IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-83,252-02
EX PARTE ROBERT DION WILLIAMS, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 1099166 IN THE 183RD DISTRICT COURT
FROM HARRIS 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 was convicted of capital murder
and sentenced to life imprisonment. The First Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Williams
v. State, No. 01-09-00971-CR (Tex. App. — Houston [1st Dist.] December 16, 2010) (not designated
for publication).
The trial court recommends that this application be dismissed as non-compliant, because
Applicant has inserted additional pages into the habeas form in support of each ground for review.
While the insertion of additional pages might render a habeas application non-compliant if filed now,
when Applicant filed his application in the trial court in 2012, it was in compliance with the form
requirements of Rule 73.1 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Applicant contends, among other things,1 that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
because counsel failed to adequately investigate, interview or call favorable witnesses, or allow
Applicant to testify on his own behalf.
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.
Specifically, trial counsel shall describe the investigation he performed in this case. Trial counsel
shall state whether he attempted to subpoena telephone records or cell phone tower records from the
victim’s telephone, the victim’s girlfriend’s telephone, and Applicant’s cell phone. Trial counsel
shall state whether he interviewed Henrietta Davis and Jeffery Johnson, and if so, whether they
would have been available and willing to testify favorably as to Applicant’s alibi. Trial counsel shall
state whether Applicant was advised that the decision of whether or not to testify on his own behalf
was his own, and if so, whether Applicant indicated that he wanted to testify. The trial court may
use any means set out in TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d). In the appropriate case, the trial
court may rely on its personal recollection. Id.
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
1
This Court has considered Applicant’s other claims and finds them to be without merit.
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 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 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 shall
be obtained from this Court.
Filed: August 26, 2015
Do not publish