Spraggins v. State

James Spraggins, the defendant, lived in Batesville, Mississippi, in a house which he shared with Sterling Gates and Beverly Fondren. Sterling Gates acted as a confidential informant in this case and allegedly bought two rocks of crack cocaine for $30.00 from his friend and housemate, Spraggins, on August 11, 1989.

Spraggins was indicted for sale of a controlled substance, cocaine, by a Panola County Grand Jury in the February 1990 term. A trial was held on October 16-17, 1990, and a jury found Spraggins guilty. The Panola County Circuit Court, Second Judicial District, sentenced Spraggins to…