State Of Washington, V. Darcus D. Allen ( 2021 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
July 27, 2021
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 54007-0-II
Respondent,
v.
DARCUS DEWAYNE ALLEN, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
WORSWICK, J. — This is the third appeal involving Dorcus Allen’s convictions for four
counts of first degree murder.1 In this case, the State appeals a trial court’s decision to dismiss an
aggravating sentencing factor on double jeopardy grounds. In 2011, a jury found Allen guilty of
four counts of first degree murder and also found that the State had proven an aggravating
sentencing factor under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v).2 However, the jury unanimously found that the
State had not met its burden of proof regarding the similarly worded aggravating circumstance
1
The superior court case caption spells the defendant’s first name as Darcus while the
defendant’s briefing spells his first name as Dorcus. We are required to use the same caption
from the superior court in our opinion. RAP 3.4. There has been no motion to amend the case
caption, but we use the spelling from the defendant’s briefing in the body of our opinion.
2
RCW 9.94A.535(3) is an exclusive list of factors that can support a sentence above the standard
sentencing range. Subsection (v) lists knowingly committing a crime against a law enforcement
officer who was performing their duties as one of these factors.
No. 54007-0-II
under RCW 10.95.020(1).3 Our Supreme Court has reviewed Allen’s case twice.4 In the first
case, it vacated Allen’s convictions and remanded for trial. In the second case, it held that the
prohibition against double jeopardy barred the State from realleging the RCW 10.95.020(1)
aggravator because the jury unanimously determined it did not apply. After the most recent
remand to superior court, Allen moved to strike the RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) sentencing aggravator,
arguing that double jeopardy and collateral estoppel barred successive prosecution of that
aggravator as well. The trial court granted the motion, and we granted the State’s motion for
discretionary review.
The State argues that the law of the case doctrine precluded Allen from challenging the
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) issue. The State further argues that neither double jeopardy nor collateral
estoppel bars prosecution under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v).
We hold that the law of the case doctrine does not preclude the trial court from
considering double jeopardy or collateral estoppel. However, we further hold that neither double
jeopardy nor collateral estoppel bars prosecution under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) because it is not
the same as RCW 10.95.020(1) for double jeopardy purposes, and because the ultimate issues of
fact to convict on RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) were not resolved by Allen’s acquittal. We reverse and
remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
3
RCW 10.95.020(1) defines the crime of aggravated first degree murder as first degree murder
plus one of the listed aggravating circumstances. Murdering, with requisite knowledge, a law
enforcement officer who was performing their duties is one of the listed circumstances.
4
State v. Allen, 182 Wn.2d 364, 341 P.3d 268 (2015); State v. Allen, 192 Wn.2d 526, 431 P.3d
117 (2018).
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No. 54007-0-II
FACTS
In 2011, a jury found Allen guilty of four counts of first degree murder after being tried
as an accomplice to the fatal shooting of four police officers in Lakewood. The State alleged two
aggravating circumstances that would have elevated the crimes from first degree murder to
aggravated first degree murder. Allen was not convicted of aggravated first degree murder
because the jury unanimously answered “no” to the questions regarding whether the State had
met its burden of proof on that aggravating circumstance; the jury found that the State had not
proven under RCW 10.95.020(1) that Allen was a major participant who caused the deaths of
law enforcement officers who were performing their official duties at the time of the murder, and
that Allen knew or reasonably should have known such at the time.5 However, the jury did find
that the State had sufficiently proven facts to support an aggravating sentencing factor under
5
RCW 10.95.020 provides:
A person is guilty of aggravated first degree murder, a class A felony, if he or she
commits first degree murder as defined by RCW 9A.32.030(1)(a), as now or
hereafter amended, and one or more of the following aggravating circumstances
exist:
(1) The victim was a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, or firefighter who
was performing his or her official duties at the time of the act resulting in death and
the victim was known or reasonably should have been known by the person to be
such at the time of the killing.
3
No. 54007-0-II
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v).6 Specifically, the jury found that Allen had committed the murders
against law enforcement officers who were performing their official duties at the time of the
crimes, and that Allen knew the victims were law enforcement officers.
