Commonwealth v. DeJesus

Police officers working undercover arranged to purchase “crack” cocaine from a man known as “Paulie,” whom they suspected of operating in tandem with the defendant. A photocopy of the currency to be used for the purchase was made beforehand. The primary issue on appeal is whether the best evidence rule required that the currency, rather than the photocopy, be admitted at trial. Concluding that it does not, we affirm the defendant’s convictions.

Background. Officers of the Everett police department were conducting an undercover operation to purchase crack cocaine. The operation was focused on a…