Court Opinion

ID: 4105891
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-12-09 08:17:31.899859+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:31:26.141103
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-86,022-01

                      EX PARTE MARCUS EDWARD CLICK, Applicant

                  ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
                  CAUSE NO. W12270-1 IN THE 355TH DISTRICT COURT
                              FROM HOOD 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 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 intoxication

manslaughter and, after his initial term of community supervision was revoked, was sentenced to ten

years’ imprisonment. The Second Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Click v. State, No. 02-

14-00247-CR (Tex. App.—Ft. Worth Feb. 27, 2015).

        Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by not fully

investigating and presenting the defense that Applicant was not driving at the time of the incident.

Applicant alleges that counsel had a witness statement and photos from the scene which tended to
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show that Applicant was not driving, but he did not share that information with Applicant who could

not remember the details of the incident. He also alleges that counsel did not present the defense that

the offense occurred within a private subdivision which was not open to the general public and

therefore the offense did not occur “in a public place” as required by TEXAS PENAL CODE Sec. 49.08.

        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).

        If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent.

It appears that Applicant is represented by counsel. If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall

determine if Applicant is represented by counsel, and if not, 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 photos

and witness statement in question were exculpatory, whether counsel discussed that evidence with

Applicant, and whether the defenses Applicant outlines in his application were discussed with

Applicant before his initial guilty plea. The trial court shall also make findings regarding 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
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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 must

be requested by the trial court and shall be obtained from this Court.

Filed: December 7, 2016
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