Rainwater v. State

Phipps, Judge.

Patrick Rainwater was convicted of felony possession of marijuana after a bench trial. The marijuana was seized by police through consensual searches of the Rainwater family’s yard and dwelling. Rainwater contends the consent for the searches was invalid, and he *371appeals, challenging the trial court’s denial of his motion to suppress. We must decide two issues of consent. First, did Rainwater’s 15-year-old sister give valid consent to the search of the yard? Second, did Rainwater’s mother give valid consent to the search of the home?

On May 29, 1998, 15-year-old Robin Rainwater…