Court Opinion

ID: 4063873
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 21:04:47.832455+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:31:42.595506
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                          OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-79,522-03

                          EX PARTE RICHARD GOOSBY, Applicant

                 ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
                 CAUSE NO. 1315052-B IN THE 230TH DISTRICT COURT
                              FROM HARRIS 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 pleaded “no contest” to aggravated

robbery, and was sentenced to twenty-five years’ imprisonment. He attempted twice to appeal his

conviction, but both appeals were dismissed for want of jurisdiction. Goosby v. State, No. 14-12-

00570-CR (Tex. App. — Houston [14th Dist.] August 14, 2012); Goosby v. State, No. 14-13-00864-

CR (Tex. App. — Houston [14th Dist.] October 17, 2013) (not designated for publication).

        Applicant contends, among other things, that his plea agreement has been breached and that

his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because Applicant was led to believe that he had the
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right to appeal or that the trial court would grant him permission to appeal after entering his plea of

“no contest.” The transcript of the plea hearing is unclear with respect to whether Applicant

understood that he would not have a right to appeal if the trial court followed the punishment

recommendation. The trial court did take a short break in the proceedings to allow Applicant the

opportunity to discuss the matter with counsel before he entered his plea, but the record does not

reflect what advice trial counsel gave Applicant during that break. The record does suggest that

Applicant was confused as to whether he could appeal if he pleaded “no contest.” Furthermore,

although Applicant signed the trial court’s certification indicating that he had no right to appeal, he

also filed a notice of appeal which was signed by trial counsel on the same date. Although trial

counsel moved to withdraw from the representation at the same time he filed notice of appeal, the

trial court neither granted nor denied trial counsel’s motion to withdraw. In addition, although the

trial court found that Applicant was indigent for purposes of appointing appellate counsel and paying

for preparation of the trial records, the trial court did not appoint appellate counsel to represent

Applicant.

       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.

Specifically, trial counsel shall state what advice he gave to Applicant regarding his right to appeal

if he pleaded “no contest” and the trial court followed the punishment recommendation. If trial

counsel did advise Applicant that he had no right to appeal, trial counsel shall explain why he filed

notice of appeal on Applicant’s behalf. The trial court may use any means set out in TEX . CODE

CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d).
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       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 of fact and conclusions of law as to whether Applicant

was advised and understood that he had no right to appeal after entering his plea of “no contest”

pursuant to a plea agreement. The trial court shall make findings as to why the certification showing

that Applicant had no right to appeal and the notice of appeal were filed on the same date, and as to

why the trial court found Applicant to be indigent, did not grant trial counsel’s motion to withdraw,

and did not appoint appellate counsel. The trial court shall make findings of fact 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 make findings of fact as to whether

Applicant’s plea of “no contest” was knowingly and voluntarily entered. 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 shall

be obtained from this Court.

Filed: November 11, 2015
Do not publish