STATE'S HIGH COURT TO DECIDE BY FEB. 12 WHETHER TO HEAR DRUG INFORMANT'S
APPEAL

The Mississippi Supreme Court has given itself until Feb. 12 to
determine whether to hear an appeal from a drug informant who claims
the state Narcotics Bureau violated a deal to keep him safe from harm.

The state Appeals Court, in a 4-4 decision last April, ruled against
Patrick Lippincott, who was shot March 16, 1999, when a gun battle
erupted between a drug dealer and a narcotics agent in Clay County.

Lippincott, who was hit in the arm, sued the Bureau of Narcotics,
claiming the agency teamed him with an inexperienced agent who placed
him in unreasonable danger. He also alleged the agency failed to
provide him with a safe work environment.

A Clay County judge ruled for the MBN in 2001.

Lippincott had worked for MBN for several years. His signed agreement
with the agency outlined work rules, allowed Lippincott to be wired
for taping conversations and paid him $100 per drug buy. The bureau
also agreed to take care of his pending drug charges.

Lippincott claimed the bureau breached its contract with
him.

The Appeals Court said Lippincott failed to show any bad faith by the
MBN.