Court Opinion

ID: 2947053
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 04:10:47.992278+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:04:56.120083
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-77,086-01

EX PARTE O'KEITH LAVAR ADAMS, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. W94-58388-V(A) IN THE 292ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

FROM DALLAS COUNTY

 Per curiam.  Keasler, J., not participating.
 
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 murder and
sentenced to ninety-nine years' imprisonment.  The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction.
Adams v. State, No. 05-96-00491-CR (Tex. App. - Dallas, December 11, 1997).
	Applicant contends, inter alia, that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because
counsel failed to challenge the voluntariness of his statement to a detective, advising Applicant to
take the stand and admit that the detective had read him the Miranda warnings, failing to object to
improper argument by the prosecutor, and failing to present a sudden passion issue at punishment. 
	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. 1960), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact.  The trial court
shall obtain an affidavit from Applicant's trial counsel responding to Applicant's claims 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 first supplement the habeas record with a copy of the trial record,
including the charging document, the judgment, any written motions filed prior to trial, and a
transcript of all proceedings, including any pre-trial hearings.  The trial court shall then make
findings of fact as to whether the performance of Applicant's trial attorney 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.
	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: February 29, 2012
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