People v. Harris

Section 4502 of the Penal Code makes it a felony for any prisoner committed to a state prison to possess, carry upon his person, or have under his custody, among other things, . . any dirk or dagger or sharp instrument ...” Harris was charged with and convicted of a violation of this section in that on March 6, 1949, while an inmate of San Quentin, he unlawfully possessed “a sharp instrument, to-wit: a metal wood chisel . . . with a sharpened point.” At the trial Harris elected to conduct his own defense, but on this appeal is represented by counsel. He appeals from the judgment of conviction…