On May 4, 2024, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer initiated a traffic stop after observing Parnell Dion Lanier make a turn onto a roadway from a gas station without using a traffic signal.  During the traffic stop, the officer discovered contraband in Lanier’s vehicle.  Lanier was subsequently charged with Level 5 felony unlawful carrying of a handgun and Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana.  Lanier moved to suppress certain evidence, including the contraband that had been recovered from his vehicle during the traffic stop.  The instant interlocutory appeal follows the denial of Lanier’s motion. 

Lanier contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress the challenged evidence, arguing that the evidence should have been suppressed because the initial traffic stop was unlawful.  For its part, the State argues that the traffic stop was lawful and, accordingly, the trial court did not err in denying Lanier’s motion to suppress.

The scheduled panelists are Judge Bradford, Judge Kenworthy, and Judge Felix.