Opinion
No. 03-09-00645-CR
Filed: April 29, 2010. DO NOT PUBLISH.
Appealed from the District Court of Travis County, 403rd Judicial District, No. D-1-DC-09-904065, Honorable Brenda Kennedy, Judge Presiding. Abated.
Before Chief Justice JONES, Justices PEMBERTON and WALDROP.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Bryce Runkle, attorney for Lloyd Standley appointed on appeal, has filed a motion requesting that he be allowed to withdraw as counsel for appellant. Runkle represents that he has accepted employment as a judicial staff attorney beginning June 1, 2010, and that the code of judicial conduct prohibits him from continuing to represent clients, including appellant. Runkle also requests that this Court abate this appeal and remand this cause to the trial court for appointment of substitute counsel. Because the reporter's record has been requested but has not yet been filed, appellant's brief is not yet due. Runkle asserts that he notified appellant of his intent to file these motions. Appellant has not filed any objection to these motions. Both motions are granted. Runkle is allowed to withdraw as counsel for appellant. This appeal is abated and the cause remanded to the trial court for appointment of new counsel unless appellant retains counsel, waives counsel, or is shown not to be indigent. New counsel shall make an appearance in this Court by filing a letter announcing that he or she represents Standley. The deadline to file appellant's brief is stayed. Appellant's brief will be due 30 days after (1) the reporter's record is filed, and (2) counsel is appointed, retained, or waived — whichever occurs later.