Gabriel

*453 Opinion

Defendant and appellant Solomon Abyabwi Gabriel appeals from his conviction of cultivation and possession of marijuana, and other offenses. He contends that the trial court erroneously admitted evidence of prior convictions for purposes of impeachment, and argues that without the evidence, there was a reasonable probability that the jury would have believed his testimony. We reject defendant’s contentions and affirm the judgment.

BACKGROUND

1. Procedural Background

Defendant was charged by information as follows: cultivating marijuana in violation of Health & Safety Code section 11358 (count 1); possession of marijuana for sale in violation of Health and Safety Code section 11359 (count 2); receiving stolen property in violation of Penal Code section 496, subdivision (a) (count 3); 1 unlawful possession of ammunition in violation of former section 12316, subdivision (b)(1) (count 4); misdemeanor possession of property with serial number removed in violation of section 537e, subdivision (a)(2) (count 5); and misdemeanor possession of burglar’s tools in violation of section 466 (count 6). The information alleged as to counts 1 through 4 that defendant was free of…