Pubdate: Fri, 30 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

HIGH COURT REFUSES TO HEAR CLAIM OF DRUG INFORMANT

The Mississippi Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from an 
informant who claims the state's drug enforcement agency violated a deal to 
keep him safe from harm.

The Thursday decision let stand the state Appeals Court's 4-4 ruling last 
April that the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics was not liable when Patrick 
Lippincott was wounded 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, claimed in a lawsuit that MBN 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 the 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.
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