             IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                           NO. AP-76,880


                      EX PARTE TROY FRANKLIN LONG III, Applicant


                  ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
                   CAUSE NO. F14217 IN THE 276TH DISTRICT COURT
                              FROM MARION COUNTY


        Per curiam.

                                            OPINION

        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 murder and

sentenced to twenty years’ imprisonment.

        Applicant contends that his counsel rendered ineffective assistance because he failed to

timely file a notice of appeal.

        The trial court has determined that Applicant was deprived of his right to pursue a direct

appeal through no fault of his own. The State agrees. We find that Applicant is entitled to the

opportunity to file an out-of-time appeal of the judgment of conviction in Cause No. F14217 from
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the 276th District Court of Marion County. Ex parte Riley, 193 S.W.3d 900 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).

Applicant is ordered returned to that time at which he may give a written notice of appeal so that he

may then, with the aid of counsel, obtain a meaningful appeal. It appears that the trial court has

appointed Applicant appellate counsel. If this is not the case, within ten days of the issuance of this

opinion, the trial court shall determine whether Applicant is indigent. If Applicant is indigent and

wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall immediately appoint an attorney to represent

Applicant on direct appeal. All time limits shall be calculated as if the sentence had been imposed

on the date on which the mandate of this Court issues. We hold that, should Applicant desire to

prosecute an appeal, he must take affirmative steps to file a written notice of appeal in the trial court

within 30 days after the mandate of this Court issues.

        Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Correctional

Institutions Division and Pardons and Paroles Division.



Delivered: September 12, 2012
Do not publish
