People v. Riddle

The State appeals from the order of the circuit court which granted the motion of defendant, Tommy Riddle, to suppress evidence seized pursuant to a search warrant. In challenging the court’s ruling, the State raises two issues: (1) whether the police officers executing the warrant "knocked and announced” before battering in defendant’s door; and (2) whether the presence of "pit bull” dogs at defendant’s residence created exigent circumstances authorizing a "no-knock” entry.

Defendant was indicted for armed violence (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 38, par. 33A — 2 (now 720 ILCS 5/33A — 2 (West…