Stephens v. State

BLACKBURN, Presiding Judge.

Following a bench trial, Rodney Lawrence Stephens was convicted of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. He appeals, arguing that the court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence obtained when he and his car were searched following his arrest. Because the police lacked probable cause to arrest Stephens, we reverse.

In reviewing the denial of a motion to suppress, we construe the evidence in favor of the trial court’s ruling when there is conflicting evidence. See Tate v. State.1 However, where (as here) the evidence is uncontroverted and no…