Court Opinion

ID: 2938336
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 19:06:33.530731+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:40:36.052652
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-63,082-01

EX PARTE CLARENCE A. BAREFIELD, Applicant
(AKA CLARENCE A. COATS)

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS 
FROM DEWITT COUNTY
IN CAUSE NO. 01-03-9448
IN THE TWENTY-FOURTH DISTRICT COURT

 Per curiam.

 O R D E R

	This is an application for a writ of habeas corpus which was transmitted to this Court 
pursuant to the provisions of Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07.  Applicant was convicted
of the offense of aggravated sexual assault and was sentenced to confinement for ninety-nine
years.  Applicant's conviction was affirmed on appeal. Barefield v. State,  No. 13-03-151-CR
(Tex. App.--Corpus Christi 2004, no pet.). 
	Applicant contends, inter alia, that counsel was ineffective. Specifically, he contends
that counsel did not interview a witness named Joanna. 
	The trial court has not entered findings of fact or conclusions of law. We believe that
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief.  Therefore, it is this
Court's opinion that additional facts need to be developed and because this Court cannot hear
evidence, the trial court is the appropriate forum.  The trial court may resolve those issues
as set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3 (d), in that it shall order affidavits,
depositions, or interrogatories from counsel, or it may order a hearing.  In the appropriate
case the trial court may also rely on its personal recollection.  
	If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, the court shall first decide whether Applicant
is indigent.  If the trial court finds that Applicant is indigent and Applicant desires to be
represented by counsel, the trial court shall then, pursuant to the provisions of Tex. Code
Crim. Proc. art. 26.04, appoint an attorney to represent him at the hearing.  
	Following receipt of additional information, the trial court shall make findings of fact
as to whether counsel interviewed or investigated claims from a witness named Joanna. If
the trial court determines that counsel did not interview this witness or investigate her claims,
the trial court shall make findings of fact as to counsel's specific reasons. Finally, the trial
court should make findings of fact as to whether counsel was ineffective. The trial court
should also make any further findings of fact and conclusions of law it deems relevant and
appropriate to the disposition of the application for writ of habeas corpus.
	Because this Court does not hear evidence, Ex Parte Rodriquez, 334 S.W.2d 294 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1960), this application for a post-conviction writ of habeas corpus will be held
in abeyance pending the trial court's compliance with this order.  Resolution of the issues
shall be accomplished by the trial court within 90 days of the date of this order. (1)  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. (2)
 IT IS SO ORDERED THIS THE 25th DAY OF JANUARY, 2006.

 
DO NOT PUBLISH  

1.   In the event any continuances are granted, copies of the order granting the continuance
should be provided to this Court.
2.   Any extensions of this time period should be obtained from this Court.