People v. Peterson

Judgment unanimously reversed on the law, defendant’s motion to suppress granted and indictment dismissed. Memorandum: Defendant appeals from a judgment entered upon a jury verdict convicting him of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He argues that his motion to suppress contraband found in a paper bag following a police chase should have been granted because the police lacked reasonable suspicion to pursue him. We agree. The sole basis for the pursuit was the officer’s testimony that a clerk in the hotel where defendant was residing claimed defendant owed a…