Hardeman, Willie Eugene

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: February 15, 2017
• Docket: WR-27,263-07
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS NO. WR-27,263-07

EX PARTE WILLIE EUGENE HARDEMAN, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 10-10380-A IN THE 252ND DISTRICT COURT FROM JEFFERSON 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 was convicted of aggravated

robbery and sentenced to seventy-five years’ imprisonment. The Ninth Court of Appeals affirmed

his conviction. Hardeman v. State, No. 09-13-00468-CR (Tex. App.—Beaumont Nov. 19,

2014)(not designated for publication).

In his supplemental application, Applicant contends, among other things, that counsel failed

to interview the individual that actually committed the offense, failed to present exculpatory

evidence (an unsworn declaration from the “true perpetrator”) that would have exonerated him, 2

failed to present results from a competency hearing, failed to introduce records from the Department

of Veterans Affairs pertaining to Applicant’s mental and physical conditions, and failed to object to

the trial judge’s attempts to coerce Applicant into pleading guilty. Applicant also alleges his plea

was involuntary because trial counsel told Applicant that the trial judge wanted the case off his

docket and if Applicant insisted on going to trial, the judge would make sure Applicant received a

life sentence. Applicant claims he told counsel he was innocent, but counsel continued to coerce and

pressure Applicant, and threatened to withdraw from representing Applicant if he insisted on going

to trial.

After remand, the trial court recommends denying relief and states, in its findings of fact, that

Applicant has failed to establish that his guilty plea was involuntary and that trial counsel did not

render constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel. These findings of fact and the trial court’s

recommendation to deny relief are not supported by a response from counsel. A response was

ordered by this Court in its remand order.

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).

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 3

attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing. TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 26.04.

After obtaining a response from counsel, the trial court shall make findings of fact and

conclusions of law in regard to Applicant’s claim that his plea was involuntary. The trial court shall

also make findings as to whether the performance of Applicant’s attorney was deficient and, if so,

whether counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced Applicant. 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 shall

be obtained from this Court.

Filed: February 15, 2017 Do not publish