Opinion ID: 1946015
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the trial court erred in allowing the state to withhold the identity of the confidential informant.

Text: The appellants contend that the trial court erred in failing to disclose the identity of the confidential informant. This Court has recognized the value of the informer's role in law enforcement and has developed an informer's privilege, which enables the prosecution to withhold the informant's identity. Strode v. State, 231 So.2d 779 (Miss. 1970); Pace v. State, 407 So.2d 530 (Miss. 1981). In order for the trial court to require the identity of an informant be revealed, he must have been a participant in the crime or an eye witness to the offense which would cause the confidential informant to become a material witness. Here the confidential informant gave information concerning the purchase of drugs from appellants, as well as possession of newly acquired quantities of drugs by the appellant. The confidential informant was not a co-conspirator intending to sell the drugs, nor a material witness to the offense of the intent to sell. Further, there is no indication that the confidential informant was present when the officers searched the appellants' home. We have held that the disclosure of an informer, who is not a material witness to the guilt or innocence of the accused, is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Young v. State, 245 So.2d 26 (Miss. 1971); and Strode, supra . As we pointed out in Daniels v. State, 422 So.2d 289 (Miss. 1982): If a reliable informant tells officers, if you go to point X you will find evidence, the identity of the informant may be withheld. On the other hand, if the informant comes with me and says, I will help you catch the suspect, and takes part in the police activity, or if the informant becomes a witness to the facts constituting a crime, he becomes a witness who may be required to appear at trial. Unquestionably, the former not the latter is what took place in the instant case. The trial judge abused his discretion in not disclosing the confidential informant's identity. This assignment of error is without merit.