Edwards, Donny Ray

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: July 26, 2017
• Docket: WR-86,977-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS NO. WR-86,977-01

EX PARTE DONNY RAY EDWARDS, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. CR14-00061A IN THE 294TH DISTRICT COURT FROM VAN ZANDT 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 guilty to burglary of a

habitation, and was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.

Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because trial counsel

gave him incorrect advice regarding parole release, rendering his plea involuntary. Applicant alleges

that trial counsel erroneously advised him that if he pleaded guilty pursuant to the plea agreement,

he would be released on parole within eight months of his arrival at TDCJ.

Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington, 2

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, if any, he gave to Applicant regarding when he

would be eligible for or released to parole or mandatory supervision. The trial court may use any

means set out in TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d).

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 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 and conclusions of

law as to whether Applicant’s plea of guilty 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 must

be requested by the trial court and shall be obtained from this Court. 3

Filed: July 26, 2017 Do not publish