IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-66,224-02
JORGE LUIS RODRIGUEZ, RELATOR
v.
208TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RESPONDENT
CAUSE NO. 9417160-A
FROM HARRIS COUNTY
O R D E R
Relator has filed a motion for leave to file an application for a writ of mandamus pursuant to the original jurisdiction of this Court. In it, he contends that he filed an 11.07 application for a writ of habeas corpus in the 208th Judicial District Court of Harris County in March 2003, but that the writ still has not been forwarded to this Court. He alleges that the trial judge held an evidentiary hearing in March 2004 and is inclined to grant relief, but is waiting for the State to submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. Relator contends that he filed another mandamus application complaining about the same issue and that this Court denied leave to file with written order urging the district judge to enter findings of fact and conclusions of law and to forward Relator's 11.07 application. However, to this date, the application has not been forwarded to this Court.
Relator's allegations are supported by the record. This Court denied leave to file with written order on January 24, 2007. In our order, we explained that "[a] trial judge has no ministerial duty under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07 to enter findings within a specified time period; the period is within the trial judge's discretion." Although we hesitated to say what period was unreasonable, we explained that the period in Relator's case (at that time two years and nine months) was "unreasonable, particularly in light of the trial judge's recommendation [to grant relief.]" "We urge[d] the trial judge to promptly enter findings of fact and forward Relator's habeas application to this Court." To this date, we still have not received the record in Relator's 11.07 application. At this time, three years and seven months have passed since the habeas hearing. Now we order the respondent, the judge of the 208th District Court of Harris County, to file a response by having the District Clerk forward the record in the 11.07 application; including the transcription of the court reporter's notes from the habeas hearing. We also urge the trial judge to forward findings of fact and conclusions of law, if possible. This application for leave to file a writ of mandamus will be held in abeyance until the respondent has submitted the appropriate response. Such response shall be submitted within 10 days of the date of this order.
Filed: November 14, 2007
Do not publish.