Court Opinion

ID: 4088238
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-10-10 07:31:53.596863+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:12:13.923614
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                        OF TEXAS
                             NOS. WR-66,781-02 & WR-66,781-03

                   EX PARTE JAMES KENNETH KEELS JR., Applicant

                 ON APPLICATIONS FOR WRITS OF HABEAS CORPUS
                           CAUSE NOS. C34828 & C34855
                         IN THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW
                            FROM NAVARRO COUNTY

       Per curiam. ALCALA , J., filed a concurring opinion.

                                            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

of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence and sentenced to ninety-nine years’

imprisonment in each case. The Tenth Court of Appeals affirmed his convictions. Keels v. State,

Nos. 10-14-00140-CR & 10-14-00141-CR (Tex. App.—Waco Jul. 15, 2015) (not designated for

publication).

       Applicant contends, among other things, that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
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because he did not convey a plea offer. The trial court has entered findings of fact and conclusions

of law, but the findings do not address this claim.

          Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington,

466 U.S. 668 (1984); Ex parte Argent, 393 S.W.3d 781 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013); 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 supplemental 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. Specifically, the trial court shall make findings as to whether

counsel did not convey a plea offer from the State. If the trial court finds counsel did not pass along

an offer and Applicant would have accepted the offer, the court shall make specific findings as to

whether the prosecution would have withdrawn the offer and whether the trial court would have

accepted the offer. 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 claims for habeas corpus

relief.
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       These 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 must

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

Filed: October 5, 2016
Do not publish