State v. Hilliard

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

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.

Amen L.
Hilliard,        Appellant.

Appeal From Orangeburg County

Edward B. Cottingham, Circuit Court Judge

Unpublished Opinion No. 2005-UP-083

Submitted February 1, 2005 – Filed February
4, 2005

APPEAL DISMISSED

Acting Deputy Chief Attorney Wanda P. Hagler, of Columbia,
for Appellant.

Attorney General Henry Dargan McMaster, Chief Deputy Attorney
General John W. McIntosh, and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Salley W. Elliott,
all of Columbia; and Solicitor Walter M. Bailey, of Summerville, for Respondent.

PER CURIAM:  Amen L. Hilliard pled guilty to two counts of distribution
of crack cocaine, third offense.  He was sentenced to eight years for each count,
to be served concurrently.  Hilliard’s appellate counsel filed a brief pursuant
to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967).  Counsel additionally submitted
a petition to be relieved from representation, asserting there are no directly
appealable issues of arguable merit.  Further, Hilliard filed a pro se
response with the Court.

After a review of the record pursuant to Anders and State
v. Williams, 305 S.C. 116, 406 S.E.2d 357 (1991), we dismiss the appeal
and grant counsel’s petition to be relieved.
[1]

APPEAL DISMISSED.

ANDERSON, BEATTY, and SHORT, JJ., concur.

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