People v. Tillman

— Mercure, J.

*887Defendant was convicted after trial of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. Following County Court’s denial of defendant’s posttrial motion to set aside the verdict, defendant was sentenced as a second felony offender to a prison term of 8 to 16 years. Defendant now appeals.

There must be a reversal. At trial, the primary prosecution witness was a paid police informant with an extensive criminal record who testified that he bought a packet of cocaine from defendant on August 19, 1988. Although the purchase was arranged by the police, no effort was made to…