Opinion
WR-95,629-02
06-05-2024
EX PARTE DICKSON GLENN SHARP, Applicant
Do not publish
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 14068A IN THE 356TH DISTRICT COURT FROM HARDIN COUNTY
ORDER
PER CURIAM.
Applicant was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment. Applicant filed this application for a writ of habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this Court. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07.
Applicant contends that his guilty plea was involuntary because Applicant received ineffective assistance of defense counsel. Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Brady v. United States, 397 U.S. 742 (1970). Accordingly, the record should be developed. The trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d).
Applicant has not explained his approximately 25-year delay in seeking relief from his conviction. Therefore, the trial court shall enter findings and conclusions regarding laches. Carrio v. State, 992 S.W.2d 486 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999); Ex parte Perez, 398 S.W.3d 206 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). Before making this determination, the trial court shall give Applicant the opportunity to respond and explain his delay. See Ex parte Smith, 444 S.W.3d 661, 670 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014).
In developing the record, the trial court may use any means set out in Article 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 wants to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint counsel to represent him at the hearing. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04. If counsel is appointed or retained, the trial court shall immediately notify this Court of counsel's name.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether Applicant's claims are barred by laches. If the court determines that the claims are not barred by laches, the court shall develop the record and make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether Applicant's guilty plea was involuntary. The trial court may make any other findings and conclusions that it deems appropriate in response to Applicant's claims.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law within ninety days from the date of this order. The district clerk shall then immediately forward to this Court the trial court's findings and conclusions and the record developed on remand, including, among other things, affidavits, motions, objections, proposed findings and conclusions, orders, and transcripts from hearings and depositions. See Tex. R. App. P. 73.4(b)(4). Any extensions of time must be requested by the trial court and obtained from this Court.