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Appeals court presses defense in Santos appeal over whether an inventory search unlawfully prolonged a traffic stop
Summary
At oral argument on April 6, the Massachusetts Appeals Court questioned whether a trooper unreasonably prolonged a stop by detaining a passenger for an inventory search unrelated to a seat‑belt infraction; the panel pressed defense counsel on timing evidence and precedent as attorneys debated suppression and jury‑instruction issues tied to a defaced‑serial‑number charge.
May it please the court: Edward Crane, defense counsel for Kami Santos, argued that the trooper “unreasonably prolonged the defendant's detention by forcing him to sit on the sidewalk while awaiting the completion of the inventory search,” and that the detention exceeded the time reasonably necessary to complete tasks tied to the traffic infraction rather than to investigate unrelated matters.
The three‑judge panel — Justice Eric Nyman, Justice Rachel Hersfang and Justice Robert Ton — asked pointed questions about precedent and proof of delay. Justice Ton pressed Crane for authority establishing a bright‑line time limit for holding a passenger during an inventory search; Crane acknowledged he had not found a case that sets a strict…
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