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