Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807 (Tex. App. 2003). · Go Syfert
Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807 (Tex. App. 2003). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
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73 citation events (73 in the last 25 years) across 1 distinct court.
Strongest positive: Thomas Dixon v. the State of Texas (texapp, 2022-01-13)
Treatment trajectory · 2004 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2004 2015 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 36 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Thomas Dixon v. the State of Texas
Tex. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
“Fundamental error must be so egregious it prevents a fair and impartial trial.” Escobar, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 3624 , at *4 (quoting Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Clarence Wyatt Holland v. State
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
App. 1973) (“The prosecutor’s argument that he would not prosecute a man –6– he did not know in his heart to be guilty is improper.”); Escobar v. State, No. 01-13-00496-CR, 2015 WL 1735244 , at *1 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Apr. 14, 2015, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (concluding prosecutor’s indication that he tries defendants if and only if he believes they are guilty was improper); Williams v. State, 417 S.W.3d 162 , 171–72 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, pet. ref’d) (concluding that prosecutor’s statement that he dismisses cases whe…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Glynda Denise Morrow v. State
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
PROC. 33.1; Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811-12 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d). 5 III.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Escobar, Jesus (3×)
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Clayton v. State, 502 S.W.2d 755, 756 (Tex.Crim.App.1973) (“The prosecutor’s argument that he would not prosecute a man he did not know in his heart to be guilty is improper.”); Williams v. State, 417 S.W.3d 162 , 171–72 (Tex.App.— Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, pet. ref’d) (concluding that prosecutor’s statement that he dismisses cases when “I don’t think that the defendant’s guilty” was improper); Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d) (holding that prosecutor’s statement that “[i]f I believed the man was not …
cited Cited as authority (rule) Q'Andrew Lynn Shelton v. State
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
PROC. 33.1; Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811-12 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Timothy Cortez Choice, Jr. v. State
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
PROC. 33.1; Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811-12 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Jesus Escobar v. State (3×)
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
App. 1973) (“The prosecutor’s argument that he would not prosecute a man he did not know in his heart to be guilty is improper.”); Williams v. State, 417 S.W.3d 162 , 171–72 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, pet. ref’d) (concluding that prosecutor’s statement that he dismisses cases when “I don’t think that the defendant’s guilty” was improper); Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d) (holding that prosecutor’s statement that “[i]f I believed the man was not guilty I wouldn’t be here” was improper).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Jesus Escobar v. State (3×)
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
App. 1987), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 986 (1988); Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d) (holding because the appellant did not object to a prosecutor’s improper comment during voir dire, any error has been waived); see also TEX.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jose Julian Sanchez v. State (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
See id. at 240 (holding that any prejudicial effects stemming from admission of evidence of defendant’s gang membership did not substantially outweigh the value of showing the motive for the murder); Beltran, 99 S.W.3d at 810-11 (holding that evidence of defendant’s gang membership did not violate Rule 403 because it was crucial to show motive for the crime).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Christopher Arthur Tatum v. State
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
See Griggs v. State, 213 S.W.3d 923, 926-27 (Tex.Crim.App.2007); Young v. State, 137 S.W.3d 65, 67-71 (Tex.Crim.App.2004); Aldrich v. State, 104 S.W.3d 890, 895-97 (Tex.Crim.App.2003); Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811-12 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref'd).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Daniel Cano Hernandez v. State
Tex. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
“When [a defendant] complains about an improper remark by the prosecutor during voir dire, appellant must object when the remark is made.” Espinosa v. State, 194 S.W.3d 703, 708 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, no pet.) (citing Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d)); see also Cruz v. State, 877 S.W.2d 863, 868 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1994, pet. ref’d) (overruling issue of improper comment because defendant did not object to the improper comment at the time it was made during voir dire); Peralez v. State, No. 13-06-376-CR, 2007 WL …
