Court Opinion

ID: 2941376
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 23:13:11.230764+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:59.010697
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-72,795-01

EX PARTE STEPHEN JERRARD WRIGHT, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 16254-B IN THE 104TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

FROM TAYLOR 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 this application for writ of habeas corpus.  Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967).  Applicant pleaded guilty to possession of a
controlled substance in a drug-free zone, and was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment.  He did not
appeal his conviction.
	Applicant contends, inter alia,  that his  trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because
counsel failed to investigate the validity of the drug-free zone allegation.  Applicant alleges that the
drug-free zone alleged in the indictment did not actually exist, and that counsel failed to discover this
fact.
	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. 1960), 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 as to whether counsel investigated the validity of 
the drug-free zone allegation in the indictment, and if so whether the State would have been able to
prove that the offense occurred in a drug-free zone as alleged.  If counsel did not investigate the
drug-free zone allegation, the trial court shall make findings as to why not.  The trial court shall
make findings 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.
	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.  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: November 4, 2009
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