Unreported / Non-Citable
Background
Tamara Fulmer Stewart appealed a May 15, 2026 dismissal order entered in litigation against BEAT AIDS Coalition Trust and its CEO, Michelle Durham.
The Fourth Court of Appeals received Stewart’s pro se brief on July 31, 2026, but determined that it violated multiple requirements of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. The court struck the brief and directed Stewart to submit a rules-compliant amended brief by September 15, 2026. It warned that failing to do so would result in dismissal for want of prosecution. Stewart did not file an amended brief.
The Court’s Holding
The court dismissed Stewart’s appeal for want of prosecution. It relied on Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure 38.8(a) and 42.3, which authorize dismissal when an appellant fails to prosecute an appeal or comply with a court order within the prescribed time.
Because Stewart did not submit the required amended brief after receiving notice of the deficiency, a deadline, and an express warning about dismissal, the court ended the appeal without addressing the merits of the trial court’s dismissal order.
Key Takeaways
- A pro se appellant must comply with the briefing requirements in the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
- An appellate court may strike a deficient brief and require a compliant amended brief by a specified deadline.
- Failure to file the ordered amended brief after a dismissal warning may result in dismissal for want of prosecution.
Why It Matters
The decision illustrates that procedural briefing requirements can determine whether an appeal receives merits review. Even when an appellant proceeds without counsel, failure to correct identified deficiencies by the court’s deadline can terminate the appeal.