Ward, Sheldon A.

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: September 10, 2008
• Docket: WR-64,276-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-64,276-01 EX PARTE SHELDON AARON WARD

ON APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

IN CAUSE NO. C-1-008112-0835934-A IN THE CRIMINAL

DISTRICT COURT ONE OF TARRANT COUNTY

Per curiam.

O R D E R

This is a post conviction application for a writ of habeas corpus filed pursuant to the provisions of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 11.071.

In May 2003, a jury found applicant guilty of the offense of capital murder. The jury also answered the special issues submitted pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 37.071 in favor of the State, and the trial court, accordingly, set applicant's punishment at death. This Court affirmed applicant's conviction and sentence on direct appeal. Ward v. State, No. AP-74,695 (Tex. Crim. App. delivered May 23, 2007) (not designated for publication). Applicant filed this initial post-conviction application for writ of habeas corpus in the convicting court on May 21, 2007, and the convicting court forwarded the writ application to this Court with its findings and conclusions.

This case is remanded to the convicting court to conduct a live evidentiary hearing regarding applicant's ineffective assistance of counsel claim as related to counsel's alleged failure to investigate brain damage. See Applicant's Writ Application at pp. 43-51; Trial Courts Findings at pp.12-17. After conducting this hearing, the trial court shall enter any findings of fact, including findings of fact addressing the credibility of the witnesses, and conclusions of law that it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of applicant's claim. Further, because this Court does not hear evidence, Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294 (Tex. Crim. App. 1960), this application for a post-conviction writ of habeas corpus will be held in abeyance pending the trial court's compliance with this order. Within 120 days of the date of this order, the trial court shall resolve these issues and have the clerk forward the record to this Court. ⁽¹⁾

IT IS SO ORDERED THIS THE 10^TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2008.

Do Not Publish

1. ¹ In the event any continuances are granted, copies of the order granting the continuance should be provided to this Court.