“We hold that the term ‘actual innocence’ shall apply, in Texas state cases, only in circumstances in which an accused did not, in fact, commit the charged offense or any of the lesser-included offenses.”
How later courts described this case
- “We hold that the term ‘actual innocence’ shall apply, in Texas state cases, only in circumstances in which an accused did not, in fact, commit the charged offense or any of the lesser-included offenses.”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-91,755-01
EX PARTE LOUIE ROLAND GARCIA, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 2017CR12158-W1 IN THE 226TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM BEXAR COUNTY
Per curiam. YEARY , J., filed a concurring opinion.
ORDER
Applicant pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to eight
years’ imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction. Applicant filed this application for a writ
of habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this Court. See
TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07.
Applicant contends, among other things, that he is actually innocent. The trial court made
findings of fact, concluded that Applicant had established that he is actually innocent, and
recommended that we grant him a new trial. We believe that the record is not adequate to resolve
whether Applicant is actually innocent. The trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact.
TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d). If the trial court elects to develop the record, it may use
2
any means set out in Article 11.07, § 3(d). Applicant appears to be represented by counsel. If he is
not and the trial court holds a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent. If Applicant
is indigent and wants to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint counsel to represent
him at the hearing. See TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 26.04. If counsel is appointed or retained, the
trial court shall immediately notify this Court of counsel’s name.
The trial court shall make further findings of fact and determine whether Applicant possessed
quantities of methamphetamine not found in the bathroom area of the house where, he and his co-
defendant maintain, the confidential informant planted drugs.1 The trial court shall then determine
whether Applicant committed a lesser-included offense of the charges set out in the indictment and
whether he has established that he is actually innocent. See State v. Wilson, 324 S.W.3d 595, 598
(Tex. Crim. App. 2010) (“We hold that the term ‘actual innocence’ shall apply, in Texas state cases,
only in circumstances in which an accused did not, in fact, commit the charged offense or any of the
lesser-included offenses.”). The trial court may make any other findings and conclusions that it
deems appropriate in response to Applicant’s claims.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law within ninety days from
the date of this order. The district clerk shall then immediately forward to this Court the trial court’s
findings and conclusions and the record developed on remand, including, among other things,
affidavits, motions, objections, proposed findings and conclusions, orders, and transcripts from
hearings and depositions. See TEX . R. APP. P. 73.4(b)(4). Any extensions of time must be requested
by the trial court and obtained from this Court.
1
According to the record, a large bundle wrapped in tape containing 1,102 grams of
methamphetamine was found behind a loose board in the bathroom area.
3
Filed: November 18, 2020
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