DocketNumber： WR-72,017-04
Filed Date： 6/9/2010
Status： Precedential
Modified Date： 9/16/2015
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 was convicted of attempted capital murder and sentenced to seventy-five years' imprisonment. The Eighth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Franco v. State, No. 08-06-00280-CR (Tex. App.-El Paso 2007, pet. ref'd).
Applicant contends, among other things, that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because he failed to investigate State's Exhibit Nos. 7 and 27 and to discover that the driver's side window of Applicant's car was not rolled down, as the State argued at trial. He also contends that counsel should have objected and requested a mistrial after Officer David Waters testified that the window was rolled down. 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 order trial counsel 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).
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 him at the hearing. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04.
The trial court shall first make findings of fact as to whether State's Exhibit Nos. 7 and 27 accurately depict the driver's side window of Applicant's car when the offense was committed. The trial court shall then make conclusions of law as to whether the performance of trial counsel was deficient and, if so, whether his 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: June 9, 2010
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