Lazenby
People v. Lazenby
Opinion
Opinion
Gates, J.
Jimmy Lee Lazenby appeals from the judgment (order granting probation) entered following a jury trial which resulted in his conviction for possessing cocaine base for sale (Health & Saf. Code, § 11351.5). He contends:
At approximately 6:45 p.m. on February 13, 1988, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at the residence occupied by appellant and owned by his uncle. As the officers approached they observed appellant, who was standing in front of the garage, drop a silver foil bindle on the ground and then kick it under a vehicle parked in the driveway. It was found to contain 3.41 grams of cocaine base divided into 36 “rocks” of various sizes, having a street value of $5, $10, or $20 each, and a total value of $350 to $400. Appellant also had $74 in his possession but no paraphernalia with which to ingest cocaine.
Inside the residence in appellant’s room, the deputies recovered a small hand-held scale similar to those used to weigh small amounts of narcotics.
In defense, appellant denied any knowledge of either the contraband or the scale. He acknowledged his awareness that “other people” were selling drugs from his uncle’s house but averred he…