BENNETT v. STATE, 07-10-00416-CR (Tex.App.-Amarillo 4-1-2011)

MacKEY K. HANCOCK, Justice.

Robert Dewayne Bennett appealed his conviction for possession of less than one gram of a controlled substance and the resulting sentence of fifteen years' imprisonment. Bennett's counsel has notified this Court that Bennett has passed away and, in light of his passing, has moved this Court to permanently abate Bennett's appeal. The death of an appellant during the pendency of his or her appeal deprives this Court of jurisdiction. TEX. R. APP. P. 7.1(a)(2); Whitmire v. State, 943 S.W.2d 894, 895 (Tex.Crim.App. 1997). Accordingly, we grant the motion and permanently abate this appeal.