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State v. Wheeler

Washington Supreme Court

631 P.2d 376 (1981)

Facts

The state of Washington (plaintiff) charged Richard Lee Wheeler (defendant) with kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and a firearms offense. Prior to trial, Wheeler’s lawyer and the trial prosecutor worked out a plea bargain whereby, in return for Wheeler pleading guilty to the assault charge, the prosecutor would drop the kidnapping and firearms charges and recommend a short jail sentence. The chief prosecutor reviewed the case and decided to revoke the trial prosecutor’s plea-bargain offer before Wheeler could go before a judge and enter a guilty plea on the assault charge. Wheeler was tried and convicted for assault with a deadly weapon and sentenced to three years in prison. On appeal, Wheeler petitioned the Washington Supreme Court for specific performance of the trial prosecutor’s offer.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Utter, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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