cited Cited as authority (rule) Jason Brent Bishop v. State
Tex. App. · 2010 · confidence medium
App. 1983); Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jesse Arocha v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
See Fuentes v. State, 991 S.W.2d 267, 276 (Tex.Crim.App. 1999) (failure to object to trial court’s comments constituted waived); Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d)(holding defendant failed to preserve error with respect to trial court’s comments because defendant failed to object).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jesse Arocha v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
See Fuentes v. State , 991 S.W.2d 267, 276 (Tex.Crim.App. 1999) (failure to object to trial court's comments constituted waived); Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex.App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref'd)(holding defendant failed to preserve error with respect to trial court's comments because defendant failed to object).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Carey Donyell Shields v. State
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Salcido v. State, No. 08-04-00346-CR, 2006 WL 1132865 (Tex. App.—El Paso April 27, 2006, no pet.) (not designated for publication); Clement v. State, No. 08-03-00463-CR, 2005 WL 1593464 (Tex. App.—El Paso July 7, 2005, no pet.) (not designated for publication); Galvez v. State, No. 04-04- 00460-CR, 2005 WL 1458228 , at *1–2 (Tex. App.—San Antonio June 22, 2005, pet. ref'd) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (declining to find fundamental error in pervasive prosecutorial misconduct attacking defendant over counsel's shoulders in voir dire, during testimony, and in clo…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Carey Donyell Shields v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Salcido v. State , No. 08-04-00346-CR, 2006 WL 1132865 (Tex. App.--El Paso April 27, 2006, no pet.) (not designated for publication); Clement v. State , No. 08-03-00463-CR, 2005 WL 1593464 (Tex. App.--El Paso July 7, 2005, no pet.) (not designated for publication); Galvez v. State , No. 04-04-00460-CR, 2005 WL 1458228 , at *1-2 (Tex. App.--San Antonio June 22, 2005, pet. ref'd) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (declining to find fundamental error in pervasive prosecutorial misconduct attacking defendant over counsel's shoulders in voir dire, during testimony, and in closin…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ricardo Garcia Peralez v. State
Tex. App. · 2007 · confidence medium
Espinosa v. State , 194 S.W.3d 703, 708 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, no pet.) (citing Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref'd) (overruling issue about trial court's improper comments because appellant failed to preserve error by objecting when the court made the comments); Cruz v. State , 877 S.W.2d 863, 868 (Tex. App.-Beaumont 1994, pet. ref'd) (holding the defendant waived the issue on appeal of improper argument during closing argument because he did not object during voir dire when the prosecutor first made comments about the differen…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Jairo Daniel Rodrigues v. State
Tex. App. · 2007 · confidence medium
App. 2002); Bradford v. State , 178 S.W.3d 875, 879 (Tex. App. C Fort Worth 2005, pet. ref = d); Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Charles Anthony Young v. State
Tex. App. · 2006 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 811-12 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d) (holding prosecutor = s injection of personal opinion statements did not constitute fundamental error).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Espinosa v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 2006 · confidence medium
Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref'd) (overruling issue about trial court’s improper comments because appellant failed to preserve error by objecting when the court made the comments); see also Cruz v. State, 877 S.W.2d 863, 868 (Tex.App.-Beaumont 1994, pet. ref'd) (holding the defendant waived the issue on appeal of improper argument during closing argument because he did not object during voir dire when the prosecutor first made comments about the difference in punishment between the charged crime of murder and capital murder).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Enrique Espinosa Jr. v. State
Tex. App. · 2006 · confidence medium
Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d) (overruling issue about trial court = s improper comments because appellant failed to preserve error by objecting when the court made the comments); see also Cruz v. State , 877 S.W.2d 863, 868 (Tex. App. C Beaumont 1994, pet. ref = d) (holding the defendant waived the issue on appeal of improper argument during closing argument because he did not object during voir dire when the prosecutor first made comments about the difference in punishment between the charged crime of murder and capital murder).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Urbano, Gilbert v. State
Tex. App. · 2005 · confidence medium
Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 810 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d).
discussed Cited "see" Starsky Holmes v. the State of Texas
Tex. App. · 2024 · signal: see · confidence high
See Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 812 (Tex. App.— Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d); Dowdy v. State, No. 03-01-00571-CR, 2002 WL 1987642 , at *2 (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 30, 2002, no pet.); Campos v. State, 946 S.W.2d 414 , 416–18 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, no pet.) (holding failure to object to improper prosecutorial statement waives error); Jenkins v. State, 870 S.W.2d 626, 629 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1994, pet. ref’d); Draughon v. State, 831 S.W.2d 331 , 336–37 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited "see" Brittany Cnae McCutcheon v. the State of Texas
Tex. App. · 2021 · signal: see · confidence high
See Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d) (holding that prosecutor’s statement that “[i]f I believed the man was not guilty I wouldn’t be here” was improper).
discussed Cited "see" Jason Froseth v. State
Tex. App. · 2016 · signal: see · confidence high
See Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d) (trial court comment during voir dire not fundamental error; fundamental error “must be so egregious it prevents a fair and impartial trial”); Rodriguez v. State, No. 07- 97-0453-CR, 1999 Tex. App. LEXIS 3870 , at *4-8 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1999, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (same).
discussed Cited "see" Zajahn Antonio Johnson v. State
Tex. App. · 2014 · signal: see · confidence high
See Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d) (finding admission of evidence regarding appellant’s gang affiliation absolutely necessary to show motive for the crime).
discussed Cited "see" Yvette Zachery v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · signal: see · confidence high
See Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807 , 811 B 12 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d) (concluding prosecutor = s comments improper, but that appellant waived error by failing to object). [2] Appellant complains that the trial court = s comments during voir provided the only instruction on what the burden of proof means.
discussed Cited "see" Christopher Shane Spencer v. State
Tex. App. · 2008 · signal: see · confidence high
See Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d) (finding admission of evidence regarding appellant = s gang affiliation absolutely necessary to show motive for crime).
discussed Cited "see" Willie Alvin Griffin Sr. v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 2008 · signal: see · confidence high
Ganther v. State , 187 S.W.3d 641, 650 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, pet. ref = d); see Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807 , 811 B 12 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d).
discussed Cited "see" Michael Dean Hudson v. State
Tex. App. · 2006 · signal: see · confidence high
See Espinosa v. State , C S.W.3d C , 2006 WL 1459969, at *2 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, no pet.) (stating that for a party to complain on appeal about a prosecutor = s improper comments during voir dire, there must be an objection when the comments are made) (citing Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d)).
cited Cited "see" Ybarra, Rodney v. State
Tex. App. · 2004 · signal: see · confidence high
See Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807 , 811 B 12 (Tex. App. C Houston [14 Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Daniel Moreno v. State
Tex. App. · 2019 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811-12 (Tex. App.— Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d). 10 misconduct—i.e., the efficacy of any instructions by the judge; and (3) the certainty of conviction absent the misconduct—i.e., the strength of the evidence supporting the conviction.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Troy Williams II v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 2013 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811-12 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th] Dist.2003, pet. ref'd) (holding that prosecutor’s statement during voir dire that he would not be there if he did not believe defendant was guilty was improper); Campos v. State, 946 S.W.2d 414, 415-18 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, no pet.) (holding that prosecutor’s statement that “we wouldn’t be here” if he did not believe defendant was guilty was improper).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Earl Thompson v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref = d); Oulare v. State , 76 S.W.3d 231 , 233 B 34 (Tex. App. C Amarillo 2002, no pet.); Rabago v. State , 75 S.W.3d 561 , 562 B 63 (Tex. App. C San Antonio 2002, pet. ref = d).
cited Cited "see, e.g." Ganther, Kenneth v. State
Tex. App. · 2006 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See Villareal , 116 S.W.3d at 85 ; see also Beltran v. State , 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex. App. C Houston [14th Dist. 2003, pet. ref = d).
cited Cited "see, e.g." Ganther v. State
Tex. App. · 2006 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See Villareal, 116 S.W.3d at 85 ; see also Beltran v. State, 99 S.W.3d 807, 811 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. refd).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Noe BELTRAN, Appellant,
v.
the STATE of Texas, Appellee
14-01-01198-CR.
Court of Appeals of Texas.
Feb 20, 2003.
99 S.W.3d 807
2003 Tex. App. LEXIS 1533
2003 WL 358695
William F. Carter, Bryan, for appellants., Candace Norris, Plainview, for appel-lees.
Scott Brister.
Cited by 45 opinions  |  Published

