Barski, Christopher Anthony

PD-1188-15
PD-1188-15 COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Transmitted 9/11/2015 5:29:38 PM
Accepted 9/16/2015 11:32:35 AM
NO. ___________________ ABEL ACOSTA
CLERK
Court of Appeals No. 11-13-00217-CR

TO THE
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS

CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY BARSKI
Petitioner,

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS,
Appellee.

PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

Paul Francis
State Bar No. 07359600
P.O. Box 13369
1178 West Pioneer Parkway
Arlington TX 76013-6367
(817) 543-2600 Telephone
(817) 549-7098 Facsimile
pfrancis@birch.net E-mail

ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER,
CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY
BARSKI

September 16, 2015
 IDENTITY OF TRIAL JUDGE, PARTIES TO JUDGMENT
OR ORDER, AND COUNSEL

TRIAL JUDGE: The Honorable Elizabeth Berry, judge
of the 432nd of Tarrant County,
Texas

APPELLANT: Christopher Anthony Barski

COURT APPOINTED
COUNSEL ON APPEAL: Paul Francis
1178 W. Pioneer Parkway
Arlington TX 76013

COUNSEL AT TRIAL: Christopher Anthony Barski, pro se
Tarrant County Jail/CID #0813879
100 N Lamar
Fort Worth TX 76102-1954

Stephen Gordon/Standby Counsel
2101 Moneda St
Fort Worth, TX 76117

APPELLEE: The State of Texas

COUNSEL ON APPEAL: Debra Windsor
Assistant District Attorney
Tarrant County Justice Center
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth TX 76196-0001

COUNSEL AT TRIAL: Jacob Mitchell
Tarrant County Justice Center
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth TX 76196-0001

ii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

IDENTITY OF TRIAL JUDGE, PARTIES TO JUDGMENT OR
ORDER, AND COUNSEL .......................................................................... ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................ iii

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ....................................................................... iv

STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT .................................... 1

STATEMENT OF THE CASE ..................................................................... 1

STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY ............................................ 2

GROUNDS FOR REVIEW (ISSUES) ........................................................... 2

Does the persistence of a defendant in demanding to represent himself
constitute a knowing and intelligent waiver of counsel when the trial court
does not explore alternatives to dissatisfaction with counsel and fails to
cover nature of the charges, possible defenses to the charges and
circumstances in mitigation thereof as part of the Faretta hearing, and
the defendant indicates he is essentially ignorant of procedural and evidence
law.

ARGUMENT ............................................................................................. 4

PRAYER FOR RELIEF ............................................................................ 20

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE (word count) ..................................... 21

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE .................................................................... 21

APPENDIX ............................................................................................... 22

iii
 INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

Cases

Adams v. U.S. ex rel. McCann, 317 U.S. 269, 63 S. Ct. 236, 87 L. Ed. 268
(1942) ...................................................................................................................14
Blankenship v. State, 673 S.W.2d 578 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984) .............. 12, 16
Chadwick v. State, 309 S.W.3d 558 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) ...........................3
Collier v. State, 959 S.W.2d 621 (Tex.Crim.App.1997) ..................................11
Crawford v. State, 136 S.W.3d 417 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2004, no
pet.)...................................................................................................................3, 13
Ex parte Davis, 818 S.W.2d 64 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) ........................................14
Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975) ..........10
Fernandez v. State, 283 S.W.3d 25 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2009, no pet.)
..............................................................................................................................12
Fulbright v. State, 41 S.W.3d 228 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2001, pet. ref'd) ........10
Geeslin v. State, 600 S.W.2d 309 (Tex.Crim.App. [Panel Op.] 1980) ...........10
Grant v. State, 255 S.W.3d 642 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2007, no pet.)........18
Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164, 128 S. Ct. 2379, 171 L. Ed. 2d 345
(2008) ...............................................................................................................3, 15
Johnson v. State, 760 S.W.2d 277 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988).............................11
Manley v. State, 23 S.W.3d 172 (Tex. App.—Waco 2000, pet. ref'd) ...........11
Martinez v. State, 163 S.W.3d 88 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2004, no pet.) ................14
State v. Guerrero, 400 S.W.3d 576 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013) ...........................15
v. State, 24 S.W.3d 456 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2000, no pet.) ......................16
Webb v. State, 533 S.W.2d 780 (Tex. Crim. App. 1976) ........................................14
Williams v. State, 194 S.W.3d 568 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2006)
....................................................................................................................... 11, 12
Williams v. State, 252 S.W.3d 353 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008) .................... 15, 19
Williams v. State, 925 S.W.2d 272 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1996, no
pet.).......................................................................................................................11

iv
 NO. _________________________

TO THE
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS

CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY BARSKI
Petitioner

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS
Appellee

PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

To the Honorable Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas:

Petitioner, Christopher Anthony Barski, submits this petition for

discretionary review and requests that the Court consider the following

issues:

I.

STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT

Petitioner waives oral argument unless the state is granted oral argument.

II.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

APPELLANT, CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY BARSKI, was indicted

for Aggravated Sexual Assault Child Under 14 (CR 11) The State abandoned

1
all but the allegations contained in Count II, a first degree felony. (4 RR 12)

He entered a plea of not guilty to the indictment. (4 RR 18) A jury tried the

issue of guilt-innocence and convicted Appellant of Aggravated Sexual

Assault Child Under 14. (CR 117, 132) The jury assessed punishment at 24

years prison. (CR 132, 7 RR 44)

III.

STATEMENT OF PROCEDURAL HISTORY

The Court of Appeals assigned case number 11-13-00217-CR. The

judgment (and opinion) of the Court of Appeals affirming the trial court

was issued August 21, 2015. A copy of the judgment and opinion is

attached as an Appendix to this Petition.

IV.

