U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2006

Hill v. Mendez

Hill v. Mendez
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · Decided June 21, 2006 · DeMOSS, Jones, Per Curiam, Wiener
186 F. App'x 473

Hill v. Mendez

Opinion

PER CURIAM: *

After a jury trial and a verdict in favor of the defendant, judgment was entered dismissing the civil rights complaint of Gary L. Hill, Texas state prisoner # 520863. The magistrate judge granted Hill leave to appeal in forma pauperis, but denied Hill’s motion for preparation of a trial transcript at government expense without prejudice. Hill has filed a motion with this court seeking preparation of a trial transcript at government expense. Hill did not timely file his motion for a transcript at government expense within 10 days after filing his notice of appeal as required by Fed. R.App. P. 10(b)(1) & (2). Hill also did not specify the issues he intended to raise on appeal before filing his brief. Hill filed an appellate brief in *474 September 2004, and Mendez filed a letter brief in December 2004. Hill did not file his motion for a transcript at government expense until July 2005. Because Hill did not timely file a motion for preparation of a transcript at government expense, Hill’s motion for a transcript is DENIED.

The failure of an appellant to provide a transcript is a proper ground for dismissal of the appeal. Richardson v. Henry, 902 F.2d 414, 416 (5th Cir. 1990). Without the transcript, the court cannot determine whether the magistrate judge erred in making those evidentiary rulings or whether the jury’s verdict was against the weight of the evidence. See id. Because Hill did not file a timely motion for a transcript at government expense, we are unable to review the claims he raises on appeal. Accordingly, Hill’s appeal is DISMISSED. See id. Hill’s motion for permission to file a supplemental brief is also DENIED.

*

Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.

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