The jury instructions defined “knowledge” as follows:
A person knows or acts knowingly or with knowledge with respect to a fact or
circumstance when he or she is aware of that fact or circumstance.
If a person has information that would lead a reasonable person in the same
situation to believe that a fact exists, the jury is permitted but not required to find
that he or she acted with knowledge of that fact.
When acting knowingly is required to establish an element of a crime, the
element is also established if a person acts intentionally.
Clerk’s Papers (CP) 19.
A separate jury instruction, Instruction 19, explained that if the jury found Allen guilty of
first degree murder, it must determine whether aggravating circumstances had been proved. That
instruction stated in part, “For the aggravating circumstances to apply, the defendant must have
been a major participant in the acts causing the death of the victim and that the aggravating
factors must specifically apply to the defendant’s actions. The State has the burden of proving
this beyond a reasonable doubt. If you have a reasonable doubt whether the defendant was a
6
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) provides:
(3) Aggravating Circumstances--Considered by a Jury--Imposed by the Court
Except for circumstances listed in subsection (2) of this section, the following
circumstances are an exclusive list of factors that can support a sentence above the
standard range. Such facts should be determined by procedures specified in RCW
9.94A.537.
...
(v) The offense was committed against a law enforcement officer who was
performing his or her official duties at the time of the offense, the offender knew
that the victim was a law enforcement officer, and the victim’s status as a law
enforcement officer is not an element of the offense.
4
No. 54007-0-II
major participant, you should answer the special verdict ‘no.’” CP 30. Instruction 19 contains
the language from RCW 10.95.020(1). The jury was not separately instructed regarding the
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) aggravating circumstance. None of the special verdict forms included the
“major participant” language.
After the jury found Allen guilty of four counts of first degree murder, he appealed his
convictions. Our Supreme Court reversed, holding that the State had committed prosecutorial
misconduct. State v. Allen, 182 Wn.2d 364, 387, 341 P.3d 268 (2015) (Allen I).
In Allen I, our Supreme Court also addressed “whether an accomplice is subject to a
sentence outside the statutory range based on the aggravating circumstance found in RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v).” Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 369. Allen had argued that RCW 9.9A.535(3)(v) did not
apply to him because it did not expressly state that it applied to accomplices. Allen, 182 Wn.2d
at 382. Our Supreme Court rejected that argument and clarified that, on remand, “Allen is
subject to an exceptional sentence so long as the jury makes the requisite findings to satisfy the
elements of RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) and such findings are based on Allen’s own misconduct.”
Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 382-83. The court neither addressed issues of double jeopardy nor
discussed the “major participant” requirement.
On remand, the State refiled the same charges against Allen in a second amended
information, and Allen moved to dismiss the RCW 10.95.020 aggravating circumstance under
double jeopardy. The trial court granted the motion, and the State appealed. Our Supreme Court
affirmed on double jeopardy grounds, holding that Allen had been unanimously acquitted of the
RCW 10.95.020 factors. State v. Allen, 192 Wn.2d 526, 544, 431 P.3d 117 (2018) (Allen II).
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No. 54007-0-II
Applying Alleyne v. United States, 570 U.S. 99, 133 S. Ct. 2151, 186 L. Ed. 2d 314(2013) and the plurality decision from Sattazahn v. Pennsylvania, 537 U.S. 101, 123 S. Ct. 732,
154 L. Ed. 2d 588 (2003), our Supreme Court reasoned that the RCW 10.95.020 factors are
elements of the offense of aggravated first degree murder and, thus, are subject to double
jeopardy under the federal and state constitutions. Allen, 192 Wn.2d at 543-44. Again, the court
did not discuss the “major participant” language. The court specifically stated that the RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v) aggravating factors were not before the court on review. Allen, 192 Wn.2d at
530 n.2.
When the case returned to the trial court, Allen moved to strike the RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v) aggravating factors from the second amended information under double
jeopardy and collateral estoppel. The trial court granted the motion to strike, stating that “Allen
cannot be retried as to the elements and circumstances because to do so would violate Allen II[,]
Article I, Section 9 of the Washington State Constitution, the 5th Amendment of the United
States Constitution, Double Jeopardy and collateral estoppel clauses of the United States and
Washington State Constitutions.” CP 169. The State then moved this court for discretionary
review, which we granted.