GROUNDS FOR REVIEW

1. The court of appeals committed error by incorrectly applying the law

for pro se representation in its review of the trial court’s actions. The court

of appeals bases its affirmance on the assertion that persistence in a desire for

self-representation is determinative upon finding that sufficient warnings

were given by the trial court, but the record here shows the answers and

conduct of the defendant indicated that the request was not made

intelligently and knowingly and all the required matters were not covered,

2
including possible alternatives to the expressed dissatisfaction by the

defendant with his court-appointed counsel. The determination of

“intelligently and knowingly” were made without regard to the responses

and conduct of the defendant, which is in conflict with Crawford v. State,

136 S.W.3d 417 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2004, no pet.) a case dealing

with waiver of a right to pro se appellate representation. Also in light of

Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164, 176-77, 128 S. Ct. 2379, 2387, 171 L.

Ed. 2d 345 (2008) (Mentally ill defendant) and Chadwick v. State, 309

S.W.3d 558, 563 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) the approval should not be made

following a rote recitation of factors, but individualized consideration of the

defendant’s responses indicative of his intelligent and knowing waiver in

light of his comprehension of same. Appellant is not contending that he was

mentally ill. Appellant cites the Indiana and Chadwick cases for the

proposition that the analysis under Faretta does not stop with simply going

through a checklist with a defendant, but must include his responses and

conduct evidencing more than bewilderment at the process coupled with his

intent to proceed anyway.

In short, the matters not covered by the trial court, and the answers

and conduct of the defendant indicated he did not knowingly and

3
intelligently waive his right to counsel and it was an abuse of discretion for

the trial court to so find and for the court of appeals to affirm.

2. The Questions for Review:

1. Does the persistence of a defendant in demanding to represent himself

constitute a knowing and intelligent waiver of counsel when the trial court

does not explore alternatives to dissatisfaction with counsel and fails to cover

nature of the charges, possible defenses to the charges and circumstances in

mitigation thereof as part of the Faretta hearing, and the defendant indicates

he is essentially ignorant of procedural and evidence law.

V.

ARGUMENT

This is a case in which the defendant, without being able to swim,

jumped into the deep end of the courtroom pool after being warned not to

do so. The trial court approved it because the judge thought he had to, and

the court of appeals affirmed it because it believes the trial court had to.

The defendant was indicted for aggravated sexual assault of a child,

and despite having a court-appointed counsel, became dissatisfied with him

and asked the court to allow him to do his jury trial pro se.

4
What Happened in the Trial Court:

Pre-trial hearing

A Faretta hearing was held on May 23, 2013 (2 RR 1 – 33) regarding

the appellant’s request to represent himself in the trial of his case. The

defendant’s then-attorney Mr. Stephen Gordon stated that his client was

competent in his opinion, and the court indicated that Mr. Barski had filed a

letter asking to represent himself. (2 RR 4) The court told him that if the

court granted the motion that Mr. Gordon could no longer provide legal

advice, and could only act as a go between for such things as moving things

around courtroom. (2 RR 5) The defendant said he felt it would be in the

best interest of everyone in the case if he represented himself (2 RR 6, 7) but

did not explain what he meant by that and the trial court did not ask. He

said he had obtained a GED in 2006, that he's 24 years old, has never had

any college, scanned criminal procedure law a couple of weeks earlier, but

had not been able to go the law library for the last week and a half, has

never looked at or understood the laws of evidence and thinks that an

objection is when somebody has said something against him and he objects

to it. (2 RR 7, 8) The trial judge explained that it is more complex than

simply standing up in objecting to the evidence because it is against the him.

5
 At this point the defendant said “let's hope it doesn't happen Your

Honor." (2 RR 10) Mr. Gordon recommended that the defendant not

represent himself. (2 RR 11) The judge warned him that by speaking on his

own behalf the jury may take that as his testimony and that the jury can take

that for any and all purposes thereby waiving his right to remain silent. (2

RR 12) In response to questions from the court about the law and

procedures, i.e., important 6th Amendment functions of a trial attorney, how

the jury selection process works, how many strikes and what kind of strikes,

the effect of conviction of a charge of continuous sexual abuse on parole, the

defendant indicated that he had no idea of the answers. (2 RR 12, 14, 17)

The court told him that Mr. Gordon would not be assisting him in

obtaining attendance of witnesses, and that his role would be standby

counsel strictly for purposes of trial. (2 RR 19) The court told him that the

court was not going to release him so he could do the things necessary to

obtain the attendance of witnesses. The court also told him that Mr. Gordon

would not be sitting beside him and giving him strategy tips, that he would

be seated behind him and only during breaks confer with him. (2 RR 19)

Further the state, because of the pro se representation was terminating

its open file policy and requiring formal discovery requests from the

defendant. (2 RR 20) The court also told him that the discovery materials

6
obtained by Mr. Gordon would not be shared with the defendant and the

defendant would have to file his own motions for discovery, even though the

prior motions had been filed by Mr. Gordon. (2 RR 21, 22)

The defendant said he went to the law library to see what he could do

about subpoenas and the person in charge said he could not handle his own

subpoenas even if he represented himself. He then said he did not know how

he was going to get a witness if they will not give him the paperwork he

needs to do that. (2 RR 22 – 23)

The trial court said it was trying to do all it could to encourage him

not to represent himself. (2 RR 23) The defendant stated that he still wanted

to represent himself. (2 RR 24) The court indicated that Mr. Gordon would

be standby counsel. (2 RR 25) The court also told Mr. Gordon to be

prepared to assume responsibility for the trial at the last minute in the event

that Mr. Barski decided not represent himself.

