Pubdate: Mon, 23 May 2005 Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) Copyright: 2005 The Commercial Appeal Contact: http://www.commercialappeal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/95 Author: Steve Butler THE PUBLIC WILL BE NERVOUS ENOUGH Thanks to Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan for filling us in on how to have a successful, rewarding career as a drug courier (May 21 article, "Drug bust is erased by judge"). Last year Shelby County Deputy Kelly Nichols stopped Eric Berrios for driving 53 mph in a 45-mph construction zone. Nichols said Berrios was nervous, got permission to search the vehicle and found 33 pounds of cocaine, worth $1 million. I guess Nichols missed a few training classes because after review of the police video, Skahan determined Berrios was not quite nervous enough to merit a search. Berrios walks away. The lesson: If you passed acting 101 and don't speed, you can pretty much transport anything, anywhere, anytime. Since Berrios was the victim of an illegal search and seizure, why don't we give him back his 33 pounds of cocaine? Steve Butler Memphis - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin