On June 20, 2008, police in Houston, Texas arrested 29-year-old Andrew Chew after they confiscated a liquid that they suspected was codeine syrup from him.
On September 25, 2008, Chew pled guilty in Harris County Criminal District Court to a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 30 days in the Harris County Jail.
Nearly three years later, in July 2011, the Houston Police crime laboratory tests on the liquid were negative for the presence of a controlled substance. In September 2014, the lab notified the Harris County District Attorney’s Conviction Review Unit of the negative finding.
The prosecution notified Chew’s defense lawyer and joined in a motion with the defense to vacate the conviction. On February 10, 2015, the motion was granted and the prosecution dismissed the charge.
– Maurice Possley
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