Brewer v. State

The facts of this case invite us to revisit the doctrines of “plain view” and “open view” in the context of a warrantless seizure of drugs in the vestibule of a Baltimore City rowhouse.

Appellant Joshua P. Brewer, Jr. was charged in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. On May 14, 2013, the trial court denied appellant’s pre-trial motion to suppress, and two days later the jury convicted him of both distribution offenses. After denying appellant’s motion for new trial, the court, on July 31,…