The State appeals the trial court’s order granting the motion to strike the
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) aggravating factors from the second amended information.
ANALYSIS
The State argues that the trial court erred by striking the RCW 9.94A.535 factors because
the law of the case doctrine prevented the court from reconsidering this issue, and neither double
jeopardy nor collateral estoppel bars prosecution under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v). We hold that the
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No. 54007-0-II
law of the case doctrine did not preclude the trial court from considering Allen’s arguments, but
neither double jeopardy nor collateral estoppel barred the State from charging Allen with the
RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) aggravator.
I. LAW OF THE CASE
The State argues that Allen’s claims of double jeopardy and collateral estoppel with
respect to RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) are barred by under the law of the case doctrine. Specifically,
the State argues that our Supreme Court’s holding in Allen I, expressly stating that Allen may be
subject to prosecution under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) on remand, is binding upon the trial court as
the law of the case. We disagree.
The law of the case doctrine provides that a legal decision of an appellate court
establishes the law of the case and must be followed in subsequent stages of the litigation. Pac.
Coast Shredding, LLC v. Port of Vancouver, USA, 14 Wn. App. 2d 484, 507, 471 P.3d 934(2020). This rule “forbids, among other things, a lower court from relitigating issues that were
decided by a higher court, whether explicitly or by reasonable implication, at an earlier stage of
the same case.” Pac. Coast Shredding, LLC, 14 Wn. App. 2d at 507 (quoting Lodis v. Corbis
Holdings, Inc., 192 Wn. App. 30, 56, 366 P.3d 1246 (2015)).
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No. 54007-0-II
The law of the case doctrine derives from the common law, but is also codified in RAP
2.5(c).7 Roberson v. Perez, 156 Wn.2d 33, 41, 123 P.3d 844 (2005). RAP 2.5 gives some
discretion to the appellate courts for revisiting the law of the case, although it makes mandatory
and binding the law of the case upon trial courts. Lodis, 192 Wn. App. at 57.
The Task Force Comment to RAP 2.5 accompanying the rule as first proposed to our
Supreme Court in 1974 illustrates that trial courts should retain some independent judgment as to
issues not actually litigated by the appellate court on remand:
Subsection (c)(1) restricts the doctrine as it relates to trial court decisions after the
case is remanded by the appellate court. The trial court may exercise independent
judgment as to decisions to which error was not assigned in the prior review, and
these decisions are subject to later review by the appellate court.
2A Karl B. Tegland, WASHINGTON PRACTICE: RULES PRACTICE 86 (7th ed. 2011).
This comment coincides with our articulation of the law of the case doctrine, describing a
limitation that issues actually litigated must be done so either “explicitly or by reasonable
implication.” Pac. Coast Shredding, LLC, 14 Wn. App.2d at 507. “An opinion is not authority
for what is not mentioned therein and what does not appear to have been suggested to the court
7
RAP 2.5 states:
(c) Law of the Case Doctrine Restricted. The following provisions apply if the
same case is again before the appellate court following a remand:
(1) Prior Trial Court Action. If a trial court decision is otherwise properly before
the appellate court, the appellate court may at the instance of a party review and
determine the propriety of a decision of the trial court even though a similar
decision was not disputed in an earlier review of the same case.
(2) Prior Appellate Court Decision. The appellate court may at the instance of a
party review the propriety of an earlier decision of the appellate court in the same
case and, where justice would best be served, decide the case on the basis of the
appellate court’s opinion of the law at the time of the later review.
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No. 54007-0-II
by which the opinion was rendered.” In re Pers. Restraint of Stockwell, 179 Wn.2d 588, 600,
316 P.3d 1007 (2014) quoting Cont’l Mut. Sav. Bank v. Elliot, 166 Wash. 283, 300, 6 P.2d 638,
81 A.L.R. 1005 (1932). For issues not decided either explicitly or by reasonable implication, the
trial court is free to exercise independent judgment without offending the law of the case because
no law of the case has been handed down with respect to those issues.
