Pubdate: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2004 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 Author: Associated Press STATE'S HIGH COURT TO DECIDE BY FEB. 12 WHETHER TO HEAR DRUG INFORMANT'S APPEAL The Mississippi Supreme Court has given itself until Feb. 12 to determine whether to hear an appeal from a drug informant who claims the state Narcotics Bureau violated a deal to keep him safe from harm. The state Appeals Court, in a 4-4 decision last April, ruled against Patrick Lippincott, who was shot March 16, 1999, when a gun battle erupted between a drug dealer and a narcotics agent in Clay County. Lippincott, who was hit in the arm, sued the Bureau of Narcotics, claiming the agency teamed him with an inexperienced agent who placed him in unreasonable danger. He also alleged the agency failed to provide him with a safe work environment. A Clay County judge ruled for the MBN in 2001. Lippincott had worked for MBN for several years. His signed agreement with the agency outlined work rules, allowed Lippincott to be wired for taping conversations and paid him $100 per drug buy. The bureau also agreed to take care of his pending drug charges. Lippincott claimed the bureau breached its contract with him. The Appeals Court said Lippincott failed to show any bad faith by the MBN. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin