Opinion
No. 10-02-291-CV
Opinion delivered and filed May 21, 2003
From the 74th District Court, McLennan County, Texas, Trial Court # 2000-828-3.
Dismissed for want of prosecution.
Before Chief Justice DAVIS, Justice VANCE, and Justice GRAY
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Ophelia Medina filed suit against Gonzalo Alonzo for breach of contract. Following a bench trial, the court rendered judgment in Medina's favor.
Alonzo timely filed a notice of appeal. The clerk's record was filed in this Court on November 13, 2002. No reporter's record was filed because Alonzo failed to pay the reporter's fee for preparation of the record. See Tex.R.App.P. 37.3(c)(2). After giving Alonzo opportunity to pay for the record (which he failed to do), the Clerk of this Court notified Alonzo by letter dated March 6, 2003 that his brief, "presenting issues determinable from the clerk's record alone," was due thirty days thereafter (Monday, April 7). Id. To date, no appellant's brief has been filed.
Appellate Rule 38.8(a)(1) provides that if an appellant fails to timely file his brief, the Court may:
dismiss the appeal for want of prosecution, unless the appellant reasonably explains the failure and the appellee is not significantly injured by the appellant's failure to timely file a brief.
Id. 38.8(a)(1).
The Clerk of this Court sent the following notice to Alonzo on April 15, 2003:
Pursuant to Rules 38.8(a)(1) and 42.3 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, you are notified that the Court may dismiss this appeal for want of prosecution unless, within ten days of this letter, the appellant or any party desiring to continue the appeal files with this court a response showing grounds for continuing the appeal.
Id. 38.8(a)(1), 42.3. The Court has received no response. Id. 42.3, 38.8(a)(1). Therefore, this appeal is dismissed for want of prosecution. Id. 38.8(a)(1).