Pubdate: Mon, 11 Feb 2008
Source: Wheeling News-Register (WV)
Copyright: 2008 Wheeling News Register
Contact:  http://www.news-register.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4252

DRUG INFORMANTS CAN CONVICT WRONG PEOPLE

Law enforcement officials in and near Mansfield, Ohio, are involved 
in a nightmare -- one that they helped create for more than two dozen 
innocent people. Some of them have spent time in prison for crimes 
they did not commit.

In 2005, police enlisted small-time drug dealer Jerrell Bray as an 
informant. Based in part on his tips, they arrested 26 people, 
charging them with drug offenses. Bray's testimony was important in 
convicting some of them, including a Mansfield mother who spent 16 
months in prison.

She and most of those arrested as a result of Bray's tips have been 
released from custody. In turns out that Bray was lying, setting 
people up for police even if they had nothing to do with illegal 
drugs. Bray now is serving 15 years in prison for his deceptions.

Drug informants often are critical in bringing pushers to justice. 
But, not infrequently, police find that informants -- usually drug 
users and/or dealers themselves -- are lying in order to keep 
themselves out on the streets and out of jail.

Clearly, the authorities involved in the Mansfield arrests and 
convictions did not demonstrate the proper amount of skepticism 
regarding Bray. Their failure should serve as a lesson to other law 
officers who use drug informants.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom