of cocaine may have been less than one gram. 
Green testified that he tested at least five of the rocks, the rocks he tested contained
cocaine, and the total weight of the 12 rocks was 1.3 grams.
	In reviewing a legal sufficiency challenge, we inquire, "whether, after viewing
all the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact
could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. 
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 320, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 2789 (1979); Thomas v. State,
36 S.W.3d 709, 710 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2001, pet. ref'd).
 In Gabriel v. State, 900 S.W.2d 721 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995) (plurality opinion),
the Court of Criminal Appeals held that the evidence was legally sufficient to convict
defendant of the offense of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine weighing
more than 28 grams but less than 200 grams where:  (1) the Gabriel chemist tested
only 2.237 grams contained in 5 of 54 baggies recovered from the defendant; (2) the
chemist testified the five tested baggies were 99% cocaine with a total weight of
2.237 grams; (3) the total weight of the contents of all 54 baggies was 35.2 grams;
and (4) the chemist concluded the untested baggies contained only cocaine.  Id. at
721-22.  In holding that the evidence was legally sufficient, the Gabriel court
concluded that "the manner of testing the substances by random sampling goes only
to the weight the jury may give to the tested substances in determining the untested
substance is the same as the tested substance."  Id. at 722.
	Here, the jury heard evidence that appellant hid all 12 rocks, weighing 1.3
grams, in his mouth.  Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, a jury could have reasonably found that the 12 rocks recovered from
appellant's mouth were all cocaine and that they weighed in excess of 1 gram.  See
Thomas, 36 S.W.3d at 710.
	We overrule appellant's third point of error.





 Conclusion
	We affirm the judgment of the trial court.



							Jackson B. Smith, Jr.
							Justice

Panel consists of Justices Nuchia, Keyes, and Smith. (4)
Publish.  Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.







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