State v. Novotny

Pierron, J.:

The defendant, Alan Novotny, was convicted of sale of methamphetamine, a felony, and two misdemeanor drug offenses. He appeals his conviction for the sale of methamphetamine, alleging that the trial court erred in not giving a cautionary instruction to the jury about the credibility of a paid undercover informant who testified for the State. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

Robert Currie lived across the street from Novotny. Novotny testified he and Currie were good friends. Currie stated he and Novotny had an ongoing relationship. After a break-in at a local car dealership,…