Opinion ID: 795361
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Can we dismiss Michael's appeal?

Text: 50 Before we can even consider the merits in this case, we must deal with whether we should dismiss Michael's appeal altogether, for Michael has indicated several times that he does not wish his appeal to proceed. To recap, we have letters to this effect dated April 14 and November 26 in 2004; February 22, March 28, May 23, and September 19 in 2005; and February 6 in 2006. On the other hand, Michael expressed a desire for his appeal to proceed on May 5, 2004. Cosgrove reported in December 2004 that Michael was anything but steadfast in his desire to terminate this appeal, and Michael made no effort to have our June 2005 order (sending the case back to the District Court) reconsidered or appealed. And his letter of January 9, 2006, suggested that he wanted Cosgrove to remain [his] lawyer for the duration of this matter. 51 Under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 42(b), appeals may be dismissed on the appellant's motion on terms agreed to by the parties or fixed by the court. In United States v. Hammer, we stated that we had discretion to grant, or to deny, a defendant's motion for dismissal. 226 F.3d 229, 234 (3d Cir.2000). 10 52 So we can dismiss Michael's appeal. But we must first address whether Michael is competent to withdraw his appeal. 53