Court Opinion

ID: 2941478
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 23:15:40.306751+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:25:37.470448
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-72,789-01

EX PARTE GABRIEL RIOJAS BERNAL, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 03-12-9069-CR IN THE 38TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM MEDINA 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 a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of murder and
sentenced to life imprisonment. The Fourth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Bernal v.
State, No. 04-07-00731-CR (Tex. App.-San Antonio 2008, pet. ref'd). 
	Applicant contends, among other things, that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
because he failed to file a timely motion to dismiss on speedy trial grounds and because he advised
Applicant that he would be placed on probation if he pleaded no contest. 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). 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 the performance of Applicant's trial
counsel was deficient and, if so, whether counsel's deficient performance prejudiced Applicant.  The
trial court shall make specific findings as to why counsel waited forty-eight months before filing a
motion to dismiss and whether Applicant wanted to go to trial on the capital murder charges. 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: October 21, 2009
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