Opinion ID: 1161100
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Vaughan v. Pierce County

Text: In the early 1980s, Roberta Vaughan died of an apparent drug overdose. At the time of her death, William Barnes took six Polaroid photographs of Ms. Vaughan at either the scene of her death or at the Medical Examiner's office. These photographs were placed in the Medical Examiner's records and files. After Barnes' employment with the Medical Examiner's office ended, he learned the office was microfilming files and destroying photographs. The Vaughans allege Barnes was given permission to obtain the photographs from cases he worked on, including the six pictures of Roberta Vaughan. Barnes admits he showed those pictures to persons with whom he worked at his new job at Pierce County Public Works. Barnes did not have permission from Betty Vaughan (Roberta's mother) to show the photographs to anyone. Betty Vaughan sued the County, the Medical Examiner, and Barnes, asserting the County was liable for tort of outrage, common law invasion of privacy, and violation of the Plaintiffs' constitutional right of privacy under the state and federal constitutions. The superior court granted the County's motion for summary judgment.