OPINION

SCOTT BRISTER, Chief Justice.

In 1989, a Walker County jury found that appellant, while serving time in prison for one murder, had committed another. The jurors were charged as to both capital murder and murder; they convicted him of the former. In 1993, the Court of Criminal Appeals reversed, finding insufficient evidence of remuneration. Tex. Pen.Code Ann. § 19.03(a)(3); Beltran v. State, No. 70,888 (Tex.Crim.App. Apr. 28, 1993) (not designated for publication).

In 1995, a new indictment was issued charging appellant with murder based on the same occurrence. He was again convicted, and punishment assessed at 50 years’ imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.[*810] The trial court credited this sentence with time served between his first indictment (August 25, 1988) and second conviction (October 25, 2001). It is from this judgment that both parties appeal.

1. Double Jeopardy

Appellant argues his second trial was barred by double jeopardy. He has already made this argument twice — in unsuccessful habeas and appeal proceedings — in the First Court of Appeals. Beltran v. State, No. 01-97-00105-CR (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 4, 1999) (not designated for publication); Beltran v. State, No. 01-97-00105-CR (Tex.App.Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 30, 2000) (not designated for publication). We agree with our sister court that the Court of Criminal Appeals has decided this precise issue adversely to appellant: a defendant whose capital murder conviction is reversed for insufficient evidence of remuneration can be retried for murder. See Ex Parte Granger, 850 S.W.2d 513, 515 (Tex.Crim.App.1993).

2. Law of the Case

In reversing his capital murder conviction, the Court of Criminal Appeals stated “the judgment is reversed, and the cause is remanded to the trial court with instructions to order an acquittal.” Appellant asserts he cannot be retried for murder, as this order constitutes the law of the case. But the only charge on appeal earlier was capital murder; acquittal of capital murder does not establish any rule as to murder, as insufficient evidence of remuneration would have no bearing on the latter. See Tex. Pen.Code Ann. §§ 19.02, 19.03(a)(3); see also Granger, 850 S.W.2d at 516. We hold the law of the case doctrine is inapplicable.

3.The Indictment

In his third point of error, appellant contends the trial court should have dismissed his second indictment with prejudice because he was incarcerated too long before it was issued. See Act of May 27, 1965, 59th Leg., R.S. ch. 722, § 1, 1965 Tex. Gen. Laws 317, 441 (amended 1997) (current version at Tex.Code Crim. Proc. art. 32.01; [1] Tex.Code Crim. Proc. art. 28.061 [2] ). This complaint is waived if it is not raised before the indictment is returned. See Brooks v. State, 990 S.W.2d 278, 285 (Tex.Crim.App.1999). Appellant did not file his motion to dismiss until January 2000, almost five years after the indictment issued. This was too late. Id.

4.Prison Gang Membership

In his fourth point, appellant contends admission of evidence of his membership in the Texas Syndicate (a prison gang) violated the rules of evidence. Tex.R. Evid. 403; 404(b). Several inmates and fellow members of the gang testified at trial that the victim — the acting chairman of the Syndicate at the Ellis 1 unit— was making personal use of narcotics smuggled into prison by the gang for drug-trafficking activities. They testified appellant murdered the victim as retribu[*811] tion, and was rewarded by replacing him as acting chairman. Appellant’s gang-affiliation was not only relevant but absolutely critical to show the motive for his crime. See Vasquez v. State, 67 S.W.3d 229, 240 (Tex.Crim.App.2002). Admission of this evidence was proper.

5. Improper Comments by the Trial Court

Appellant next argues that the following comment by the trial judge during voir dire tainted the jury and constituted fundamental error:

THE COURT: Any of you for any reason could not give an inmate a fair trial for any reason? In other words, if you’ve been at TDC so long that you’re soured on the world or soured on Defendants or soured on — that’s understandable but it wouldn’t be right if you couldn’t give a person who is an inmate a fair trial. So if there is anybody there that can’t give an inmate a fair trial speak up now or forever hold your peace. Because this country, you know, if you read the papers, a dog will bite a child. In this country the dog gets a trial. So I’m telling you we are fair in this country. That makes it more democratic. So listen to the lawyers and answer truthfully.

After a brief discussion at the bench, the trial judge continued:

THE COURT: Inmates are entitled to a fair trial. If I’m calling him [appellant] a dog I absolutely apologize. I didn’t mean to offend him.... I didn’t mean to offend you. I don’t think he’s a dog. He’s a human being and entitled to all the rights that all of us have.

Appellant made no objection, at least none that appears in our record.

Fundamental error must be so egregious it prevents a fair and impartial trial. Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157, 171 (Tex.Crim.App.1984). Undoubtedly, the trial judge’s attempt at folksy humor was both reckless and injudicious. But we fail to see how any rational juror could construe it as a comment about appellant or the strength of his case. Even if that were possible, the judge immediately clarified this was not what he meant. We find this comment was not fundamental error. Thus, because appellant did not object, error has been waived. See Tex.R.App. P. 33.1(a); Sharpe v. State, 648 S.W.2d 705, 706 (Tex.Crim.App.1983); Williams v. State, 964 S.W.2d 747, 752 (Tex.App.Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, pet. ref'd).

