Court Opinion

ID: 2937194
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 18:25:40.78037+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:58:04.507341
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-66,296-01 & 66,296-02

EX PARTE VEGAS MONTEL WILLIAMS, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 380-81159-05 & 380-81160-05 IN THE 380TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM COLLIN 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 twice convicted of
aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to two concurrent thirty year terms of imprisonment.  He
did not appeal his conviction. 
	Applicant contends that his guilty pleas were involuntary and unknowing.  Applicant also
contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel.  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 claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.  The trial court
may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d).  In the appropriate case, the
trial court may rely on its personal recollection.  Id. 
	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 pleas were involuntary and 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 pleas and the admonishments given
prior to the acceptance of the pleas.
	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: December 13, 2006
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