ORIGINAL 09/26/2023

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA Case Number: DA 22-0148

DA 22-0148 FILED STATE OF MONTANA, SEP 2 6 2023 Bowen G!•-:enwood Clerk of Supreme Court State of Montana Plaintiff and Appellee, v. ORDER CHRISTOPHER M. QUERFURTH, Defendant and Appellant.

Counsel for Appellant Christopher M. Querfurth 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). Querfurth responded to counsel's brief and objected to counsel's motion.

The Court has now independently examined the record pursuant to § 46-8-103(2), MCA, and Anders. We have considered the arguments raised by counsel and by Querfurth.

We conclude no arguments with potential legal merit can be raised on direct appeal.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that this appeal is DISMISSED.

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

DATED this day of September, 2023.

Chief Justice 4? /Q/C ".

Justices