Defense counsel, Ronald Carey Nichols, appeared on July 1, 1996, in response to this court’s order to show cause why he should not be held in contempt of this court’s four prior orders to file appellant’s brief. Upon his appearance, Mr. Nichols concedes he had previously failed to file appellant’s brief, but had done so on Friday, June 28, 1996. He asserted his failure to file a timely brief was not willful.
Mr. Nichols offered what he called “extenuating circumstances” concerning the hospitalization of an infant daughter, who has cerebral palsy and was in a live-or-die status during this same period when appellant’s brief was due. We consider those statements in mitigation of Nichols’ failure to file a timely brief, and if Mr. Nichols files an affidavit formally verifying those statements, we direct no further action is necessary.