U ORIGINAL 10/01/2024

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA Case Number: DA 23-0367

DA 23-0367 FLED OCT - 1 2024 STATE OF MONTANA, Bowen Greenwood Clerk of supreme Court s ra te of hnontana Plaintiff and Appellee, v. ORDER EDWIN J. TUFFREE, Defendant and Appellant.

Counsel for Appellant Edwin J. Tuffree 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. Califbrnia, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396 (1967). This Court granted Tuffree 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 on direct appeal in Tuffree's case.

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 Tuffree personally. z-t" DATED this I 7 day of October, 2024.

ChiefJustice m Justices