On July 18th 2014, Diego Marquez was found stabbed to death behind a dumpster off of Peachtree Rd. in Atlanta, Georgia. Police had reason to believe that his ex-girlfriend, Natasha Stevens, was involved in his murder. Two police officers, Nicholas Benson and Kelly Rollins made a routine visit to her home on July 20th to ask Stevens a few questions. She welcomed the officers into her home and remained calm and cooperative during the interview. Before the officers left, Officer Benson excused himself to use the restroom while Rollins remained with Stevens to ask more questions. While in the restroom, Benson discovered a bloody glove in the trash can. He obtained the glove and placed it in an evidence bag in his jacket pocket. Officer Benson returned to Rollins and Stevens, but did not mention his discovery to either person. When the officers left shortly after, Benson took the glove without Stevens knowing. After using tests to confirm the blood on the gloves was that of Diego Marquez, the officers used the evidence to obtain a warrant for Stevens house to search for more evidence. In their search, the police discovered the murder weapon, a kitchen knife, hidden in a cabinet. Natasha Stevens was soon after arrested on account of first-degree murder of Diego Marquez.
Stevens’ defense attorney appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court. Her attorney argued that the officers who entered Natasha’s home on July 20th violated her 4th Amendment rights regarding search and seizure. The attorney claimed that all evidence obtained after the discovery of the glove, including the murder weapon, should be thrown out. The Georgia Supreme Court denied their appeal and upheld her conviction. The case was then brought to the U.S. Supreme Court.