LAURENS, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned a man's conviction and 5-year sentence on drug charges because prosecutors presented an unqualified police officer as a drug expert.
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The justices said the officer only had his experience on the Laurens Police force and one course from the State Law Enforcement Division when he testified in December 2013.
The ruling says the officer weighed the marijuana without knowing if the scales were calibrated and didn't weigh the individual bags the marijuana was in, instead using a bag he thought was a similar size.
Daniel Herrera was convicted of a more serious offense based on 3 extra ounces of marijuana.
Associated Press
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