Thompson v. Steptoe

BROTHERTON, Justice:

The Jefferson County prosecutor, petitioner in this mandamus action, asks the Court to compel the respondent, Judge Steptoe, to reconsider his ruling on a motion to suppress a confession. The judge believes himself to be without authority to reopen a suppression hearing once an order to suppress the confession has been entered. For the reasons discussed below, we find that the trial court may reopen a suppression hearing when new or additional evidence warrants reconsideration of its ruling. We therefore grant the writ prayed for, and order the circuit court to hear the…