State v. Sweany

Docket No. 86270-2 (from Court of Appeals Division III Case No. 28860-9)
Synopsis: Whether in a prosecution for first degree arson on the basis of fire damage to “property valued at ten thousand dollars or more with intent to collect insurance proceeds,” RCW 9A.48.020(1)(d), the term “valued at” means the fair market value of the property or the value of the insurance coverage of the property.

Cornu-Labat v. Hospital District No. 2 Grant County

Docket No. 86842-5 (from Grant Case No. 10-2-00309-2)
Synopsis: Whether records of a public hospital’s investigation of a staff physician are exempt from public disclosure as privileged peer review committee records under RCW 4.24.250, privileged quality improvement committee records under RCW 70.41.200, or confidential public hospital district commission deliberations concerning a physician’s medical staff privileges under RCW 70.44.062(1).

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.

Blysma v. Burger King Corp.

Docket No. 86912-0
Synopsis: Whether the Washington Products Liability Act permits relief for emotional distress damages, in the absence of physical injury, caused to the direct purchaser by being served and touching, but not consuming, a contaminated food product.