Barron, Jacob

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: February 12, 2014
• Docket: WR-75,972-02
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

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NO. WR-75,972-02

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EX PARTE JACOB BARRON, Applicant

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ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

CAUSE NO. 06-6548-C IN THE 106^TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM DAWSON COUNTY

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           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 this application for writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.

            This Court has twice remanded this writ application to Dawson County for, inter alia, findings of fact and conclusions of law addressing Applicant’s claims of an illegal cumulation order and ineffective assistance of counsel. The trial court has found that the cumulation order is improper, but has not yet addressed Applicant’s claim that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because he did not preserve Applicant’s right to appeal. The merits of the habeas corpus application cannot be decided without findings of fact addressing both issues. Ex Parte Townsend, 137 S.W.3d 79 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004).

            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); Ex parte Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988). 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 counsel 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).

            It appears that Applicant is represented by counsel. If he is not represented and 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 denied right to a meaningful appeal because Applicant’s counsel failed to timely file a notice of appeal. Specifically, the trial court shall make findings as to whether counsel advised Applicant concerning the meaning and effect of the judgment rendered by the court, his right to appeal from that judgment, and the necessity of giving notice of appeal and taking other steps to pursue an appeal. If the trial court finds that counsel fully advised Applicant of his appellate rights, the trial court shall make findings as to whether Applicant informed counsel that he wanted to appeal. 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. 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, and the indictment, judgment, and any plea papers from Cause No. 06-6547-C, 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: February 12, 2014

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