Here, our Supreme Court in Allen I did not explicitly address either double jeopardy or
collateral estoppel. Allen I addressed only the question of “[d]oes the aggravator found in RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v), which is silent as to accomplice liability, apply to a defendant charged as an
accomplice?” Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 373. Allen had argued the statute did not apply to
accomplices, and the State had argued that sentencing statutes apply to accomplices absent
specific language. Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 382-83. Our Supreme Court considered these arguments
and then stated:
We reject both of these arguments and clarify that, on remand, Allen is subject to
an exceptional sentence so long as the jury makes the requisite findings to satisfy
the elements of RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) and such findings are based on Allen’s own
misconduct.
Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 382-83. The court also stated, “An exceptional sentence under RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v) may be imposed on remand if the jury finds the required elements based on
Allen’s own misconduct.” Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 385.
Although our Supreme Court explicitly stated that Allen was subject to an exceptional
sentence under RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v), it did not mention either double jeopardy or collateral
estoppel. See Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 382-385. Thus, this court must next consider whether these
issues were decided by Allen I by reasonable implication. We hold that they were not.
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No. 54007-0-II
Nothing in Allen I’s analysis regarding RCW 9.94A.535 reasonably implicates the issue
of double jeopardy or collateral estoppel. As stated above, the court’s decision was based solely
on the issue of whether an accomplice could be subject to an exceptional sentence under RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v) as a matter of law. This legal issue is entirely divorced from the concepts of
collateral estoppel or double jeopardy.
Furthermore, Allen II did not consider RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) at all. In fact, note 2
specifically states, “On each count, Allen was also charged with a firearm enhancement and an
additional aggravating circumstance pursuant to RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v). These additional
aggravators are not before us.” 192 Wn.2d at 530 n. 2. We cannot now say that Allen II’s
explicit renunciation of the issue necessarily implicates a holding in the State’s favor. Collateral
estoppel and double jeopardy as they may apply to RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) was not at issue in
Allen II.
The law of the case doctrine does not operate to bar examination of these issues because
the issues have not yet been litigated. Thus, we hold that the law of the case doctrine does not
bar consideration of the issues of double jeopardy or collateral estoppel, and we now turn to
those issues.
II. DOUBLE JEOPARDY
The State argues that the trial court erred when it struck the RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v)
aggravating circumstances for each of the four counts of first degree murder. The State argues
that the RCW 9.94A aggravating circumstances listed in the second amended information are not
the same as the RCW 10.95 aggravating circumstances described in the jury instructions from
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No. 54007-0-II
the 2011 trial because each aggravating circumstance requires proof of a fact that the other does
not. We agree.
The prohibition against double jeopardy is rooted in both the United States and
Washington constitutions. The United States constitution provides that no person shall be
“subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.” U.S. const. amend. V.
The Washington Constitution provides that “[n]o person shall . . . be twice put in jeopardy for the
same offense.” Wash. Const. art. I, § 9. Both constitutions provide the same protection against
double jeopardy. In re Pers. Restraint of Moi, 184 Wn.2d 575, 579, 360 P.3d 811 (2015). The
double jeopardy provisions prohibit successive prosecutions for an offense on which a defendant
has been acquitted. Allen, 192 Wn.2d at 532. Issues of double jeopardy present questions of law
that this court reviews de novo. State v. Arndt, 194 Wn.2d 784, 815, 453 P.3d 696 (2019).
Although the aggravating circumstances alleged here are not “offenses,” the same double
jeopardy principles apply. Allen, 192 Wn.2d at 543. In determining whether a person has been
placed twice in jeopardy for the same offense, this court determines “whether each provision
requires proof of a fact which the other does not.” Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299,
304, 52 S.Ct. 180, 76 L. Ed. 306 (1932). Moreover, under the law of the case doctrine, the State
is required to prove every element in the “to convict” instruction beyond a reasonable doubt.
