









IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS





NO. WR-64,038-03


EX PARTE DONALD WAYNE DORCH, Applicant





ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 317244 IN THE 8TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM HOPKINS 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 a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of sexual assault and
sentenced to life imprisonment. The Seventh Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Dorch v.
State, No. 07-04-00380-CR (Tex. App.-Amarillo 2006, pet. ref'd). 
	Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because he failed to
call Ventra Brookins as an impeachment witness and to object when the trial court rather than the
jury sentenced Applicant. 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). In the appropriate case, the trial court may rely on its
personal recollection. Id.
	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 him 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
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. 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: October 7, 2009
Do not publish
