Key v. State

Robert David Key was indicted for possession of marijuana in violation of Ala. Code § 13A-12-213 (Cum.Supp. 1989). Key had pleaded not guilty to the charge in the indictment. After a hearing and subsequent denial of his motion to suppress certain evidence, Key pleaded guilty to the charge, reserving the right to raise on appeal the issue of the trial court's denial of his suppression motion. He was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. His sentence was split, with Key to serve 12 months in the Madison County jail and 3 years on probation.

Terry Ergle, an investigator with the Madison…