Blanton

The district attorney filed an information charging the defendants with violating section 11500, Health and Safety Code, in that on or about September 29, 1960, they had possession of a narcotic, to wit, heroin. Blanton was acquitted. James was convicted and sentenced to the state prison. He has appealed from the judgment and sentence.

A few days prior to the arrest of appellant, Officer Drees, of the Los Angeles Police Department, Narcotic Division, received information from United States Customs Agent Neil Greppin that two male Negroes, both big men, living at 2657 South Budlong, in Apartment 7, were receiving large quantities of heroin directly from a connection in Mexico. He stated that one of the men was Joe Hays and the other Willie [sic] Blanton. Other information, obtained by Sergeant Grennan, included both Blanton’s and appellant’s names and gave the above address and apartment number. Sergeant Grennan was also told that appellant was being paid $100 a week to watch the stach (heroin) at the apartment. With this information, the officers went to the above address at about 2 p. m. on September 29, 1960. They did not have a warrant for the arrest of either of the named…