State of Connecticut v. Kenneth E. Fausel

Summary

The court held that police reasonably believed an emergency existed inside a residence where a fleeing suspect with a history of drug and weapons offenses had apparently entered a stranger's home, and several identified residents failed to respond. That objective basis justified a warrantless entry under the emergency exception, so the evidence discovered during the protective sweep supported the later warrant and the suppression motion was properly denied. The court reversed the Appellate Court and directed it to affirm the trial court's judgment.