Darks, Quentin

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-91,752-01
EX PARTE QUENTIN DARKS, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 17-01-12,618-A IN THE 24TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM DEWITT COUNTY
Per curiam.
ORDER
Applicant pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to sixty years’ imprisonment.
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 plea was involuntary because trial counsel
provided ineffective assistance. Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief.
Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52 (1985); Ex parte Argent, 393 S.W.3d 781 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013).
Accordingly, the record should be developed. The trial court is the appropriate forum for findings
of fact. TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d). The trial court shall order trial counsel to
respond to Applicant’s claims of ineffective assistance by explaining counsel’s representation of
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Applicant, including applicable strategy and tactical decisions. In developing the record, the trial
court may use any means set out in Article 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 wants to be represented
by counsel, the trial court shall appoint counsel to represent him at the hearing. See TEX . CODE
CRIM . PROC. art. 26.04. If counsel is appointed or retained, the trial court shall immediately notify
this Court of counsel’s name.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding Applicant’s
habeas claims. The trial court may also make any other findings and conclusions that it deems
appropriate.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law within ninety days from
the date of this order. The district clerk shall then immediately forward to this Court the trial court’s
findings and conclusions and the record developed on remand, including, among other things,
affidavits, motions, objections, proposed findings and conclusions, orders, and transcripts from
hearings and depositions. See TEX . R. APP . P. 73.4(b)(4). Any extensions of time must be requested
by the trial court and obtained from this Court.
Filed: October 7, 2020
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