Gonzalez, Ex Parte Erik Rueda ( 2007 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS

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NO. AP-75,781

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EX PARTE ERIK RUEDA GONZALEZ, Applicant

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ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 0839696D IN THE 371^ST CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT

FROM TARRANT COUNTY

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   Per curiam.

O P I N I O N  

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 writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to two life sentences, running concurrently. The Second Court of Appeals affirmed his convictions. Gonzalez v. State, No. 02-04-057-CR (Tex. App.-Fort Worth, delivered June 23, 2005, pet. ref'd).

Applicant contends that his convictions violate the Double Jeopardy Clause of the US Constitution. Applicant was indicted for killing two individuals during the same criminal episode. Under Section 19.03 of the Texas Penal Code, killing more than one person during the same criminal transaction is capital murder. This is one offense of capital murder under Tex. Penal Code Sec. 19.03 (a)(7)(A). Saenz v. State, 166 S.W.3d 270, 272 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). Applicant is entitled to relief.

Relief is granted. The judgment in count two of Cause No. 0839696D in the 371^st Judicial District Court of Tarrant County is vacated and set aside. All challenges to the judgment in count one are denied. Applicant's claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and violation under the Vienna Convention are denied.

Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Correctional Institutions Division and Parole Division.

Delivered: October 10, 2007

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