Hutchins, Jason Mark

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: September 12, 2012
• Docket: WR-77,879-02
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NOS.

WR-77,879-01

WR-77,879-02

WR-77,879-03

EX PARTE JASON MARK HUTCHINS, Applicant

ON APPLICATIONS FOR WRITS OF HABEAS CORPUS

CAUSE NOS. B09-155, B09-156, AND B09-157

IN THE 198TH DISTRICT COURT FROM KERR 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 these applications for writs of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine, possessing chemicals to manufacture methamphetamine, and endangering a child. He was sentenced to concurrent terms of twenty years' incarceration for each offense. There were no direct appeals.

Applicant raises several claims in his writ applications, including claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel, and he has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Smith v. Robbins, 528 U.S. 259, 285-86 (2000); Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791, 795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). There is no response from trial counsel in the record provided to this Court, and there are no findings from the trial court. 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 claims of ineffective assistance and explain applicable strategy and tactical decisions. In doing so, 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 regarding the claims raised in the writ applications. The trial court may also make any other findings of fact and conclusions of law it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant's claims 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: September 12, 2012

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