Oscar Capetillo Lopez, Appellant v. The State of Texas, Appellee (2010)

M E M O R A N D U M O P I N I O N

Bryce Runkle, attorney for Oscar Lopez appointed for this 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.   The parties have filed their briefs.

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 Lopez.   This case will be set for submission after the abatement is lifted.

Abated

PER CURIAM