Mark Skladany v. State of Texas - Capital Murder Appeal

Texas Court of Appeals

Filed March 6th, 2026

Detected March 10th, 2026

Summary

The Texas Court of Appeals has abated and remanded the capital murder appeal of Mark Skladany to the trial court. The trial court must hold a hearing to determine if the appellant wishes to proceed and if his counsel has abandoned the appeal, with findings due by April 6, 2026.

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What changed

The Texas Court of Appeals, Third District, has abated and remanded the criminal appeal of Mark Skladany (Docket No. 03-25-00475-CR) to the trial court. This action follows the appellant's failure to file his brief by the court-ordered deadline of January 12, 2026, despite multiple extensions. The court explicitly stated no further extensions would be granted.

The trial court is ordered to conduct a hearing to ascertain if the appellant still wishes to pursue the appeal and to determine if his current counsel has abandoned the case. The trial court must then make written findings and recommendations, potentially appointing substitute counsel if necessary. All findings and orders, along with any required supplemental records, must be forwarded to the appellate court by April 6, 2026.

What to do next

Trial court to hold hearing on appellant's intent to prosecute and counsel's status by April 6, 2026.
Trial court to make written findings and recommendations.
Appoint substitute counsel if necessary and forward records to appellate court by April 6, 2026.

Source document (simplified)

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March 6, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Download PDF Add Note

Mark Skladany v. the State of Texas

Texas Court of Appeals, 3rd District (Austin)

Citations: None known
Docket Number: 03-25-00475-CR
Nature of Suit: Capital Murder
Disposition: Abated and Remanded
Opinion
Authorities (0)
Cited By (0)
Summaries (0)
Similar Cases (0)
PDF

Disposition

Abated and Remanded

Lead Opinion

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

NO. 03-25-00475-CR

Mark Skladany, Appellant

The State of Texas, Appellee

FROM THE 424TH DISTRICT COURT OF BLANCO COUNTY
NO. CR02153, THE HONORABLE EVAN C. STUBBS, JUDGE PRESIDING

ORDER AND MEMORANDUM OPINION

PER CURIAM

Appellant’s brief was originally due September 12, 2025. After this Court

granted multiple motions requesting an extension of time to file his brief, appellant’s brief was

due January 12, 2026. In granting the most recent extension, this Court ordered counsel to file

appellant’s brief by that date and informed him that no further extensions would be granted and

that failure to comply with the order would result in the referral of this case to the trial court for a

hearing under Rule 38.8(b) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. To date, the brief has not

been filed.

The appeal is abated and remanded to the trial court. The trial court shall conduct

a hearing to determine whether appellant desires to prosecute this appeal and, if so, whether

counsel has abandoned this appeal. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(b)(2), (3). The court shall make
appropriate written findings and recommendations. See id. R. 38.8(b)(2), (3). If necessary, the

court shall appoint substitute counsel who will effectively represent appellant in this appeal.

Following the hearing, which shall be transcribed, the trial court shall order the appropriate

supplemental clerk’s and reporter’s records—including all findings and orders—to be prepared

and forwarded to this Court no later than April 6, 2026. See id. R. 38.8(b)(3).

It is so ordered March 6, 2026.

Before Justices Triana, Kelly, and Ellis

Abated and Remanded

Filed: March 6, 2026

Do Not Publish