The trial court said it would order the sheriff's department to make the

library available to the defendant during normal business hours. (2 RR 28)

Defendant filed a request for probation because he had no prior felony

conviction, even though he was not eligible for it, based on the charge. (4

RR 12, 13) The prosecutor stated during voir dire that there was no

eligibility for probation. (4 RR 105, 108) Even after that, during voir dire,

7
the defendant told the jury they could give him probation-a statement the

prosecutor challenged. (4 RR 160-161) Then on closing argument during

punishment he referenced the possibility of them giving him probation. (6

RR 107)

Voir Dire

During voir dire the panel members were moved to speak up about his

pro se representation. At 4 RR 130:

PROSPECTIVE JUROR: In my feelings right now, I personally
do not feel that you're competent enough to defend yourself in
this case. I think that you might need to confer more with your
co-counsel because right now, it's -- you seem very scattered.

THE DEFENDANT: Yeah, it's pretty obvious.

At 4 RR 131:

PROSPECTIVE JUROR: My name is RB 1, I'm Juror No. 8, and I
still feel reservations about your competency to defend yourself.

THE DEFENDANT: Well, if that's the case --if that's the case,
then I hope I'm not out of line of saying this, but, you know, I
was given questions and everything like that by a -- by a doctor,
so – an expert, in other words.

PROSPECTIVE JUROR: I do not mean that you're not
intellectually capable of doing it. I just believe that you're not
fully versed on what you – you need to do to defend yourself.

THE DEFENDANT: And you're absolutely right because, you

1 Initials instead of names are being used.

8
know, I only have like one chance to go through to a law library
in the two weeks that I was told that, you know, I was going to
go to trial. So I think it was the 23rd of May until last Friday,
that was the only time I was able to get access into the law
library. So you're right when you say that, but, you know, I just
hope that that doesn't, you know, impede your judgment on me,
in other words. I know -- I know it's crazy, but -- I know it's
crazy, but I just feel it's something I have to do.

At 4 RR 132:

PROSPECTIVE JUROR: So it seems to me that you are hurting
yourself.

THE DEFENDANT: Okay.

PROSPECTIVE JUROR: Gravely hurting yourself. It doesn't
have anything to do with honesty.

THE DEFENDANT: Well –

PROSPECTIVE JUROR: Because of your lack of knowledge.

And after another prospective juror expressed concern, the
defendant stated the following.

At 4 RR 135-136:

THE DEFENDANT: Let me ask you then: How do you feel
about a lot of these, you know, the tornados for one? I mean,
you get a lot of increase in flooding, a lot of horrible things going
wrong in the world, a lot of natural disasters that are really kind
of unnatural in our time and day that we live in? How do you
feel about that?

At 4 RR 136:

PROSPECTIVE JUROR: Can you still get legal representation?

9
 THE DEFENDANT: If I wanted to, yes.

PROSPECTIVE JUROR: Take it.

And in response to another prospective juror:

At 4 RR 137:

THE DEFENDANT: Let me just say that, you know, as far as
I'm concerned, I really -- you know, I honestly don't care about
what happens to me. I really care about what happens to
everybody involved.

The Law

The questions in this appeal are 1) Did the trial court sufficiently cover

the issues required by law and 2) Is the trial court required to grant a

request for pro se representation in the face of obvious ignorance of the law

and incoherence of the defendant?

A waiver2 of the right to counsel 3 will not be lightly inferred, and the

courts will indulge every reasonable presumption against the validity of such

a waiver. Geeslin v. State, 600 S.W.2d 309, 313 (Tex.Crim.App. [Panel Op.]

1980). A waiver of counsel must be made competently, knowingly and

intelligently, and voluntarily4. Collier v. State, 959 S.W.2d 621, 625–26

2 Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 819–20, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 2533, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975)
3 A defendant in a criminal trial has the right to assistance of counsel. Sixth Amendment to the United States
Constitution and Article 1, Section 10 of the Texas Constitution. Fulbright v. State, 41 S.W.3d 228, 234 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth 2001, pet. ref'd)
4 It is voluntary if uncoerced. Fulbright v. State, 41 S.W.3d 228, 234 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2001, pet. ref'd)

10
(Tex.Crim.App.1997). A heavy burden rests upon the prosecution to

demonstrate an intelligent, voluntary, and knowing waiver of constitutional

rights, particularly as applied to the right to retained or appointed counsel.

Williams v. State, 194 S.W.3d 568, 576-77 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th

Dist.] 2006), aff'd, 252 S.W.3d 353 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008)

When a defendant asserts his pro se rights, analysis must center not on

a traditional waiver of counsel analysis, but on whether the defendant is

aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self representation. Thus the focus

of a trial court's admonishments of a defendant wishing to proceed pro se is

on the knowing and intelligent assertion of the right to self representation.

Johnson v. State, 760 S.W.2d 277, 278 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988)

The court must determine not only that the defendant wishes to waive

his right to counsel, but that he understands the consequences of such

waiver. Manley v. State, 23 S.W.3d 172, 173-74 (Tex. App.—Waco 2000,

pet. ref'd) As stated in Williams v. State, 925 S.W.2d 272, 275 (Tex. App.—

Corpus Christi 1996, no pet.) [“... A judge can make certain that an

accused's professed waiver of counsel is understandingly and wisely made

only from a penetrating and comprehensive examination of all the

circumstances under which such a plea is tendered.” von Moltke v. Gillies,

332 U.S. at 723–24, 68 S.Ct. at 323.”] Faretta does not authorize trial

11
judges to sit idly by doling out enough legal rope for defendants to

participate in impending courtroom suicide. Blankenship v. State, 673

S.W.2d 578, 583 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984); Williams v. State, 194 S.W.3d

568, 577 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2006), aff'd, 252 S.W.3d 353

(Tex. Crim. App. 2008);

By extension when the trial court sees that the defendant is in the

process of committing courtroom suicide he or she should intervene.

Allowing a defendant to represent himself without a valid waiver of the

right to counsel, denies his constitutional right to be represented by counsel.