6. Improper Comments by the Prosecutor

Appellant’s final complaint involves an exchange among a venire member, the prosecutor, and appellant’s trial attorney:

VENIRE PERSON: I have a follow up question. If the investigation over the last thirteen years has shown that the man was not guilty would the indictment be eliminated? Would the indictment be dropped?
[THE PROSECUTOR]: If I believed the man was not guilty I wouldn’t be here. My job is to see that justice is done and I wouldn’t be sitting here.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: And I can tell you that if I believed he did this and the State could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt I wouldn’t be here, either.

Again, appellant did not object, and thus is relegated to arguing fundamental error.

A prosecutor cannot inject personal opinion in statements to the jury. Johnson v. State, 698 S.W.2d 154, 167 (Tex.Crim.App.1985); Tucker v. State, 15 S.W.3d 229, 236 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, pet. ref'd). We agree the prosecutor improperly stated her personal[*812] opinion. Nonetheless, appellant cites no cases in which similar voir dire statements were held to be fundamental error. See Campos v. State, 946 S.W.2d 414, 416-18 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, no pet.) (holding failure to object to improper prosecutorial statement waives error). Moreover, defense counsel’s immediate response stating his own opinion negated any harm to appellant. Because no objection was made to this non-fundamental error, appellant has waived this issue. Mathis v. State, 67 S.W.3d 918, 926-27 (Tex.Crim.App.2002).

7. Credit for Time: The State’s Cross-Point of Error

The trial court credited appellant’s murder sentence with time served from August 25, 1988 through October 25, 2001. In a cross-appeal, the State argues appellant should not have received credit for the time between July 2, 1993 (when the Court of Criminal Appeals issued a mandate reversing appellant’s conviction for capital murder and ordering acquittal) and April 20, 1995 (when he was indicted for murder). The State is permitted to cross-appeal this legal question. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 44.01(b) (providing for appeal by state on questions of law if defendant is convicted and appeals the judgment).

Article 42.03, section 2(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure requires credit for pre-judgment time served “in said cause”:

In all criminal cases the judge of the court in which the defendant was convicted shall give the defendant credit on his sentence for the time that the defendant has spent in jail in said cause, other than confinement served as a condition of community supervision, from the time of his arrest and confinement until his sentence by the trial court.

It is undisputed that, because of his prior murder conviction, appellant has been incarcerated at all times since March 14, 1981. The question presented is what credit, if any, he should have received on the sentence in this case.

Because this crime was committed while appellant was in prison, the sentence cannot run concurrently with his prior sentence.

If a defendant is sentenced for an offense committed while the defendant was an inmate in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the defendant has not completed the sentence he was serving at the time of the offense, the judge shall order the sentence for the subsequent offense to commence immediately on completion of the sentence for the original offense.

Tex.Code Crim Proc. art. 42.08(b). Crediting appellant’s sentence in this case for time served on his prior murder sentence would have just that effect, and thus would frustrate the Legislature’s purpose. See Ex parte Kuester, 21 S.W.3d 264, 268 (Tex.Crim.App.2000) (stating that purpose of art. 42.08(b) was to mandate consecutive rather than concurrent sentences for inmate offenses).

We need not decide in this case the conflict between these statutes when a defendant is imprisoned both for the prior crime and arguably for the new one at the same time. Here, the State challenges only the credit given to appellant when no indictment for the second murder was pending. Because he was already in prison for a previous crime, any time spent in custody after the mandate issued and before the issuance of the subsequent indictment for murder relates to that previous crime and should not have been credited to his sentence in this case. See Hannington v. State, 832 S.W.2d 355 (Tex.Crim.App.1992); Ex Parte Crossley, 586 S.W.2d 545, 546 (Tex.Crim.App.1979). We sustain the State’s cross-point on appeal, reform ap[*813] pellant’s sentence to add 658 days to it, and as reformed, affirm.

1

. “When a defendant has been detained in custody or held to bail for his appearance to answer any criminal accusation before the district court, the prosecution, unless otherwise ordered by the court, for good cause shown, supported by affidavit, shall be dismissed and the bail discharged, if indictment or information be not presented against such defendant at the next term of the court which is held after his commitment or admission to bail.”

2

. "If a motion to set aside an indictment, information, or complaint for failure to provide a speedy trial is sustained, the court shall discharge the defendant. A discharge under this article or Article 32.01 of this code is a bar to any further prosecution for the offense discharged and for any other offense arising out of the same transaction....”