IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-80,763-01
EX PARTE JACOB ESTRADA, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 47059 IN THE 400TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM FORT BEND COUNTY
Per curiam.
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 pleaded guilty and was convicted of possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.
Applicant contends that his due process rights were violated because a forensic scientist did not follow accepted standards when analyzing evidence in his case. This application was forwarded to this Court prior to the Court’s rehearing in Ex parte Coty, WR-79,318-02 (Tex. Crim. App. Jan. 15, 2014)(published). We remand this application so that the parties can apply the principles of that opinion to the facts of Applicant’s case.
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Id. 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 may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d).
The trial court may order depositions, interrogatories, or a hearing. It appears that Applicant is represented by counsel. If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine if Applicant is represented by counsel, and if not, 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 determine whether Applicant has established an inference of falsity as set out in this Court’s opinion in Coty, and if so, to what extent it was material. 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: February 12, 2014
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