Court Opinion

ID: 2940818
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 22:12:26.702363+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:40:50.677933
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-69,271-01

EX PARTE KASSI STUART, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 03-03-0051-CRA IN THE 81ST  DISTRICT COURT

FROM ATASCOSA 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 injury to a child
and sentenced to twenty-five years' imprisonment.  The Fourth Court of Appeals affirmed her
conviction.  Stuart v. State, No. 04-04-00898-CR (Tex. App.-San Antonio, delivered April 26,
2006). 
	Applicant contends that she is actually innocent of the offense and that her trial counsel
rendered ineffective assistance by failing to consult an orthopedic surgeon as a defense expert, failing
to investigate the cough medicine given to the victim as a possible cause of the brain injury, failing
to request a jury instruction on character evidence, and failing to object to the victim's incessant
crying during the trial.  
	Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle her 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). 
	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 as to whether Applicant has shown she is actually
innocent of the offense.  The trial court shall 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: March 19, 2008
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