IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-84,410-02
EX PARTE BRANDON DERALE PULLUM, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 114-0669-12-A IN THE 114TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM SMITH 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 the offense of
injury to a child and sentenced to imprisonment for eight years. Applicant did not appeal his
conviction.
Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance due to a conflict of
interest and because counsel failed to advise, assist, or object on Applicant’s behalf, failed to
adequately investigate and present a defense, and failed to notify the court as to Applicant’s request
for substitute counsel. Applicant also alleges that his plea was involuntary due to his inability to
communicate with or trust counsel.
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 668 (1984); Ex parte Patterson, 993 S.W.2d 114, 115 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). 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 to respond to Applicant’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. 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 as to whether the
performance of Applicant’s trial counsel was deficient and, if so, whether counsel’s deficient
performance prejudiced Applicant. The trial court shall also make findings of fact and conclusions
of law in regard to Applicant’s claim that his plea was involuntary. 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 24, 2016
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