TIMOTHY LEE MULLINS,

APPELLANT

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS,

APPELLEE

Timothy Lee Mullins appeals his conviction for murder. Appellant's counsel has filed a brief asserting compliance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967) and Gainous v. State, 436 S.W.2d 137 (Tex. Crim. App. 1969). We dismiss Appellant's appeal.

Background

Appellant was charged by indictment with murder. He pleaded not guilty, and a jury trial was held. The evidence at trial showed that Appellant shot his companion, Susie Strong, four times as she sat in a recliner in their home. He then shot himself by pointing a pistol under his chin and pulling the trigger. The bullet passed through the front part of Appellant's head. Strong died from her injuries, but Appellant survived. Prior to trial, Appellant told the police that he shot Strong because she was very ill and he could not cope with her alcoholism. The trial court instructed the jury to consider whether Appellant was guilty of the charged offense of murder or the lesser included offense of manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide. The jury convicted Appellant of murder. Appellant pleaded true to a sentencing enhancement alleging that he had a prior conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The jury assessed punishment at imprisonment for life. This appeal followed.

Appellant's counsel has filed a brief in compliance with Anders and Gainous. Counsel states that he has diligently reviewed the appellate record and that he is well acquainted with the facts of this case. In compliance with Anders, Gainous, and High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978), counsel's brief presents a thorough chronological summary of the procedural history of the case and further states that counsel is unable to present any arguable issues for appeal. We have considered counsel's brief and have conducted our own independent review of the record. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 745, 87 S. Ct. at 1400; see also Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80, 109 S. Ct. 346, 350, 102 L. Ed. 2d 300 (1988). We have found no reversible error. ⁽¹⁾ See Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d 824, 826-27 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005).

As required, Appellant's counsel has moved for leave to withdraw. See In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d 403, 407 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008) (orig. proceeding); Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 511 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). We are in agreement with Appellant's counsel that this appeal is wholly frivolous. Accordingly, his motion for leave to withdraw is hereby granted, and we dismiss this appeal. See In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 408-09 ("After the completion of these four steps, the court of appeals will either agree that the appeal is wholly frivolous, grant the attorney's motion to withdraw, and dismiss the appeal, or it will determine that there may be plausible grounds for appeal.").

Counsel has a duty, within five days of the date of this opinion, to send a copy of the opinion and judgment to Appellant and advise him of his right to file a petition for discretionary review. See Tex. R. App. P. 48.4; In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 411 n.35. Should Appellant wish to seek further review of this case by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, he must either retain an attorney to file a petition for discretionary review or he must file a pro se petition for discretionary review. See In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 408 n.22. Any petition for discretionary review must be filed within thirty days following the date of this opinion or the date the last timely motion for rehearing is overruled by this court. See Tex. R. App. P. 68.2. Any petition for discretionary review must be filed with this court, after which it will be forwarded to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals along with the rest of the filings in this case. See Tex. R. App. P. 68.3. Any petition for discretionary review should comply with the requirements of Rule 68.4 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. See Tex. R. App. P. 68.4; In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 408 n.22.

Opinion delivered August 19, 2009.

Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.