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SLIP OPINION","paragraph_id":"para_1"},{"text":"(not the court’s final written decision)","paragraph_id":"para_2"},{"text":"The opinion that begins on the next page is a slip opinion. Slip opinions are the","paragraph_id":"para_3"},{"text":"written opinions that are originally filed by the court.","paragraph_id":"para_4"},{"text":"A slip opinion is not necessarily the court’s final written decision. Slip opinions","paragraph_id":"para_5"},{"text":"can be changed by subsequent court orders. For example, a court may issue an","paragraph_id":"para_6"},{"text":"order making substantive changes to a slip opinion or publishing for precedential","paragraph_id":"para_7"},{"text":"purposes a previously “unpublished” opinion. Additionally, nonsubstantive edits","paragraph_id":"para_8"},{"text":"(for style, grammar, citation, format, punctuation, etc.) are made before the","paragraph_id":"para_9"},{"text":"opinions that have precedential value are published in the official reports of court","paragraph_id":"para_10"},{"text":"decisions: the Washington Reports 2d and the Washington Appellate Reports. An","paragraph_id":"para_11"},{"text":"opinion in the official reports replaces the slip opinion as the official opinion of","paragraph_id":"para_12"},{"text":"the court.","paragraph_id":"para_13"},{"text":"The slip opinion that begins on the next page is for a published opinion, and it","paragraph_id":"para_14"},{"text":"has since been revised for publication in the printed official reports. The official","paragraph_id":"para_15"},{"text":"text of the court’s opinion is found in the advance sheets and the bound volumes","paragraph_id":"para_16"},{"text":"of the official reports. Also, an electronic version (intended to mirror the","paragraph_id":"para_17"},{"text":"language found in the official reports) of the revised opinion can be found, free of","paragraph_id":"para_18"},{"text":"charge, at this website: https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports.","paragraph_id":"para_19"},{"text":"For more information about precedential (published) opinions, nonprecedential","paragraph_id":"para_20"},{"text":"(unpublished) opinions, slip opinions, and the official reports, see","paragraph_id":"para_21"},{"text":"https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions and the information that is linked there.","paragraph_id":"para_22"},{"text":"IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON","paragraph_id":"para_23"},{"text":"STATE OF WASHINGTON, )","paragraph_id":"para_24"},{"text":")","paragraph_id":"para_25"},{"text":"Respondent, ) No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_26"},{"text":")","paragraph_id":"para_27"},{"text":"v. ) En Banc","paragraph_id":"para_28"},{"text":")","paragraph_id":"para_29"},{"text":"LESTER P. THOMPSON JR., )","paragraph_id":"para_30"},{"text":") Filed August 28, 2025","paragraph_id":"para_31"},{"text":")","paragraph_id":"para_32"},{"text":"MUNGIA, J.—The issue raised in this appeal is whether the Court of Appeals","paragraph_id":"para_33"},{"text":"has the authority to allow a nonparty to intervene in a criminal appeal when that","paragraph_id":"para_34"},{"text":"nonparty was allowed to intervene at trial and the appellate intervention is limited to","paragraph_id":"para_35"},{"text":"the same issue addressed below. We hold that the Court of Appeals has that authority.","paragraph_id":"para_36"},{"text":"Lester Thompson Jr., the defendant, moved to subpoena the medical records of","paragraph_id":"para_37"},{"text":"decedent Destinie Gates-Jackson, the victim. Jeri Gates, as survivor of Ms. Gates-","paragraph_id":"para_38"},{"text":"Jackson,1 intervened and objected. Mr. Thompson did not object to Ms. Gates’","paragraph_id":"para_39"},{"text":"intervention at the trial court and, in fact, agreed that Ms. Gates had the right to","paragraph_id":"para_40"},{"text":"1 The privacy rights of Ms. Gates-Jackson survive in her representative, Ms. Gates, her mother,","paragraph_id":"para_41"},{"text":"under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 45 C.F.R. § 164.502(f),","paragraph_id":"para_42"},{"text":"(g)(1).FILE","paragraph_id":"para_43"},{"text":"IN CLERK’S OFFICE","paragraph_id":"para_44"},{"text":"SUPREME