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Bridges v. State

The defendant failed to lay a proper foundation for the introduction of a police report involving an alleged drug raid that he claimed was the basis for an illegal stop.

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Following a bench trial, the trial court found Wade Bridges guilty of possessing methamphetamine, driving under the influence, operating a motor vehicle without proof of insurance, and failing to wear a seatbelt. On appeal, Bridges contends the trial court erred in excluding certain evidence and in concluding that his car was properly stopped. As Bridges’ contentions lack merit, we affirm. Viewed in a light most favorable to the verdict,1 the evidence demonstrates that on April 3, 2002, Deputy John Mabry of the Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office saw Bridges, who was not wearing a seatbelt, drive by in a car. Thus, Mabry decided to pull Bridges over for a traffic violation. After Mabry stopped Bridges, he walked up to the car and asked Bridges for his license and insurance. According to Mabry, Bridges was unable to provide proof of valid insurance for the car that he was driving.

Mabry testified that Bridges’ “eyes were extremely red and glossy sic” and that he was reaching down under the car seat. To ensure his safety, Mabry had Bridges exit the car, and he asked Bridges if he could pat him down. Bridges agreed, and Mabry discovered a knife in his back pocket. At that point, Mabry arrested Bridges and placed him in the patrol car. Mabry then had a K-9 unit perform a free air search of the car, and the dog alerted. A subsequent search of the car yielded a bag containing methamphetamine. Bridges was then tested for drug use, and he tested positive for methamphetamine.

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