Thomas

Willie Edward Thomas appeals his conviction of possession for sale and transportation of cocaine. He argues the trial court erred in permitting a prior aggravated assault conviction to be used for impeachment purposes. Appellant also objects to various other rulings of the trial court that will be discussed in the unpublished portion of this opinion.

Statement of the Case

Appellant was charged with possession of cocaine for sale and transportation of cocaine. (Health & Saf. Code, §§ 11351, 11352.) The information also alleged that appellant had been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon (Pen. Code, § 245, subd. (a)(1)) within the meaning of Penal Code section 667.5, subdivision (b). Additionally, two other felony convictions for possession of marijuana for sale were alleged. Appellant pleaded not guilty and denied the prior convictions.

A jury convicted appellant of both charged offenses. The trial court found the priors were valid and appellant had served a prison term. The court sentenced appellant to four years for transportation of cocaine with a one-year enhancement; the term for possession of cocaine for sale was stayed. Appellant filed a timely notice of…