Court Opinion

ID: 2939340
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 20:07:43.447423+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:25:53.632158
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NOS. WR-61,724-08; 61,724-09; 61,724-10; & 61,724-11

EX PARTE RICARDO MEDRANO, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NOS. W98-43771-L(C); W98-01543-L(C);W00-29731-L(B); & 

W98-01542-L(C) IN CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT #5
FROM DALLAS COUNTY

 Per curiam.

 O R D E R

	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 these applications for writs of habeas corpus.  Ex
parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967).  Applicant was convicted of four
charges of aggravated assault and sentenced to concurrent three year terms of imprisonment.  He did
not appeal his convictions.
	Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance for:  (1) failing to
file motions; (2) failing to investigate the complainant's criminal history; (3) failing to raise a self-defense theory; and (4) coercing Applicant into entering a guilty plea.
	Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief.  Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 608 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).  In these
circumstances, additional facts are needed.  As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294
(Tex. Crim. App. 1997), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact.  The trial court
shall provide Applicant's trial counsel with the opportunity to respond to Applicant's claims 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 as to whether the performance of Applicant's trial
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.  Additionally, the
trial court shall forward any records regarding Applicant's guilty plea and the admonishments given
prior to the acceptance of the plea.
	These applications 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.  If any continuances are granted, a copy of
the order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court. 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 returned to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order.  Any extensions of time shall be
obtained from this Court. 

Filed:  March 21, 2007
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