Court Opinion

ID: 2941128
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 22:18:46.659252+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:59:45.253301
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-69,017-01

EX PARTE ELADIO LOPEZ ZUBIATE, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 11928 IN THE 118TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM HOWARD 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 a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418
S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of burglary of a habitation and
sentenced to five years' imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.
	Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because he advised
Applicant to plead guilty despite there being no evidence of his guilt. 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 him 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 counsel
was deficient and, if so, whether counsel's deficient performance prejudiced Applicant. The trial court shall
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. The trial court shall also forward to this Court the
plea papers in Applicant's case.
	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: January 16, 2008
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