Johnson, Kenneth Wayne ( 2016 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-83,878-02
EX PARTE KENNETH WAYNE JOHNSON, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. C34800-CR IN THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW
FROM NAVARRO COUNTY
Per curiam. ALCALA, J., concurs.
ORDER
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the
clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of engaging in
organized criminal activity and sentenced to eighteen years’ imprisonment. He did not appeal his
conviction. Applicant’s initial habeas application (the -01) asked for a late appeal. Relief was denied.
Applicant has now filed a second habeas application (this -02) challenging the conviction. The
application is not barred as subsequent. TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07 § 4; Ex parte McPherson,
32 S.W.3d 860, 861 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).
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Applicant raises many claims alleging that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance,
including the failure to notify of a plea agreement, to investigate, and to call witnesses at trial, and
it appears he claims counsel failed to impeach witness testimony with plea deals the witnesses had
made with the State. There is no affidavit from trial counsel or findings from the trial court.
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 668 (1984); Ex parte Patterson, 993 S.W.2d 114, 115 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). In these
circumstances, additional facts are needed. As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294
(Tex. Crim. App. 1960), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact. The trial court
shall order trial counsel to respond to Applicant’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. The
trial court may use any means set out in TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d).
If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent.
If Applicant is indigent and wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint an
attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing. TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 26.04.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether the
performance of Applicant’s trial counsel was deficient and, if so, whether counsel’s deficient
performance prejudiced Applicant. The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact and
conclusions of law that it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant’s claim for
habeas corpus relief.
This application will be held in abeyance until the trial court has resolved the fact issues. The
issues shall be resolved within 90 days of this order. A supplemental transcript containing all
affidavits and interrogatories or the transcription of the court reporter’s notes from any hearing or
deposition, along with the trial court’s supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall
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be forwarded to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order. Any extensions of time must
be requested by the trial court and shall be obtained from this Court.
Filed: October 19, 2016
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