Fernandez v. State, 283 S.W.3d 25, 31 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2009, no

pet.)

The trial court must examine the defendant “assiduously” as to his

knowledge and intent to ensure that the election is not a hollow incantation

of a legal formula, but a purposeful, informed decision to proceed pro se.

Blankenship v. State, 673 S.W.2d 578, 583 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984)

To be valid such waiver must be made with an apprehension of
the nature of the charges, the statutory offenses included within
them, the range of allowable punishments, thereunder, possible
defenses to the charges and circumstances in mitigation thereof,
and all other facts essential to a broad understanding of the
whole matter. A judge can make certain that an accused's
professed waiver of counsel is understandingly and wisely made
only from a penetrating and comprehensive examination of all
the circumstances under which a plea is tendered.

12
 Here the judge at the Faretta hearing admitted he did not know the

facts of the case regarding covering the required matters. “And there may be

others that I haven't covered with you specifically because I don't know

anything in terms of the facts of the case.” (2 RR 24) If the judge doesn’t

know the facts he cannot very well make sure the defendant is apprised of

the “nature of the charges, the statutory offenses included within them, the

range of allowable punishments, thereunder, possible defenses to the charges

and circumstances in mitigation thereof, and all other facts essential to a

broad understanding of the whole matter.”

Further, merely explaining the dangers and disadvantages is not

sufficient. The court must also take into consideration the responses of the

defendant to the court’s questions to determine whether self-representation

should be allowed. See Crawford v. State, 136 S.W.3d 417 (Tex. App.—

Corpus Christi 2004, no pet.) [The defendant did not knowingly and

intelligently waive his right to appellate counsel, stating “Crawford has only

a vague knowledge of appellate rules, limited access to the courts, and

difficulty with research. While we respect Crawford's genuine desire to

proceed without appellate counsel, we conclude that it would not be in his

13
best interest to do so.”5 Although Crawford was decided on the basis of a

statutory right to appellate pro se representation, the factors of “knowingly

and intelligently” were determined by the trial court, the same factors at play

here.

The right to assistance of counsel and the correlative right to dispense

with a lawyer's help rest on considerations that go to the substance of an

accused's position before the law. Adams v. U.S. ex rel. McCann, 317 U.S.

269, 279, 63 S. Ct. 236, 241-42, 87 L. Ed. 268 (1942) The public

conscience must be satisfied that fairness dominates the administration of

justice. An accused must have the means of presenting his best defense. He

must have time and facilities for investigation and for the production of

evidence. But evidence and truth are of no avail unless they can be

adequately presented. Essential fairness is lacking if an accused cannot put

his case effectively in court. But the Constitution does not force a lawyer

upon a defendant. He may waive his Constitutional right to assistance of

counsel if he knows what he is doing and his choice is made with eyes open.

Id.

5 In Texas an appellant has the right to appellate pro se representation as well as trial pro se representation. Webb
v. State, 533 S.W.2d 780, 783 (Tex. Crim. App. 1976); Martinez v. State, 163 S.W.3d 88, 90 (Tex. App.—Amarillo
2004, no pet.); Ex parte Davis, 818 S.W.2d 64, 66 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) [“In Webb, this Court applied the
reasoning of Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975), and held that the right of an
accused to reject the services of counsel and represent himself extends to the appellate process.”]

14
 The self-representation right must yield to the most basic of the

Constitution's criminal law objectives, providing a fair trial. Indiana v.

Edwards, 554 U.S. 164, 176-77, 128 S. Ct. 2379, 2387, 171 L. Ed. 2d 345

(2008) (Mentally ill defendant) Proceedings must not only be fair, they

must appear fair to all who observe them.

Courts must examine the particular facts and circumstances

surrounding that case, including the background, experience, and conduct of

the accused. Williams v. State, 252 S.W.3d 353, 356 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008)

The information a defendant must possess in order to make an intelligent

election will depend on a range of case-specific factors, including the

defendant's education or sophistication, the complex or easily grasped nature

of the charge, and the stage of the proceeding. State v. Guerrero, 400

S.W.3d 576, 582-83 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013)

Trial Court Admonishments

The trial judge who conducted the hearing did a commendable job of

urging the appellant to not forego counsel, and addressed several areas in

questioning him. However while the trial court discussed evidence,

procedure and range of punishment, the court did not address sufficiently the

areas such as nature of the charges, possible defenses to the charges and

15
circumstances in mitigation thereof as required by Blankenship v. State, 673

S.W.2d at 583.

When the request was filed by the defendant in the papers of the cause

(CR 85) it was couched in terms of dissatisfaction with his counsel, stating:

Defendant seeks to represent himself because the attorney-client
relationship between Christopher A. Barski and Steve Gordon
has not been established enough that Christopher A. Barski feels
confident he is being represented effectively in this case.

Despite that the trial court did not explore why he felt he was not

being represented effectively and attempt to determine whether the issue

should be dealt with on that basis rather than simply assuming that self-

representation was the answer. 6

The totality of the facts indicated that:

● He knew nothing of evidence law or procedure, and expressed

blind hope that he would not need to. (2 RR 7-17) He operated

throughout the trial under the incorrect belief he was eligible for

probation. (4 RR 12, 13, 105, 108, 160-161) (6 RR 107)

● He was 24 years old with a GED, but no college. (2 RR 7, 8)

● He was not given sufficient access to the law library despite the

judge’s promise. (2 RR 28) (4 RR 8, 131)

6 Dissatisfaction with an attorney is not, alone, sufficient to constitute a demand for self-
representation. See DeGroot v. State, 24 S.W.3d 456, 458 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2000, no
pet.)
16
 ● The trial court refused to release him to obtain witnesses or

allow his standby counsel to do so despite his stated concern

that he could not get a subpoena issued since the clerk would

not cooperate with him as a pro se defendant. (2 RR 19-23)

● He was looking out for everyone else in his exercise of

expiation. (2 RR 6, 7) (4 RR 137) [“I honestly don't care about

what happens to me.”]

