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 99 years' imprisonment. The Thirteenth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Mendez v. State, AP-13-03-00127-CR, (Tex. App. - Corpus Christi, 2006, pet. ref'd) (not designated for publication).

The habeas record has been forwarded to this Court prematurely. On December 9, 2008, the trial judge entered an Order Designating Issues requiring counsel to file an affidavit in response to Applicant's ineffective assistance of counsel allegations. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 608 (1984). We return this application to Hidalgo County to allow the trial judge to complete the fact gathering he deemed necessary and enter findings of fact and conclusions of law.

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. If any continuances are granted, a copy of the order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court. 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 returned to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order. Any extensions of time shall be obtained from this Court.

Filed: February 4, 2009

Do not publish