IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-85,047-01
EX PARTE BENJAMIN JEROME PRINCE, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 52059-A*1 IN THE 30TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM WICHITA COUNTY
Per curiam. ALCALA , J., filed a concurring opinion in which JOHNSON and
RICHARDSON , JJ., joined. YEARY , J., filed a concurring opinion in which KEASLER and
HERVEY , JJ., joined.
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 capital murder
and sentenced to life imprisonment. The Eighth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Prince
v. State, No. 08-12-00290-CR (Tex. App. — El Paso, October 17, 2014) (not designated for
publication).
2
Applicant contends, among other things,1 that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
because trial counsel failed to seek a hearing to determine whether State’s witness Nicole Grant was
competent to testify, failed to object when the prosecutor led witness Grant throughout her direct
examination, provided defense expert Dr. Carter with inaccurate information regarding the intent
requirement for capital murder, asked Dr. Carter not to file a report of his findings, and presented
testimony from Dr. Carter that was not helpful to the defense.
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 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 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 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.
1
This Court has reviewed Applicant’s other claims and finds them to be without merit.
3
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: June 29, 2016
Do not publish