ORIGINAL 05/03/2022

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA Case Number: DA 20-0549

DA 20-0549

STATE OF MONTANA, MAY 0 3 2022 Bowen C3reenwood Clerk of Suprerne Court Plaintiff and Appellee, State ot Montana

v. ORDER ALEXANDER MADDEN, Defendant and Appellant.

Counsel for Appellant Alexander Madden filed a motion and brief asking to be allowed to withdraw from this appeal on grounds that counsel has been unable to find any nonfrivolous issues to raise on appeal, pursuant to § 46-8-103(2), MCA, and Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396 (1967). This Court granted Madden time to respond, but no response was filed.

The Court has now independently examined the record pursuant to § 46-8-103(2), MCA, and Anders. We conclude no arguments with potential legal merit can be raised in a direct appeal of Madden's conviction in this case.

Therefore, IT IS ORDERED that this appeal is DISMISSED.

The Clerk is directed to provide copies of this Order to all counsel of record and to Madden personally.

DATED this day of May, 2022.

Chief Justice • ti Justices