In the year interval since he and Massie had

In the year interval since he and Massie had been caught with cocaine, Nicholson said he had seen the other man once in Rappahannock at a country store buying gas but that they had no conversation about the Peper case.

On the charge of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, Nicholson said he received 12 months in jail, which he is to begin serving in January, a suspended fine, and five years probation.

Saw Nicholson pay Peper

Kimberly Nicholson, the witness’ wife since April, testified that she accompanied Nicholson to Peper’s residence last summer. “Ronnie gave him some money. . .$13,300... I watched them count it,” she said, adding that she had also seen Peper give Nicholson cocaine in return.

Mrs. Nicholson said she has never used cocaine and disapproved of Nicholson’s involvement with the drug. “I knew he sold it once or twice ... I disapproved, and we always got in an argument.”

State police special agents G. W. Elam and M. E. Horst testified that they had searched Peper’s residence and office last August, looking for records that would implicate the dentist in the cocaine distribution. Entered as Commonwealth’s exhibits were bank statements showing what appeared to be the deposit of Massie’s checks to Peper and a memo message “call Massie” with an 800-number written.

On cross examination, Morchower confirmed that neither investigator had called the number Which is the telephone of a Richmond brokerage firm where Massie Valentine, a college friend of Peper, is employed.

Defense witnesses offer conflicting testimony and explanations

, Jill Hodges, Peper’s girlfriend of four years who has been the receptionist at his dental office since January, told the jurors that she had also been at Peper’s house when Nicholson and his then-fiancee visited and that she saw no money counted or cocaine passed. She said she had been aware that Peper used cocaine — “I only agreed to move to Warrenton when he promised to stop.”