Austin v. State

The defendant, Myles Austin, appeals his conviction for the crime of trafficking in cocaine. We conclude that the trial court erred by allowing a Florida Highway Patrol trooper to testify about the general behavior patterns of drug traffickers. Because the admission of this testimony cannot be characterized as harmless error, we reverse the conviction and remand the case for a new trial.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joseph Harrison stopped the defendant and subsequently found cocaine in a closed compartment within the rental car the defendant was driving. The car had been rented several…