Court Opinion

ID: 5019219
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-01 03:54:09.527497+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:17:42.255340
License: Public Domain

Relator, an inmate of the Texas Prison System, seeks his discharge by writ of habeas corpus, alleging that he plead guilty before the court without counsel and without having counsel appointed to represent him, as required by Article 10a, V.A.C.C.P.
Upon receipt of appellant's application, we entered an order directing the Judge of the Criminal District Court of Jefferson County to develop the facts touching relator's allegation.
The hearing was had and the facts certified to this Court in accordance with the terms of Article 119, V.A.C.C.P.
The relator testified that he was brought down from the jail to Judge Shivers' court sometime in 1944, that he had an agreement with an assistant district attorney to plead guilty in two cases, and that the sentences were to run concurrently, that he stepped up to the judge's bench, told the judge that he wanted to plead guilty, and that his plea was received. He stated that he was not represented by counsel, and none was appointed to represent him. He stated further that he did not know that his sentences were cumulated until after he was received at the penitentiary.
Honorable M. H. Oldham testified that he was Judge of the County Court at Law of Jefferson County from 1943 until 1947 and that he at no time represented relator, either by employment or appointment, in any criminal case in Judge Shivers' court. He stated that he knew no other lawyer in his part of the State whose name was Oldham and who had been on the bench.
Justice of the Peace Bell testified that at the time relator was tried he was acting as Bailiff in the Criminal District Court of Jefferson County, that he brought the relator down from the jail, and carried him before Judge Shivers, who received relator's plea of guilty in two felony cases. He stated that relator had no attorney, and none was appointed to represent him. He corroborated relator's statement that relator had been promised that his sentences would run concurrently.
James S. Fuller, Assistant District Attorney, testified that he had searched the records of the clerk's office and failed to find any waiver and approval form which would normally carry the signature of an attorney representing an accused who had plead guilty before the court.
The State relied upon the records only. The judgments in causes numbered 15,869 and 15,875 contain the usual recitations, 'Fred Meadows appeared in person, his counsel also being present.'
The docket sheets in both cases were introduced. In Cause No. 15,875, we find the notation, 'Dft. Fred Meadows rep. by Judge Oldham.' This sentence has long since been served.
The sentences show to have been made cummulative.
While we find a conflict in the dates as shown by the records and as testified to by the witnesses, we have concluded that relator's allegation as to Cause No. 15,869 was established.
The writ of habeas corpus is granted, and relator is ordered delivered to the Sheriff of Jefferson County to await the further order of the Criminal District Court of Jefferson County in Cause No. 15,869 in said court. *Page 872