Court Opinion

ID: 2939388
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 20:08:23.789586+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:54:43.755088
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NOS. WR-66,817-01, -02 & -03

EX PARTE BILL YOUNG CASON, Applicant

ON APPLICATIONS FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NOS. 04-049, 04-409 & 04-410 IN THE 235TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM COOKE 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 these applications for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex
parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of one count
of murder and two counts of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to imprisonment for fifty-five
years, twelve years, and five years. The Second Court of Appeals affirmed his convictions. Cason
v. State, Nos. 02-05-00125-CR, 02-05-00126-CR & 02-05-00127-CR (Tex. App.-Forth Worth,
delivered April 13, 2006, pet. ref'd). 
	Applicant contends that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because he failed to
object to a misstatement of the law in the jury instructions. Applicant has alleged facts that, if true,
might entitle him 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. 1997), 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 then make further 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. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 608 (1984). 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.
	These applications 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 7, 2007
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