COURT, STATE OF WASHINGTON","paragraph_id":"para_45"},{"text":"AUGUST 28, 2025THIS OPINION WAS FILED","paragraph_id":"para_46"},{"text":"FOR RECORD AT 8 A.M. ON","paragraph_id":"para_47"},{"text":"AUGUST 28, 2025","paragraph_id":"para_48"},{"text":"SARAH R. PENDLETON","paragraph_id":"para_49"},{"text":"SUPREME COURT CLERKFor the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_50"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_51"},{"text":"2","paragraph_id":"para_52"},{"text":"oppose his motions. The trial court denied Mr. Thompson’s motions to obtain the","paragraph_id":"para_53","court_paragraph":2},{"text":"records.","paragraph_id":"para_54"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson was convicted.","paragraph_id":"para_55"},{"text":"On appeal, Mr. Thompson raised four assignments of error with the first being,","paragraph_id":"para_56"},{"text":"“The trial court erred in refusing to issue subpoenas for the decedent’s medical","paragraph_id":"para_57"},{"text":"records.” Br. of Appellant, State v. Thompson, No. 85515-8-I, at 2 (Wash. Ct. App.","paragraph_id":"para_58"},{"text":"Feb. 16, 2024). Ms. Gates moved to intervene at the appellate level to address solely","paragraph_id":"para_59"},{"text":"that issue. The Court of Appeals granted the motion over Mr. Thompson’s objection.","paragraph_id":"para_60"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson sought this court’s review, arguing that the Court of Appeals","paragraph_id":"para_61"},{"text":"erred by allowing Ms. Gates to intervene.","paragraph_id":"para_62"},{"text":"We hold that where a trial court has allowed a nonparty to intervene, an","paragraph_id":"para_63"},{"text":"appellate court has the discretion to allow that nonparty to intervene on appeal, solely","paragraph_id":"para_64"},{"text":"on the issues the nonparty addressed in the trial court.","paragraph_id":"para_65"},{"text":"I","paragraph_id":"para_66"},{"text":"THE TRIAL COURT ALLOWED MS. GATES TO INTERVENE TO PROTECT THE","paragraph_id":"para_67"},{"text":"CONFIDENTIALITY OF MEDICAL RECORDS","paragraph_id":"para_68"},{"text":"A. Lester Thompson Was Charged with Murdering Destinie Gates-Jackson","paragraph_id":"para_69"},{"text":"Lester Thompson Jr. and Destinie Gates-Jackson had a long-term intimate","paragraph_id":"para_70"},{"text":"relationship. In 2013, Mr. Thompson pleaded guilty to charges stemming from","paragraph_id":"para_71"},{"text":"kidnapping and strangling Ms. Gates-Jackson. Ms. Gates-Jackson survived the attack.","paragraph_id":"para_72"},{"text":"Seven months after Mr. Thompson was released from prison for these offenses, police","paragraph_id":"para_73"},{"text":"found Ms. Gates-Jackson’s body in the back of a car that Mr. Thompson was driving.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_74"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_75"},{"text":"3","paragraph_id":"para_76"},{"text":"There was evidence that Ms. Gates-Jackson and Mr. Thompson had driven together","paragraph_id":"para_77","court_paragraph":3},{"text":"shortly before her death and that they had fought. The forensic pathologist who","paragraph_id":"para_78"},{"text":"examined Ms. Gates-Jackson’s body concluded that she died of asphyxia due to","paragraph_id":"para_79"},{"text":"strangulation. Mr. Thompson was charged with her murder.","paragraph_id":"para_80"},{"text":"B. Mr. Thompson’s Defense Was That Ms. Gates-Jackson Died from an","paragraph_id":"para_81"},{"text":"Underlying Health Condition; He Attempted To Subpoena Ms. Gates-Jackson’s","paragraph_id":"para_82"},{"text":"Medical Records","paragraph_id":"para_83"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson’s defense theory was that Ms. Gates-Jackson did not die from","paragraph_id":"para_84"},{"text":"strangulation but instead died from an underlying health condition. To support that","paragraph_id":"para_85"},{"text":"defense, Mr. Thompson wanted to subpoena Ms. Gates-Jackson’s medical records.","paragraph_id":"para_86"},{"text":"In May 2021, Mr. Thompson e-mailed the prosecutor and Ms. Gates, informing","paragraph_id":"para_87"},{"text":"them that he intended to subpoena Ms. Gates-Jackson’s medical records. Ms. Gates did","paragraph_id":"para_88"},{"text":"not move to intervene as a party at the