Opinion ID: 2390279
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: evidence pertaining to crack cocaine.

Text: Kentucky State Police Forensics Analyst Laura Sudkamp testified to her analyses of the substances confiscated by the police officers in their investigation of this case. In addition, she explained to the jury the difference between powder and crack cocaine and that procaine is used as a cutting agent for crack cocaine. Appellant objected to this testimony as being irrelevant, since he was not charged with possession of crack cocaine. However, Appellant was in possession of procaine; and the evidence that procaine is used as a cutting agent for crack cocaine was relevant to prove that he possessed the powder cocaine for the purpose of sale or distribution. Mostly, Appellant's complaints on appeal deal with the testimony of Lieutenant Mike Bosse, commander of Lexington's Police Narcotics Unit, who rendered expert testimony on the relative commercial value of powder and crack cocaine, how crack cocaine is manufactured, and the methods for preparation and inhalation of both powder and crack cocaine. Appellant did not object to any of this testimony at trial, thus, the issue is unpreserved for appeal. RCr 9.22; Commonwealth v. Preece, Ky., 844 S.W.2d 385 (1992), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 816, 114 S.Ct. 66, 126 L.Ed.2d 36 (1993). Nor did the admission of this evidence constitute palpable error. RCr 10.26. The evidence was relevant to help the jury understand the nature and uses of cocaine and tended to prove that Appellant possessed the cocaine for the purpose of sale. United States v. Flowal, 163 F.3d 956 (6th Cir.1998); Sargent v. Commonwealth, Ky., 813 S.W.2d 801 (1991); Kroth v. Commonwealth, Ky., 737 S.W.2d 680 (1987). Accordingly, the judgments of conviction and the sentences imposed by the Fayette Circuit Court are affirmed. GRAVES, JOHNSTONE, STEPHENS, and WINTERSHEIMER, JJ., concur. LAMBERT, C.J., and STUMBO, J., concur in result only without separate opinion.