● The judge failed to go over possible defenses, (indicating he did

not know of any), and further failed to inquire as to what the

defendant meant when he said he felt it would be in the best

interest of everyone in the case if he represented himself. (2 RR 6,

7)

● The trial court did not explore whether the dissatisfaction with

his attorney could be resolved without pro se representation.

Is the trial court required to grant a request for pro se representation in

the face of obvious ignorance of the law and incoherence of the defendant?

The trial court believed it had no choice. (2 RR 6)

It is the position of the petitioner that the trial court failed to fully

explore alternatives to pro se representation and cover all the factors, and

that the mere insistence by the defendant on proceeding pro se, despite the

17
belief of the trial court and the court of appeals, was not required, as the

defendant did not evidence intelligent and knowing waiver of counsel, given

his conduct and statements.

The Court of appeals erred by basing its affirmance on the trial judge

going over certain factors coupled with the defendant’s insistence on self

representation, (Opinion page 6) which misapplied the law by neglecting the

trial court’s responsibility to cover additional matters, to explore an

alternative to pro se representation, and assess the conduct and responses of

the defendant to determine whether his pro se request was done intelligently

and knowingly.

The decision to approve the waiver and continue the waiver, under

these circumstances, constituted an abuse of discretion, given the omissions

in the trial court’s admonishments in the Faretta hearing, the answers the

defendant gave to the court’s questions and his other statements set out

above, possible defenses 7 to the charges and circumstances in mitigation

thereof. The trial court’s inquiry is still required even if standby counsel is

appointed. Grant v. State, 255 S.W.3d 642, 647 (Tex. App.—Beaumont

2007, no pet.)

7 The court, in reference to defenses stated “Now, with regard to any potential defenses -- and I
don't know if there's any potential defenses that could possibly exist under this type of charge…”
(2 RR 11) The court then went on to advise that he would be waiving his right to remain silent
because the jury would hear him making any defense.
18
 To assess whether a waiver is effective, courts consider the totality of

the circumstances, i.e., courts examine “the particular facts and

circumstances surrounding that case, including the background, experience,

and conduct of the accused. Williams v. State, 252 S.W.3d 353, 356 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2008)

When the record does not affirmatively show that the defendant was

sufficiently admonished as required by Faretta, it is reversible error, not

subject to a harm analysis. Williams v. State, 252 S.W.3d 353, 357 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2008)

Because the trial judge had told defendant’s former attorney (now

standby counsel) to be ready to try the case immediately, (2 RR 25, 32) the

attorney could have taken over the defense of the case at any time. There

would have been no disruption in the orderly proceeding of the trial, a

concern that accompanies a switch from pro se representation to appointed

counsel.

The trial judge who was hearing the case (not the same judge who

conducted the Faretta hearing), having witnessed the above during voir dire

should have terminated the defendant’s self-representation and ordered the

standby counsel to take over the defense. Her failure to do so was a

19
continuing abuse of discretion to that of the judge approving the initial

request to proceed pro se.

The Court of Appeals erred in its review of the abuse of discretion

committed by the trial court in approving the pro se representation.

VI.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

Based on the above and foregoing, the Petitioner respectfully requests

that the Court of Criminal Appeals, grant the Petition for Discretionary

Review, and upon consideration of the case to vacate the court of appeals’

judgment, find that the trial court erred in allowing the defendant to proceed

pro se, and set aside the conviction and remand the case for a new trial.

Petitioner requests all other relief to which he is entitled.

Respectfully submitted,

Law Office of Paul Francis
P.O. Box 13369
1178 W. Pioneer Parkway
Arlington TX 76013-6367
(817) 543-2600 Telephone
(817) 549-7098 Facsimile
pfrancis@birch.net Email

By: /s/ Paul Francis
Paul Francis
State Bar No. 07359600

ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER,

20
 CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY
BARSKI

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

The undersigned counsel certifies that the number of words in this

document, as computed in accordance with Tex.R.App.P. 9.4(i) using the

Word Count function of Microsoft Word is 4,177.

/s/ Paul Francis
Paul Francis

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

A true and correct copy of the above and foregoing was served upon

the following persons in accordance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure

9.5, on this September 11, 2015.

Debra Windsor Lisa C. McMinn
Tarrant County Justice Center State Prosecuting Attorney
401 W. Belknap P.O. Box 13046
Fort Worth TX 76196-0001 Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711

/s/ Paul Francis
Paul Francis

21
APPENDIX

22
 11TH COURT OF APPEALS
EASTLAND, TEXAS
JUDGMENT

Christopher Anthony Barski, * From the 432nd District
Court of Tarrant County,
Trial Court No. 1326714R.

Vs. No. 11-13-00217-CR * August 21, 2015

The State of Texas, * Memorandum Opinion by Bailey, J.
(Panel consists of: Wright, C.J.,
Willson, J., and Bailey, J.)

