Washington Supreme Court To Hear Cases At CWU

Ellensburg, Wash. - Central Washington University will serve as the state's "Temple of Justice" on Thursday, Oct. 19, as part of a two-day community visit to Ellensburg by the Washington state Supreme Court.

Beginning at 9 a.m., in the Student Union Ballroom, Chief Justice Gerry Alexander and Justices Bobbe Bridge, Tom Chambers, Mary Fairhurst, Charles Johnson, James Johnson, Barbara Madsen, Susan Owens and Richard Sanders will hear oral arguments in three cases, which will be open to the public.

They involve whether a defendant, who denied ownership of a briefcase but not the truck where it was found, could challenge the seizure and search of the briefcase; whether a business practice of itemizing and collecting business-and-occupation taxes directly from customers is lawful; and whether a defendant was harmed by an erroneous admission at her criminal trial about her non-testifying spouse's statement to police and a guilty plea statement.

Following arguments in the first two cases, the justices will answer questions from the audience. After a recess, the justices will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. to hear the last case of the day. The court will also entertain questions from the audience following that case.

Though cameras and video recorders are generally allowed, the court requires that no flash, other lights or noisy film-advance mechanisms be used during the hearings.

On Wednesday, Oct. 18, the justices will participate in a noon brown bag luncheon with students in Holmes Dining Hall and then host a question-and-answer session at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union Pit, moderated by Dr. Matt Manweller, CWU political science professor.

"Generally, the Supreme Court is considered to be 'isolated,'" says Manweller. "So, it's pretty exciting that we will be able to see them presiding over actual cases here on our campus, along with the fact they will take time to meet and visit with Central students, faculty and staff."

Several of the justices will also visit CWU and Ellensburg High School classrooms during the afternoon.

For the last 11 years, the court has made community visits and heard cases across Washington. The Ellensburg visit is sponsored by the CWU Office of the President and Office of the Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, in conjunction with the university's yearlong First Amendment Festival.

Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Only one television camera will be allowed to film the oral arguments. Other TV stations will be required to pool their coverage, in accordance with court rules.