Weir, Colton ( 2014 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-82,410-01
EX PARTE COLTON WEIR, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. F136672006 IN THE 420TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM NACOGDOCHES COUNTY
Per curiam.
OPINION
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 capital murder
and sentenced to imprisonment for life without parole. The Twelfth Court of Appeals affirmed his
conviction. Weir v. State, No. 12-06-00408-CR (Tex. App.—Tyler Jun. 11, 2008) (not designated
for publication).
Applicant contends that his mandatory sentence of life without parole for a crime he
committed when he was a juvenile violates the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution
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under Miller v. Alabama.1 He also alleges that Miller should be construed to apply retroactively and
he should be subject to a punishment range of 5–40 years’ imprisonment. While this application was
pending in Nacogdoches County, this Court decided that Miller applies retroactively to a claim raised
in a post-conviction proceeding and determined the appropriate available punishment at sentencing.
Ex parte Maxwell, 424 S.W.3d 66 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014).
The trial court has determined that Applicant’s sentence violates Miller. Relief is granted.
The sentence in Cause No. F136672006 in the 420th District Court of Nacogdoches County is
vacated, and Applicant is remanded to the custody of the Sheriff of Nacogdoches County for further
sentencing proceedings to permit the factfinder to assess Applicant’s sentence at (1) life with the
possibility of parole or (2) life without parole after consideration of Applicant’s individual conduct,
circumstances, and character. The trial court shall issue any necessary bench warrant within 10 days
after the mandate of this Court issues.
Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Correctional
Institutions Division and Pardons and Paroles Division.
Delivered: December 10, 2014
Do not publish
1
132 S. Ct. 2455 (2012).