This court has inspected the record in this cause and concludes that
there is no error in the judgment below. Therefore, in accordance with this
court’s opinion, the judgment of the trial court is in all things affirmed.
Opinion filed August 21, 2015

In The

Eleventh Court of Appeals
__________

No. 11-13-00217-CR
__________

CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY BARSKI, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the 432nd District Court
Tarrant County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 1326714R

MEMORANDUM OPINION
Christopher Anthony Barski appeals his jury conviction for aggravated sexual
assault of a child under fourteen years of age. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN.
§ 22.021(a)(2)(B) (West Supp. 2014). The jury assessed punishment at confinement
in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for a term
of twenty-four years. Appellant presents three issues on appeal. First, he asserts
that he did not effectively waive his right to counsel. Second, he argues that the trial
court erred when it did not let standby counsel share notes with him. Third, he argues
that he was denied due process of law because the State allowed him minimal sleep
and kept some of his notes from him prior to the second day of trial. We affirm.
Background Facts
Appellant’s brother and J.G. had three children together from their prior
relationship. Appellant occasionally stayed in J.G.’s living room on weekends.
Appellant would visit with J.G. and her children while he stayed at J.G.’s house.
One of the children, S.E. (Appellant’s niece), was the victim of Appellant’s alleged
sexual abuse. S.E. was eight years old at the time.
S.E.’s younger sister notified J.G. that Appellant would come into their
bedroom and wake up S.E. S.E. confirmed to J.G. that it was true. S.E. went on to
tell her mother that Appellant woke her up one night, took her into the kitchen to get
food, and then took her into the living room with him. Once in the living room,
Appellant sat S.E. on top of him. S.E. told J.G. that Appellant “was vibrating” and
“doing bad things to her.” Specifically, S.E. told J.G. that Appellant touched her
“private part” after he unbuckled her pants. S.E. testified that Appellant touched her
“in the place where he was not supposed to,” which she agreed was her “private
part.” J.G. confronted Appellant about S.E.’s accusations, and Appellant responded,
“I don’t know why I did that,” then he shook his head and apologized to J.G. Further,
J.G. said that Appellant never denied the accusations.
Prior to trial, Appellant filed a pro se motion requesting permission to
represent himself at trial. The trial court held a Faretta hearing to determine whether
Appellant fully understood his right to counsel. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806
(1975). The trial court admonished Appellant against representing himself and
noted, “And -- and I’m going to tell you, quite frankly, I think it is not a good idea,
but it is ultimately your absolute right under the federal and state constitutions to
freely represent yourself.” Appellant replied that he felt that it was in his best interest
to represent himself. The trial court questioned Appellant extensively about his
2
education, his understanding of the law, the phases of trial, and his waiver of counsel.
After the trial court admonished Appellant and Appellant had a discussion with his
appointed counsel, Appellant elected to represent himself. Appellant’s appointed
counsel was ordered to serve as standby counsel at trial.
Analysis
In his first issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred when it allowed
him to represent himself at trial because he did not effectively waive his right to
counsel. Appellant contends that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing him
to represent himself because “his waiver of counsel was not done competently,
knowingly and intelligently, and voluntarily.”
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused has a right to the assistance of counsel
for his defense. U.S. CONST. amend. VI; Williams v. State, 252 S.W.3d 353, 355
(Tex. Crim. App. 2008) (citing Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 340–45
(1963)). An indigent defendant is entitled to appointed counsel unless the defendant
competently, intelligently, and voluntarily waives the right to counsel. Williams,
252 S.W.3d at 356; Collier v. State, 959 S.W.2d 621, 625 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).
The Sixth Amendment also includes the reciprocal right of self-representation.
Williams, 252 S.W.3d at 356 (citing Faretta, 422 U.S. at 818). The right to self-
representation does not attach until it has been asserted clearly and unequivocally.
Id.; Funderburg v. State, 717 S.W.2d 637, 642 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986).
Once the right has been asserted, under Faretta, the court must admonish the
defendant as to the “dangers and disadvantages of self-representation, so that the
record will establish that he knows what ‘he is doing and his choice is made with
eyes open.’” Williams, 252 S.W.3d at 356 (quoting Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835). As
stated by the court in Williams:
When advising a defendant about the dangers and disadvantages of self-
representation, the trial judge must inform the defendant “that there are

3
 technical rules of evidence and procedure, and he will not be granted
any special consideration solely because he asserted his pro se rights.”
[quoting Johnson v. State, 760 S.W.2d 277, 279 (Tex. Crim. App.
1988)] But a trial judge has no duty to inquire into an accused’s “age,
education, background or previous mental [health] history in every
instance where an accused expresses a desire to represent himself[.]”
[quoting Goffney v. State, 843 S.W.2d 583, 584–85 (Tex. Crim. App.
1992)]
Id. Courts indulge every reasonable presumption against waiver and do not presume
acquiescence in the loss of fundamental rights. Id. The trial judge is responsible for
determining whether a defendant’s waiver is knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. Id.
To assess whether a waiver is effective, courts consider the totality of the
circumstances. This means that courts must examine the particular facts and
circumstances surrounding that case, including the background, experience, and
conduct of the accused. Id. The trial court is not required to follow a particular
script of questions and warnings to establish a knowing and intelligent waiver. See
Blankenship v. State, 673 S.W.2d 578, 583 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984). As noted
recently by the Texarkana Court of Appeals, Faretta establishes that if (1) the
accused clearly and unequivocally declares to the trial court that he wants to
represent himself and does not want counsel; (2) the record affirmatively
demonstrates that the accused is competent, literate, and understanding and that he
is voluntarily exercising his informed free will; and (3) the trial court warns the
accused of its opinion that it is a mistake not to accept the assistance of counsel and
that the accused will be required to follow all ground rules of trial procedure, then
the right of self-representation cannot be denied. Dolph v. State, 440 S.W.3d 898,
902 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013, pet. ref’d) (citing Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835–36).
In the present case, the record affirmatively demonstrates that Appellant
insisted on representing himself after the trial court warned him of the dangers and
disadvantages of such a choice. Prior to trial, Appellant made a written motion to

