IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS




NO. 74,085

 

EX PARTE WOODROW WILSON SHOOK, JR., Applicant

 


ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

FROM YOUNG COUNTY


Keller, P.J., filed a dissenting opinion in which KEASLER, and COCHRAN, J.J., joined.



DISSENTING OPINION



In a post conviction collateral attack, it is not sufficient for an applicant to allege error. (1) He must also allege how the error harmed him. (2)

Applicant alleges that the Board of Pardons and Paroles failed to give him adequate notice that he was to be considered for release to mandatory supervision. He establishes that the Board notified him that he would be considered for release on certain dates, but then made the determination to deny release before those dates. But applicant has failed to allege any harm resulting from the Board's early consideration of his case.

In Ex parte Geiken, (3) we determined that V.T.C.A. Gov't Code § 508.147 created a liberty interest in mandatory supervision release. (4) We also said that if a liberty interest is created by a statute, due process requires notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard. (5) I believe that an allegation of a lack of a meaningful opportunity to be heard is an allegation of harm. But applicant in this case was notified that his case would be considered and was provided an opportunity to be heard. Although he has proven that the hearing was not when he was told it would be, he has not alleged that because of the date discrepancy his opportunity to be heard was not meaningful, e.g. that there was evidence he was prevented from presenting because of the Board's early consideration of the case.

I respectfully dissent.

KELLER, Presiding Judge



Delivered: October 24, 2001

Publish.

1. See Ex Parte Maldonado, 688 S.W. 114, 116 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985).

2. See id.

3. 28 S.W.3d 553 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).

4. Id. at 558.

5. Id. at 560 (citing LaChance v. Erickson, 522 U.S. 262, 266, 118 S.Ct. 753, 139 L.Ed.2d 695 (1998)).