Court Opinion

ID: 3105945
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 05:51:36.373398+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:44:44.003515
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE
                               FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON

                                         ORDER OF ABATEMENT

Appellate case name:        Garrett Dewayne Washington v. The State of Texas

Appellate case number:      01-13-01038-CR

Trial court case number: 1186821

Trial court:                262nd District Court of Harris County

        The time for appellant to file his brief has passed, as the clerk’s record is already on file
and the court reporter filed an information sheet on January 16, 2014 indicating no record was
taken. We note that appellant has previously filed a motion to dismiss this appeal, which was
denied because it contained contradictory language regarding his willingness to dismiss. We are
currently unable to determine if Washington wishes to pursue this appeal, and if so, whether he is
indigent and entitled to counsel.

         As such, we must abate this appeal and remand the case to the trial court for a hearing at
which appellant and trial counsel shall be present in person. 1 The court coordinator of the trial
court shall set a date for said hearing and notify the parties, including appellant. We direct the
trial court to make appropriate written findings of fact and conclusions of law and to execute any
necessary orders on these issues:

           1) Whether appellant still wishes to pursue this appeal;
           2) If so, whether to allow trial counsel to withdraw;
           3) Whether appellant is now indigent and entitled to appointed counsel; and, if
              indigent,
                  a. appoint counsel on appeal, and
                  b. order the court reporter to file the reporter’s record with this Court at no
                      cost to appellant;
           4) If appellant is not indigent:

1      If appellant is now incarcerated, he may appear by closed video teleconference. Any such teleconference
       must use a closed-circuit video teleconferencing system that provides for a simultaneous compressed full
       motion video and interactive communication of image and sound between the trial court, appellant, and any
       attorneys representing the State or appellant. On request, appellant and his counsel shall be able to
       communicate privately without being recorded or heard by the trial court or the attorney representing the
       State.
                a. whether he has retained an attorney to file a brief, and, if so, obtain the
                    name, address, and telephone number of retained counsel;
                b. if appellant has not retained counsel, the trial court shall admonish
                    appellant of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation, and
                        i. determine whether appellant is knowingly and intelligently
                            waiving his right to counsel; or,
                       ii. if appellant does not wish to proceed pro se, provide a deadline by
                            which appellant must hire an attorney.
See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 1.051(a), (f); Oliver v. State, 872 S.W.2d 713, 716 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1994); Minjares v. State, 577 S.W.2d 222, 224 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978); cf. TEX.
CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 1.051(g).

        The trial court shall have a court reporter, or court recorder, record the hearing and file
the reporter’s record with the Court no later than 30 days from the date of this order.
Additionally, the trial court’s findings and recommendations and any orders issued pursuant to
this hearing shall be included in a supplemental clerk’s record and filed in this Court no later
than 30 days from the date of this order. If the hearing is conducted by video teleconference, a
certified electronic copy of the hearing shall be filed in this Court no later than 30 days from the
date of this order.

        The appeal is abated, treated as a closed case, and removed from this Court’s active
docket. The appeal will be reinstated on this Court’s active docket when the supplemental
clerk’s record and reporter’s record of the hearing are filed in this Court.

       It is so ORDERED.

Judge’s signature: /s/ Rebeca Huddle
                    Acting individually      Acting for the Court

Date: April 24, 2014