IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
CAUSE NO. W08-11133-P (A) IN THE 203RD DISTRICT COURT
FROM DALLAS 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 murder and sentenced to ninety-nine years' imprisonment. The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Patterson v. State, No. 05-10-01395-CR (Tex. App.--Dallas Jul. 25, 2012) (unpublished).
Applicant contends, inter alia, that his appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance because counsel did not correspond with Applicant after his conviction was affirmed on appeal, and preempted Applicant's pro se petition for discretionary review by filing a petition for discretionary review without Applicant's consent.
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. In these circumstances, additional facts are needed. Pursuant to 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 appellate counsel to respond to Applicant's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on appeal. 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 shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law detailing how Applicant's appellate counsel communicated with Applicant about the discretionary review phase of appellate litigation, and whether appellate counsel pursued discretionary review against Applicant's wishes, preventing Applicant from pursuing discretionary review pro se. 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: March 12, 2014
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