Cowan v. State

On October 28, 2003, Maurice Cowan was convicted of the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (crack cocaine), a violation of § 13A-12-211(a), Ala.Code 1975. On December 18, 2003, the trial court sentenced Cowan to serve 13 years in prison. The trial court also assessed a $1,000 fine pursuant to the Drug Demand Reduction Assessment Act and a $100 fine to be paid to the Alabama Forensic Sciences Trust Fund. On January 20, 2004, Cowan filed a motion for a new trial, which was deemed denied by operation of law on February 17, 2004. This appeal followed.

The facts adduced at trial…