Opinion
NO. 07-11-00329-CRNO. 07-11-00330-CR
05-31-2012
TERRY LYNN FLEETWOOD, APPELLANT v. THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE
FROM THE 320TH DISTRICT COURT OF POTTER COUNTY;
NO. 63,731-D; HONORABLE RICHARD DAMBOLD, JUDGE
Before QUINN, C.J., and CAMPBELL and HANCOCK, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant, Terry Lynn Fleetwood, was convicted of aggravated sexual assault (Cause No. 07-11-00329-CR), and aggravated assault (Cause No. 07-11-00330-CR). On August 9, 2011, appellant filed notices of appeal in each cause. Appellant's appointed counsel has filed a motion to permanently abate this appeal, and has provided this Court a certified copy of appellant's death certificate stating that appellant died on April 5, 2012. At the time of appellant's death, no mandate from this Court had been issued.
We note that appellant's appointed counsel filed appellant's brief on March 14, 2012.
If an appellant in a criminal case dies after an appeal is perfected but before the mandate of the appellate court is issued, the appeal should be permanently abated. TEX. R. APP. P. 7.1(a)(2). The death of an appellant during the pendency of his appeal deprives an appellate court of jurisdiction. Hanson v. State, 790 S.W.2d 646, 646 (Tex.Crim.App. 1990) (en banc). Consequently, these appeals and any further proceedings are ordered permanently abated.
Mackey K. Hancock
Justice
Do not publish.