Appeals Court Decisions about Judge Bill Miller’s Rulings
JUDGE BILL MILLER
PRESIDING
82. February 21, 2024, State v. Charles Carter, Trial Cause 22F0222-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — Criminal, Sentenced: Life, $10,000 fine)
TxkToday • KTBS
81. December 5, 2023, In Re Andrew Lee Gray, 2003F00119, Writ of Mandamus, Writ Denied
(Cass County)
80. October 5, 2023, State v. Vontrequel Nickleberry, 2021F00267, Affirmed
(Cass County — Criminal, Sentenced: 50 years, $10,000 fine.)
KLTV • Texarkana Gazette • KSLA • KTBS • Cass County Sun-Journal
79. September 22, 2023, State v. Joshua Lowe, Trial Cause 21F1014-005, Affirmed as Modified
(Court of Appeals removed $25 in fees)
(Bowie County — Criminal, Sentenced: Life, no parole)
TxkToday • Texarkana Gazette • KLSA
78. August 31, 2023, State v. Kamorion Meachem, 21F1516-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — Criminal, Sentenced: 25 years)
TxkToday • Texarkana Gazette
77. August 25, 2023, State v. Christy Wedgworth, 21F1055-005, 21F1056-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — Criminal, Sentenced: 60 years)
TxkToday • Texarkana Gazette • KTAL
76. July 6, 2023, State v. Thomas Mahon, 2021F00074, 2021F00075, 2021F00076, 2021F00105, Affirmed
(Cass County — Criminal, Sentenced: 65 years)
Cass County Sun-Journal
75. June 9, 2023, State v. Christopher Vaughn, 19F0565-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — Criminal Case, Sentenced: 10 years)
74. May 19, 2023, State v Kevin Shepard, 2020F00207, Affirmed
(Cass County — Criminal, Sentenced: Life without parole)
(KSLA •Texarkana Gazette • KLTV • Cass County Sun-Journal )
73. April 27, 2023, State v. Reece, 21F0725-005, Affirmed on Guilt,
and Reversed and Remanded for further proceedings on Punishment.
(Bowie County — Criminal, Sentenced 45 years)
(Remanded for new trial on punishment based on enhancements based on multiple declared disaster declarations. In February 2024, Defendant plead Guilty to two additional charges. On each of the three cases, Defendant was sentenced to 13 years, in accordance with the state’s plea bargain. The Court ordered the sentences to run consecutively.)
72. March 10, 2023, State v. Cook, Trial Causes 2019F00062, 2019F00101, 2019F00102, Affirmed
6th Court of Appeals, Affirmed after remand from the Court of Criminal Appeals January 11, 2023
71. January 11, 2023, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals PD-8050-1, 0853-21, & 854-21
Reversing the 6th Court of Appeals’ reversal of the Trial Court and
remanding to the 6th Court of Appeals for further consideration
70. October 20, 2021, State v. Cook, Trial Cause Nos. 2019F00062, 2019F00101, 2019F00102,
Reversed and Remanded for new trial (this ruling reversed above)
(Cass County — criminal case, Sentenced: 40 + 40 years)
(Ark-La-Tex Homepage)
69. November 29, 2022, In the Interest of C.F., a Child, Trial Cause 20S0025-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — Family Case)
68. November 17, 2022, State v. Lawson, Trial Cause No. 2021F00028, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 99 years.)
Texarkana Gazette ° Cass County Journal-Sun ° KETK News
67. September 28, 2022, State v. Gatewood, Trial Cause No. 21F0801-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 8 years.)
66. June 15, 2022, Thompson v. Latham, Trial Cause No. 20C0991-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — civil case related to default judgments.)
65. June 7, 2022, State v. Easter, Trial Cause No. 19F0911-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: Life)
64. May 3, 2022, State v. Alexander, Trial Cause 2019F00223, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 60 years)
63. April 1, 2022, State v. Golatt, Trial Cause 18F0972-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 8 years)
62. March 18, 2022, State v. Meadors, Trial Cause 21F01240-005, Modified and Affirmed
(Court of Appeals removed costs as modification)
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 15 years)
61. March 7, 2022, State v. Falkowski, Trial Cause 19F0210-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: Life)
Texarkana Gazette ° TxkToday
60. January 7, 2022, State v. Matthews, Trial Cause 18F0588-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal — post conviction DNA testing)
59. October 22, 2021, State v. Bolton, Trial Cause No. 2016F00005, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal — post-conviction DNA testing)
58. August 31, 2021, Barrow Shaver Resources Co. LLC, Kathryn M. Dawson and Michael Ray Hill vs. NETX Acquisitions, LLC, and Thomas C. Merritt, Trustee, Reversed
(Cass County — civil Oil & Gas —Reversing interpretation of a Deed)
57. July 16, 2021, State v. Taylor, Trial Cause 18F1293-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 40 years)
(1st jury trial in Texas during COVID-19 pandemic)
List of Approved Jury Trials during COVID-19 pandemic
Txk Today ° Texarkana Gazette
56. May 26, 2021, State v. Horner, Trial Cause No. 2019F00067, 2019F00145, Affirmed
(Cass County – criminal case. Sentenced: 20 years, 10 years, stacked)
East Tex. Radio ° ArkLaTexHomepage
55. January 29, 2021, State v. Smith, Trial Cause 18F1193-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 7 years)
TxkToday ° Texarkana Gazette
54. December 29, 2020, State v. Gipson, Trial Cause No. 10F0430-005, Affirmed as Modified
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 10 years)
(Modified judgment to rename status of plea, recognizing Defendant entered a plea bargain with State limiting maximum sentence to 10 years.)
