State v. Richardson

Jerry Ray Richardson, Jr., appeals his conviction of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine. He contends the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress the cocaine because it was seized in an unlawful search. We agree, vacate the conviction and dismiss.

Late on the night of March 30, 1990, Yakima Police Officer William H. Guyer was patrolling an area on the southeast side of Yakima known for its high drug activity. On three occasions, over a period of 4 hours, he observed an unfamiliar Mexican male engage in suspicious activity consistent with "running drugs". The individual,…