I am trying to determine the disposition of gambling paraphernalia in a case in which there was no conviction. The defendant was found deceased prior to any conviction, which ultimately caused the case to be dismissed. Article 18.18 of the CCP indicates what steps are to be taken through the Magistrate and the person from whom the seizure was made, however, what happens in this particular case when it comes to the disposition of the evidence? I don't believe that civil asset/forfeiture applies due to the evidentiary value of the gambling devices.