Thompson v. State

JAMES S. GETTY, Judge,

Specially Assigned.

The novel question posed by this case is whether the State is precluded from introducing evidence allegedly seized from a defendant where a demand has been made that the State establish the chain of custody of the property seized and the State cannot produce the officer who seized the property, because he is deceased.

In a thorough and well-reasoned opinion, Judge Prevas, presiding in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, held that the vials of cocaine allegedly seized from Arthur Thompson, appellant, were admissible. Appellant, at the urging of his…