Court Opinion

ID: 4315851
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-09-27 07:34:36.142844+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:49.506202
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                            OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-88,491-02

                           EX PARTE TRACY LEE THORN, Applicant

                   ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
                   CAUSE NO. CR31220-B IN THE 75TH DISTRICT COURT
                               FROM LIBERTY 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 entered an open plea of guilty to

aggravated assault and was sentenced by a jury to twenty years’ imprisonment. The Ninth Court of

Appeals affirmed his conviction. Thorn v. State, No. 09-15-00340-CR (Tex. App. — Beaumont,

April 20, 2016) (not designated for publication).

        Applicant contends, among other things,1 that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance

        1
            This Court has reviewed Applicant’s other claims and finds them to be without merit.
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for various reasons. Applicant alleges that trial counsel failed to adequately advise him of the nature

and consequences of his plea. Specifically, Applicant alleges that trial counsel failed to advise him

of the parole consequences of an affirmative deadly weapon finding. Applicant alleges that trial

counsel erroneously advised Applicant to plead guilty, knowing that he “would testify to facts

evidencing his actual innocence,” and allowed Applicant to stipulate to committing the offense as

a primary actor, rather than as a party. Applicant alleges that trial counsel failed to object when the

prosecutor’s closing arguments at guilt/innocence contradicted the trial court’s instructions. He

alleges that trial counsel made statements against his interest during closing arguments at

punishment, and failed to object when the prosecutor introduced facts not in evidence during

punishment arguments. Applicant also alleges that trial counsel failed to object when the trial court

entered an affirmative deadly weapon finding without submitting the issue to the jury in the form of

a special issue.

        Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington,

466 U.S. 668 (1984); Ex parte Patterson, 993 S.W.2d 114, 115 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). 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 order trial counsel 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.
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       The trial court shall first supplement the habeas record with copies of all relevant documents,

including any written plea papers, admonishments, stipulations, and judicial confessions. The trial

counsel shall also supplement the habeas record with a transcript of the trial and punishment

proceedings. The trial 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

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 must

be requested by the trial court and shall be obtained from this Court.

Filed: September 26, 2018
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