Mason Bradlee Belk v. the State of Texas

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CAUSE NO. 12-22-00191-CR, 12-22-00192-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
TYLER, TEXAS

MASON BRADLEE BELK, } APPEALED FROM 273RD DISTRICT
APPELLANT

V. } COURT IN AND FOR

THE STATE OF TEXAS, } SABINE COUNTY, TEXAS
APPELLEE

ORDER

Appellant is represented by Mr. W. Stephen Shires, appointed counsel. On December 28, 2022,
the time to file appellant’s brief expired without a brief or a motion for extension of time. TEX. R. APP.
P. 38.6(a). Pursuant to TEX. R. APP. P. 38.8(b), counsel was notified on January 9, 2023, that his brief
was past due and was given until January 19, 2023, to file a brief or otherwise explain the delay. No
satisfactory response has been received.
Pursuant to TEX. R. APP. P. 38.8(b)(3), it is ORDERED that Honorable James (Jim) A. Payne
Jr., Judge of the 273rd District Court of Sabine County, Texas, shall immediately conduct a hearing to
determine (1) whether the appellant still desires to prosecute his appeal; (2) whether the appellant is
indigent and either needs counsel appointed, or appellant’s counsel has abandoned the appeal; or (3) if
the appellant is not indigent, whether a brief has not been completed because retained counsel has either
abandoned the appeal or because appellant has failed to make necessary arrangements for filing a brief;
and (4) when appellant’s counsel anticipates that the appellant’s brief, if a brief is to be filed, will be
completed.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that the judge shall (1) make appropriate findings as to the above
set forth issues and (2) cause a record of the proceedings to be prepared.
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It is ADDITIONALLY ORDERED that once findings are made as to the above set forth issues,
if appellant is indigent, the judge shall (1) take such measures as may be necessary to assure appellant’s
effective representation, which may include the appointment of new counsel and (2) make
recommendations to this Court regarding a proper filing date for the appellant’s brief.
It is FINALLY ORDERED that the supplemental clerk’s record (including any orders and
findings) and the reporter’s record of said hearing be filed with the Clerk of this Court on or before
Friday, February 24, 2023.
WITNESS the Honorable James T. Worthen, Chief Justice, Court of Appeals, 12th Court of
Appeals District, Tyler, Texas.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE at Tyler, Texas this 25th day of January
2023, A.D.

Respectfully yours,

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KATRINA MCCLENNY, CLERK