STATE OF LOUISIANA v. ALONZO WILLIAMS (2026)

Writ application denied.

JDH

JLW

JBM

CRC

WHB

Supreme Court of Louisiana July 13, 2026

The trial court granted defendant's motion to suppress based on a credibility determination, and that determination should be accorded great deference by a reviewing court. See State v. Thompson, 11-0915, pp. 13-14 (La. 5/8/12), 93 So. 3d 553, 563 (quoting State v. Wells, 08-2262, p. 4 (La. 7/6/10), 45 So. 3d 577, 580) (noting “[w]hen a trial court makes findings of fact based on the weight of testimony and credibility of the witnesses, a reviewing court owes those findings great deference, and may not overturn those findings unless there is no evidence to support those findings”). Because the court of appeal failed to apply the correct standard of review and substituted its own factual findings for those of the trial court, I would grant the writ application and reinstate the trial court's ruling.

Griffin, J., would grant and reinstate the trial court. Guidry, J., would grant and assigns reasons.