State v. Covert

Justice PLEICONES:

We granted, certiorari to review the Court of Appeals decision in State v. Covert, 368 S.C. 188, 628 S.E.2d 482 (Ct.App.2006)*2071 and now affirm, as modified, that court’s decision to grant respondent a new trial. In a split decision, Judges Short and Anderson found reversible error in the jury’s possession of a statute during deliberations; in addition, Judge Short found that evidence should have been suppressed, and Judge Anderson found reversible error in the verdict form.

We hold, as did Judge Short, that an unsigned search warrant is invalid, and agree with Judge Anderson…