Court Opinion

ID: 9602031
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 01:51:22.875252+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:00.272640
License: Public Domain

Reed, C.J.
(concurring specially) — I concur, but believe additional comment is justified. In my opinion these appeals are patently frivolous and totally lacking in merit; sanctions on this level would be appropriate. All the more so because the crime in question, malicious mischief in pulling up the survey stakes and blocking the State's machinery requires only that the act be done "knowingly and maliciously." RCW 9A.48.070(l)(a);1 9A.04.010(12); 9A.08-.010. The only reason given by defendants for taking the witness stand — to establish their lack of criminal intent— was untenable. Cf. State v. Nelson, 17 Wn. App. 66, 561 P.2d 1093 (1977); State v. Jury, 19 Wn. App. 256, 576 P.2d 1302 (1978). By admitting to committing the acts deliberately for the avowed purpose of frustrating, delaying, and *303hindering the State, defendants admitted they acted maliciously; they had no defense. Thus, defendants cannot have suffered from having their direct testimony stricken.
In my view, to accept defendants' argument on appeal would be to condone courtroom activities designed and intended to frustrate and obstruct the administration of justice. The trial judge properly could have stricken the testimony or committed defendant, Norma Wade, to jail until she should answer. It is inconceivable to me how defendants seriously can argue they are entitled to impose their will and philosophical views upon the court and society and, at the same time complain of a deprivation of rights. If harm there be, it is self-inflicted injury of the highest order. Yet, with taxpayers of the State of Washington footing the bills all the way, defendants will likely seek reconsideration of this decision and further review by our State Supreme Court.
Reconsideration denied September 28, 1981.

RCW 9A.48.070(l)(a) provides:
"(1) A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the first degree if he knowingly and maliciously:
"(a) Causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars; ...”