Appellant John McJunkin and appellee James Jolly Clark have filed a joint agreed motion to abate this appeal. In their motion, the parties have informed the court that they have agreed to the essential terms of a settlement, but need more time to prepare the necessary documents memorializing the settlement and take other steps to finalize the agreement. Accordingly, we grant the motion and abate this appeal; the parties do not have to file their briefs according to the schedule approved on June 2, 2003. The parties are instructed to report on the status of the settlement on or before August 15, 2004.

W. Kenneth Law, Chief Justice

Before Chief Justice Law, Justices B. A. Smith and Puryear

Filed: October 31, 2003