Raymundo Javier Ortiz v. the State of Texas

Opinion

In The Court of Appeals Seventh District of Texas at Amarillo

No. 07-25-00280-CR

RAYMUNDO JAVIER ORTIZ, APPELLANT

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE

On Appeal from the 222nd District Court Deaf Smith County, Texas Trial Court No. CR-2024A-010, Honorable Roland D. Saul, Presiding

March 30, 2026 ORDER OF ABATEMENT AND REMAND Before PARKER, C.J., and DOSS and YARBROUGH, JJ.

Appellant, Raymundo Javier Ortiz, appeals his conviction for murder 1 and

sentence to ninety-nine years of confinement. Appellant’s appointed counsel has moved

to withdraw from the appeal, asserting that potential issues may create a conflict of

interest between the Panhandle Area Public Defender’s office and Appellant.

1 See TEX. PENAL CODE § 19.02. Because the trial court is responsible for appointing counsel to represent indigent

defendants in criminal cases, as well as relieving or replacing appointed counsel, we

abate the appeal, suspend all appellate deadlines, and remand the cause to the trial court

to rule on Appellant’s motion to withdraw. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. arts. 1.051(d),

26.04(j)(2). Upon remand, the trial court shall determine (1) whether Appellant still

desires to prosecute the appeal; (2) whether to grant Appellant’s counsel’s motion to

withdraw; and (3) if the motion to withdraw is granted, whether Appellant is indigent and

entitled to appointment of new counsel.

If the trial court grants the motion to withdraw and appoints Appellant new counsel;

the name, address, email address, phone number, and State Bar number of any newly

appointed counsel shall be included in the court’s findings. The trial court may also enter

such orders necessary to address the aforementioned questions. The trial court’s

findings and any orders issued shall be included in a supplemental clerk’s record to be

filed with this Court by April 29, 2026.

It is so ordered.

Per Curiam

Do not publish.