State v. Hatcher

This Court granted the State’s petition for a writ of certiorari to review State v. Hatcher, 384 S.C. 372, 681 S.E.2d 925 (Ct.App.2009), in which the Court of Appeals reversed the conviction and sentence of Ricky L. Hatcher on drug charges on the ground the State failed to establish a sufficient chain of custody for the drug evidence. We reverse.

I. FACTS

Hatcher was indicted for distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within one-half mile of a public park for selling crack to an undercover informant (“Buyer”) working with the Marlboro County Sheriffs Office on October…