Ex Parte Jeri Colette Dopps

Applicant was indicted for murder, the indictment alleging that she intentionally and knowingly caused the death of an individual "by striking [him] about the head with a board." On September 22, 1980, applicant pled nolo contendere, pursuant to a plea bargain agreement, to the lesser included offense of voluntary manslaughter. The State recommended a sentence of 20 years confinement in the Texas Department of Corrections and the trial court followed the recommendation. Judgment of conviction was entered October 1, 1980, and sentence was entered October 6th. There was no affirmative finding that a deadly weapon had been used in the commission of the offense.