Court tosses conviction in Quilcene double murder
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - A state appeals court has thrown out a man's double-murder conviction because he wasn't given a lawyer when he asked for one and because the prosecutor made inflammatory statements during closing arguments.
Michael J. Pierce was convicted in the 2009 deaths of 60-year-old Patrick Yarr and his 57-year-old wife, Janice. They had been shot execution-style inside their Quilcene home, which was set on fire.
Pierce was arrested after surveillance video caught him using the victims' debit card at an ATM after the killings. He asked for an attorney, but wasn't given one for several hours, and he gave an incriminating statement in the meantime.
The three appeals judges ordered that Pierce get a new trial. They said his statement should have been suppressed, and that the prosecutor committed misconduct by fabricating details of the killings in closing arguments.
Michael J. Pierce was convicted in the 2009 deaths of 60-year-old Patrick Yarr and his 57-year-old wife, Janice. They had been shot execution-style inside their Quilcene home, which was set on fire.
Pierce was arrested after surveillance video caught him using the victims' debit card at an ATM after the killings. He asked for an attorney, but wasn't given one for several hours, and he gave an incriminating statement in the meantime.
The three appeals judges ordered that Pierce get a new trial. They said his statement should have been suppressed, and that the prosecutor committed misconduct by fabricating details of the killings in closing arguments.
They should send the cops and the prosecutor to prison for total stupidity. Too bad that stupidity is not against the law. The Miranda law(s) started in 1966, like 46 years ago. It has had many modifications since, but the basic 6th amendment requiring access to an attorney, still apply. The prosecutor just flat out needs to be fired. Unlike the cops, they are expected to show some knowledge of their profession. If this dude walks, it will be because total stupidity let it happen.     Â
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Are you kidding me he shot them execution style burned their house and they are not going to give him the death penalty. What is wrong with our court system.
The number for the public defender was posted next to the phone that he had access to. If he chose not to call then whose fault is that? The trial court judge ruled it was enough access. As far as the closing argument the jury is always told by the judge that the argument is only argument and not evidence. I do not see either issue as a reason to reverse a conviction. Â
Good job prosecutor!!! now who was responsible for using the tarnish confession, the police or the PA?
<b>Monumental</b> failure by the Prosecutor. Fabricating details should be enough to get this clown placed in his own 8x10 cell.