Court Opinion

ID: 9611925
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 04:01:28.102254+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:31:53.339275
License: Public Domain

Utter, J.
(concurring)—I am persuaded by Justice Rosellini’s dissent in State v. Parker, 79 Wn.2d 326, 485 P.2d 60 (1971) that the “dynamite charge” given in this case and in Parker should be regarded as harmless error only where it is given as part of the main charge to the jury. The instruction does discourage free and open discussion by its emphasis on the desirability of reaching a unanimous decision when given after the jury has been deliberating for a period of time.
Inasmuch as a majority of the Supreme Court has spoken recently on the matter, however, I believe myself bound by the majority opinion in Parker and for that reason only, concur in the majority opinion in this case.
Petition for rehearing denied September 23,1971.
Review denied by Supreme Court November 9,1971.