Putnam, Robert Carl

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: May 2, 2012
• Docket: WR-77,430-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-77,430-01 EX PARTE ROBERT CARL PUTNAM, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

CAUSE NO. 5152 IN THE 8TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM RAINS 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 a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of escape and sentenced to sixteen years' imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.

Applicant contends, among other things, that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because he failed to learn that when Applicant committed this offense he was not under arrest for a felony. 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. 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. 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 him 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 trial counsel's performance was deficient and, if so, whether his deficient performance prejudiced Applicant. In making these findings and conclusions, the trial court shall determine what evidence, if any, shows that Applicant was under arrest for or had been charged with a felony when he committed this offense. Tex. Pen. Code § 38.06(c). 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: May 2, 2012

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