X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

ORDER This is a subsequent application for a writ of habeas corpus filed pursuant to the provisions of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 11.071, § 5.[1] In May 2010, a jury convicted Applicant of capital murder for killing his fiancee’s 13- month-old daughter. See TEX. PENAL CODE § 19.03(a). The jury answered the special issues submitted under Article 37.07 l of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The jury also answered a special issue asking whether Applicant is a person with intellectual disability. In accordance with the jury’s answers, the trial court set punishment at death. This Court affirmed Applicant’s conviction and sentence on direct appeal and denied his initial writ filed pursuant to Article 11.071. Milam v. State, No. AP-76,3 79 (Tex. Crim. App. May 23, 2012) (not designated for publication); Ex parte Milam, No. WR-79,322-0 1 (Tex. Crim. App. Sept. 11, 2013) (not designated for publication). On January 7, 2019, Applicant filed this, his first subsequent writ application, in the trial court. Therein, Applicant raised four claims: (1) current scientific evidence regarding the reliability of bite mark comparison evidence contradicts expert opinion testimony presented by the State at Applicant’s trial (Claim 1); (2) Applicant’s execution would violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments because he is intellectually disabled (Claim 2); the State violated Applicant’s right to due process by failing to disclose material exculpatory evidence (Claim 3); and (4) the State obtained Applicant’s conviction in violation of due process because he was denied his right to present a defense (Claim 4). The trial court forwarded the record to us for a determination of whether any of Applicant’s subsequent writ claims satisfied Article 11.071, § 5(a). We determined that Applicant’s first and second claims satisfied Article 11.071, § 5(a)(1) and remanded those allegations to the trial court for a merits review. Ex parte Milam, No. WR-79,322-02 (Tex. Crim. App. Jan. 14, 2019). The trial court entered findings of +fact and conclusions of law and recommended that we deny habeas relief on Claims 1 and 2. We have reviewed the record regarding Applicant’s two remanded allegations. Based on our review of the record, we find that Applicant is not entitled to habeas relief on either Claim 1 (his bite mark evidence allegation) or Claim 2 (his intellectual disability allegations). Further, regarding Claim 1, we do not adopt the trial court’s findings of fact numbers 29 and 33. Regarding Claim 2, we do not adopt conclusions of law numbers 170 through 177, number 183, or the portion of number 239 that states Applicant’s intellectual disability claim is barred under Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 288 (1989). Based upon the trial court’s findings and conclusions (with the exceptions noted above) and our own review, we deny relief on Claim 1 and Claim 2 of the application, and dismiss Claims 3 and 4 as an abuse of the writ. IT IS SO ORDERED THIS THE I ST DAY OF JULY, 2020. Do Not Publish

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 25, 2025
Dallas, TX

The Texas Lawyer honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in Texas.


Learn More
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More
March 24, 2025
New York, NY

Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives.


Learn More

Legal Administrative AssistantRivkind, Margulies & Rivkind, P.A.Miami, FL, USAEmployment Type: Full-TimeBenefits Offered: Medical, Retir...


Apply Now ›

Position Type:Administrative and Central Office Office Title/Functional Title:Risk Management and Litigation Associate Counsel - 23849Civil ...


Apply Now ›

Process enhanced rate equitable services requests, response to filers and NYSED Inquiries. Receive, file, coordinate, and review ...


Apply Now ›