Boone v. State

OPINION

EVA M. GUZMAN, Justice.

Appellant Ralph Boone challenges his conviction for possession of cocaine on the grounds that the trial court erred in (1) overruling his Batson challenge and (2) ordering him restrained in handcuffs for the duration of the trial. Because we conclude the trial court committed harmful error by ordering appellant handcuffed during the proceedings, we reverse and remand for a new trial.

I.Factual and Procedural Background

On the afternoon of October 20, 2004, appellant was driving a maroon Buick in a Houston neighborhood notorious to police for narcotics complaints.…