State v. Stone

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

In The Court of Appeals

The State,       
Respondent,

v.

Lavon Stone, a/k/a Levon Stone,       
Appellant.

Appeal From Berkeley County

Paula H. Thomas, Circuit Court Judge

Unpublished Opinion No. 03-UP-156

Submitted January 10, 2003 – Filed February
20, 2003   

APPEAL DISMISSED

Assistant Appellate Defender Tara S. Taggart, of Columbia;,
of Ridgeville; for Appellant.

Attorney General Henry Dargan McMaster, Chief Deputy Attorney
General John W. McIntosh, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Charles H. Richardson,
all of Columbia; Ralph E. Hoisington, of Charleston; for Respondents.

PER CURIAM:  Lavon Stone, A/K/A Levon Stone,
appeals his convictions and sentences for first-degree burglary, kidnapping,
and first-degree criminal sexual conduct.  Stone’s appellate counsel has petitioned
to be relieved as counsel, stating she has reviewed the record and has concluded
Stone’s appeal is without merit.  The issue briefed by counsel concerns the
trial court’s denial of a directed verdict on the first-degree burglary charge. 
Stone’s brief concerns the constitutionality of the statute authorizing the
imposition of a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

After a review of the record as required
by Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and State v. Williams,
305 S.C. 116, 406 S.E.2d 357 (1991), we hold there are no directly appealable
issues that are arguable on their merits.  Accordingly, we dismiss Stone’s appeal
and grant counsel’s petition to be relieved.1

APPEAL DISMISSED.

HEARN, C.J., and GOOLSBY and SHULER, JJ., concur.

         
1  Because oral argument would not aid the court in resolving
the issues on appeal, we decide this case without oral argument pursuant to
Rules 215 and 220(b)(2), SCACR.