The Law: Third-Party Snooping

When ex-Convict James A. White settled down at his pal Harvey Jackson's house, the talk often centered on White's drug-pushing activity. Jackson was an attentive listener. So were two federal agents, one hidden in Jackson's kitchen closet, the other outside his home in Chicago.

Thanks to a radio transmitter strapped to Jackson, a police informer, the agents recorded those incriminating conversations, plus others between the two men in Jackson's car, at White's home and at a public restaurant. On the basis of the agents' eavesdropping testimony, White was convicted of seven drug offenses, fined $35,000 and sentenced to 25 years in prison....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!