Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.

This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Clarence was an informant for the FBI. Clarence identified Bourjaily (D) as a person interested in dealing cocaine. Clarence arranged to sell cocaine to Lonardo and a gentleman friend. The purchase was consummated during which Lonardo stated that the drugs were to be transferred to his friend in a parking lot. Lonardo and his friend, D were arrested on the spot. D was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. sec 846. P attempted to introduce the informant's statements about D, using the co-conspiracy hearsay exemption. D objected, claiming that the court must look at evidence independent of this statement to prove that there was a conspiracy. The court overruled the objection, allowing the statement to be admitted as evidence. D was convicted. The court of appeals affirmed, and the Supreme Court granted review. The case was then heard by the Supreme Court.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

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