Wednesday, March 8, 2000
State of Florida v. Norris Williamson

No. 95,721

Place of Origin
Hillsborough County

Facts
Williamson allegedly entered a house and took a bottle of pills containing a controlled substance, codeine. He contended that he had no knowledge of the pills' nature. At trial he was found guilty of possessing a controlled substance illegally. On appeal, the Second District reversed on grounds the trial judge should have instructed the jury that Williamson could only be found guilty if he had knowledge of the illicit nature of the pills.