




 




IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS





NO. WR-70,109-01


EX PARTE LOUIE MATTHEW HANKEY, Applicant





ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 21378-A IN THE 336TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM FANNIN 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 aggravated sexual
assault of a child and sentenced to fifty-five years' imprisonment.  The Sixth Court of Appeals
affirmed his conviction.  Hankey v. State, No. 06-06-00172-CR (Tex. App. - Texarkana, May 24,
2007, no pet.).  
	Applicant contends, inter alia, that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because
counsel failed to object to the admission of a videotaped interview of complainant.
	Applicant raised this claim on direct appeal.  The court of appeals found that the videotape
was inadmissible hearsay that properly would have been excluded, had counsel objected.  However,
the court of appeals declined to find counsel ineffective because it was possible that counsel's failure
to object was part of a reasonable trial strategy.  Therefore this claim is appropriately raised in the
current application for habeas corpus.  See Ex parte Varelas, 45 S.W.3d 627, 630, 632 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2001).
	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 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: August 20, 2008
Do not publish
