ORDER
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 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 life imprisonment. The Eighth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Gonzalez v. State, 301 S.W.3d 393 (Tex. App. – El Paso 2009).
Applicant contends, inter alia, that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. He raises multiple complaints, but there is no affidavit from trial counsel in response. Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (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 claims of ineffective assistance of counsel by ordering trial counsel to file an affidavit. In addition to obtaining this affidavit, the trial court may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d) to resolve disputed factual matters. 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 applicant at the hearing. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04.
