









IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS





NO. WR-78,322-01


EX PARTE BILLY RICHARD RENFRO, JR., Applicant





ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. CR11648 IN THE 355TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM HOOD 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 pleaded guilty without an agreed
punishment recommendation and was convicted of murder.  He was sentenced to life imprisonment. 
 	Applicant contends that his counsel rendered ineffective assistance because counsel failed
to timely file a notice of appeal.  The writ record contains a letter from counsel stating that Applicant
knowingly waived his right to appeal when he pleaded guilty.  Even though he pleaded guilty, it is
likely that Applicant could still have appealed the punishment phase of his trial because he did not
have an agreed punishment recommendation.
	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); Ex parte
Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988).  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 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 Applicant
was denied his right to a meaningful appeal because Applicant's counsel failed to timely file a notice
of appeal.  The trial court shall determine whether Applicant informed his counsel or the court that
he wished to appeal, and if so, what actions, if any, were taken to preserve that right for 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 supplemental 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: October 31, 2012
Do not publish
