Diaz, Jose Angel

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: March 5, 2025
• Docket: WR-96,361-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS NO. WR-96,361-01

EX PARTE JOSE ANGEL DIAZ, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. CR-3546-22-B(1) IN THE 93RD DISTRICT COURT HIDALGO COUNTY

Per curiam.

OPINION

Applicant was convicted of one count of the continuous sexual abuse of a child, sentenced

to twenty-five years’ imprisonment, one count of indecency with a child, sentenced to two years’

imprisonment, and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child, sentenced to five years’

imprisonment. The Thirteenth Court of Appeals vacated the count of aggravated sexual assault and

affirmed the other two convictions. Diaz v. State, No. 13-22-00602-CR (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi-

Edinburg Aug. 15, 2024)(not designated for publication). Applicant filed this application for a writ

of habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this Court. See

TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 11.07.

Applicant contends that appellate counsel failed to timely file a petition for discretionary 2

review when she informed Applicant that she would file one on his behalf. Based on the record, the

trial court has determined that appellate counsel’s performance was deficient and that Applicant

would have timely filed a petition for discretionary review but for counsel’s deficient performance.

Relief is granted. Ex parte Wilson, 956 S.W.2d 25 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); Ex parte Crow,

180 S.W.3d 135 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). Applicant may file an out-of-time petition for

discretionary review of the judgment of the Thirteenth Court of Appeals in cause number. Should

Applicant decide to file a petition for discretionary review, he must file it with this Court within

thirty days from the date of this Court’s mandate.

Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Correctional

Institutions Division and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Delivered: March 5, 2025 Do not publish