Appeal from Second Degree Murder Conviction

Jan 31, 2014

OUTCOME: Pending

I am currently representing two brothers who were convicted of second degree murder in Grant County Superior Court. They were ages 15 and 16 at the time of the alleged offense. I believe that both clie ... nts were innocent of these charges. The sole piece of evidence implicating my client's was the testimony of a co-defendant who testified against them in return for full immunity. On appeal, we expect the court to at least reverse both convictions because the court improperly instructed the jury as to what the reasonable doubt standard truly requires. Additionally, we have argued that the court should dismiss both convictions with prejudice because the evidence was insufficient to prove the crimes charged, and also because what we believe to be the most egregious and inappropriate closing argument by any prosecutor in any reported case in Washington.