IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
CAUSE NO. 7-85-105 IN THE 7TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM SMITH 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 writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of aggravated robbery and sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.
Applicant contends, among other things, that his plea was involuntary because counsel did not suppress the fruits of an illegal stop. 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. 1997), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact. 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 Applicant at the hearing. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04.
The trial court has made findings of fact and conclusions of law recommending that this application be dismissed under Section 4 of Article 11.07. Applicant's prior writ application relating to this conviction was concerned exclusively with the actions of the Board of Pardons and Paroles in revoking applicant's parole or supervision. Ex parte Daisy, WR-57,118-05 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004) (not designated for publication). The procedural bar of Section 4 is limited to instances in which the initial application raised claims regarding the validity of the prosecution or the judgment. Ex parte Evans, 964 S.W.2d 643, 647 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998). Because Applicant's first writ application in this cause did not raise claims regarding the validity of the prosecution or the judgment, Section 4 does not bar him from attacking his conviction now.
The trial court shall obtain a response from counsel. The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law in regard to Applicant's claim that his plea was involuntary. Specifically, the trial court shall make findings as to whether counsel investigated the legality of the stop and whether counsel filed a motion to suppress. If the trial court finds that applicant did not file a motion to suppress, the court shall determine whether the failure was error that constituted ineffective assistance. 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: November 10, 2010
Do not publish