Saul Mendez v. State

NO. 07-07-0465-CR IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT AMARILLO PANEL D DECEMBER 31, 2007 ______________________________ SAUL MENDEZ, APPELLANT V. THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE _________________________________ FROM THE 364TH DISTRICT COURT OF LUBBOCK COUNTY; NO. 2006-414170; HONORABLE BRADLEY S. UNDERWOOD, JUDGE _______________________________ Before QUINN, C.J., and CAMPBELL and PIRTLE, JJ. ABATEMENT AND REMAND Appellant Saul Mendez filed a notice of appeal from his conviction for murder on November 14, 2007.1 On October 23, 2007, the trial court filed its certification representing that appellant has the right of appeal. However, the appellate record reflects that appellant failed to sign the certification pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 25.2(d) which requires the certification to be signed by appellant and a copy served on him. 1 The appellate record reflects appellant first filed a notice of appeal on November 7, 2007. Thereafter, on November 8, 2007, appellate counsel for appellant was appointed by the trial court. Appellate counsel filed a supplemental notice of appeal on appellant’s behalf on November 14, 2007. Consequently, we abate the appeal and remand the cause to the 364th District Court of Lubbock County (trial court) for further proceedings. On remand, the trial court shall utilize whatever means it finds necessary to determine whether appellant desires to prosecute the appeal and if so, to obtain his signature on an amended trial court’s certification. If necessary, the trial court shall execute findings of fact, conclusions of law, and any necessary orders it may enter regarding the aforementioned issues and cause its findings, conclusions, and orders, if any, to be included in a supplemental clerk’s record. The trial court shall file the supplemental clerk’s record and the supplemental reporter’s record, if any, with the Clerk of this Court by January 31, 2008. Per Curiam Do not publish. 2