In Re Kenneth Chambless v. the State of Texas

In The

Court of Appeals

Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont

__________________

NO. 09-25-00527-CR
__________________

IN RE KENNETH CHAMBLESS

__________________________________________________________________

Original Proceeding
435th District Court of Montgomery County, Texas
Trial Cause Nos. 24-04-05352 & 24-04-05529
__________________________________________________________________

MEMORANDUM OPINION

In a petition for a writ of mandamus, Kenneth Chambless asks this Court to

direct the trial court either to sever the trial of his two offenses and grant a speedy

trial or dismiss the charges. Chambless concedes that he raised the complaints in

motions he filed pro se and that he is currently represented by counsel in the trial

court. Chambless argues the trial court should have granted Chambless leave to file

pro se motions because his cases are “very unique” when compared to other cases

with issues of insanity and competency to stand trial, in that Chambless offered to

relinquish certain rights if his cases went to trial within 60 days.

1
To obtain mandamus relief in a criminal case, the relator must show that he

has no adequate remedy at law and what he seeks to compel is ministerial, involving

no discretion. In re State ex rel. Best, 616 S.W.3d 594, 599 (Tex. Crim. App. 2021)

(orig. proceeding). Criminal defendants are generally not entitled to hybrid

representation, and “a trial court is free to disregard any pro se motions presented by

a defendant who is represented by counsel.” Robinson v. State, 240 S.W.3d 919, 922

(Tex. Crim. App. 2007). After reviewing the mandamus petition and the additional

materials Chambless submitted with the petition, we conclude Chambless has not

shown that he is entitled to mandamus relief. Accordingly, we deny the petition for

a writ of mandamus. Any pending motions addressed to this Court are denied as

moot.

PETITION DENIED.

PER CURIAM

Submitted on January 27, 2026
Opinion Delivered January 28, 2026
Do Not Publish

Before Golemon, C.J., Wright and Chambers, JJ.

2