Williamson v. United States

Reginald Harris was arrested when cocaine was found in his rental car and told a DEA agent he was transporting it for Williamson (defendant), who was driving ahead in another car. At Williamson's trial Harris refused to testify, so the court let the agent recount Harris's confession under the statement-against-interest exception, since Harris had implicated himself and was unavailable. Williamson was convicted, the court of appeals affirmed, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Whether the statement-against-interest hearsay exception permits admitting non-self-inculpatory portions of a statement merely because they are part of a broader statement that is generally against the declarant's interest.