trial court level. Instead, Ms. Gates’ attorney","paragraph_id":"para_89"},{"text":"filed a notice of limited appearance. Ms. Gates then filed a motion for a protective order","paragraph_id":"para_90"},{"text":"and Mr. Thompson withdrew the subpoena.2 Mr. Thompson did not object to","paragraph_id":"para_91"},{"text":"Ms. Gates’ intervention in the lawsuit.","paragraph_id":"para_92"},{"text":"On January 3, 2022, Mr. Thompson moved the trial court to issue a subpoena","paragraph_id":"para_93"},{"text":"duces tecum under CrR 4.7 to obtain Ms. Gates-Jackson’s medical records. Ms. Gates","paragraph_id":"para_94"},{"text":"filed a memorandum opposing the motion and also opposed the motion at oral argument.","paragraph_id":"para_95"},{"text":"2 The record does not include a copy of this email exchange or the motion for protective order.","paragraph_id":"para_96"},{"text":"Nevertheless, the parties agree on this version of events.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_97"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_98"},{"text":"4","paragraph_id":"para_99"},{"text":"The State did not file a memorandum opposing Mr. Thompson’s motion and did not add","paragraph_id":"para_100","court_paragraph":4},{"text":"to Ms. Gates’ oral arguments.","paragraph_id":"para_101"},{"text":"The trial court entered a protective order and denied Mr. Thompson’s motion for","paragraph_id":"para_102"},{"text":"subpoena duces tecum for Ms. Gates-Jackson’s medical records.","paragraph_id":"para_103"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson then filed a second motion for a subpoena duces tecum for","paragraph_id":"para_104"},{"text":"Ms. Gates-Jackson’s medical records. Once again, Ms. Gates took the lead in filing a","paragraph_id":"para_105"},{"text":"memorandum opposing the second motion. The trial court denied Mr. Thompson’s","paragraph_id":"para_106"},{"text":"second motion.","paragraph_id":"para_107"},{"text":"After a trial, the jury found Mr. Thompson guilty of murder in the second degree,","paragraph_id":"para_108"},{"text":"with a finding that it was a crime of domestic violence.","paragraph_id":"para_109"},{"text":"II","paragraph_id":"para_110"},{"text":"THE COURT OF APPEALS GRANTED MS. GATES’ REQUEST TO INTERVENE FOR THE","paragraph_id":"para_111"},{"text":"LIMITED PURPOSE OF ADDRESSING MR. THOMPSON’S CLAIM THAT THE TRIAL","paragraph_id":"para_112"},{"text":"COURT ERRED IN DENYING HIS REQUEST TO SUBPOENA THE MEDICAL RECORDS","paragraph_id":"para_113"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson appealed his conviction, raising several arguments, one of which was","paragraph_id":"para_114"},{"text":"that the trial court erred in denying his requests to subpoena Ms. Gates-Jackson’s","paragraph_id":"para_115"},{"text":"medical records. Ms. Gates moved to intervene in the appeal solely on this issue.","paragraph_id":"para_116"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson opposed the motion.","paragraph_id":"para_117"},{"text":"The Court of Appeals’ commissioner granted Ms. Gates’ motion:","paragraph_id":"para_118"},{"text":"Because it appears undisputed that the trial court allowed Gates to","paragraph_id":"para_119"},{"text":"intervene on this issue and likely considered her briefing and argument,","paragraph_id":"para_120"},{"text":"and because Gates is a more appropriate representative than the State","paragraph_id":"para_121"},{"text":"regarding the privacy and confidentiality of the victim’s medical records,For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_122"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_123"},{"text":"5","paragraph_id":"para_124"},{"text":"the motion for intervention and an opportunity to file a brief on the single","paragraph_id":"para_125","court_paragraph":5},{"text":"identified issue is granted.","paragraph_id":"para_126"},{"text":"Notation Ruling, State v. Thompson, No. 85515-8-I, at 2 (Wash. Ct. App. May 21,","paragraph_id":"para_127"},{"text":"2024).","paragraph_id":"para_128"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson moved to modify the commissioner’s ruling. RAP 17.7. The","paragraph_id":"para_129"},{"text":"Court of Appeals denied the motion to modify. Ord. Denying Mot. to Modify, State v.","paragraph_id":"para_130"},{"text":"Thompson, No 