People v. Williams

Defendant was convicted on two counts of selling narcotics in violation of section 11500 of the Health and Safety Code, and he appeals, contending that the trial court erred in failing to strike the testimony of a police officer who refused to disclose the identity of an informer.

Officer Renty was the only witness for the prosecution, and he testified as follows with regard to two transactions which occurred about three months before defendant's indictment and arrest: On February 4, 1957, Renty was standing on East Fifth Street in Los Angeles with an informer who had been used by the police on other occasions. The informer called to defendant, addressing him as "Red," and, when defendant walked over to them, the informer told him that Renty "had the money," which meant, in narcotics parlance, that Renty wanted to buy narcotics. Defendant said that he "could do us some good," and, while the informer waited outside, Renty and defendant entered a nearby cafe, where Renty handed defendant a ten-dollar bill. Defendant gave him some narcotics and a one-dollar bill. On February 7, 1957, Renty was again in the area when he saw defendant and said that he had nine dollars.…