4
represent himself despite already having the assistance of appointed counsel. At the
hearing on the motion, Appellant argued that he wanted to represent himself because
he felt that it was in “the best interest of everyone involved in the case.” At the end
of the hearing, Appellant again confirmed his desire to represent himself despite the
trial court’s recommendation not to do so.
The trial court determined that Appellant obtained his GED in 2006, and his
appointed counsel testified to his belief that Appellant was competent. The trial
court explained some dangers of self-representation, and when asked if he
understood such dangers, Appellant responded in the affirmative. Specifically, the
trial court advised Appellant that “quite frankly . . . it is not a good idea” to represent
yourself. The trial court explained what an objection was and how Appellant would
likely not know how to properly preserve any potential errors for appellate review.
Further, the trial court explained that Appellant would waive his right to remain
silent because he would necessarily have to speak in front of the jury during the trial.
The trial court also informed Appellant of the range of punishment he faced if
convicted.
In regard to issuing subpoenas to procure witness attendance, the trial court
advised Appellant that he was “going to be held to the same standard” as an attorney
doing the same work. Appellant was made aware that he would be responsible to
file all pretrial motions in accordance with the law and that failure to do so would
result in waiver. The trial court noted that there was a chance Appellant might waive
some defenses to the crime charged because Appellant’s knowledge of the law, as
demonstrated by his answers to the trial court’s questions, was limited. The trial
court made clear that it would not be able to help Appellant at trial and stated, “After
this hearing, you are on your own. And when this case comes to trial . . . you better
be ready to go.”

5
 Near the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court reiterated that it was going
through “all the potential warnings [it could] possibly give” to encourage Appellant
not to represent himself. It again made clear to Appellant that “it’s a mistake for you
to” represent yourself. Appellant’s appointed trial counsel also advised Appellant
not to represent himself. After such admonishments and warnings, Appellant
conferred with his counsel and nevertheless said, “I’ll represent myself, Your
Honor.” Appellant also signed a waiver of his right to counsel. See TEX. CODE
CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 1.051(f) (West Supp. 2014).
Appellant argues that the trial court “did not address sufficiently the areas
such as nature of the charges, possible defenses to the charges and circumstances in
mitigation thereof as required.” We disagree. The trial court questioned Appellant
about his understanding of the charges and how a potential conviction from those
charges would affect his eligibility for parole. Although the Appellant understood
only a “little bit” of the law in that regard, the trial court then asked Appellant’s
appointed counsel the same question and appointed counsel explained the law for
Appellant. Appointed counsel also indicated that he had discussed the charges with
Appellant. Furthermore, as indicated above, the trial court admonished Appellant
that self-representation may result in an unintended waiver of defenses.
The record establishes that Appellant insisted on representing himself after
the trial court warned him of the dangers and disadvantages of such a choice. We
find that the record contains proper admonishments concerning pro se representation
and all necessary inquiries to enable the trial court to assess Appellant’s knowing
exercise of the right to defend himself. See Goffney, 843 S.W.2d at 585. Appellant’s
persistence in asserting his right of self-representation despite the court’s
admonishments was all that was required in order for the court to determine that the
assertion was made purposefully. See Burgess v. State, 816 S.W.2d 424, 426, 429

6
(Tex. Crim. App. 1991); Blankenship, 673 S.W.2d at 583 (quoting United States v.
Tompkins, 623 F.2d 824, 825 (2d Cir. 1980)); Dolph, 440 S.W.3d at 904.
Appellant additionally asserts that the trial court should have terminated
Appellant’s self-representation and ordered standby counsel to take over his defense
when potential jurors expressed concerns during voir dire about his ability to
represent himself. We disagree with Appellant’s contention that his purportedly
deficient performance at trial rendered his decision to represent himself invalid. The
Supreme Court noted in Faretta:
We need make no assessment of how well or poorly Faretta had
mastered the intricacies of the hearsay rule and the California code
provisions that govern challenges of potential jurors on voir dire. For
his technical legal knowledge, as such, was not relevant to an
assessment of his knowing exercise of [his] right to defend himself.

Faretta, 422 U.S. at 836 (footnote omitted). We overrule Appellant’s first issue.
In his second issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred when it refused
to let his appointed counsel share with him the information appointed counsel
received via the State’s open-file policy without first conducting an in camera
inspection. Prior to Appellant invoking his right of self-representation, the State had
an open file policy with Appellant’s appointed counsel through which the State
provided appointed counsel information to assist in his defense of Appellant. The
State revoked the open file policy, however, when appointed counsel became
standby counsel due to Appellant’s election to represent himself.
The trial court informed Appellant that the information obtained by his
appointed counsel under the open file policy could not be shared with Appellant.
Rather, the trial court explained, if Appellant wanted to access the information he
was “going to have to understand the Code of Criminal Procedure and file the
appropriate Motions for Discovery.” Appellant claims that the trial court should

7
have reviewed the information in camera before ruling that he was not allowed to
receive any of the information from his standby counsel.
The record shows that Appellant did not object after the trial court ruled that
standby counsel could not share the information with him. Additionally, Appellant
did not ask the trial court to inspect the information in camera before making its
ruling. Appellant failed to make any requests for discovery despite the trial court’s
instruction that Appellant could obtain the information at issue via applicable
discovery procedures available to him.1 Furthermore, the record shows that
Appellant had access to everything his standby counsel received from the State’s
open file, despite the trial court’s prior ruling that he would not have access to such
information. At the end of the guilt/innocence phase of trial, the prosecutor said he
had “turned over everything to Defense -- to the [standby] counsel . . . and I believe
[standby counsel] has turned over everything, including police reports, copies of
witness statements, videos of statements and made them available to the Defendant
for purposes of this trial.” Appellant’s standby counsel then responded, “Standby
counsel has done that.”
“Ordinarily, to preserve an issue for appellate review, an appellant must have
first raised the issue in the trial court.” Burt v. State, 396 S.W.3d 574, 577 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2013); see TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(1).
[A]ll a party has to do to avoid the forfeiture of a complaint on
appeal is to let the trial judge know what he wants, why he thinks
himself entitled to it, and to do so clearly enough for the judge to
understand him at a time when the trial court is in a proper position to
do something about it.

