Possession of a Controlled Substance May Be Proved Circumstantially/Permissible Inference that Possessors Know What They Possess
The Court of Appeals determined the accusatory instrument charging attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance was sufficient. The police officer observed defendant drop a glass pipe which contained cocaine “residue.” The court noted that “possession of a controlled substance ‘may be proven circumstantially,’ and ‘possession suffices to permit the inference that possessors know what they possess.’ ” People v Jennings, 256, CtApp 12-10-13