Supreme Court of Louisiana
State v. Thompson
April 9, 2003842 So. 2d 330
Summary
The court reversed the court of appeal and reinstated Thompson's conviction and sentence on count one. It held that the officers had reasonable suspicion to stop Thompson, that his furtive disposal of the napkin combined with the surveillance evidence established probable cause, and that the readily mobile vehicle created exigent circumstances permitting a warrantless search under the automobile exception. The court also rejected Thompson's excessive-sentence challenge because the trial court did not abuse its broad sentencing discretion.