State v. Bethel

THIS OPINION HAS NO PRECEDENTIAL VALUE.  IT SHOULD NOT BE CITED OR RELIED ON AS PRECEDENT IN ANY PROCEEDING EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY RULE 239(d)(2), SCACR.

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals

The State, Respondent,

v.

Michael Bethel, Appellant.

Appeal From Horry County
Thomas A. Russo, Circuit Court Judge

Unpublished Opinion No. 2008-UP-614
Submitted November 3, 2008 Filed November 10, 2008   

APPEAL DISMISSED

Appellate Defender Eleanor Duffy Cleary, of Columbia, for Appellant.

Attorney General Henry Dargan McMaster, Chief Deputy Attorney General John W. McIntosh, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Salley W. Elliott, all of Columbia, Solicitor John Gregory Hembree, of Conway, for Respondent.

PER CURIAM: Michael Bethel appeals his conviction for distribution of crack cocaine, for which he received a sentence of twenty-five years' imprisonment.  He argues the trial judge erred in allowing the State to admit a police officer's statement regarding previous investigations implicating him in criminal activity. After a thorough review of the record, counsel's brief, and Bethel's pro se brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967) and State v. Williams, 305 S.C. 116, 406 S.E.2d 357 (1991), we dismiss the appeal and grant counsel's motion to be relieved.[1]

APPEAL DISMISSED

ANDERSON, HUFF, and THOMAS, JJ., concur.

[1] We decide this case without oral argument pursuant to Rule 215, SCACR.