Scott, Donny Ray

Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
Date filed: 2016-02-10
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             IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-84,484-01


                         EX PARTE DONNY RAY SCOTT, Applicant


                  ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
                 CAUSE NO. CR16270-A IN THE 271ST DISTRICT COURT
                               FROM WISE 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 injury to a child,

aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and assault on a family member, enhanced. The trial court

assessed punishment at imprisonment for ten, twenty, and two years, respectively. The Second Court

of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Scott v. State, 02-12-00226-CR (Tex. App.— Fort Worth, Oct.

17, 2013)(not designated for publication).

        Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because counsel

failed to request a PSI for mitigating evidence, failed to investigate and present mitigating evidence
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of his dysfunctional background, failed to expand his investigation into Applicant’s mental illness,

failed to request records from MHMR, failed to file any motions regarding Applicant’s competency,

failed to retain a mitigation specialist, and proffered hearsay within hearsay during trial.

       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 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
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be obtained from this Court.



Filed: February 10, 2016
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