People v. Stewart

The defendant, Paul Stewart, appeals his conviction for unlawful possession of a controlled substance (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 56V2, par. 1402). We reverse and remand.

At trial, Joliet police officer Jeff Stubler testified that on June 21, 1989, around 4:30 p.m., he was patrolling North Broadway Street with his partner, James Klancher. As they drove north, he saw two black males conversing on the sidewalk. When they were within 50 to 75 feet of the men, one male handed something to the other. Stubler could not see what was exchanged, or who handed what to whom. Afterwards, the defendant…