IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-81,751-02
EX PARTE JUAN DAMAS RODRIGUEZ, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 10-4033 IN THE 106TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM GAINES COUNTY
Per curiam.
ORDER
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 of a child and two counts of indecency with a child by contact. He was sentenced to thirty-
five years’ imprisonment in the aggravated sexual assault case and twenty years’ imprisonment in
each indecency with a child case. The Eleventh Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction.
Rodriguez v. State, No. 11-11-00046-CR (Tex. App.—Eastland Feb. 14, 2013) (not designated for
publication).
Applicant contends that both trial counsel and appellate counsel rendered ineffective
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assistance. He alleges trial counsel’s failure to fully advise him about the terms of a proposed plea
bargain rendered his decision to reject the offer involuntary. He also alleges that trial counsel did not
object to improper outcry witnesses. He alleges that appellate counsel did not notify him that
rehearing was denied and that counsel would not be pursuing discretionary review. Applicant has
alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. 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 shall order trial counsel and
appellate counsel to respond to Applicant’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. The trial
court may use any means set out in TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d). In the appropriate
case, the trial court may rely on its personal recollection. Id.
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 in regard to Applicant’s
claims of ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel. The trial court shall make specific
findings addressing whether trial counsel fully discussed all aspects of any proposed plea offers in
timely fashion. The trial court shall also make findings addressing whether the alleged outcry
testimony was objectionable and whether trial counsel made appropriate objections. The trial court
shall make specific findings addressing whether appellate counsel appropriately advised Applicant
of his right to file a pro-se petition for discretionary review, and whether he timely notified Applicant
that rehearing had been denied. The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact and
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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. 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: May 20, 2015
Do not publish