People v. Cansler

The defendant James Cansler, on January 23, 1968, was found guilty by a jmy of the unlawful possession and sale of narcotic drugs. He was sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of not less than 10 years and not more than 11 years.

The question presented to this Court is as to whether the prosecution is under a duty to furnish the present address of the informer, the contention being that the failure to do so is a denial of his right to a fair trial under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

A brief resume of the facts is in order.

Paul Hemphill, an…