Opinion
NO. WR-45,368-02
02-10-2016
EX PARTE AARON EVERHART, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 1435646-A IN THE 174TH DISTRICT COURT FROM HARRIS COUNTY
Per curiam. OPINION
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 possession of cocaine in an amount of less than one gram, and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.
Applicant contends that his plea was involuntary and that his conviction violates due process because the evidence in his case was tested and found not to contain any cocaine, even though the lab test shows that the evidence contained a different controlled substance, methylenedioxy-N- ethylcathinone (also known as Ethylone, or the street-name "Eve"). The parties have entered agreed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and the trial court has determined that Applicant's decision to plead guilty in this case was not a voluntary and intelligent choice. Applicant is entitled to relief. Ex parte Mable, 443 S.W.3d 129 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014).
Relief is granted. The judgment in Cause No. 143564601010 in the 174th District Court of Harris County is set aside, and Applicant is remanded to the custody of the Sheriff of Harris County to answer the charges as set out in the indictment. The trial court shall issue any necessary bench warrant within 10 days after the mandate of this Court issues.
Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Correctional Institutions Division and Pardons and Paroles Division. Delivered: February 10, 2016
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