State v. Johnson, 188 Wn.2d 742, 756, 399 P.3d 507 (2017). This includes even “otherwise
unnecessary elements,” when such additional elements are included in the “to convict”
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No. 54007-0-II
instructions without objection. 8 State v Hickman, 135 Wn.2d 97, 102, 954 P.2d 900 (1998).
Thus, in applying Blockburger to this case, we look at the acquitted offense as defined in the jury
instructions, and the new offense as it appears in the second amended information.9
Here, Instruction 19 required proof beyond a reasonable doubt that “the defendant must
have been a major participant in acts causing the death of the victim” to apply the aggravator
from RCW 10.95. CP 30. This is an additional element not in the statute, but its necessity is
irrelevant because the law of the case doctrine bound the State to prove all the facts in the to-
convict jury instructions. Proof of the “major participant fact” however, was not required to
8
The necessity of the “major participant” language in a non-death penalty case has not been
directly settled by our courts. In State v. Whitaker, Division One of this court acknowledged the
strong possibility that it would not be an error to omit the “major participant” language from the
jury instructions in non-death penalty cases. 133 Wn. App. 199, 235, 135 P.3d 923 (2006). This
is in accord with the reasoning from State v. Roberts, which recognized that this special
instruction was necessitated by the Eight Amendment, specifically in death penalty cases. 142
Wn.2d 471, 502, 14 P.3d 713 (2000). Roberts states,
[t]he imposition of a capital sentence is cruel and unusual punishment in violation
of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments if it is imposed without an
individualized determination that the punishment is appropriate . . . . We, therefore,
hold that major participation by a defendant in the acts giving rise to the homicide
is required in order to execute a defendant convicted solely as an accomplice to
premeditated first degree murder. Merely satisfying the minimal requirements of
the accomplice liability statute is insufficient to impose the death penalty under
RCW 10.95.020, the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, and the cruel punishment
clause of the Washington State Constitution.
Roberts, 142 Wn.2d at 502, 505-06.
9
Allen argues that the major participant fact is not an element of the RCW 10.95 aggravator as
charged to the jury because it is not required by law, and because it does not “increase the
penalty for a crime,” citing Alleyne, 570 U.S. at 103. But under Hickman, the fact that the
language is not required is not relevant. 135 Wn.2d at 102. Moreover, the aggravator as a whole
increased the penalty for the crime.
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No. 54007-0-II
prove RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) as described in the second amended information. The “major
participant” additional element therefore applied only to the RCW 10.95 aggravator.
On the other hand, RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) requires proof of a unique factor–actual
knowledge that “the offender knew that the victim was a law enforcement officer.” CP 67. This
element of actual knowledge was not required to prove the aggravating factor in RCW
10.95.020(1) as previously submitted to the jury. RCW 10.95.020(1) requires only constructive
knowledge; when the victim “reasonably should have been known” to be a law enforcement
officer by the defendant. CP 38-41. Constructive knowledge does not meet the same level of
proof for knowledge as actual knowledge. See Allen, 182 Wn.2d at 374-75.
Thus, because one aggravating circumstance requires proof that the defendant was a
“major participant” while the other does not, and because the aggravating circumstances have
different knowledge requirements, these offenses are not the same for purposes of double
jeopardy under Blockburger. Consequently, double jeopardy does not prevent the State from
charging Allen with the RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) aggravators. Accordingly, we hold that the trial
court erred in striking the RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) aggravators from the charging document on this
basis.
III. COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL
The State argues that the trial court erred when it concluded that collateral estoppel
barred retrial on the RCW 9.94A aggravating circumstances. We agree.
Collateral estoppel precludes an ultimate issue of fact from being litigated again between
the same parties in a later lawsuit once a trier of fact already determined the issue by a valid and
final judgment. Ashe v. Swenson, 397 U.S. 436, 443, 90 S.Ct. 1189, 25 L. Ed. 2d 469 (1970);
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No. 54007-0-II
State v. Tili, 148 Wn.2d 350, 360, 60 P.3d 1192 (2003). An “ultimate fact” is a fact “essential to
the claim or the defense.” State v. Eggleston, 164 Wn.2d 61, 74, 187 P.3d 233 (2008).
