Court Opinion

ID: 3206967
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-25 21:16:00.526529+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:29:01.184600
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-84,766-01

                          EX PARTE GILBERT SANCHEZ, Applicant

               ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
            CAUSE NO. 20100D02745-120-1 IN THE 120TH DISTRICT COURT
                            FROM EL PASO 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 sexual

assault and sentenced to sixty-five years’ imprisonment. The Eighth Court of Appeals affirmed his

conviction. Sanchez v. State, No. 08-11-00137-CR (Tex. App.—El Paso Jun. 20, 2014) (not

designated for publication).

        In four grounds, Applicant contends his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. The

State filed a proposed order designating issues, but it was not signed by the trial court and no

findings of fact and conclusions of law were made.
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       Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington,

466 U.S. 668 (1984); Rock v. Arkansas, 483 U.S. 44, 50-53 (1987); Ex parte Patterson, 993 S.W.2d
114, 115 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). The writ record contains an affidavit from trial counsel. However,

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. If

necessary, the trial court shall order trial counsel to provide a supplemental response 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). In the appropriate case, the trial court may rely on its personal

recollection. Id.

       It appears that Applicant is represented by counsel. If the trial court elects to hold a hearing,

it shall determine if Applicant is represented by counsel, and if not, 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 addressing Applicant’s

claims that counsel was ineffective. The court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law 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 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
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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 shall

be obtained from this Court.

Filed: May 25, 2016
Do not publish