Eric Romo v. State

Opinion

Order entered April 11, 2019

In The

Court of Appeals

Fifth District of Texas at Dallas No. 05-18-00514-CR

ERIC ROMO, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the 194th Judicial District Court Dallas County, Texas

Trial Court Cause No. F10-61709-M

ORDER

Before the Court is appellant’s April 1, 2019 motion to substitute counsel. In his motion,

appellant requests permission to substitute Niles Illich as his attorney of record so that Mr. Illich could file a response to appointed counsel’s Anders brief. On April 4, 2019, the Court transmitted a letter to Mr. Illich stating its opposition to such a limited engagement and requesting clarification of Mr. Illich’s role in appellant’s representation. On April 5, 2019, Mr. Illich responded with a letter stating his intention to represent appellant in all aspects of his direct appeal, including determining whether the current Anders brief should be withdrawn, filing a merits brief if appropriate, and filing any motions for rehearing or motions for en banc reconsideration.

With Mr. Illich’s clarification of the scope of his representation in place, the Court GRANTS the motion to substitute counsel. We DIRECT the Clerk of the Court to REMOVE Valencia Bush and SUBSTITUTE Niles Illich as counsel for appellant. All future correspondence shall be sent to Niles Illich; 15455 Dallas Parkway; Suite 540; Dallas, Texas 75001; telephone: (972) 204-5452; email: Niles@scottpalmerlaw.com.

We STRIKE Valencia Bush’s December 12, 2018 motion to withdraw as counsel.

Within THIRTY DAYS of the date of this order, Mr. Illich shall either (1) file a motion to withdraw endorsing the current Anders brief on file with whatever revisions he deems appropriate to supplement the Anders brief, or else (2) withdraw the Anders brief and file a brief on the merits on appellant’s behalf.

We DIRECT the Clerk to send a copy of this order, by electronic transmission, to counsel for the State, Valencia Bush, and Niles Illich. We DIRECT the Clerk to send a copy of this order, by first class mail, to Eric Romo; TDCJ# 02197622; Eastham Unit; 2665 Prison Road #1; Lovelady, Texas 75851.

/s/ BILL PEDERSEN, III JUSTICE