State v. Williams

ALOK AHUJA, Judge.

Damiun Williams1 appeals the judgment of the Circuit Court of Jackson County convicting him of one count of possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine or “PCP”)- He argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress the PCP found in a warrantless search of the vehicle he was driving, because both the initial vehicle stop, and the subsequent vehicle search, were illegal. We conclude that the search of Williams’ vehicle was unlawful, and reverse his conviction without addressing the legality of the traffic stop.

Factual Background

On March 26, 2009,…