Graves, Gary ( 2008 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS

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NO. WR-70,374-01

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EX PARTE GARY GRAVES, Applicant

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ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 32144A IN THE 33^RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FROM BURNET COUNTY

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   Per curiam. O R D E R  

   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 pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with an affirmative deadly weapon finding. He did not appeal his conviction.

Applicant contends, inter alia, that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because

counsel failed to advise him of the possibility of disputing the deadly weapon allegation. The indictment alleged that Applicant committed the offense of driving while intoxicated, and that Applicant used or displayed his vehicle as a deadly weapon. Applicant alleges that after he pleaded guilty to the offense of driving while intoxicated, he was asked how he pleaded to the deadly weapon allegation. Applicant apparently expressed some confusion as to why he needed to enter a separate plea to the deadly weapon allegation. According to Applicant, the trial judge told him that driving the vehicle while he was intoxicated made the vehicle a deadly weapon, and because he had already pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, he interpreted the judge's statement to mean that the affirmative deadly weapon finding was automatic. Applicant alleges that counsel was ineffective for failing to properly explain the affirmative deadly weapon allegation to him, and failing to explain that he could plead guilty to the offense of driving while intoxicated without pleading true to the deadly weapon allegation.

Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 608 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). 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 provide Applicant's trial counsel with the opportunity to respond to Applicant's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. The trial court may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d). In the appropriate case, the trial court may rely on its personal recollection. Id.

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 as to whether counsel advised Applicant as to the meaning and consequences of an affirmative deadly weapon finding prior to the entry of the plea. The trial court shall also make findings as to whether Applicant's plea of true to the deadly weapon allegation was a part of the plea agreement, and as to whether Applicant was instructed that he could plead guilty to the offense of driving while intoxicated without pleading true to the deadly weapon allegation. The trial court shall make findings as to whether the performance of Applicant's trial attorney 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. If any continuances are granted, a copy of the order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court. 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 returned to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order. Any extensions of time shall be obtained from this Court.

Filed: September 24, 2008

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