Whitaker, Thomas Bartlett
Whitaker, Thomas Bartlett
Opinion
This is a post conviction application for writ of habeas corpus filed pursuant to the provisions of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 11.071.
Applicant was convicted in March 2007 of capital murder committed on December 10, 2003. Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 19.03(a)(7)(A). Based on the jury's answers to the special issues set forth in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 37.071, sections 2(b) and 2(e), the trial court sentenced him to death. Art. 37.071, § 2(g). (1) This Court affirmed applicant's conviction and sentence on direct appeal. Whitaker v. State, 286 S.W.3d 355 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009).
Applicant presented twelve allegations in his application in which he challenges the validity of his conviction and sentence. The trial court did not hold a live evidentiary hearing. As to all of these allegations, the trial judge entered findings of fact and conclusions of law and recommended that relief be denied.
This Court has reviewed the record with respect to the allegations made by applicant. We agree with the trial judge's recommendation and adopt the trial judge's findings and conclusions, with the following exceptions: findings paragraphs 18, 21, 80, 83, 86, and 104 through 105; and conclusions paragraphs 18, 22, 30 through 31, and 39. We also observe that in the first sentence of findings paragraph 56, the language, "okay with the jury's decision," should read, "okay with the district attorney's decision." Based upon the trial court's findings and conclusions and our own review of the record, relief is denied.
IT IS SO ORDERED THIS THE 30TH DAY OF JUNE, 2010.
Do Not Publish 1. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to Articles are to the Texas Code of Criminal
Procedure.
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