Pride v. State

Larry Pride, Jr., the defendant, appeals his convictions on two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to sell and two counts of sale of cocaine. We conclude that the trial court erred by admitting hearsay evidence that the defendant had been selling drugs in the neighborhood. Consequently, we reverse for a new trial.

The case against the defendant involved two drug transactions both of which were considered in a single jury trial. According to the information, the defendant sold cocaine on August 31, 1999, and again on September 7, 1999. Both transactions were controlled purchases by…