Freeman, Alonzo Dee AKA Freeman, Lonnie Dee

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: October 19, 2011
• Docket: WR-37,039-02
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-37,039-02 EX PARTE ALONZO DEE FREEMAN, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

CAUSE NO. F40226 IN THE 413^TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM JOHNSON COUNTY

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 one count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He was sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment on each count. He did not appeal his conviction.

Applicant contends that his plea was involuntary because trial counsel did not inform him as to the correct range of punishment on both counts and that his sentence for count one was outside of the correct punishment range. Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). In these circumstances, additional facts are needed. As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact. The trial court shall obtain a response from Applicant's trial counsel regarding 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 the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine if Applicant is represented by counsel, and if not, 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 regarding Applicant's claims that his plea was involuntary and that counsel was ineffective. The trial court shall make findings as to whether counsel informed Applicant of the range of punishment both with and without the enhancement paragraphs as alleged in the indictment. The trial court shall make findings as to whether Applicant voluntarily pleaded guilty pursuant to the plea bargain agreement. 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, 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: October 19, 2011

Do not publish