State v. Basden

JOHNSON, Judge.

The facts pertinent to this appeal are as follows: On 4 May 1987, Billy Ray Smith received 10 ounces of cocaine from Sidney Turnage and Vernon Rogers. Smith took the cocaine to his home, showed it to defendant and Darrel Rouse and proceeded to “cut one ounce.” Billy Ray Smith was subsequently convicted of trafficking in cocaine and sentenced to 21 years in prison.

On 27 July 1988, Rita Smith, wife of Billy Ray Smith, was wired by detectives of the Kinston Police Department and went to see the defendant. During the course of the wired conversation, the following colloquy occurred: