821 S.W.2d 622 | Tex. Crim. App. | 1992
OPINION ON APPELLANT’S PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW
Appellant was convicted by a jury of the offense of delivery of a simulated controlled substance. V.A.C.S. 4476-15b, § 2(a)(1). After finding “true” the two enhancement paragraphs, the trial judge sentenced appellant to 30 years confinement in the Texas Department of Corrections.
This Court recently affirmed the court of appeals’ judgment in Boykin. See Boykin v. State, 818 S.W.2d 782 (Tex.Crim.App.1991). In Boykin, the defendant was charged with delivery of a simulated controlled substance and expressly representing that substance to be cocaine. V.A.C.S. Art. 4476-15b, § 2(a)(1). The evidence reflected the defendant sold an undercover police officer a “twenty-cent rock” which, upon chemical analysis, was determined to be only soap. In holding the evidence was insufficient to support the conviction, we determined that “for purposes of Article 4476-15b, § 2(a)(1), an express representation is one using the terms listed in the Controlled Substances Act” and that § 2(a)(1) did not criminalize representations using only slang names. Boykin, 818 S.W.2d at 786.
At the time the court of appeals rendered its decision in this cause, it did not have the benefit of our decision in Boykin. Therefore, we sustain appellant’s ground for review, reverse the judgment of the court of appeals, and remand this cause to that court for reconsideration of appellant’s points of error in light of Boykin.
. Now called the Texas Department of Criminal Justice — Institutional Division.
. The court of appeals addressed appellant's points of error under § 482.002 of the Health & Safety Code, although appellant was prosecuted pursuant to Art. 4476-15b. The court of appeals correctly notes that Art. 4476-15b was repealed and recodiñed with the adoption of the Health & Safety Code. See Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, §§ 1 and 13(1), eff. Sept. 1, 1989. However, the indictment in this cause alleges appellant committed this offense "on or about February 10, 1989” and, therefore, Art. 4476-15b, which was in effect at the time, is applicable.