news - washington

Defendant Has Right to Be Present During All Jury Selection

Mary Whisner
February 28, 2012 04:03

A defendant is headed for a second trial for first-degree murder after his first conviction was reversed because he had not been present for all aspects of jury selection. Biker convicted in ‘no-body’ Ravensdale killing headed for new trial, SeattlePI.com, Feb. 26, 2012.The Court of Appeals case is...

Judge again rebukes lawyers who want him to step down

Mary Whisner
February 21, 2012 19:06

Defense attorneys for the men accused of killing a corrections officer in Monroe asked the judge to step down because of his allegedly flawed understanding of the law and improper behavior in an earlier case. That's only part of the friction between the judge and the lawyers. Judge again rebukes...

Jurors Excused Because of Views Toward Immigrants

Mary Whisner
February 21, 2012 18:49

In the Franklin County trial of a Mexican for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Judge excuses some jurors because of opinion about immigrants, Tri-City Herald, Feb. 14, 2012.

Hiding Tattoos?

Mary Whisner
January 10, 2012 23:10

In pretrial motions, lawyers argued over whether the jury should be allowed to see Michael Coombes's tattoos – one on his face with A-F (for Aryan Family) and one on his hip with a gun and a syringe; the gun was the same brand and caliber as the murder weapon. Murder suspect hopes makeup will hide...

Spokane Judge Won't Approve Plea without Seeing Prosecutor

Mary Whisner
January 03, 2012 02:01

Spokane County prosecuting attorney Steve Tucker personally negotiated a plea agreement with a defendant who shot a gun into a neighbor's house. The judge wanted to ask him some questions about it, but he chose not to appear, sending one of his assistants. The judge said she wouldn't approve the...