Court Opinion

ID: 2950585
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 06:45:41.222292+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:17:34.099267
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-83,050-01

                        EX PARTE VENTURA GONZALES, Applicant

                  ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
                  CAUSE NO. 0979370D IN THE 372ND DISTRICT COURT
                              FROM TARRANT 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 aggravated sexual

assault and sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment.

        Applicant contends, among other things, that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance

because he failed to file a notice of appeal. 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); Ex parte Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988). In these

circumstances, additional facts are needed. As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294
                                                                                                        2

(Tex. Crim. App. 1960), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact. The trial court

shall order J. Steven Bush, adjudication-of-guilt counsel, to respond to Applicant’s claim. 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.

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.

       After reviewing counsel’s response, the trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions

of law as to whether Applicant was denied his right to a meaningful appeal because counsel failed

to file a notice of appeal. 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. 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 shall

be obtained from this Court.

Filed: April 22, 2015
Do not publish