Combs, Devontae Deshaun ( 2013 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS

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NO. WR-79,539-02

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EX PARTE DEVONTAE DESHAUN COMBS, Applicant

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ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 50,294-B IN THE 78^TH DISTRICT COURT FROM WICHITA COUNTY

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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 assault family violence and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction.

Applicant contends, inter alia, that his counsel rendered ineffective assistance by: failing to seek out witnesses, including the complainant, who no longer wanted to pursue her false claims against Applicant; telling him that the prosecutor would stack all of his sentences if he did not plead guilty; failing to explain the waivers that he had Applicant sign; and telling him that if he pleaded guilty, he would be back home in eighteen months. 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). 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 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 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 as to whether the performance of Applicant's trial counsel 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 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: June 26, 2013

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