Suppression motion in case pending

SANDPOINT — Counsel for a North Idaho woman are moving to suppress drug evidence that was discovered during an accidental shooting investigation last summer.

Public Defender Janet Whitney argues the evidence against Melissa Marie Pierce was obtained in violation of her constitutional rights. A hearing on the motion is set for Monday in 1st District Court.

Pierce, 41, was arrested outside Bonner General Health after delivering her ex-husband to the hospital’s emergency room on Aug. 6, 2018. The man had a gunshot wound to his calf which was determined to be self-inflicted and accidental, according to court documents. Pierce gave consent to search the vehicle so the firearm used in the shooting could be recovered.

During a search of Pierce’s Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, law officers discovered an eyeglasses case containing methamphetamine inside a purse, according to court documents.

Pierce acknowledged there were drugs in her truck, although she told Sandpoint Police and a Bonner County sheriff’s deputy that someone else had left them in the truck.

Whitney argues in court documents that a sheriff’s deputy disabled his body-worn camera during the search and Pierce denies giving consent to search the vehicle.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.