Judge Stephanie Boyd defers guilt after no-contest pleas in two Anzaduwa cases; defendant set for PSI and TAP evaluation

At a hearing in the 187th District Court, Judge Stephanie Boyd accepted no-contest pleas from Joshua Anzaduwa in two criminal cases and deferred findings of guilt while finding an enhancement true.

The court called cause numbers 2024CR006799 and 2024CR3794, describing the first as an assault on a peace officer or judge and the second as evading arrest with a vehicle with a repeater count. The judge told Anzaduwa the range of punishment in each case is two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine; the plea bargain in these matters caps punishment at 10 years. The state noted it was opposed to community supervision and to deferred adjudication, but the court nevertheless deferred a finding of guilt on both cases and found the enhancement true based on the stipulated evidence.

Judge Boyd told Anzaduwa she would base her decision on the application for deferred adjudication on any evidence submitted at the March 20 reset, saying, "I'll base my decision on your application based upon any evidence that's submitted to me." The judge also directed that Anzaduwa undergo a pre-sentence investigation (PSI) and a TAP evaluation and return to court on March 20 for further consideration.

Defense counsel entered pleas of no contest in both causes and answered "true" to the enhancement. The state offered stipulated exhibits and the court admitted state exhibits 1 and attachments for consideration. The court found the evidence sufficient to support a guilty finding but deferred that finding because of the defendant's application for deferred adjudication.

The record shows Anzaduwa waived a jury trial, waived reading of the indictments, reviewed and signed plea paperwork and the waiver of appeal paragraph, and consented to stipulations of testimony. The judge cautioned Anzaduwa to attend probation appointments and explained that the PSI and TAP evaluations would inform the court's later decision.

Court minutes list related cause numbers the state said it would consider in sentencing: 2024CR006796, 2024CR006798, and 2024CR007768. The court set a March 20 status/reset for submission of PSI and TAP results and further argument on the deferred adjudication application.

Less-critical procedural items noted on the record include counsel confirming discovery compliance and that no live testimony would be presented because the case rested on stipulations and written exhibits.

Next steps: Anzaduwa must complete the PSI and TAP evaluation and return to the 187th District Court on March 20 so Judge Boyd can rule on the deferred adjudication application.