Federal drug trial opens in Danville

Attorneys gave opening statements and questioned witnesses Monday during the trial of Carlos Santana Morris, who faces four drug distribution counts and two firearm counts in Danville’s federal court.

Andrew Bassford, an assistant U.S. attorney, said an informant bought crack cocaine and powdered cocaine from Morris four times and bought a handgun during their last exchange. All of the drug purchases happened during October 2008 in Martinsville. The informant was wired to record audio and video of the drug buys.

Bassford said prosecutors also discovered Morris’ defense strategy after he sent a letter to a neighbor from jail. But Morris addressed the letter incorrectly, and postal workers returned it. Language in the letter caught the attention of jailers, Morris said.

He showed the jury a copy of the letter on a projection screen. The letter mentions the informant. It reads: “NO SNITCH. NO CASE.” And: “He need to — so I can come home.”

John Weber, Morris’ defense attorney, told jurors to keep an open mind and to remember that the burden of proof is on the government.

He added that the case has two sides. Weber said the snitch is the common link in the trial, and his credibility is in question.

“(Kevin) Odell is the thread that ties the government’s case together,” Weber said. “It is weak. It is thin.”

Monday’s testimony focused on the video and audio recorded by Odell and his credibility.

Bassford walked Odell through the videos. Odell described his four trips to Morris’ white trailers, where he bought the drugs.

Odell pointed out times when Morris handed him crack or powdered cocaine, though the drug could be seen once on the video. Odell also testified about the sale of a .32-caliber revolver that he bought from Morris on Oct. 27, 2008, when he also bought crack cocaine from Morris.

Odell testified that Morris took the money and gave him the drugs during each of his four trips.

Weber questioned the credibility of Odell, who testified that he had used crystal meth, crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, Xanax, marijuana and oxycodon. Odell said he never received drug treatment, and he wasn’t addicted to crystal meth. Odell couldn’t recall the last day he used any of the drugs.

But Odell also said he was sober and drug-free during the cocaine buys from Morris. He also testified that he has no felony charges.

Prosecutors will continue calling witnesses Tuesday.