Powell v. Commonwealth

Opinion

COLEMAN, J.

In this criminal appeal, we reverse the convictions of James Clifford Powell for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute in violation of Code § 18.2-248, and possession of drug paraphernalia in violation of Code § 54-524.109.1. We hold that the trial court erred by permitting the Commonwealth to impeach Powell by establishing on cross-examination that he had been previously convicted of three unrelated felonies involving drugs. Accordingly, we remand the case to the circuit court.

On August 26, 1988, an officer of the Westmoreland County Sheriffs Department…