The People v. Martin CA2/3

BACKGROUND

The following facts are taken from the hearing on Martin‟s motion to suppress evidence. 1. Prosecution evidence. Los Angeles Police Officer Victor Cadena, assigned to a narcotics enforcement detail on the afternoon of July 6, 2011, was in plain clothes and driving an unmarked police van. Near Monte Vista and 52nd Streets, while “monitoring the area for narcotics activity,” Cadena saw two African-American men walking down the street. One of them “matched the description of a [grand theft auto] suspect that had been broadcast the day before” as being “a light-skinned male black with dreadlocks.” Cadena testified this man drew his interest because “it was in the area where [the car theft had] happened. Also, he was exactly like they described, a light-skinned male black and had dreadlocks.” The man with the dreadlocks turned out to be Huteson and his companion was defendant Martin. Cadena radioed to have a backup unit respond to the scene and make a pedestrian stop. While awaiting the backup unit, Cadena continued to monitor the two men. He saw them walk down Monte Vista and turn onto Avenue 51. “About a couple houses west they met up with a male Hispanic who . . . handed…