Merchant v. State

The appellant, Aaron Renard Merchant, was convicted of two counts of the unlawful sale of cocaine to Sandra Baker and to Kelly Bailey, in violation of § 13A-12-211, Ala. Code 1975. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison on each charge, plus an additional 5 year enhancement in each case because the sales occurred within three miles of a school. See § 13A-12-250, Ala. Code 1975. The trial court ordered that the sentences run concurrently. This appeal follows.

I

The appellant first argues that the trial court was biased against him. However, because he raises this issue for the first time on…