Drake v. State

The appellant, Antoine Drake, was convicted of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine without the appropriate tax stamps, violations of § 13A-12-231(2)(a) and § 40-17A-1 through 16, respectively, Code of Alabama 1975. The appellant was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for trafficking and 5 years' imprisonment for failing to affix tax stamps; both sentences were to run concurrently.

I

The appellant claims that the trial court erred in denying his motion alleging that the state used its peremptory challenges in a racially discriminatory manner in violation ofBatson v. Kentucky, 476…