Bethany Danielle Molina v. the State of Texas

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN NO. 03-22-00216-CR Bethany Danielle Molina, Appellant v. The State of Texas, Appellee FROM THE 119TH DISTRICT COURT OF RUNNELS COUNTY, NO. 7023, THE HONORABLE BEN WOODWARD, JUDGE PRESIDING MEMORANDUM OPINION Appellant Bethany Danielle Molina pleaded guilty to four counts of the second-degree felony of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon arising from three drive-by shootings in Ballinger, Texas. See Tex. Penal Code § 22.02(a)(2). The trial court made affirmative findings that Appellant used a deadly weapon to commit the offenses. There was no plea agreement for the sentence, and the trial court assessed sentence at eleven years in prison for each offense to be served concurrently. Appellant filed a notice of appeal from the trial court’s judgment. Appellant’s court-appointed attorney has filed a motion to withdraw supported by a brief concluding that the appeal is frivolous and without merit. The brief meets the requirements of Anders v. California by presenting a professional evaluation of the record demonstrating why there are no arguable grounds to be advanced. See 386 U.S. 738, 744 (1967); Garner v. State, 300 S.W.3d 763, 766 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009); see also Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 81-82 (1988). Appellant’s counsel has certified to this Court that she sent copies of the motion and brief to appellant, advised appellant of her right to examine the appellate record and file a pro se response, and provided a motion to assist appellant in obtaining the record. See Kelly v. State, 436 S.W.3d 313, 319-20 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014); see also Anders, 386 U.S. at 744. Appellant has not filed a brief or other response. We have conducted an independent review of the record—including the record of the plea and sentencing proceedings below and appellate counsel’s brief—and find no reversible error. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744; Garner, 300 S.W.3d at 766; Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d 824, 826-27 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). We agree with counsel that the record presents no arguably meritorious grounds for review and that the appeal is frivolous. Counsel’s motion to withdraw is granted. The trial court’s judgment is affirmed. __________________________________________ Darlene Byrne, Chief Justice Before Chief Justice Byrne, Justices Triana and Smith Affirmed Filed: August 31, 2022 Do Not Publish