Greer v. United States

Summary

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals held that police seized Daiquon Greer when officers blocked his path, followed him while visibly armed and in uniform, and questioned him about a firearm. Because the officers lacked reasonable articulable suspicion before that seizure and the firearm was discovered afterward, the court held that the trial court erred in denying Greer's motion to suppress. The court reversed Greer's convictions and remanded for further proceedings.

Holdings

1. Greer was seized when Officer Green circled in front of him and effectively blocked his path, even though Greer could conceivably have turned around or attempted to move around the officers.
2. The officers lacked reasonable articulable suspicion before Officer Green stepped in front of Greer, and the record could not support a finding that the firearm bulge was observed before that seizure occurred.
3. The trial court erred in denying Greer's motion to suppress, and Greer's convictions must be reversed.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Greer was seized for Fourth Amendment purposes when an officer stepped in front of him and effectively blocked his path, before the officers tackled him.
2. Whether the officers had reasonable articulable suspicion to justify the seizure at the earlier point when the officer blocked Greer's path.
3. Whether the denial of Greer's motion to suppress required reversal of his convictions.

Disposition

reversed_and_remanded