James Agbeze v. State

COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON ORDER Appellate case name: James Agbeze v. The State of Texas Appellate case number: 01-13-00140-CR Trial court case number: 1288928 Trial court: 180th District Court of Harris County On May 31, 2013, appellant, James Agbeze, filed a motion for extension of time to file the court reporter’s record, requesting an extension of time until June 30, 2013 to pay the court reporter’s complete1 fee for preparation of the record.2 On June 3, 2013, we partially granted Agbeze’s motion, requiring proof that he had either paid or made arrangements to pay the reporter’s fee no later than June 12, 2013. On June 12, 2013, the court reporter filed a motion for extension of time to file the reporter’s record, stating that Agbeze paid a deposit on May 23, 2013 and requesting an extension of time to file the record until August 23, 2013, “upon payment of remaining balance.” We grant the reporter’s motion in part. Accordingly, we order the court reporter to either file a notice with the Court when Agbeze tenders the remaining balance for the preparation of the reporter’s record or, if Agbeze fails to pay the remaining balance by June 30, 2013, to file a notice with the Court on July 1, 2013 informing the Court of Agbeze’s failure to pay for the record. If Agbeze tenders payment for the remaining balance by June 30, 2013, the complete reporter’s record will be due no later than August 23, 2013. If, however, Agbeze fails to pay the remaining balance by June 30, 2013, 1 Although Agbeze requested an extension of time until June 30, 2013 “for making payment arrangements” with the court reporter, he states in his motion that he “would request an additional thirty (30) days to finish paying the balance” of the reporter’s fee, for which he had previously “made one payment.” 2 The record was due to be filed by no later than April 12, 2013, necessitating payment prior to that date. We note that counsel who was appointed to represent Agbeze on appeal, Randall Ayers, has filed a letter with the Court, informing the Court that he withdrew from this case after the trial court found that Agbeze is not indigent, which finding was made after Agbeze posted a $50,000 appeal bond on February 20, 2013—51 days before the appellate record was originally due. his brief will be due no later than July 30, 2013, and the Court will consider and decide only those issues or points that do not require a reporter’s record for a decision. See TEX. R. APP. P. 37.3(c). Further, in her motion for extension, the court reporter, Kathleen O’Connor Powers, states that another reporter, Cantrece Addison, is responsible for the voir dire portion of the trial. Nevertheless, Agbeze has provided no evidence from reporter Addison regarding whether her fee for paying for preparation of the voir dire proceedings has been paid. Accordingly, we order Agbeze to provide written evidence from reporter Addison showing that he has paid her fee for preparation of the voir dire proceedings no later than June 30, 2013. If Agbeze fails to provide said evidence by June 30, 2013, the Court will not consider or decide any issues relating to the voir dire process or that require a transcription of the voir dire proceedings for resolution. See TEX. R. APP. P. 34.6(b)(1), (c)(1), (4), 37.3(c). It is so ORDERED. Judge’s signature: /s/ Harvey Brown  Acting individually  Acting for the Court Date: June 17, 2013