Ex parte Sellers, 49522

Decision Date18 December 1974
Docket NumberNo. 49522,49522
Citation516 S.W.2d 665
PartiesEx parte Jerry Michael SELLERS.
CourtTexas Court of Criminal Appeals

Tom F. Reese, Jr. and Mark Turner, Garland, for appellant.

Jim D. Vollers, State's Atty., and Larry Gist, Asst. State's Atty., Austin, for the State.

OPINION

DALLY, Commissioner.

This is an appeal from an order entered in a habeas corpus proceeding in the 196th District Court denying the requested relief. The appellant in three grounds of error alleges that the trial court erred in not reducing the amount of the bond, in not allowing the appellant to present evidence that the bond was excessive, and in not ordering the release of the appellant for lack of probable cause to believe an offense had been committed.

It has been duly brought to our attention that the appellant is now under an indictment for murder in this case. Therefore, the question of probable cause to hold the appellant has been rendered moot. Ex parte White,486 S.W.2d 301 (Tex.Cr.App.1972).

At the hearing on the writ, after evidence had been presented about the probable cause for the detention of the appellant, the trial judge, over the objections of counsel, refused to allow the appellant to present any evidence that the $100,000 bail was excessive. There is no evidence in the record that the amount required is excessive, although the appellant sought to include such evidence in his brief. If it be alleged in the petition that the bail is excessive, the applicant is entitled to a hearing on the writ. Arts. 11.24, 11.10, Vernon's Ann.C.C.P. The burden of proof is upon the appellant to show that the bond is excessive. Holliman v. State, 485 S.W.2d 912 (Tex.Cr.App.1972); Ex parte Bailty, 106 Tex.Cr.R. 649, 294 S.W.2d 213 (1927). The appellant must show that he has attempted to and cannot make bond in the amount fixed. Ex parte Fisher, 492 S.W.2d 528 (Tex.Cr.App.1973); Ex parte Williams, 467 S.W.2d 433 (Tex.Cr.App.1971); Ex parte Cooper, 136 Tex.Cr.R. 73, 124 S.W.2d 142 (1939). If the appellant makes no effort to present evidence concerning the amount of the bond, the judgment of the trial court will be affirmed. Ex parte Mauck, 158 Tex.Cr.R. 200, 254 S.W.2d 128 (1953). However, when the trial judge does not allow evidence to be presented at all, it cannot be determined by this Court whether or not the bail required is excessive. It was error to refuse to hear the evidence proffered by the appellant. In re Campbell, 28 Tex.App. 376, 13 S.W. 141 (1890).

Therefore,...

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8 cases
  • Chari v. Vore
    • United States
    • Ohio Supreme Court
    • April 11, 2001
    ...Delaney v. Shobe (1959), 218 Ore. 626, 628, 346 P.2d 126, 127; Ex Parte Parker (Tex.App.2000), 26 S.W.3d 711, 712; Ex Parte Sellers (Tex.Crim.App.1974), 516 S.W.2d 665, 666. Therefore, consistent with Halleck, Yarbrough, and the foregoing cases, the burden of proof in a case alleging excess......
  • Ex parte Vasquez
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
    • November 30, 1977
    ...a matter of law, Ex parte Branch, 553 S.W.2d 380 (Tex.Cr.App.1977); Ex parte Preston, 533 S.W.2d 820 (Tex.Cr.App.1976); Ex parte Sellers, 516 S.W.2d 665 (Tex.Cr.App.1974); Ex parte White, 486 S.W.2d 301 (Tex.Cr.App.1972), the only testimony as to the circumstances under which the offense wa......
  • In re Ramos
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Appeals
    • January 13, 2023
    ... ... defendant's appearance at trial." Ex parte ... Carter, 621 S.W.3d 355, 358 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 2021, ... no pet.). The Texas ... argument or evidence regarding the alleged violation of bond ... Cf. Ex parte Sellers, 516 S.W.2d 665, 666 (Tex ... Crim. App. 1974) (concluding that the trial court committed ... ...
  • Ex parte Branch, 54853
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
    • July 13, 1977
    ...the question of probable cause to hold appellant has been rendered moot. Ex parte Preston, Tex.Cr.App., 533 S.W.2d 820; Ex parte Sellers, Tex.Cr.App., 516 S.W.2d 665; Ex parte White, Tex.Cr.App., 486 S.W.2d The return of an indictment does not render moot an appeal from a habeas corpus proc......
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11 books & journal articles
  • Bail and Bond Issues
    • United States
    • James Publishing Practical Law Books Archive Texas Criminal Lawyer's Handbook. Volume 1 - 2019 Contents
    • August 16, 2019
    ...attempted and failed to make bail in the amount fixed. Ex parte Welch, 729 S.W.2d 306 (Tex.App.—Dallas 1987, no pet .); Ex parte Sellers, 516 S.W.2d 665 (Tex. Crim. App. 1974). The defendant’s ability to make bail is a relevant factor, but is not dispositive. Esquivel v. State, 922 S.W.2d 6......
  • Bail and bond issues
    • United States
    • James Publishing Practical Law Books Texas Criminal Lawyer's Handbook. Volume 1-2 Volume 1
    • May 5, 2022
    ...attempted and failed to make bail in the amount fixed. Ex parte Welch, 729 S.W.2d 306 (Tex.App.—Dallas 1987, no pet .); Ex parte Sellers, 516 S.W.2d 665 (Tex. Crim. App. 1974). The defendant’s ability to make bail is a relevant factor, but is not dispositive. Esquivel v. State, 922 S.W.2d 6......
  • Bail and Bond Issues
    • United States
    • James Publishing Practical Law Books Archive Texas Criminal Lawyer's Handbook. Volume 1 - 2018 Contents
    • August 17, 2018
    ...attempted and failed to make bail in the amount fixed. Ex parte Welch, 729 S.W.2d 306 (Tex.App.—Dallas 1987, no pet .); Ex parte Sellers, 516 S.W.2d 665 (Tex. Crim. App. 1974). The defendant’s ability to make bail is a relevant factor, but is not dispositive. Esquivel v. State, 922 S.W.2d 6......
  • Table of Cases
    • United States
    • James Publishing Practical Law Books Archive Texas Criminal Lawyer's Handbook. Volume 2 - 2015 Contents
    • August 17, 2015
    ...226 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1991, no writ ), §22:43 Ex parte Seidel, 39 S.W.3d 221 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001), §12:64.5 Ex parte Sellers, 516 S.W.2d 665 (Tex. Crim. App. 1974), §9:35 Ex parte Sewell, 742 S.W.2d 393 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987), §20:21.4 Ex parte Shaw, 724 S.W.2d 75 (Tex. Crim. App. ......
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