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

The State, Respondent,

v.

William Allen Owens, Appellant.


Appeal From Barnwell County
Doyet A. Early, III, Circuit Court Judge


Unpublished Opinion No. 2011-UP-339  
Submitted June 1, 2011 – Filed June 28, 2011


APPEAL DISMISSED


Chief Appellate Defender Robert M. Dudek, of Columbia, for Appellant.

Attorney General Alan M. Wilson, Chief Deputy Attorney General John W. McIntosh, and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Donald J. Zelenka, all of Columbia; and Solicitor J. Strom Thurmond, Jr., of Aiken, for Respondent.

PER CURIAM: William Allen Owens appeals his conviction for murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, arguing the trial court erred in refusing to allow Owens to introduce evidence providing context for his defense that the victim was killed by gang members related to the victim's son.  After a thorough review of the record, Owens's pro se brief, 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.

FEW, C.J., HUFF and KONDUROS, JJ., concur.


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