Opinion ID: 2360332
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Butcher's Pretrial Motion

Text: In his pretrial motion to compel disclosure of the informer's identity, Butcher submitted that the informer's identity should be revealed because the informer was the only person other than Trooper Voshell who witnessed the purchase. The informer was in the car with Trooper Voshell during the exchange. Detective Mailey did not actually observe the transaction. He only saw Butcher begin to walk toward the car. Butcher argued that the informer was in a unique position to know which person standing on the corner, Butcher or the unidentified man, sold the crack cocaine to Trooper Voshell. Therefore, Butcher maintained, the informer might have information that could materially aid his defense of mistaken identity. Delaware Rule of Evidence 509(c)(2) provides that where a defendant claims that an informer may be able to give testimony that could materially aid the defense, and the State claims the informer's identity is privileged, the trial judge must determine whether the informer can supply such testimony. In Butcher's case, the trial judge conducted an in camera hearing. He then ruled that the informer could not give testimony that would materially aid the defense and denied Butcher's motion to compel disclosure of the informer's identity and whereabouts. A record of the hearing was sealed by the Superior Court.