State v. Allen

Appellant was convicted of the commission of the crime of possession of marijuana (0.34 grams — which would be enough to make two or three cigarettes [or “reefers”] according to criminalist Cordell Brown of the St. Louis Police Department Laboratory). The jury assessed appellant’s punishment at two years’ imprisonment.

The point presented is whether there was prejudice to appellant requiring a new trial when the trial court first permitted an arresting police officer, over objection, to' testify as to appellant’s conduct and what was said by him at the time of the arrest. Upon further motion,…