State v. Melton

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.

Dennis Willie Melton,       
Appellant.

Appeal From Lee County

Thomas W. Cooper, Jr., Circuit Court
Judge

Unpublished Opinion No. 2004-UP-262

Submitted February 20, 2004 – Filed April 19, 2004

APPEAL DISMISSED

Senior Assistant Appellate Defender Wanda H. Haile, Office
of Appellate Defense, 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; and Solicitor Cecil Kelley Jackson, of Sumter, for Respondent.

PER CURIAM:  Dennis Melton was convicted
of distribution of crack cocaine, distribution of crack cocaine within proximity
of a school, and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.  He was sentenced to
ten years in prison.  Melton appeals, arguing the trial court erred by allowing
the solicitor to use two peremptory challenges in a discriminatory manner. 
On appeal, counsel for Melton has filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California,
386 U.S. 738 (1967), asserting that there were no meritorious grounds for appeal
and requesting permission to withdraw from further representation.  Melton filed
a pro se response. 

After a thorough 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.

APPEAL DISMISSED. [1]

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