State v. Stone ( 2003 )

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals

The State, Respondent,

v.

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

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Appeal From Berkeley County
Paula H. Thomas, Circuit Court Judge

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Unpublished Opinion No. 03-UP-156
Submitted January 10, 2003 – Filed February 20, 2003   

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APPEAL DISMISSED

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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.

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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.