State v. Gates ( 2009 )

THIS OPINION HAS NO PRECEDENTIAL VALUE.  IT SHOULD NOT BE CITED OR RELIED ON AS PRECEDENT IN ANY PROCEEDING EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY RULE 268(d)(2), SCACR.

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals

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The State, Respondent,

v.

Moses L. Gates, Appellant.

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Appeal From Calhoun County
James C. Williams, Jr., Circuit Court Judge

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Unpublished Opinion No.  2009-UP-321
Submitted May 1, 2009 – Filed June 11, 2009

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APPEAL DISMISSED

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Appellate Defender Joseph L. Savitz, III, of Columbia, for Appellant.

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

PER CURIAM: Moses L. Gates appeals from his Alford plea for third degree arson, arguing the facts as stated at the plea hearing indicate he did not willfully commit a crime.  After a thorough review of the record and counsel's 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.

HEARN, C.J., THOMAS, and KONDUROS, JJ., concur.

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