People v. Coleman

A jury found defendant guilty of possession of heroin in violation of Health and Safety Code, section 11500. He appeals from the judgment of conviction and the order denying his motion for a new trial.

Defendant was the manager of a café and cocktail bar at 5th and Stanford Streets in Los Angeles at the time of the events hereinafter enumerated, and had been such manager for some 11 months. He was virtually in exclusive control of the place since the owner was employed elsewhere.

Police officers searched the café on April 28, 1954, and found both heroin and marijuana in such places as under the…