APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

The defendant, Eric Larez, appeals his convictions in the Sullivan County Criminal Court on two counts of the sale of marijuana over one-half ounce and one count of the sale of over one-half gram of cocaine. He was sentenced as a Range I offender to two years confinement for each of the counts involving marijuana and nine years in that involving cocaine, all sentences to be served concurrently. He has filed a timely appeal of these convictions, alleging as error:

1. The trial court should have instructed the jury as to a“casual exchange.”
2. His rights to a speedy trial were violated by the delay of three and one-half years between his being charged with the offenses and being arrested following those charges.
3. The evidence was insufficient for a conviction as to the sale of a controlled substance.
4. He should have received a lesser or an alternative sentence.

Based upon our review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.