TxkToday ° Texarkana Gazette
53. December 9, 2020, State v. Barnett, Trial Cause No. 18F0717-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 25 years)
Txk Today ° Texarkana Gazette
52. November 25, 2020, State v. Turner, Trial Cause No. 17F0520-005, Affirmed as Modified
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 30 years)
(Modified to remove $100 in costs)
TXK Today ° Texarkana Gazette
51. November 18, 2020, State v. Willis, Trial Cause No. 18F1425-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 99 years)
TXK Today ° Texarkana Gazette
50. November 4, 2020, State v. Reynolds, Trial Cause No. 2019F00093, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: Life)
Cass County Now ° TxkToday
49. September 2, 2020, State v. Carter, Trial Cause 2019F00047, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: Life)
48. August 12, 2020, State v. Orocio, Trial Causes Nos. 2019F00125, 2019F00146, 2019F00147, Affirmed, Affirmed as Modified
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 25 +10 + 10)
(Modified judgment to delete costs of court and correct typo in date of offense)
Cass County Now
47. August 4, 2020, State v. Price, Trial Cause No. 19F00029, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 25 years)
46. July 2, 2020, State v. Wright, Trial Cause No. 18F0377-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 99 years)
Txk Today ° Texarkana Gazette
45. July 2, 2020, State v. Morgan, Trial Cause No. 17F0521-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 24 months State Jail Facility)
44. June 17, 2020, State v. Peoples, Trial Cause No. 18F1144-005, Affirmed as Modified.
(Appeals Court amended judgment to include enhancement language for range of punishment)
(Bowie County —criminal case. Sentenced: 40 years)
43. March 18, 2020, In Re: Commitment of Daniel Allen Metcalf,
Trial Cause No. 17C1549-005, Affirmed.
(A civil trial regarding whether the Defendant was a “Sexually Violent Predator” and, if so, whether the State of Texas could order his civil commitment for treatment in a State lockdown treatment facility after he served his criminal sentence. Defendant was found to be an SVP and committed to a treatment facility.)
42. February 12, 2020, State v. Cabrera, Trial Cause Nos. 18F00341, 18F00342, & 18F00361, Affirmed.
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 65 years, 20 and 20, with the 20s stacked on the 65.)
41. January 16, 2020, State v. Matthews, Trial Cause No. 18F0588-005, Affirmed.
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: Life)
40. December 16, 2019, State v. Walker, Trial Cause No. 18F0897-005, Affirmed.
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 55 years.)
39. October 9, 2019, State v. Jones, Trial Cause No. 16F1126-005, Affirmed.
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced 35 years.)
38. September 19, 2019, State v. James, Trial Cause No. 17F1273-005, Affirmed.
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: Life.)
37. August 30, 2019, Curtis v. Urbina, Et. Al., Trial Cause No. 12C1341-005, Affirmed.
(Bowie County — Medical Malpractice.)
36. July 24, 2019, State v. MetCalf, Trial Cause No. 17C1549-005, Reversed.
(Court of Appeals ordered a free transcript for a Defendant on appeal of the jury’s finding that he was a sexually violent predator, reversing Judge Miller’s denial of a free transcript).
35. July 23, 2019, State v. Wolfenbarger, Trial Cause No. 16F1160-005, Affirmed. (Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: Life.)
34. July 23, 2019, State v. Lewis, Trial Cause No. 18F0325-005, Affirmed.
(Bowie County— criminal case. Sentenced: Life + $10,000 fine.)
33. June 19, 2019, State v. May, Trial Cause No. 2018F00027, Affirmed.
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced 25 years.)
32. June 17, 2019, State v. Nelson, Trial Cause Nos. 17F1099, 17F1100, 17F1101, 17F1102, 17F1103-005, Affirmed as Modified.
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 5 life sentences)
(Appeal Court modified Judge Miller’s “stacking” of Defendant’s 5 life sentences and ordered them to run concurrently — at the same time.)
31. May 22, 2019, In Re Aaron Lucas, Mandamus Denied, Appellate Cause No. 06-19-00086-CR.
(Bowie County — Criminal, denial of request to Mandamus the Court)
30. April 4, 2019, State v. Staner, Trial Cause No. 18F00288, Affirmed.
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 80 years.)
29. February 28, 2019, State v. Epps, Trial Cause No. 17F00133, Affirmed.
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced 55 years.)
28. February 8, 2019, Smale v. Williams, Trial Cause No. 18C156, Affirmed.
(Cass County — civil case).
