Order entered August 2, 2017
In The
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
No. 05-16-01306-CR
CHRISTOPHER RYAN WALL, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the 380th Judicial District Court
Collin County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 380-81132-2015
ORDER
Appellant’s brief was initially due April 26, 2017. When it was not filed, we notified
appellant by postcard dated April 27 and instructed him to file his brief along with a motion to
extend time. On May 10, appellant filed a motion to extend time to file his brief which we
granted. On June 12, he filed a second motion which we granted although we cautioned
appellant that the failure to file a brief by July 13 would result in this appeal being abated for a
hearing under rule 38.8(b). TEX. R. APP. P. 38.8(b). To date, no brief has been filed and we have
had no communication from appellant.
Therefore, we ORDER the trial court to conduct a hearing to determine why appellant’s
brief has not been filed. In this regard, the trial court shall make appropriate findings and
recommendations and determine whether appellant desires to prosecute the appeal, whether
appellant is indigent, or if not indigent, whether retained counsel has abandoned the appeal. See
TEX. R. APP. P. 38.8(b). If the trial court cannot obtain appellant’s presence at the hearing, the
trial court shall conduct the hearing in appellant’s absence. See Meza v. State, 742 S.W.2d 708
(Tex. App.–Corpus Christi 1987, no pet.) (per curiam). If appellant is indigent, the trial court is
ORDERED to take such measures as may be necessary to assure effective representation, which
may include appointment of new counsel.
We ORDER the trial court to transmit a record of the proceedings, which shall include
written findings and recommendations, to this Court within THIRTY DAYS of the date of this
order.
The Clerk is DIRECTED to send copies of this order to the Honorable Benjamin Smith,
Presiding Judge, 380th Judicial District Court; William Pigg; and the Collin County District
Attorney’s Office.
This appeal is ABATED to allow the trial court to comply with the above order. The
appeal shall be reinstated thirty days from the date of this order or when the findings are
received, whichever is earlier.
/s/ LANA MYERS
JUSTICE