Frere v. Commonwealth

Opinion

ELDER, J.

Wilner Petit Frere appeals his conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute under Code § 18.2-248. He argues the certificate of analysis was improperly admitted into evidence under Code § 19.2-187 because (1) it contained a signature but no attestation clause, and (2) it was a photocopy of the original. For the reasons that follow, we reverse appellant’s conviction and remand to the trial court.

I

Appellant was prosecuted for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute after a police officer found him in possession of a large quantity of a white powder the…