Court Opinion

ID: 2940622
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 22:08:48.712253+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:57.439229
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                          NO. AP-75,913

                       EX PARTE LESTER J. GUY, JR., Applicant

               ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
               CAUSE NO. 906044-A IN THE 248TH DISTRICT COURT
                            FROM HARRIS COUNTY

       Per curiam.

                                           OPINION

       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 possession of a

controlled substance and sentenced to thirty (30) years’ imprisonment. The First Court of Appeals

affirmed his conviction. Guy v. State, No. 01-02-01099-CR, (Tex. App. – Houston [First Dist.]

2004) (Not designated for publication).

       Applicant contends that his appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance because counsel

failed to advise him that his conviction had been affirmed and that he had a right to file a pro se
                                                                                               Guy -- 2

petition for discretionary review.

       On April 3, 2008, the trial judge conducted a habeas hearing concerning the merits of

Applicant’s claim. At the hearing, Applicant testified that he did not find out that his appeal had

been affirmed and that he had a right to file a pro se petition for discretionary review until after the

deadline to file a petition had passed. Applicant also testified that appellate counsel is deceased.

The trial judge found that appellate counsel failed to advise Applicant that his appeal had been

affirmed and that he had a right to file a pro se petition for discretionary review. The trial judge

recommended that relief be granted. Ex parte Wilson, 956 S.W.2d 25 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).

       We find that Applicant is entitled to the opportunity to file an out-of-time petition for

discretionary review of the judgment of the First Court of Appeals in Cause No. 01-02-01099-CR

that affirmed his conviction in Case No. 906044 from the 248th Judicial District Court of Harris

County. Applicant shall file his petition for discretionary review with the First Court of Appeals

within 30 days of the date on which this Court’s mandate issues.

Delivered: May 7, 2008
Do not publish