Lankston v. State, 827 S.W.2d 907, 909 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992).

1
Appellant did orally request to inspect grand jury testimony, which the trial court granted, but
there was no grand jury testimony available in this case.

8
 Error can only be committed when the trial judge refuses a specific request
for action or takes action over objection. Michaelwicz v. State, 186 S.W.3d 601, 610
(Tex. App.—Austin 2006, pet. ref’d). Appellant did not preserve his complaint for
appellate review because he did not request the trial court to conduct an in camera
review of the information obtained by appointed counsel. Furthermore, the record
affirmatively demonstrates that Appellant did in fact receive the information from
appointed counsel “for purposes of [the] trial.” We overrule Appellant’s second
issue.
In his third issue, Appellant contends that the trial court erred when it forced
him to proceed with a hearing on a motion to suppress at the beginning of the second
day of trial. The motion to suppress concerned a video interview of Appellant. At
the beginning of the day’s proceedings, Appellant informed the trial court that he
was not permitted to go back to the jail facility where he was regularly incarcerated
after the end of the previous day’s proceedings and that he had not been able to get
“any sort of solid sleep” until after breakfast because of the circumstances of his
incarceration in a “holdover” cell. He stated that he was not ready to proceed.
Appellant explained that he was “just really, really tired.” He further claimed that
he did not have access to some of his notes because they were kept at the other jail
facility. The trial court noted that attorneys regularly deal with lack of sleep during
trials and that Appellant participated during the previous day of trial without his
notes.
After briefly questioning Appellant about the basis for his motion to suppress,
the trial court proceeded with a hearing on the motion because “the State has [its]
witness here.” Detective Tony Miller of the Haltom City Police Department testified
that he received a call from Appellant. Detective Miller made an appointment for
Appellant to come to the police station to be interviewed. Detective Miller testified
that Appellant was not placed under arrest or taken into custody at any time prior to
9
or during the interview and that he advised Appellant that he was free to leave at any
time. He additionally testified that Appellant was not taken into custody after the
interview concluded and that he was permitted to leave afterward. When the
prosecutor passed Detective Miller to Appellant for cross-examination, Appellant
advised the trial court as follows:
Your Honor, considering the circumstances to the fact, you
know, I was never placed under arrest or anything like that, I -- I guess
it is pretty evident that this -- you know, this confession could be used
in court, and I have no objection to that, Your Honor.
After a brief recess, the trial court advised Appellant that it was going to make
arrangements for deputies to transport him to the jail facility where he was regularly
incarcerated so that he could retrieve his paperwork. The trial court further advised
that it was going to make arrangements for Appellant to be housed “downtown” for
the remainder of the trial. The trial court then made the following statement to
Appellant:
What I want to give you a choice of, we just had the hearing
where you said that you basically don’t have an objection to the
interview with the detective. We can either do the detective’s testimony
this morning and play the videotape this morning, and then you can
have the afternoon off to rest and have your paperwork and be prepared
to proceed tomorrow; or I can give the jury the morning off, give you
the opportunity to get your paperwork and get some rest, and we could
start back like around 2:00 o’clock this afternoon and then just work
late tonight to proceed with that testimony. What -- what’s your
preference?
After conferring with standby counsel, Appellant advised the trial court that he was
ready to proceed that morning and that he “[had] all that [he] was really needing
right here.” The trial court responded as follows:
If you say that you are ready to proceed today and you feel fine
and that you want to go forward, what I will assure you is that after the
detective’s testimony, I’m going to make sure that the deputies have all
of your stuff from [the original jail facility] to you, and we’ll also take
10
 a longer lunch than usual to give you a little bit of time to rest up after
the detective. Does that sound fair to you?
Appellant replied in the affirmative to the trial court’s inquiry. Immediately prior to
recessing for lunch, the trial court inquired into Appellant’s preference for
continuing the trial that afternoon. Appellant advised the trial court that he wanted
to continue with the trial that afternoon.
A motion for continuance must be written and sworn. TEX. CODE. CRIM.
PROC. ANN. arts. 29.03, 29.08 (West 2006). “A motion for continuance not in
writing and not sworn preserves nothing for review.” Dewberry v. State, 4 S.W.3d
735, 755 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). There is no due process exception to those
requirements. See Blackshear v. State, 385 S.W.3d 589, 591 (Tex. Crim. App.
2012); Anderson v. State, 301 S.W.3d 276, 280–81 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009).
Accordingly, Appellant did not present a valid motion for continuance based upon
his oral statement that he was not ready for trial.
Even if Appellant had sufficiently presented a motion for continuance, we
would review the trial court’s ruling for an abuse of discretion. Gallo v. State, 239
S.W.3d 757, 764 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Janecka v. State, 937 S.W.2d 456, 468
(Tex. Crim. App. 1996). To establish an abuse of discretion, there must be a showing
that the defendant was actually prejudiced by the denial of his motion. Gallo, 239
S.W.3d at 764; Janecka, 937 S.W.2d at 468. Appellant was not prejudiced by the
trial court’s decision to proceed with the motion to suppress. After Detective Miller
offered his very brief testimony about the circumstances surrounding Appellant’s
interview, Appellant informed the trial court that he no longer had an objection to
the admissibility of the interview. Accordingly, Appellant was not harmed by the
trial court’s decision to proceed with the motion to suppress. Afterward, the trial
court offered Appellant various scheduling accommodations so that he could obtain

11
all of his notes and get some rest before proceeding further. Appellant declined these
offers and elected to proceed with the trial. We overrule Appellant’s third issue.
This Court’s Ruling
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

JOHN M. BAILEY
JUSTICE

August 21, 2015
Do not publish. See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).
Panel consists of: Wright, C.J.,
Willson, J., and Bailey, J.

12