TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
NO. 03-08-00345-CR
Ex parte William W. Roberts
FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 403RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. D-1-DC-07-206717, HONORABLE BRENDA KENNEDY, JUDGE PRESIDING
MEMORANDUM OPINION
PER CURIAM
On May 19, 2009, counsel for appellant William W. Roberts filed a motion
for extension of time to file his brief. We granted the motion, and ordered counsel to file his brief
no later than July 20, 2009. We informed counsel that if he failed to file a brief by the deadline,
a hearing before the district court pursuant to Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(b) would be ordered. To date,
appellant’s brief has not been filed, nor have we received a response from counsel. We have,
however, received a pro se motion from Roberts requesting new counsel and/or the right to represent
himself on appeal.
We overrule Roberts’s pro se motion. We abate the cause and remand it to the
district court to hold a hearing in accordance with rule 38.8 of the rules of appellate procedure.
Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(b)(2), (3). The district court shall hold a hearing immediately to determine
whether appellant still wishes to prosecute his appeal, whether appellant is indigent, and
whether counsel has abandoned the appeal. See id. If appellant desires to appeal and is indigent,
the district court should make appropriate orders to ensure that appellant is adequately represented
on appeal. See id. Following the hearing, the district court should order the appropriate
supplementary clerk’s and reporter’s records to be prepared and forwarded to this Court no later than
September 21, 2009. See id.
Before Justices Patterson, Puryear and Pemberton
Abated
Filed: August 20, 2009
Do Not Publish
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