Wednesday, December 5, 2001
State of Florida v. Kellen Lee Betz

no. 01-319

Pinellas County


A law enforcement officer stopped Betz for a traffic violation. After the stop, he noticed that the odor of marijuana was coming from Betz' vehicle. Later the officer, despite Betz' objection, searched the trunk of the vehicle and found more contraband. The trial court overruled Betz' motion to suppress evidence seized from the vehicle, but the Second District Court of Appeal later ruled that the evidence from the trunk was unlawfully seized. The State appeals.