Washington v. Andy (Majority)
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The issue this case presented for the Supreme Court's review centered on whether a potential obstacle to public access constituted a courtroom closure: a sign that listed the courthouse hours. After a jury trial in Yakima County Superior Court, defendant Joey Andy was convicted of first
degree burglary and second degree assault. He appealed, arguing that his right to a public trial right was violated when proceedings on some days continued after 4:00 p.m., despite a new 4:00 p.m. closing time for the courthouse. Pursuant to RAP 9.11, Andy moved to remand the case to the superior court to take "additional evidence to determine whether the courthouse doors were locked at 4 p.m. on the dates of the trial ... and if so, whether that closure barred entry to the ongoing courtroom proceedings." After review of the evidence, the Supreme Court concluded that at all times during Andy's trial proceedings, the door to the courthouse was unlocked and no member of the public was deterred from attending the proceedings by the sign. Therefore, the Court concluded that the sign did not constitute a courtroom closure and Andy's public trial right was not violated.
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