REECE v. STATE (2026)

Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.

Reginald REECE, Appellant v. The STATE of Texas

NOS. PD-0432-26 & 0433-26 & 0434-26

Decided: June 25, 2026

John R. Messinger, for State.

ORDER

Appellant was convicted of theft in three separate cases and sentenced to confinement for thirteen years in each case. The court of appeals affirmed the convictions and modified the judgments. Reece v. State, Nos. 06-24-00029, 06-24-00030, 06-24-00031, 2026 WL 1707175 (Tex. App. – Texarkana, delivered May 14, 2026)(opinion on rehearing). On June 1, 2026, the State filed a petition for discretionary review. However, Appellant died on May 16, 2026, and counsel for Appellant has filed a motion to permanently abate the appeals.

Under Tex.R.App.Pro. 7.1(a)(2), if an appellant in a criminal case dies after an appeal is perfected but before the appellate court issues the mandate, the appeal will be permanently abated. See Brown v. State, 439 S.W.3d 929 (Tex.Crim.App. 2014); Graham v. State, 991 S.W.2d 802 (Tex.Crim.App. 1998); Ryan v. State, 891 S.W.2d 275 (Tex.Crim.App. 1994). Therefore, Appellant's motion to permanently abate the appeals is granted. The State's petitions for discretionary review are dismissed. The Sixth Court of Appeals is ordered to withdraw its opinions and permanently abate the appeals.

Per curiam.

Was this helpful?

Why was this helpful?

Easy to understand

Solved my problem

Other

Why was this not helpful?

Missing the information I need

Too complicated / too many steps

Out of date

Other

Thank you for your feedback!

Trusted by Consumers. Recognized by AI.

As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.

Explore the Network