Roberts, Reno Preston ( 2023 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-94,427-01
EX PARTE RENO PRESTON ROBERTS, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. CR15-135A IN THE 235TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM COOKE COUNTY
Per curiam. YEARY , J., filed a concurring opinion in which SLAUGHTER, J., joined.
ORDER
Applicant pleaded guilty to indecency with a child by contact and was sentenced to fifteen
years’ imprisonment. Applicant did not appeal his conviction. 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, among other things, that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
investigate his competency and raise it as an issue in the trial court before Applicant pleaded guilty.
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington, 466
U.S. 668 (1984). Accordingly, the record should be developed. The trial court is the appropriate
forum for findings of fact. TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d). The trial court shall order trial
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counsel to respond to Applicant’s claim. In developing the record, the trial court may use any means
set out in Article 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 wants to be represented by counsel, the trial court
shall appoint counsel to represent him at the hearing. See TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 26.04. If
counsel is appointed or retained, the trial court shall immediately notify this Court of counsel’s
name.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether trial counsel’s
performance was deficient and Applicant was prejudiced. The trial court may make any other
findings and conclusions that it deems appropriate in response to Applicant’s claim.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law within ninety days from
the date of this order. The district clerk shall then immediately forward to this Court the trial court’s
findings and conclusions and the record developed on remand, including, among other things,
affidavits, motions, objections, proposed findings and conclusions, orders, and transcripts from
hearings and depositions. See TEX . R. APP . P. 73.4(b)(4). Any extensions of time must be requested
by the trial court and obtained from this Court.
Filed: January 25, 2023
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