Rivera, Jose Angel ( 2009 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS

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NO. WR-72,845-01

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EX PARTE JOSE ANGEL RIVERA, Applicant

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ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 01-CR-77 IN THE 381ST DISTRICT COURT FROM STARR 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 was convicted of murder and sentenced to 65 years' imprisonment. The Fourth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Rivera v. State, No. 04-02-00576-CR, (Tex. App.- San Antonio, 2005, no pet.) (not designated for publication).

Applicant alleges inter alia that the State coerced him into pleading guilty by threatening him that he would be sentenced to death unless he entered a guilty plea. Applicant alleges that he was confused when he entered his plea and could not understand the trial judge's admonishments. Applicant alleges that counsel solely advised him to plead guilty and failed to advise him as to his other options including his right to go to trial. Finally, Applicant alleges that counsel's pre-trial investigation was deficient as counsel failed to discover that Applicant was initially charged with tampering with evidence and that the evidence did not support the State's re-indictment for murder. 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. 1997), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact. The trial court may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d) to resolve the fact issues. In the appropriate case, the trial court may rely on its personal recollection. Id. The trial court shall order trial counsel to file an affidavit addressing the following: (1) whether the facts in the case supported a capital murder charge; (2) whether Applicant understood the trial judge's admonishment and the consequences of his plea; (3) whether counsel advised Applicant to plead guilty, and if so, why; and, (4) whether counsel's pre-trial investigation indicated that Applicant was initially charged with tampering with evidence and, if so, whether the evidence supported the State's re-indictment for murder. The trial court shall also instruct the clerk to supplement the record with a copy of the transcription of the court reporter's notes from the plea hearing.

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 in regard to Applicant's claim that his plea was involuntary. Specifically, the trial court shall make findings of fact as to whether the facts in the case supported a capital murder charge. The trial court shall also make findings of fact as to whether Applicant understood the trial judge's admonishment and the consequences of his plea. The trial court shall also make findings of fact as to whether counsel advised Applicant to plead guilty. The trial court shall also make findings of fact as to whether counsel's pre-trial investigation indicated that Applicant was initially charged with tampering with evidence and, if so, whether the evidence supported the State's re-indictment for murder. 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 claims 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: November 18, 2009

Do not publish