Johnson, Eric Eugene ( 2023 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-90,338-02
EX PARTE ERIC EUGENE JOHNSON, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. W05-57889-1(B) IN THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT NO. 2
FROM DALLAS COUNTY
Per curiam.
OPINION
Applicant was convicted of capital murder and automatically sentenced to life imprisonment
without the possibility of parole. The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Johnson
v. State, No. 05-06-01237-CR. (Tex. App. -- Dallas, Feb. 7, 2008, no pet.). Applicant filed this
application for a writ of habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded
it to this Court. See TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07.
Applicant contends, among other things, 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
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States Constitution under Miller v. Alabama.1 The trial court has determined, and the State agrees,
that Applicant’s sentence violates Miller.
We agree. Relief is granted. The sentence in Cause No. F-0557889-1 in the Criminal
District Court No. 2 of Dallas County is vacated, and Applicant is remanded to the custody of the
Sheriff of Dallas 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.
Based on the trial court’s findings of fact, as well as this Court’s independent review of
the entire record, we deny relief on Applicant’s remaining claims.
Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-
Correctional Institutions Division and Pardons and Paroles Division.
Delivered: April 12, 2023
Do not publish
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567 U.S. 460, 132 S. Ct. 2455, 183 L. Ed. 2d 407 (2012).