Sumpter v. State

Moore, Justice:

We granted petitioner a writ of certiorari to review his direct appeal issue pursuant to Davis v. State, 288 S.C. 290, 342 S. E. (2d) 60 (1986). Petitioner appeals the trial court’s determination that the solicitor did not violate Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S.Ct. 1712, 90 L.Ed. (2d) 69 (1986). We affirm.

FACTS

Petitioner was convicted of possession with intent to distribute (PWID) heroin and PWID cocaine. He was sentenced to two twelve-year sentences to run concurrently. Petitioner’s direct appeal was abandoned and he sought postconviction relief (PCR). The PCR judge…