Court Opinion

ID: 2939253
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 20:06:06.218006+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:40:22.699940
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NOS. WR-67,118-01, -02, -03 & -04

EX PARTE ALVIN V. MORRIEL, Applicant

ON APPLICATIONS FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NOS. 2006-411492, 2006-411493, 2006-411494 & 2006-411842 
IN THE 137TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM LUBBOCK 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 these applications for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex
parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of three counts
of aggravated assault and one count of murder. He was sentenced to imprisonment for twenty years
for each aggravated assault conviction and for twenty-eight years for the murder conviction. He did
not appeal his convictions.
	Applicant contends that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because counsel advised
Applicant that he was not eligible for probation. 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. 1997), 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). 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 him at the hearing. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04. 
	The trial court shall make findings of fact as to whether Applicant was eligible for probation.
If so, the trial court shall make findings of fact as to 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 habeas corpus relief.
	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. 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: April 18, 2007
Do not publish