Crisman v. Commonwealth

James Albert Crisman and Cleo Clayden Crisman were jointly indicted for the unlawful and felonious possession of a narcotic drug (heroin), in violation of § 54-488 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. Upon arraignment both defendants entered pleas of not guilty and upon their motion and with the consent of the attorney for the Commonwealth, they were tried by the Judge without the intervention of a jury. Both defendants were found guilty and their punishment fixed at confinement in the penitentiary for a period of three years. From this judgment we granted a writ of error.

Four…