Adkins, Joseph Lee

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-90,186-01
EX PARTE JOSEPH LEE ADKINS, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 18208-A IN THE 115TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM UPSHUR 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 pleaded guilty to murder and was
sentenced pursuant to a plea agreement to life imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.
Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because trial counsel
failed to advise him about available defenses, failed to secure an expert or a hearing to have
Applicant evaluated for sanity at the time of the offense and competency to stand trial, and coerced
Applicant into pleading guilty knowing that he was not competent to do so and without advising him
of the nature and consequences of the plea or of any other available options.
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Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 668 (1984); Ex parte Patterson, 993 S.W.2d 114, 115 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). 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 trial counsel to respond to Applicant’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. 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 supplement the habeas record with copies of any written admonishments
and with a transcript of the plea proceedings. The trial court shall make findings of fact and
conclusions of law as to whether the performance of Applicant’s trial counsel was deficient and, if
so, whether counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced Applicant. The trial court shall make
findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether Applicant’s plea was knowingly and voluntarily
entered. 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.
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Filed: August 21, 2019
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