In Washington, the elements of collateral estoppel are:
(1) the issue decided in the prior adjudication must be identical with the one
presented in the second; (2) the prior adjudication must have ended in a final
judgment on the merits; (3) the party against whom the plea of collateral estoppel
is asserted must have been a party or in privity with a party to the prior litigation;
and (4) application of the doctrine must not work an injustice.
Moi, 184 Wn.2d at 580, 360 P.3d 811 (2015) (quoting State v. Williams, 132 Wn.2d 248, 254,
937 P.2d 1052 (1997)).
For collateral estoppel purposes, a special verdict by a jury actually decides the facts at
issue for future prosecutions. Eggleston, 164 Wn.2d at 72. We review issues of collateral
estoppel de novo. State v. Longo, 185 Wn. App. 804, 808, 343 P.3d 378. 380 (2015). The party
asserting collateral estoppel bears the burden of proof. Moi, 184 Wn.2d at 579.
Here, Allen fails to meet the first element of collateral estoppel because, as discussed
above, the acquittal of RCW 10.95.020(1) as charged to the jury and resolved by special verdict
is not identical to RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v) in the second amended complaint. Where a fact is
necessary to prove RCW 10.95.020(1) that is not necessary to prove RCW 9.94A.535(3)(v),
Allen cannot show that his prior acquittal on RCW 10.95.020(1) necessarily resolved the
ultimate issues of fact in this case. The jury in Allen’s acquittal had an independent basis to
acquit Allen without resolving any other facts that are ultimately at issue here. Because Allen
fails to meet his burden to show identical issues, Allen’s collateral estoppel claim fails.
Allen primarily relies on Moi, 184 Wn.2d 575, 360 P.3d 811 (2015), in response to the
State’s argument. In Moi, a defendant was charged with murder and for the unlawful possession
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No. 54007-0-II
of the murder weapon under the same constellation of facts. Moi, 184 Wn.2d at 577. Moi
moved to sever his case, electing to have a trial by jury for the murder charge and a bench trial
for the unlawful possession charge. Moi, 184 Wn.2d at 578. The jury was unable to reach a
verdict on the murder charge, and the judge declared a mistrial. Moi, 184 Wn.2d at 578. Shortly
after, the judge acquitted Moi of the unlawful possession charge. Moi, 184 Wn.2d at 578.
The State then recharged Moi, and he was convicted of murder. Moi, 184 Wn.2d at 578.
Moi filed a personal restrain petition based on collateral estoppel, arguing that double jeopardy
barred prosecution for murder with a gun he had been acquitted of possessing. Moi, 184 Wn.2d
at 578-79. The State conceded that the first three elements had been met, and so the only issue
before the court was whether application of the doctrine would work an injustice. Moi, 184
Wn.2d at 581. Our Supreme Court held that Moi had met his burden with respect to the elements
of collateral estoppel, and so a successive prosecution for murder was barred by double jeopardy.
Moi, 184 Wn.2d at 586.
Unlike in Moi, the parties here do dispute whether the issues decided in the prior
adjudication are identical with the ones presented in the second amended indictment. They are
not. Unlike in Moi where the State was required to prove that Moi necessarily possessed the gun
that they accused him of using to commit a murder—a clearly identical fact required to prove
unlawful possession of which Moi was acquitted—the State’s attempted prosecution under RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v) is not inclusive of all the facts required to prove RCW 10.95.020(1) as charged
to the jury. Thus Moi is not apt.
We hold that the trial court erred in in granting the motion to strike RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v) from the charging document on this basis.
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No. 54007-0-II
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we hold that the law of the case doctrine did not preclude the trial court
from considering issues of double jeopardy or collateral estoppel. However, because RCW
10.95.020(1) as charged to the jury is not the same offense as nor identical to RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v), we hold that the trial court erred in granting the motion to strike RCW
9.94A.535(3)(v) from the charging document because the State is not barred from prosecution
under double jeopardy or collateral estoppel. We reverse and remand for further proceedings
consistent with this opinion.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2.06.040, it is so ordered.
Worswick, J.
We concur:
Lee, C.J.
Sutton, J.
16