Gaderson, Willie Earl

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: February 12, 2025
• Docket: WR-96,154-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS NO. WR-96,154-01

EX PARTE WILLIE EARL GADERSON, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 1523576-A IN THE 178TH DISTRICT COURT FROM HARRIS COUNTY

Per curiam. SCHENCK, P.J., YEARY and PARKER, JJ., concurred. FINLEY J. dissented.

OPINION

Applicant pleaded guilty and was convicted of delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine)

less than one gram and sentenced to six months imprisonment. 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 his plea was involuntary because he did not know of the bad acts of

the officer who implicated him in this alleged offense. The State and the trial court agree that

Applicant’s plea was involuntary. Ex parte Mathews, 638 S.W.3d 685 (Tex. Crim. App. 2022); Ex

parte Coty, 418 S.W.3d 597 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014). The State and the trial court both recommend 2

granting relief. We agree. Applicant is entitled to relief.

Relief is granted. Brady v. United States, 397 U.S. 742 (1970). The judgment in cause

number 1523576 in the 178th District Court of Harris County is set aside, and Applicant is remanded

to the custody of the Sheriff of Harris County to answer the charges as set out in the indictment. The

trial court shall issue any necessary bench warrant within ten 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Delivered: February 12, 2025 Do not publish