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.

Alex Bernard Mason,        Appellant.


Appeal From Greenville County
John C. Few, Circuit Court Judge


Unpublished Opinion No. 2004-UP-185
Submitted January 29, 2004 – Filed March 17, 2004


APPEAL DISMISSED


Assistant Appellate Defender Tara S. Taggart, Office of Appellate Defense, of Columbia, for Appellant,

Attorney General Henry D. McMaster, Chief Deputy Attorney General John W. McIntosh, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Charles H. Richardson, allof Columbia; and Solicitor Robert M. Ariail, of Greenville, for Respondent.


PER CURIAM:  Appellant was convicted of simple possession of crack cocaine, and he was sentenced.  The issue briefed by appellate counsel concerns the trial court’s denial of Appellant’s motion for directed verdict.  Appellant’s counsel has petitioned to be relieved as counsel, stating that she has reviewed the record and has concluded the appeal is without merit.  Appellant has not filed a pro se brief.  

After a thorough review of the record 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 hold there are no directly appealable issues that are arguable on their merits.  Accordingly, we dismiss this appeal and grant counsel’s petition to be relieved. [1]    

APPEAL DISMISSED.

GOOLSBY, HOWARD, and KITTREDGE, J.J., concur.   


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