State v. Gonzalez

After jury trial, Jose Gonzalez was convicted of one count of delivery of cocaine. He contends the court erred in declining to suppress certain evidence and that the prosecutor engaged in improper argument. We agree with the first contention and reverse.

The Yakima City Police suspected Guadalupe Velasco of being active in the drug trade. Detective Michael Merryman attempted to arrange a purchase from her using a paid informant, James Ancira. On November 30, 1992, Mr. An-cira went to Ms. Velasco’s apartment where he negotiated a 1-ounce transaction. The cocaine was not on the premises at the…