The State of Washington v. Gregory Michael Rohrich

Summary

The court reversed the dismissal of the first degree child molestation charge, holding that a CrR 8.3(b) dismissal based on preaccusatorial delay requires proof of actual, rather than speculative, prejudice to the defendant’s right to a fair trial. Rohrich did not show that the 18-month delay actually compromised the witnesses’ or his own memories, so the alternative ground relied on by the Court of Appeals was insufficient. No separate opinions were filed.