IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
EX PARTE NEWMAN ELMO JONES III, Applicant
CAUSE NO. CR-01-19324 IN THE 91ST DISTRICT COURT
FROM EASTLAND COUNTY
O R D E R
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 aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment. The Eleventh Court of Appeals dismissed his appeal. Jones v. State, No. 11-04-00136-CR (Tex. App.-Eastland, Feb. 2, 2006, pet. ref'd).
Applicant contends, among other things, that during punishment trial counsel failed to present mitigation testimony of twenty-five witnesses and to interview and call an expert on the treatment and rehabilitation of sex offenders. On October 8, 2008, we remanded this application for findings of fact and conclusions of law. On remand, the trial court made findings of fact and concluded that trial counsel's performance was not deficient and that Applicant was not prejudiced. Finding that the record was not adequate to resolve Applicant's claims, on June 24, 2009, we remanded this application for further findings and conclusions and ordered the trial court to hold a live evidentiary hearing.
On remand, the trial court made further findings and conclusions and recommended that we grant Applicant a new punishment hearing. The trial court, however, failed to hold a live evidentiary hearing. We continue to believe that the record is not adequate to resolve Applicant's claims. Accordingly, the trial court shall hold a live evidentiary hearing.
Applicant appears to be represented by counsel. If he is not, the trial court shall determine whether he 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.
After the hearing, the trial court shall make further findings of fact as to whether the performance of Applicant's trial counsel during punishment was deficient and, if so, whether counsel's deficient performance prejudiced Applicant. The trial court shall also make findings on the credibility of trial counsel and other witnesses who testify at the hearing. The trial court shall make any other findings of fact and conclusions of law that it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant's claims 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 the court reporter's notes from the hearing, 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. The reporter's record of the adjudication of guilt hearing shall also 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: September 16, 2009
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