Opinion
No. WR-34,986-06
December 7, 2005. DO NOT PUBLISH.
On Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, from Cause No. 27,380 in the 13th Judicial District Court of Navarro County.
ORDER
This is an application for a writ of habeas corpus which was transmitted to this Court by the clerk of the trial court pursuant to the provisions of Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art 11.07. Applicant was convicted of manufacture of a controlled substance, and punishment was assessed at forty-five years' confinement. Applicant's conviction was affirmed on appeal. Long v. State, No. 10-00-00305-CR (Tex.App.-Waco, delivered, April 28, 2004, pet. ref'd.). Applicant contends inter alia that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. The trial court has entered an order recommending that Applicant's writ be dismissed as a subsequent application under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07 § 4. However, because all of Applicant's prior writs were either dismissed or returned as non-compliant, this writ is not barred by Section 4. Furthermore, Applicant has stated facts requiring resolution. Because this Court cannot hear evidence, it is necessary for the matter to be remanded to the trial court for resolution. This trial court may resolve the factual issues as set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art 11.07, § 3 (d), in that it may order affidavits, depositions, or interrogatories from trial counsel, or it may hold a hearing. In the appropriate case, the trial court may rely on personal recollection. If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, the court shall first decide whether Applicant is indigent. If the court finds that Applicant is indigent and Applicant desires to be represented by counsel, the trial court will then, pursuant to the provisions of Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04, appoint an attorney to represent him at the hearing. Following receipt of additional information, the trial court shall make findings of fact as to whether Applicant's retained counsel was permitted to withdraw five days prior to trial, and if so, why. Then, the court shall make findings as to whether Applicant's original appointed counsel was reappointed as Applicant's primary counsel, and if so whether Applicant objected to such reappointment. If Applicant was represented at trial by an attorney who he had previously fired, the court shall make findings as to whether counsel harbored any bad feelings against Applicant resulting from this firing, and as to how, if at all, counsel's feelings affected his ability to represent Applicant at trial. The trial court shall make findings as to how long trial counsel had to prepare for trial, and what steps trial counsel took to investigate and interview witnesses prior to trial. The trial court shall make findings as to whether Robert Rios was subpoenaed as a witness, and if not, why not. Furthermore, the court shall make findings as to why trial counsel decided not to call Elaine Stout as a defense witness. The trial court shall also make findings as to whether counsel challenged the legality of the search in this case, and if so on what basis. The court shall make findings as to whether the defenses of entrapment and duress were ever raised or argued, whether jury instructions on those defenses were requested, and if so whether they were granted or denied and why. The trial court shall also make any further findings of fact and conclusions of law it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of the application for writ of habeas corpus. Because this Court does not hear evidence, Ex Parte Rodriquez, 169 Tex.Cr.R. 367, 334 S.W.2d 294 (Tex.Crim.App. 1960), this application for a post-conviction writ of habeas corpus will be held in abeyance pending the trial court's compliance with this order. The trial court shall resolve the issues presented within ninety days of the date of this order. A supplemental transcript containing all affidavits, the transcription of the court reporter's notes from any interrogatories or hearings held, along with the trial court's findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall be returned to this Court within one hundred and twenty days of the date of this order. IT IS SO ORDERED.
In the event any continuances are granted, copies of the order granting the continuance should be provided to this Court.
Any extensions of this time period should be obtained from this Court.