X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

OPINION

Raheem Abdulah Watkins was convicted by a jury of the offense of murder, pled true to two enhancement allegations, and was sentenced to life in prison. TEX. PEN. CODE ANN. §§ 19.02(b)(1) & 12.42(d) (Vernon 2003). Watkins complains of the following: (1) that the trial court erred by refusing to conduct a hearing with Watkins present regarding his motion to dismiss his court-appointed trial counsel; (2) the evidence was legally insufficient to establish that Watkins or his accomplice specifically intended to kill the victim; (3) the evidence was factually insufficient to establish that Watkins or his accomplice specifically intended to kill the victim; (4) the trial court erred by failing to instruct the jury that a specific intent to kill was required for conviction either individually or as a party to the murder; (5) the trial court erred by failing to submit an instruction regarding an accomplice as a matter of law; (6) the trial court erred by failing to submit an instruction regarding a statement against interest made during Watkins’ incarceration; (7) the trial court erred by failing to include an instruction regarding a witness’s prior convictions; (8) the trial court erred by submitting instructions that allowed conviction by a manner and means that had been abandoned by the State; (9) the trial court erred by admitting extraneous conduct testimony; (10) the State engaged in prosecutorial misconduct; (11) Watkins received ineffective assistance of counsel; (12) the trial court erred by not appointing new counsel when requested prior to trial (numbered also as eleven in Watkins’s brief); and (13) the trial court erred by assessing attorney’s fees and investigator’s fees (numbered as twelve in Watkins’s brief). Because we find that the trial court erred by assessing attorney’s fees and investigator’s fees, we modify the judgment of conviction to delete those fees, and as modified, affirm the judgment of the trial court.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
December 02, 2024 - December 03, 2024
Scottsdale, AZ

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers and financiers for the real estate healthcare event of the year!


Learn More
December 11, 2024
Las Vegas, NV

This event shines a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.


Learn More
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More

Our client, a boutique litigation firm established by former BigLaw partners, is seeking to hire a junior-mid level associate their rapidly ...


Apply Now ›

Shipman & Goodwin LLP is seeking an associate to join our corporate and transactional practice. Candidates must have four to eight years...


Apply Now ›

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM, CORPORATE LAW We provide strategic advisory and legal services to the world's leading archite...


Apply Now ›