Court Opinion

ID: 2938561
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 19:55:37.057046+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:00:35.263575
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-68,549-01

EX PARTE GREGORY VINCENT STARITZ, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 05-57342-R IN THE 265TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM DALLAS 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 aggravated assault and sentenced
to two years' imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.
	Applicant contends that his plea was involuntary and that trial counsel was ineffective. On
September 19, 2007, the trial court entered an order designating issues, but no findings of fact and
conclusions of law were forwarded to this Court. We believe that this application was prematurely
forwarded.

	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 trial counsel with the opportunity to respond to Applicant's claims. 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 then make findings of fact as to whether Applicant's plea was involuntary; and
whether trial counsel's performance was deficient and, if so, whether Applicant was prejudiced. 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 claims 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: October 31, 2007
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