EX PARTE WILLIAM JOSEPH DEE (other)

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IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-70,567-01

EX PARTE WILLIAM JOSEPH DEE, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

CAUSE NO. 05-1160 IN THE 2ND 25TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM GUADALUPE 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 writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of thirteen counts of aggravated sexual assault and thirteen counts of indecency with a child. Applicant was sentenced to forty years' imprisonment on each aggravated sexual assault count, twenty years' imprisonment on counts 10, 12, 16, and 21 for indecency with a child, and ten years' imprisonment for the other nine counts of indecency with a child. The Fourth Court of Appeals affirmed his convictions. Dee v. State, No. 04-06-134-CR (Tex. App.-San Antonio, delivered October 11, 2006).

Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to convey a plea offer from the State, specifically a twenty-five year offer on the day before trial, and by failing to research and present mitigating evidence of his abuse as a child and his history of mental illness.

Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 608 (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 provide Applicant's trial counsel with the opportunity 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 as to whether or not counsel conveyed the State's last offer, from the eve of trial, of twenty-five years and the possibility of dismissing some counts to Applicant prior to trial. The trial court shall make findings of fact as to whether the performance of Applicant's trial attorney 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. 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: September 24, 2008

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