Turner county defendant accused of Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Distribute acquitted after 2 day trial

The police saw the Defendant who had an active warrant and gave chase after he ran on foot. After they caught the Defendant, they retraced his steps and found a bag of marijuana near where he had been. No officer saw him touch the marijuana nor make any movements which would indicate he was hiding marijuana. He was just near where it was found. The Defendant was arrested and charged with possessing the drugs with the intent to distribute them. At trial, we pointed out all the discrepancies between the officer’s statements and said there was no evidence he possessed the drugs. The entire case rested on the state wanting the jury to assume the drugs were his and assumptions are not enough. The jury agreed and acquitted him after deliberating for less than 20 minutes.