Suttle v. State

Julian R. ("Randy") Suttle was convicted of vehicular homicide arising out of the death of Howard Deavers and sentenced to five years' imprisonment. This conviction must be reversed because the prosecution failed to establish the proper chain of custody for the introduction of a blood sample allegedly taken from Suttle.

Shortly after 11:00 p.m. on April 8, 1987, Suttle's truck collided with a Toyota Corolla automobile in which Deavers was a passenger. Trooper Elizabeth Cobb later transported Suttle to the Selma Medical Center, arriving there around 12:25 a.m. After a cut on Suttle's face was…