Court Opinion

ID: 2944168
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 02:45:21.271371+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:41:07.656781
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-55,124-03

EX PARTE SIDNEY IVAN SKOW, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 16748 IN THE 329TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM WHARTON 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 writ of habeas corpus.  Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967).  Applicant was convicted of capital murder
and sentenced to life imprisonment.  He did not appeal his conviction. 
	Applicant contends, among other things, that his plea was involuntary because he was
incompetent to stand trial and that the plea agreement did not contemplate the sentence of life
without parole which he is now serving.  Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him
to relief.  Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (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 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 findings of fact and conclusions of law in regard to Applicant's
claims that his plea was involuntary. The trial court shall make specific findings addressing
Applicant's claim that he "did not understand what was going on" at the time of the plea and that
he was simply "told what to do and say." The trial court shall also make specific findings addressing
whether Applicant pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement that contemplated a sentence of life
without parole.  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: November 16, 2011
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