A Gordon County jury found Christy Ann McKnight guilty of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.1 On appeal, McKnight argues that the trial court erred by denying her motion to suppress evidence seized during a traffic stop. For the following reasons, we affirm. In reviewing a trial court’s order on a motion to suppress, we construe the evidence most favorably to uphold the court’s findings and judgment. The trial court sits as the trier of fact; its findings are akin to a jury verdict and will not be disturbed unless no evidence exists to support them. We cannot, and will not, usurp the authority of the trial judge to consider such factors as demeanor and other credibility-related evidence in reaching its decision.2 So viewed, the evidence shows that on the evening of March 7, 2006, Officer Michael Baldwin of the Fairmount Police Department initiated a traffic stop of McKnight for two minor traffic violations —a broken windshield and missing tag light. Upon obtaining McKnight’s consent and searching her vehicle, the officer recovered McKnight’s pocketbook, which contained empty plastic bags, a set of scales, and three clear bags containing a white crystal substance, eventually identified as methamphetamine. At the suppression hearing, Officer Baldwin testified that when he approached the vehicle and asked McKnight for her driver’s license and insurance card, McKnight “was awful nervous,” “her hands were shaking real bad,” and “she fumbled around looking for her” license and insurance card. The officer ran McKnight’s information and determined that she had no outstanding warrants. Officer Baldwin then returned to the vehicle, requested that McKnight exit the vehicle and talk, and asked her if there was anything illegal in her vehicle; she responded in the negative. The officer explained to McKnight that he wanted to talk to her “to see why she was so nervous.”
Officer Baldwin then asked if she would consent to a search of her vehicle. McKnight initially consented, and then, as the officer began the search, she commented that she “didn’t know why he wanted to search the vehicle.” He explained to McKnight that “her hands were shaking, and she was acting a little nervous,” so he wanted to make sure she had nothing illegal in the vehicle. The officer again asked if McKnight consented to the search, and she stated that the search was okay as the vehicle contained nothing illegal.
