State v. Sisouvanh

Docket No. 85422-0 (from Benton Case No. 08-1-00685-2)
Synopsis: Whether for purposes of evaluating a criminal defendant’s competency to stand trial, the term “qualified expert or professional person” under RCW 10.77.060(1)(a) requires a competency evaluator to be qualified to assess the defendant’s competency in light of the defendant’s cultural background.

State v. Saintcalle

Docket No. 86257-5 (from Court of Appeals Division I Case No. 64467-0)
Synopsis: Whether the trial court in a criminal prosecution erred in allowing the State to use a peremptory challenge to exclude the only African-American potential juror after she expressed concern about the fairness of the criminal justice system toward young African-American men.