Commonwealth v. M.N.

Philadelphia police officers stopped a vehicle in the 25th district for an illegal turn. After stopping, police claimed that M.N., the front passenger, attempted to walk away from the car and he was ordered back inside along with the driver and another occupant. After getting consent to search, police recovered a 38 revolver from inside the center console and two additional firearms from a bag in the back seat. M.N and the two others were arrested and held on $500,000 bail. In one of the first “virtual” preliminary hearings conducted in the city after the court closure due to Covid-19, a judge agreed with the defense that the DA failed to establish M.N. was in constructive possession of any of the firearms and the case was dismissed for lack of evidence.