Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

State Supreme Court to hear arguments in three cases in Ellensburg; visit with Central Washington University students this week

The Washington Supreme Court will hear oral arguments outside of the Temple of Justice in a community visit to Central Washington University in Ellensburg on Thursday, October 19, 2006. 

In the Student Union Building, Room 215, commencing at 9 a.m., Chief Justice Gerry Alexander and Justices Charles W. Johnson, Barbara A. Madsen, Richard B. Sanders, Bobbe J. Bridge, Tom Chambers, Susan Owens, Mary Fairhurst and James M. Johnson will hear oral arguments in the following cases:

·         No. 77700-4, State (respondent) v. Evans (petitioner):  Whether a defendant who disclaimed ownership of a briefcase but not the truck it was found in could challenge the seizure and search of the briefcase.

·         No. 77985-6, Nelson (respondent) v. Appleway Chevrolet, Inc. (petitioner):  Whether a business’s practice of itemizing and collecting business and occupation taxes directly from purchasers and customers is lawful under RCW 82.04.500.

·         No. 77281-9, State (respondent) v. Watt (petitioner):  Whether the defendant was harmed by the erroneous admission at her criminal trial of her non-testifying spouse’s statement to police and guilty plea statement.

Immediately following arguments in the first two cases, the justices will answer questions from the audience, then recess to conference on the cases until 12:15 p.m.  Justices will then have lunch with faculty and members of the student body, and reconvene at 1:30 p.m. to hear the last case of the day.  The court will entertain questions from the audience following argument in that case.

A day prior to the oral arguments on October 18^th, justices will visit Central Washington University classrooms in the afternoon, and meet with school administrators and members of the faculty at an evening reception.

The Washington Supreme Court has made frequent community visits throughout the state since 1995, and welcomes the public to the oral arguments. Though cameras and video recorders are generally allowed, the court asks that no flash, other lights or noisy film advance mechanisms be used during the hearings. Only one television camera will be allowed to film the oral arguments; other TV stations are asked to pool coverage.   

TVW, Washington’s Public Affairs network will be tape the arguments for broadcast at a later time.  Schedule information can be obtained by visiting TVW online at www.tvw.org

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Wendy K. Ferrell Judicial Communications Manager 360.705.5331 e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov

Lorrie Thompson Communications Officer 360.705.5347 Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov