Fultner, Stephen Blane ( 2019 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-89,355-01
EX PARTE STEPHEN BLANE FULTNER, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 14-0307X(A) IN THE 71ST DISTRICT COURT
FROM HARRISON COUNTY
Per curiam.
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 two counts of
aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to thirty-five years’ imprisonment for each count. The Sixth
Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Fultner v. State, No. 06-16-00045-CR (Tex.
App.—Texarkana Nov. 4, 2006)(not designated for publication).
Applicant contends that his appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance because counsel
failed to timely notify Applicant that his conviction had been affirmed.
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington,
2
466 U.S. 668 (1984); Ex parte Wilson, 956 S.W.2d 25 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). 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 appellate counsel to respond to Applicant’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on
appeal. 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 Applicant’s
appellate counsel timely informed Applicant that his conviction had been affirmed. 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
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: January 30, 2019
Do not publish