Court Opinion

ID: 2949257
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 05:58:49.90729+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:07:03.414755
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                          OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-42,794-05

                      EX PARTE GILMORE FRANKLIN COX, Applicant

                 ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
                CAUSE NO. CR-29938-A IN THE 217TH DISTRICT COURT
                            FROM ANGELINA 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 possession of a

controlled substance and possession of certain chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled

substance. He was sentenced to imprisonment for twenty and thirty-five years, respectively. The

Twelfth Court of Appeals affirmed his convictions. Cox v. State, No. 12-11-00297-CR (Tex.

App.—Tyler 2012, no pet.).

        Applicant contends, among other things, that trial counsel failed to investigate whether the
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substances alleged in count two of the indictment, possession of certain chemicals with the intent

to manufacture a controlled substance, were designated by the Director of the Department of Public

Safety as immediate precursors.

        On November 6, 2013, we remanded this application and directed the trial court to order

counsel to respond. We also directed the trial court to determine whether the substances alleged in

count two of the indictment were designated by the Director of the Department of Public Safety as

immediate precursors. We also directed the trial court to determine whether counsel’s conduct was

deficient and Applicant was prejudiced.

        On remand, counsel filed a sworn affidavit. The trial court found that acetone was not an

immediate precursor and that the other substances alleged in the indictment either were not

immediate precursors or were suppressed at a suppression hearing. The trial court concluded that

the second count was invalid and recommended that we grant relief.

        We believe the record is not sufficient to resolve Applicant’s claim. 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.

        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 him at the hearing. TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 26.04.

        The trial court shall determine whether Applicant pleaded guilty pursuant to a “package” plea

agreement. If the trial court finds that there was such an agreement, it shall also determine, after
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giving the State and Applicant an opportunity to respond, whether both counts should be set aside

or whether the remainder of the plea agreement, count one, should be maintained. See Ex parte

Ervin, 991 S.W.2d 804, 817 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Finally, the trial court shall order the District

Clerk to forward a copy of the reporter’s record of the motion to suppress hearing. 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: September 17, 2014
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