Washington v. Sweany
Annotate this CaseLeysa and Leah Sweany challenged the sufficiency of the evidence supporting their convictions for arson in the first degree. In 2009, a fire damaged their trailer. The State charged both with alternative means of committing arson in the first degree, relying on the means of causing "a fire or explosion which damages a dwelling," and on the means of causing "a fire or explosion on property valued at ten thousand dollars or more with intent to collect insurance proceeds." The Sweanys argued that the State failed to present sufficient evidence that the property on which they caused a fire was valued at $10,000 or more. Though the Supreme Court concluded that the Sweanys correctly argued that the relevant value was the fair market value of the property, the Court also concluded that sufficient evidence supported this element. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the Court of Appeals judgment upholding their convictions.
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