Required proof in possession cases.

Proximity possession cases (where the contraband is not found directly on a person, but rather, in their proximity in small amounts) are very weak at best for the prosecution UNTIL the person in question runs their mouth! The police aren’t just being smartasses when they fish for responses while brandishing the contraband with a “what have we here?” They’re wanting the person to give them evidence via verbal statement of knowledge the contraband was there, a required element of a possession offense. Merely being present at the scene where contraband is found does NOT make one guilty of possession! Admitting knowledge does!