Court Opinion

ID: 2949396
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 06:04:32.244425+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:07:09.659389
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS

NO. WR-81,153-02

EX PARTE DANIEL HARRIS, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 1204054-A IN THE 182nd DISTRICT COURT
FROM HARRIS 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
kidnapping and sentenced to 33 YEARS years’ imprisonment.  The First Court of Appeals affirmed
his conviction.  Harris v. State, No. 01-11-00213-CR (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.], delivered
June 14, 2012, no pet.).
            Applicant contends, inter alia, that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in this
case.  After considering Applicant’s claim, the trial court entered an order designating issues (ODI)
on July 9, 2013, requesting a response from trial counsel.  The Applicant subsequently filed a
mandamus application with this Court on March 26, 2014, complaining about the delay in processing
the instant habeas application.  In response to this Court’s mandamus abatement order, the trial court
promptly forwarded the habeas application and record without having obtained the affidavit from
counsel it had previously ordered. 
            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. 
            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 shall
be obtained from this Court.
 
Filed: June 25, 2014
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