Court Opinion

ID: 2942026
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 23:24:44.115261+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:19:38.329276
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-63,637-03

EX PARTE DERRICK ANTHONY POLLY, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 02-5988 IN THE 106TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM DAWSON 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 writ of habeas corpus.  Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967).  Applicant was convicted of two counts of
aggravated assault of a public servant and sentenced to twenty  years' imprisonment on each count. 
The Eleventh Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction.  Polly v. State, No. 11-03-00072-CR (Tex.
App.-Eastland, delivered September 9, 2004). 
	Applicant contends  that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by, inter alia, failing
to impeach two State's witnesses with their prior inconsistent statements made at disciplinary
hearings held regarding these incidents by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.  
	Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief.  Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 608 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).  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 provide Applicant's trial counsel with the opportunity 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).
	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 as to whether counsel was aware and in possession of
prior inconsistent statements from State's witnesses and if so, whether he used those statements to
impeach their trial testimony.  The trial court shall make findings of fact as to whether the
performance of Applicant's trial attorney 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.  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: May 6, 2009
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