Court Opinion

ID: 3103220
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 05:27:36.456147+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:51:46.154052
License: Public Domain

The State of TexasAppellee/s

                            Fourth Court of Appeals
                                   San Antonio, Texas
                                           May 7, 2014

                           Nos. 04-13-00761-CR & 04-13-00762-CR

                                         Ruben NERIO,
                                           Appellant

                                                v.

                                   THE STATE OF TEXAS,
                                         Appellee

                  From the 144th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
                        Trial Court Nos. 2005CR1231 & 2005CR1529
                     The Honorable Angus K. McGinty, Judge Presiding

                                         ORDER
        Appellant’s briefs in these companion cases were originally due on February 26, 2014.
Appellant is represented on appeal by appointed counsel, Mr. Mark E. Braswell. Mr. Braswell
has been granted one extension of time in which to file the brief, until March 26, 2014. Neither
the briefs nor a motion for extension of time were filed. Accordingly, on April 7, 2014, this
court ordered Mr. Braswell to file appellant’s briefs in this court no later April 25, 2014. Our
order stated that no further extensions of time would be granted, and cautioned Mr. Braswell that
if he failed to file appellant’s briefs by April 25, 2014, this cause would be abated for the trial
court to conduct a hearing to determine whether: (1) appellant desires to prosecute his appeal; (2)
appellant is indigent, and if so, the trial court shall take such measures as may be necessary to
assure the effective assistance of counsel, which may include the appointment of new counsel;
and (3) counsel has abandoned the appeal. Mr. Braswell failed to respond to our April 7, 2014,
order. Therefore, because the briefs have not been filed, pursuant to rule 38.8(b)(2) of the Texas
Rules of Appellate Procedure, we ABATE these cases to the trial court and ORDER the trial
court to conduct a hearing no later than May 27, 2014 to answer the following questions:

       (1) Does appellant desire to prosecute his appeals?

       (2) Is appellant indigent? If appellant is indigent, the trial court shall take such
       measures as may be necessary to assure the effective assistance of counsel, which
       may include the appointment of new counsel.
       (3) Has appointed counsel abandoned the appeals? Because sanctions may be
       necessary, the trial court should address this issue even if new counsel is retained
       or substituted before the date of the hearing.

       (4) If counsel has not abandoned the appeals and if the trial court does not appoint
       new counsel, the trial court must obtain on the record a date certain by which
       appellant’s briefs will be filed.

       (5) Should Mr. Braswell be sanctioned for failure to file appellant’s briefs by
       April 25, 2014?

        The trial court may, in its discretion, receive evidence on the first two questions by sworn
affidavit from the appellant. The trial court shall, however, order Mr. Braswell to be present at
the hearing.

        The trial court is further ORDERED to file supplemental clerk’s and reporter’s records in
this court, no later than June 6, 2014, which shall include: (1) a transcription of the hearing and
copies of any documentary evidence admitted, (2) written findings of fact and conclusions of
law, and (3) recommendations addressing the above enumerated questions. All appellate filing
dates are ABATED pending further orders from this court.

        The Clerk of this court shall cause a copy of this order to be served on Mr. Braswell by
certified mail, return receipt requested, and by regular United States mail. The Clerk of this
court shall also fax a copy of this order to the presiding judge of the 144th Judicial District
Court, Bexar County, Texas.

                                                     _________________________________
                                                     Sandee Bryan Marion, Justice

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 7th day of May, 2014.

                                                     ___________________________________
                                                     Keith E. Hottle
                                                     Clerk of Court