Court Opinion

ID: 4674492
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-04-05 07:18:05.858214+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:03:20.349738
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                        NO. WR-92,250-01

                          EX PARTE FELICIANO CRUZ, Applicant

                 ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
               CAUSE NO. WR-92,250-01 IN THE 214TH DISTRICT COURT
                            FROM NUECES COUNTY

       Per curiam.

                                             ORDER

       Applicant was convicted of one count of murder and one count of tampering with or

fabricating physical evidence. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder and ten years’

imprisonment for the tampering with evidence, to be served concurrently. The Thirteenth Court of

Appeals affirmed his conviction. Cruz v. State, No. 13-17-00683-CR (Tex. App. — Corpus Christi

January 9, 2020) (not designated for publication). Applicant filed this application for a writ of

habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this Court. See TEX .

CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07.

       Applicant contends that appellate counsel failed to timely inform Applicant that his

conviction had been affirmed and advise him of his right to file a pro se petition for discretionary
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review. On January 19, 2021, the trial court entered an order designating issues. The district clerk

forwarded this application to this Court before the trial court made findings of fact and conclusions

of law. On February 10, 2021, this Court remanded this application to the trial court to complete its

evidentiary investigation and make findings of fact and conclusions of law.

        After remand, the State filed an amended answer in which it states that it has now been able

to verify from appellate counsel that Applicant’s allegations “are likely true.” The State recommends

that Applicant be granted an out-of-time petition for discretionary review. The trial court has entered

findings of fact and conclusions of law, finding that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to

notify Applicant of the outcome of his appeal and his right to file a pro se petition for discretionary

review. The trial court also recommends that relief be granted in the form of an out-of-time petition

for discretionary review. However, this Court generally does not find an attorney ineffective without

providing that attorney with an opportunity to respond by way of affidavit or live testimony.

        Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Ex parte Wilson, 956

S.W.2d 25 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); Ex parte Crow, 180 S.W.3d 135 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005).

Accordingly, the record should be developed. The trial court is the appropriate forum for findings

of fact. TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d). The trial court shall order appellate counsel to

respond to Applicant’s claim. In developing the record, the trial court may use any means set out

in Article 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 wants to be represented by counsel, the trial court

shall appoint counsel to represent him at the hearing. See TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 26.04. If

counsel is appointed or retained, the trial court shall immediately notify this Court of counsel’s

name.
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        The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether appellate

counsel timely informed Applicant that his conviction had been affirmed and that he had a right to

file a pro se petition for discretionary review. The trial court shall also determine whether Applicant

would have timely filed a petition for discretionary review but for appellate counsel’s alleged

deficient performance. The trial court may make any other findings and conclusions that it deems

appropriate in response to Applicant’s claims.

        The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law within ninety days from

the date of this order. The district clerk shall then immediately forward to this Court the trial court’s

findings and conclusions and the record developed on remand, including, among other things,

affidavits, motions, objections, proposed findings and conclusions, orders, and transcripts from

hearings and depositions. See TEX . R. APP . P. 73.4(b)(4). Any extensions of time must be requested

by the trial court and obtained from this Court.

Filed: March 31, 2021
Do not publish