Opinion ID: 2360332
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: In Camera Hearing Inadequate

Text: In Butcher's case, an in camera examination of the informer would have been the most effective means for the trial judge to weigh and balance the interests of the State in withholding the informer's identity against Butcher's right to present his defense of mistaken identity. Had the trial judge interviewed the informer, and not just the police officers, he would have been able to make an informed determination about whether the informer had knowledge that would materially aid Butcher's defense. The trial judge could have asked the informer about the identity of the person who sold the drugs to Trooper Voshell [32] and also about any potential adverse consequences to the informer if his identity were revealed. [33] In Butcher's case, the trial judge did not question the State's informer in camera because the State represented that the informer was incarcerated in another state. The record does not reflect what, if any, efforts were made to have the informer testify in Delaware, notwithstanding his or her incarceration in another state. The record does not reflect what, if any, efforts were made to have the informer testify under oath from prison by telephone or video conference. The record does not reflect what, if any, efforts were made to have the informer submit an affidavit under oath for in camera inspection. Upon remand, if none of these options for having the trial judge interview the informer under oath in camera is viable, the trial judge should direct the State to attempt to obtain an affidavit under oath from the informer for in camera review by the trial judge. [34]