THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals

The State,        Respondent,

v.

Ben K. Massey,        Appellant.


Appeal From York County
John C. Hayes, III, Circuit Court Judge


Unpublished Opinion No.   2003-UP-191
Submitted January 10, 2003 - Filed March 12, 2003


APPEAL DISMISSED


Assistant Appellate Defender Tara S. Taggart, of Columbia;; for Appellant.

Attorney General Henry Dargan McMaster,Chief Deputy Attorney General John W. McIntosh, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Charles H. Richardson, of Columbia; Solicitor Thomas E. Pope, of York; for Respondent.

PER CURIAM:  Ben K. Massey appeals from his conviction for trafficking crack, arguing that the trial judge failed to grant a directed verdict because there was no evidence that he knowingly possessed the drugs.  Massey’s counsel attached to the brief a petition to be relieved as counsel, stating she had reviewed the record and concluded Massey’s appeal lacks merit.  After a thorough review of the record 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 [1] Massey’s appeal and grant counsel’s motion to be relieved.

APPEAL DISMISSED.

HEARN, C.J., GOOLSBY and SHULER, JJ., concur.


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