State v. Johnson

OPINION

FRY, Judge.

{1} Defendant Randy Johnson appeals the denial of a motion to suppress evidence that was obtained pursuant to a valid search warrant. He argues that the search presented no exigent circumstances and that the police violated the “knock-and-announce” requirements of the state and federal constitutions by breaking into his motel room only ten seconds after making their presence known. We agree with Defendant and reverse.

BACKGROUND

{2} Detective John Sharkey of the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Department obtained a search warrant for a ground-floor motel room on Central Avenue in…