Opinion
2012-UP-089
02-22-2012
The State, Respondent, v. Anthony Tyrone Williamson, Appellant.
Appellate Defender Elizabeth A. Franklin-Best, of Columbia, for Appellant. Attorney General Alan Wilson, Chief Deputy Attorney General John W. McIntosh, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Salley W. Elliott, and Assistant Attorney General David Spencer, all of Columbia; and Solicitor E.L. Clements, III, of Florence, for Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Submitted February 1, 2012
Appeal From Florence County, Ralph King Anderson, Jr., Circuit Court Judge
Appellate Defender Elizabeth A. Franklin-Best, of Columbia, for Appellant.
Attorney General Alan Wilson, Chief Deputy Attorney General John W. McIntosh, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Salley W. Elliott, and Assistant Attorney General David Spencer, all of Columbia; and Solicitor E.L. Clements, III, of Florence, for Respondent.
PER CURIAM
In this consolidated appeal, Anthony Tyrone Williamson appeals his convictions for two counts of trafficking in cocaine base and possession of cocaine base within a proximity of a school or park. Williamson argues the trial court erred in: (1) proceeding with his first trial although he was not represented by counsel; (2) proceeding with his first trial in absentia without meaningfully informing him his trial would be conducted despite his absence; and (3) denying his motion for a mistrial. We affirm pursuant to Rule 220(b)(1), SCACR, and the following authorities: 1. As to Williamson's issues concerning his right to counsel and his being tried in absentia: State v. Dunbar, 356 S.C. 138, 142, 587 S.E.2d 691, 693-94 (2003) ("Issues not raised and ruled upon in the trial court will not be considered on appeal."); State v. Williams, 292 S.C. 231, 232, 355 S.E.2d 861, 862 (1987) ("In order to claim the protection afforded by [Rule 16, SCRCrimP], a defendant or his attorney must object at the first opportunity to do so.").
We decide this case without oral argument pursuant to Rule 215, SCACR.
2. As to Williamson's motion for a mistrial: State v. Harris, 340 S.C. 59, 63, 530 S.E.2d 626, 628 (2000) (stating a defendant must show both error and prejudice resulting from such error to receive a mistrial); State v. White, 371 S.C. 439, 447-48, 639 S.E.2d 160, 164 (Ct. App. 2006) ("Insubstantial errors that do not impact the result of a case do not warrant a mistrial when guilt is conclusively proven by competent evidence.").
AFFIRMED.
FEW, C.J., HUFF and SHORT, J.J., concur.