Hernandez-Espino v. State
324 Ga. App. 849
Ga. Ct. App.2013Background
- Interlocutory review of trial court’s denial of motion to suppress crack cocaine found on Hernandez-Espino during consent-search.
- Officers conducted the search after Hernandez-Espino consented.
- Officer escalated the encounter by demanding delivery of drugs Hernandez-Espino allegedly bought.
- Court held consent tainted due to unlawful second-tier encounter.
- Second-tier encounter lacked reasonable suspicion; tainted consent invalidates search evidence.
- Judgment reversed; suppression granted.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the encounter escalated to a second-tier seizure. | Hernandez-Espino argues words/demand show second-tier. | State contends first-tier because no detention. | Yes, second-tier seizure occurred. |
| Whether there was reasonable articulable suspicion for the second-tier stop. | Facts show no objective basis for suspicion. | State argues subjective suspicion supported detention. | Lacked reasonable articulable suspicion. |
| Whether Hernandez-Espino’s consent was purged of taint for the search. | Consented after unlawful seizure; taint remains. | Consent independent; attenuation applies. | Consent tainted; taint not purged; suppression proper. |
Key Cases Cited
- Foster v. State, 285 Ga. App. 441 (Ga. App. 2007) (burden on state to prove search was lawful; close scrutiny of consent)
- In the Interest of J. B., 314 Ga. App. 678 (Ga. App. 2012) (tiered approach to police encounters)
- Cutter v. State, 274 Ga. App. 589 (Ga. App. 2005) (second-tier seizure evaluation)
- Brown v. State, 301 Ga. App. 82 (Ga. App. 2009) (illustrates factors converting first-tier to second-tier)
- Thomas v. State, 301 Ga. App. 198 (Ga. App. 2009) (objective basis required for suspicion)
- Holmes v. State, 252 Ga. App. 286 (Ga. App. 2001) (presence in drug area not enough for suspicion)
- State v. Dukes, 279 Ga. App. 247 (Ga. App. 2006) (first-tier vs second-tier in Dukes scenario)
- Pledger v. State, 257 Ga. App. 794 (Ga. App. 2002) (attenuation/taint after unlawful seizure)
- Popped, 277 Ga. 595 (Ga. 2004) (voluntary consent vs taint)