The jury wimped out, 35 years, out in half that. I doubt he will do anywhere near that time after the appeal that the jury was "biased" and that he didn't get a "fair" trial because there were no black jurors, which would have resulted in a hung jury.
After the successful appeal, there will be a new trial with black jurors resulting in a hung jury due to 'jury nullification' and then the DA will simply decide not to appeal any further. I hope to be proven wrong.
I don't see either the Court of Criminal Appeal or the Fifth Circuit vacating verdict or sentence on racial composition. The prosecution made minimal use of pre-emptory challenges on the black veniremen - they were discharged for very clear cause. Batson does not stand for the proposition that a black defendant is entitled to one or more black juror even if clearly disqualified from service.