Santmier v. Commonwealth

A jury found the defendant, Phillip Marshall Santmier, guilty of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and fixed his punishment at confinement in the state penitentiary for a term of five years and a fine of $100. Judgment was entered on the jury’s verdict.

Defendant is here on a writ of error limited to whether the trial court erred (1) in allowing the attorney for the Commonwealth to cross-examine the defendant as to a prior marijuana conviction, and (2) in refusing a requested instruction.

The evidence shows that on September 24,1974, several police officers in the city of…