Case Overview

The State, Respondent, v. Garry L. Valentine, Appellant.

Appellant was convicted of trafficking cocaine in an amount more than ten grams and less than twenty-eight grams. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

At trial, appellant objected to the introduction of the cocaine into evidence, arguing the State failed to establish a chain of custody of the cocaine from the time it was allegedly sold to the confidential informant to the time it was tested by the chemist. Specifically, appellant argued the fact that the confidential informant was not available to testify rendered the chain of custody incomplete. The trial judge allowed the State to admit the cocaine into evidence over appellant’s objection.

Appellant filed a notice of appeal following his conviction. Appellant argues on appeal that the trial judge erred in admitting the cocaine into evidence because the chain of custody was defective.

The South Carolina Supreme Court will hear argument on this issue on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at 10:30 a.m.

Case Briefs

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