The Law: Enmeshed in Entrapment

Entrapment is the illegal and unsavory practice of luring someone into committing a crime and then prosecuting him for it. The question for the Supreme Court last week was whether the following situation qualified: Under cover Narcotics Agent Joe Shapiro suspected that Richard Russell of Whidbey Island, Wash., was manufacturing methamphetamine pep pills (or speed), so Shapiro offered to do business with him. As part of the deal, Shapiro supplied a hard-to-get chemical ingredient. After Russell produced the speed and sold him some, Shapiro eventually made the arrest. Was that entrapment or...

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!