27. February 6, 2019, In the Matter of the Marriage of Nikki Lanelle Christensen and Dean Christensen, Jr. and in the Interest of W.C., a Child,Trial Cause No. 17D0769-005, Affirmed.
(Bowie County — family law case)
26. December 19, 2018, Roderick v. State of Texas, Trial Cause No. 14F0004-005, Affirmed.
(Bowie County — criminal case)
25. September 19, 2018, Carrigan v. State of Texas, Trial Cause No. 2016F00081, Affirmed.
(Cass County — criminal case)
24. September 12, 2018, State v. Beham, Trial Cause No. 14F0004-005, Affirmed.
(Bowie County — Criminal. Sentenced: 40 years.)
23. August 30, 2018, Ricks, Jr. v. State of Texas, Trial Cause No. 14F1149-005, Affirmed,
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 35 years)
22. July 31, 2018, Taylor v. State of Texas, Affirmed on all causes,
Trial Cause Nos. 2017F00159, 2017F00160, 2017F00161, 2017F00162, 2017F00163, 2017F00164, 2017F00165, 2017F00166, 2017F00167
(Cass County — criminal cases. Sentence: 20+20+20 years, stacked. 15+15+ 15 years run together, but stacked on top of the last 20 year sentence. Plus, 10 years, 10 years and 10 years, run together, stacked on top of the 15 year sentences. 85 years total.)
21. May 17, 2018, Peters v. State of Texas, Trial Cause No. 16F0827-005, Affirmed,
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 15 years)
20. March 30, 2018, Lucas v. State of Texas, Trial Cause Nos. 14F0217-005, 13F0422-005, Affirmed,
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: Life and $10,000 fine + Life and $10,000 fine, stacked.)
19. March 23, 2018, State v. Bolton, Trial Cause Nos. 16F00005, 16F00006, 16F00025, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal. Sentenced: 50 +10 +10 years, stacked.)
18. February 23, 2018, Singleton v. Bowman, Trial Cause No. 13C0211-005, Remanded,
(Bowie County — civil case) (remanded on issue of whether trial starts on first day of trial or day jury first hears evidence—relating to admissibility of certain evidence. Plaintiff demanded $1.4 million, Jury returned verdict of $12,000. Case settled by the parties before re-trial.)
17. February 22, 2018, Webb v. State of Texas, Trial Cause No. 15F0870-005, Affirmed,
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: Life + Life, stacked)
16. January 23, 2018, In Re: Lee Vert Smith, Writ of Mandamus Denied
15. December 22, 2017, Redmond v. State of Texas, Trial Cause No. 16F00125, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 25 + 25 years, stacked)
14. November 15, 2017, Dee v. State of Texas, Trial Cause No. 2016F0112, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 2 years State Jail, $5,000 fine.)
13. November 2, 2017, Coleman v. State of Texas, Trial Cause No. 16F1074-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal case. Sentenced: 20 + 15 + 10 years, stacked.)
12. September 20, 2017, State v. Land, Trial Cause No. 15F0235, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal. Sentenced: 45 years)
11. July 6, 2017, State v. Harrell, Trial Cause No. 15F0778-005, Reversed and Remanded for new trial. (Appellate Court held the Judge Miller erred in admitting evidence of other sexual offenses.)
(After remand, the State dismissed two charges and, on 12-26-2018, entered a plea agreement with Defendant for 10 years.)
10. May 19, 2017, State v. Nard, Trial Cause No. 15F00295, Affirmed
(Cass County — Criminal. Sentenced: 65 years and 70 years.)
9. April 21, 2017, State v. Reid, Trial Cause No. 15F177, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal. Sentenced: 10 years.)
8. January 27, 2017, State v. Coleman, Trial Cause No. 15F0535-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — Criminal. Sentenced: 20 years and $10,000 + Life and $10,000, + Life and $10,000.)
7. September 27, 2016, State v. Kennedy, Trial Cause No. 12F00232, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 2 years, $10,000 fine, sentence suspended and placed on probation as required by Jury)
6. March 20, 2017, State v. Hendrix, Trial Cause No. 2014F00198, Affirmed
(Cass County — Criminal. Sentenced: 65 years)
5. October 27, 2016, State v. Fininen, Trial Cause No. 15F00270, Affirmed
(Cass County — Criminal. Sentenced: 40 years.)
4. August 4, 2016, Miller v. Thomas, Trial Cause No. 13C00313, Affirmed as Modified
(Appeals Court removed a party as judgment creditor)
(Cass County — Civil)
3. April 14, 2016, State v. Allie, Trial Cause No. 15F0232-005, Affirmed
(Bowie County — criminal. Four counts indecency with child.
Sentenced: 20+20 20+20 years, $10,000 fine, stacked)
2. December 31, 2015, State v. Hall, Trial Cause No. 13F00107, Affirmed
(Cass County — criminal case. Sentenced: 15 + 15 years)
1. December 3, 2015, State v. Leslie, Trial Cause eno. 13F1027-005, Affirmed as modified
(Appeals court removed deadly weapon finding from felon in possession of firearm conviction)
(Bowie — Criminal, Sentenced: 50 years)