Torriano Walpool v. Texas

In Texas law, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals considers the trial court the “eyes and ears” of the Court in making findings to aid the Court in deciding whether to grant relief on postconviction writs of habeas corpus. In this case, the trial court made extensive findings that Petitioner was actually innocent. The Court of Criminal Appeals, without having been present at the hearing, or even seriously considering the trial court’s findings, reversed the findings and denied relief upon the writ application. Did this action by the Court of Criminal Appeals deny Petitioner’s Due Process rights?