Court Opinion

ID: 4341587
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-11-15 09:36:54.92351+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:21:21.118230
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                            NOS. WR-88,139-01 AND WR-88,139-02

                  EX PARTE FRANK HERBERT DOZIER JR., Applicant

             ON APPLICATIONS FOR WRITS OF HABEAS CORPUS
      CAUSE NOS. 26394 HC-1 AND 26393 HC-1 IN THE 6TH DISTRICT COURT
                           FROM LAMAR 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 these applications for writs of habeas corpus. Ex

parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of possession

with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of marihuana, and he was sentenced to

terms in prison. The Sixth Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions. Dozier v. State, Nos. 06-16-

00030-CR and 06-16-00031-CR (Tex. App.—Texarkana del. Feb. 24, 2017).

       In his habeas applications, Applicant contends, inter alia, that his trial counsel rendered

ineffective assistance. Trial counsel has supplied an affidavit, but several issues remain unresolved.

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.
                                                                                                       2

        The trial court shall order trial counsel to respond to Applicant’s claim that counsel failed

to challenge the search warrants for Applicant’s residence and for a “stash house” where a vehicle

was also searched. Trial counsel shall also respond to Applicant’s claim that counsel failed to request

an accomplice-witness instruction regarding witness Diedra Sims. Applicant’s remaining claims lack

merit. To obtain counsel’s response, the trial court may use any means set out in TEX . CODE CRIM .

PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d). 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 supplement the habeas record with copies of the search warrants and

supporting affidavits. The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding

whether trial counsel was deficient and whether Applicant suffered resulting harm. Strickland v.

Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984). The trial court may also make any other findings of fact and

conclusions of law it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant’s claims for

habeas corpus relief.

        The applications 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: November 14, 2018
Do not publish