Smith, Corderral John
WR-82,815-01
Tex. App.
Sep 2, 2015
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Case Information

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Judge Chap B. Cain III

253 RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT LIBERTY COUNTY COURTHOUSE 1923 SAM HOUSTON LIBERTY, TEXAS 77575 (936) 336 − 4668

August 31, 2015

Court of Criminal Appeals Capitol Station P.O. Box 12308

Austin, Texas 78711

In re: CCA Case No. WR-82,815-01 COA Case No. 13-0-00552-CR Trial Court No. CR28321-A

RECEIVED IN

COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS SEP 022015

Abel Acosta, Clerk

State of Texas v Corderral John Smith Enclosed please find certified copy of State's Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law on Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus Seeking Relief From Felony Conviction Under Code of Criminal Procedure 11.07 and certified copy of Order signed by Judge Cain dated August 26, 2015.

If you have any questions, please contact my office at 936-336-4668.

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NO. CR28321-A

Ex parte

CORDERRAL JOHN SMITH

\ §
IN THE DISTRICT COURT

CORDERRAL JOHN SMITH

§ LIBERTY COUNTY, TEXAS

ORDER

After reviewing Applicant's APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS, and Respondent's Affidavit and supporting documentation, the Trial Court hereby ADOPTS in their entirety, the State's PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW as the Trial Court's FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW in the above numbered and styled Cause.

Accordingly, it is the considered recommendation of this Court that Applicant's request for relief be in all things DENIED.

Signed on this 26th day of August, 2015.

CHAP B. CAIN, III Judge, of the 253 rd District Court Liberty County, Texas

STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF LIBERTY I, Donna G. Brown, District Clerk of Liberty County, Texas, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original report, now in my lawful custody and possession, filed on 111 − 12 as appears of record in my office. Witness my official band and seat of office, this

DONNA G. BROWN DISTRICT CLERK Liberty County, Texas

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NO. CR28321-A

EX PARTE CORDERRAL SMITH PETITIONER

§ IN THE DISTRICT COURT

§ 253RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT § LIBERTY COUNTY, TEXAS

STATE'S PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW ON APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS SEEKING RELIEF FROM FINAL FELONY CONVICTION UNDER CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 11.07

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:



Comes now the State of Texas, by and through her District Attorney, LOGAN PICKETT, in opposition to Applicant, CORDERRAL SMITH'S, Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus. The State requests the Court DENY RELIEF.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Corderral John Smith ("Smith") was tried for the capital murder of Gloria Faye Ryan. His co-defendant was Jason Rizzi ("Rizzi"). Smith was represented at trial by Stephen C. Taylor. Rizzi testified against Smith in the trial court. Smith was convicted of Capital Murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

FINDINGS OF FACT:

The State requests that the Court make the following findings of fact:

  1. That Applicant was indicted for the murder of Gloria Ryan, Appellant's mother, on October 25, 2006 and reindicted for the same offense on August 18, 2010.
  2. That the murder was committed on or about August 1, 2005.
  3. That Applicant was appointed Stephen C. Taylor ("Taylor") on August 16, 2007.

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  1. That Taylor visited Applicant in the Liberty County Jail on at least 12 separate occasions to discuss Applicant's case prior to trial.
  2. That Applicant and Taylor were present in court for two bond reductions hearings prior to trial.
  3. That the State made a plea offer to the Applicant that required Applicant to plead guilty to the murder of his mother in exchange for a cap of 60 years in sentencing.
  4. That Applicant declined the State's offer in writing.
  5. That Taylor prepared a typed rendition of the State's file and gave a copy of that rendition to Applicant prior to trial.
  6. That Applicant did not provide any possible witness(es) to disprove or create reasonable doubt as to any element of the State's case. 10.That Applicant made a pretrial request for appointment of new counsel. 11.That the Court did not grant any request for new counsel. 10.That during trial a jury member read a radiogram report that included some information about the trial. 11.That the Court admonished the jury regarding reports and information pertaining to the trial. 12.That no evidence was presented to show any juror had any improper influence on them before or during trial. 15.That Applicant was convicted of Capital Murder on September 12, 2010.
  7. That Applicant appealed his case. 14.That the Judgment of the trial court was affirmed. 15.That no PDR request was made.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

  1. The Court concludes that the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides for the assistance of competent counsel under the standard laid out in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984).
  2. The Court concludes that the Texas Court of the Criminal Appeals has determined that the Strickland standard applies to the areas of plea, and to the guilt and punishment stages of any capital or non-capital proceedings. See Craig v. State, 825 S.W.2d 128 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992).
  3. The standard of Strickland is that, to grant relief on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel one must find two things: first, that the trial counsel acted in a way below the prevailing professional norms and second, that this mistake caused some prejudice to the defendant.

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  1. This Court concludes that the proper evaluation of the counsel's representation is based upon the totality of the representation. See Kyles v . Whitley, 514 U.S. 419 (1995). See also Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 670 .
  2. This Court has reviewed all evidence, the arguments of counsel, the pleadings and briefings, as well as the exhibits provided in this matter. The Court has further reviewed all of the original papers and pleadings in the trial cause, and recalls the prior proceedings because the Court presided over them.
  3. This Court notes that it is the burden of the Applicant to prove by a preponderance of the evidence under Strickland that, but for the counsel's supposed errors, the confidence in the underlying verdict or sentence cannot be maintained. Said another way, this court, in order to recommend that the relief be granted, should find it has lost confidence in either the underlying verdict, or in this case, the voluntariness of the plea. In that instance this Court cannot concur.
  4. This Court concludes the Applicant has failed to meet his burden in order to claim relief.
  5. The Applicant cannot show either deficient performance or prejudice, and this Court accordingly recommends that his claims for relief should be DENIED.
  6. Applicant's due process rights were not violated in this case. 10.Applicant can show no due process violation as a matter of law. 11.Applicant can show no prejudice or harm as a matter of law.

THEREFORE IT IS THE ORDER OF THIS COURT THAT:

A. The Clerk of the Court shall certify all pleadings and motions and bills filed in this matter and prepare a record for forwarding to the Clerk of the Court of Criminal Appeals for its review; B. The preparation of these matters shall be at county expense.

Further, it is the considered recommendation of this Court that the claims for relief in all things be DENIED."

Therefore, the State requests this Honorable Court DENY the Application and adopt the proceeding proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and Order as its own.

*6 Respectfully Submitted, LOGAN PICKETT Liberty County District Attorney

State Bat No. 24056140 1923 Sam Houston, Ste. 112 Liberty, Texas 77575 (936) 336-4609 (936) 336-4644 (Fax)

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, Logan Pickett, District Attorney, Liberty County, Texas, do hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing STATE'S PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW ON APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS SEEKING RELIEF FROM FINAL FELONY CONVICTION UNDER CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 11.07 has been sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, facsimile, or by hand delivery to Stephen C. Taylor, trial counsel for Applicant, Dan P. Bradley, 11.07 counsel for the Applicant, on this the 2 nd day of 7 1 2 1 2 ", 2015.

STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF LIBERTY. I, Donna G. Brown, District Clerk D.Liberty County, Texas, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original record, now in my lawful custody and possession, filed on 10 1 1 " as appears of record in my office. Witness-midfield card and seat office, this