Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District / Feb 4, 2020
State of Missouri vs. Derek L. Johnson
Derek Johnson appealed his conviction for possession of a controlled substance, arguing the circuit court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence obtained during an unlawful stop and search. The appellate court reversed and remanded, vacating Johnson's conviction and sentence. It held that the initial encounter, initiated by a deputy activating emergency lights behind Johnson and a companion, constituted an unlawful detention without reasonable suspicion, rendering the subsequently obtained evidence inadmissible.