Opinion
NO. WR-41,171-05
05-17-2017
EX PARTE BILLY RAY TURNER, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. W13-70788-J(B) IN THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT NO. 3 FROM DALLAS 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 aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and sentenced to three years' imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.
Applicant contends that his plea was involuntary because of counsel's bad advice and unprofessional errors. Specifically, Applicant alleges that counsel threatened him that if he chose to go to trial, he would be found guilty and would receive the maximum sentence. Applicant also alleges that counsel coerced Applicant to go along with the plea bargain. Applicant further contends that counsel failed to investigate Applicant's claims of innocence and instead misadvised Applicant into pleading guilty. Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. 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 and involuntary plea. 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 in regard to Applicant's claim that his plea was involuntary. The trial court shall make findings as to whether the performance of Applicant's attorney 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 must be requested by the trial court and shall be obtained from this Court. Filed: May 17, 2017
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