Opinion ID: 1585393
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: was it error to refuse robinson's motion for directed verdict?

Text: Robinson argues that he was entitled to a directed verdict because he established unrebutted evidence of entrapment. The prosecution argues, and indeed, the record reflects that there was conflicting evidence on the question of entrapment. In such circumstances the trial court was not in error in refusing to grant a directed verdict. Dean Shepard, of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, testified that he witnessed all the telephone calls between Eubanks and Robinson and that all the calls were tapped, and made from Shepard's office. Robinson was to exchange two ounces of cocaine with Eubanks and the two agents for twenty (20) pounds of marijuana. Both items are valued at $7,000.00. It was to be a straight up trade, with no boot. Shepard said he was present when Eubanks was told by Robinson via telephone that the quality of the cocaine was excellent and that the weight was good, and that the cocaine was coming through Robinson's source. Shortly thereafter Robinson arrived at the King's Inn room and threw a brown paper bag containing the cocaine on the bed. Shepard weighed each packet of white powder, then gave them to Agent David Jones, who went into the bathroom to test the substance. Shepard claims that Robinson asked that twenty pounds of marijuana be fronted to him. When Robinson said he was going to get the saw and cut the bale of marijuana, Shepard arrested him. Lt. Shepard also testified that he knew of no inducements or threats made in order to get Robinson to make the statements he made at the hotel room or on any of the tape recordings. David Jones, a narcotics officer with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, gave testimony that substantially corroborated the testimony of Lt. Shepard. Eubanks, the habitual drug offender and informer for the narcotics officers, testified that he knew Robinson through prior drug deals. Eubanks testified that he called Robinson from Shepard's office and then went to Robinson's New Orleans apartment. Eubanks said that Robinson wanted to swap some cocaine for some weed because his connection was out of weed. Eubanks denied that he threatened, assaulted, or coerced Robinson into the deal nor did he do anything that caused Mrs. Robinson to flee from him in tears. Eubanks also denied that he told Robinson he had to help him because his (Eubanks) life was on the line. Eubanks also denied that he supplied the marijuana or the cocaine used in the transaction, nor did he secretly warn Robinson that all the telephone calls were being recorded. When Robinson's motion for directed verdict was denied Mrs. Robinson took the stand and said that Eubanks came to her home in New Orleans and told her husband that he was in a bind over a large debt and wanted Robinson to help him out. Mrs. Robinson further said that Eubanks came back several days later, was upset and angry, and threw Robinson up against the wall. Robinson also testified that he participated in the deal because Eubanks threatened his wife and him. Robinson claims he declined to help Eubanks and several days later Eubanks returned to his home. He again declined to help and at that point Eubanks threw one of his crutches to the floor and shoved him against the wall, threathening him. Mrs. Robinson saw this and ran into the bedroom. At this point Robinson saw some type of pistol stuck in the pants of Eubanks, so he told Eubanks he would consider helping him if Eubanks would promise to leave his wife and him alone. Both Robinson and his wife testified that they called the police only to be told that nothing could be done. Robinson said that Eubanks then made a third visit to his apartment and at this time instructed him on the drug terminology he would need in order to deal with the cocaine buyers. This instruction continued throughout the later telephone calls from Eubanks. Robinson contended that Eubanks told him that Eubanks was going to buy the cocaine and swap it for marijuana and he needed Robinson along for safety reasons. In accord with that plan Robinson rode with Eubanks to an apartment and remained in the car while Eubanks went inside. When he returned, Eubanks had a taped brown paper bag which he gave to Robinson and told him it was cocaine. Robinson then drove to Pascagoula where he was to meet with Eubanks and his buyers. When he got to the King's Inn he met Eubanks, Shepard and Jones and was arrested. In rebuttal, Officer Jones testified that at the motel Robinson asked him to front him twenty pounds of marijuana, in direct contradiction to Robinson's testimony.