Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Public welcome as Washington Court of Appeals, Div. III hears cases in Walla Walla on May 2nd

The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III, will hear oral arguments outside of its regular Spokane courtroom during a community visit to Whitman College on Thursday, May 2nd.

The hearings will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Maxey Hall Auditorium, 173 Stanton Street, Walla Walla. The public is welcome to attend the oral arguments and, at the end of the session, ask questions about the role and operations of the Court of Appeals.

The Court of Appeals Division III is headquartered in Spokane and hears appeals of case outcomes from trial courts throughout the Eastern Washington counties of Ferry, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Walla Walla, Whitman, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat and Yakima.  

“I look forward to visiting my alma mater and the opportunity to answer questions from students and residents so they better understand what appellate judges do, and how our Washington appellate system works,” said Chief Judge Robert Lawrence-Berrey.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., Chief Judge Robert E. Lawrence-Berrey, Judge Kevin M. Korsmo and Judge George B. Fearing will hear arguments in the following four cases:

• Borton & Sons, Inc. v. Burbank Properties, LLC – Appeal from decision allowing exercise of real estate purchase option.
• Junghee Kim Spicer, et al v. Paul Patnode – Appeal from judgment for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• State of Washington v. Bradley Leith Merson – Appeal from conviction for communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
• State of Washington v. Josue Manuel Osorio Lopez – Appeal from conviction for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Full case summaries are available online at Division III — Issue Summaries. Each argument will last approximately 30 minutes.

The Court occasionally hears oral arguments in various eastern Washington cities outside of its Spokane headquarters as a way to help members of the public view the court in action, and to encourage questions.

For further information regarding the Court, visit the Washington Courts Web site at http://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/.

CONTACT:  Court of Appeals Div. III Clerk Renee Townsley, (509) 456-3082, Renee.Townsley@courts.wa.gov.