New Trial In Drug Case Emerges from State Supreme Court Ruling

By Brian Cole

Published on July 06, 2006

Ricko Easterling was convicted of delivering cocaine in 2003, but his case will now be sent back to the King County Superior Court after the state supreme court’s unanimous ruling. The justices found that trial Judge Richard Jones had violated both the defendant and the public’s constitutional right to an open trial.

During the trial in question, Judge Jones kicked Easterling out of the court room after the attorney representing his co-defendant, Anthony Jackson, requested a closed door session. Jackson’s attorney requested the closed session in order to discuss preliminary motions that included a move to sever the two defendants' cases. Once in closed session, Jackson’s attorney and Judge Jones agreed on a plea bargain that involved Jackson’s testimony against Easterling.

On appeal, the state argued against Easterling, saying that because the closed courtroom discussion focused upon Jackson, notEasterling, Easterling's conviction should not be overturned. They also said the close was insignificant and did not infringe on the public’s right to an open trial.

Chief Justice Gerry Alexander rejected this position saying in a court writing, “We do not believe that either a criminal defendant’s or the public’s right to a public trial is waved simply because a co-defendant in a joint criminal trial requested the courtroom closure."