Steven Morrison, Appellant v. the State of Texas, Appellee

Summary

The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the Court of Appeals' decision that the trial court abused its discretion by allowing jurors to submit written questions to witnesses, a practice not authorized by Texas law and contrary to the adversary system. The majority held that no harmless‑error analysis is required and that the practice is impermissible. The opinion also includes a concurrence and multiple dissents discussing policy and procedural concerns.