Court Opinion

ID: 4297961
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-07-26 14:57:59.099755+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:36:42.894044
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                           OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-88,538-01

                          EX PARTE MARK EDWIN GUIDA, Applicant

                  ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
                CAUSE NO. W12-63747-V(A) IN THE 292nd DISTRICT COURT
                               FROM DALLAS 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 murder and

sentenced to ninety-nine years’ imprisonment. The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction.

Guida v. State, No. 05-14-01626-CR (Tex. App.—Dallas May 13, 2016) (not designated for

publication).

        Applicant contends, among other things, that his trial counsel1 rendered ineffective assistance

        1
            Applicant was represented by two defense lawyers at trial, and his claims pertain to both
counsel.
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because they failed to request a hearing pursuant to Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978),

regarding statements made in the probable cause affidavit supporting a search warrant. Applicant

also alleges counsel failed to adequately investigate or hire an expert to evaluate “historical call

detail records.” Applicant further alleges counsel failed to request a “Daubert/Kelly hearing in order

[to] have Agent Sedwick establish the authenticity of his testimony.” Last, Applicant alleges counsel

“failed to investigate in order to find out if the FBI in any of its trial appearances has ever provided

any relevant technical or scientific studies to support its expert testimony.”

        The trial court has not entered findings of fact and conclusions of law addressing the validity

of Applicant’s claims for relief in this case. However, the State responds, in pertinent part:

                The State recognizes that further evidence regarding trial counsels’
        representation may be needed. To that end, the State requests that the Court obtain
        an affidavit from Applicant’s trial attorneys, Scottie Allen and Chris Knox, to
        provide the information needed to dispose of Applicant’s claims. The State further
        requests that this Court issue an order designating issues regarding Applicant’s
        ineffective assistance of counsel allegations. Pending production of evidence
        substantiating Applicant’s ineffective assistance of counsel claims, the State denies
        Applicant’s allegations.

        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). 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 order trial counsel 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). 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.
                                                                                                      3

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 as to whether the

performance of Applicant’s trial counsel 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. 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 must

be requested by the trial court and shall be obtained from this Court.

Filed: July 25, 2018
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