State v. Renneberg
Washington Supreme Court
522 P.2d 835 (1974)

- Written by Rich Walter, JD
Facts
The state of Washington (plaintiff) prosecuted Virginia Sue Renneberg and her fiancé Milton V. LaVanway (defendants) for robbing a restaurant. At trial the couple, now married, produced evidence of their good character. On cross examination, the state forced the couple to acknowledge their drug addiction. At the couple's request, the judge instructed the jury to consider the addiction only as bearing on the couple's credibility and the weight to be given their evidence. The jury convicted the couple. The couple appealed on the ground that the addiction evidence was inadmissible. Their appeal reached the Supreme Court of Washington.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Brachtenbach, J.)
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