85515-8-I (Wash. Ct. App. Aug. 2, 2024).","paragraph_id":"para_131"},{"text":"In her brief, Ms. Gates confined the issues that she would be addressing solely to","paragraph_id":"para_132"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson’s attempt to subpoena the medical records:","paragraph_id":"para_133"},{"text":"1. Are the deceased’s medical records private, confidential, and privileged","paragraph_id":"para_134"},{"text":"records protected by common, state, and federal law and physician-","paragraph_id":"para_135"},{"text":"patient privilege?","paragraph_id":"para_136"},{"text":"2. Did the Appellant concede at trial that the records were private and","paragraph_id":"para_137"},{"text":"confidential?","paragraph_id":"para_138"},{"text":"3. Did the trial court properly deny Appellant Lester Thompson’s request","paragraph_id":"para_139"},{"text":"to obtain years of medical records of Destinie Gates-Jackson, his","paragraph_id":"para_140"},{"text":"homicide victim, when he did not make a particularized showing that","paragraph_id":"para_141"},{"text":"the records were likely to contain material facts useful to the defense?","paragraph_id":"para_142"},{"text":"Intervenor’s Responsive Br., State v. Thompson, No. 85515-8-I, at 1 (Wash. Ct. App.","paragraph_id":"para_143"},{"text":"July 11, 2024). Mr. Thompson moved for discretionary review.3","paragraph_id":"para_144"},{"text":"3 The State did not address Ms. Gates’ intervention until its supplemental brief to this court.","paragraph_id":"para_145"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson subsequently filed a motion to strike the supplemental brief or, in the alternative,","paragraph_id":"para_146"},{"text":"to file an additional supplemental brief in response to the State. We deny Mr. Thompson’s","paragraph_id":"para_147"},{"text":"motion to strike and grant his alternative motion to file a supplemental response brief.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_148"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_149"},{"text":"6","paragraph_id":"para_150"},{"text":"III","paragraph_id":"para_151","court_paragraph":6},{"text":"WHERE A TRIAL COURT HAS ALLOWED A THIRD PARTY TO INTERVENE TO PROTECT","paragraph_id":"para_152"},{"text":"A LEGALLY COGNIZABLE INTEREST, APPELLATE COURTS HAVE THE DISCRETIONARY","paragraph_id":"para_153"},{"text":"AUTHORITY TO ALLOW THAT THIRD PARTY TO INTERVENE ON APPEAL SO LONG AS","paragraph_id":"para_154"},{"text":"THE INTERVENTION IS LIMITED TO THE ISSUES ADDRESSED BELOW","paragraph_id":"para_155"},{"text":"A. The Trial Court Allowed Ms. Gates To Intervene in Order To Protect the","paragraph_id":"para_156"},{"text":"Confidentiality of Ms. Gates-Jackson’s Medical Records","paragraph_id":"para_157"},{"text":"Ms. Gates did not move to intervene as a party at the trial court level. Instead,","paragraph_id":"para_158"},{"text":"Ms. Gates’ attorney filed a notice of limited appearance. Ms. Gates then opposed the","paragraph_id":"para_159"},{"text":"motions. Mr. Thompson did not object to this procedure.","paragraph_id":"para_160"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson argues that Ms. Gates “did not—and could not—intervene in the","paragraph_id":"para_161"},{"text":"trial court.” Suppl. Br. of Pet’r at 34. That is inaccurate. It would be difficult to","paragraph_id":"para_162"},{"text":"characterize Ms. Gates’ action in the trial court as anything other than an intervention.","paragraph_id":"para_163"},{"text":"Filing memoranda and arguing in court certainly were intervening at the trial court for","paragraph_id":"para_164"},{"text":"the limited purpose of protecting privacy interests.","paragraph_id":"para_165"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson has not assigned error to that intervention. Indeed,","paragraph_id":"para_166"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson’s position is that, while it was permissible for Ms. Gates to intervene in","paragraph_id":"para_167"},{"text":"the trial court, it was not permissible for her to intervene in the appeal.","paragraph_id":"para_168"},{"text":"B. Because Ms. Gates Was Allowed To Intervene at the Trial Court Level, the","paragraph_id":"para_169"},{"text":"Appellate Court Had the Discretion To Allow Her To Intervene in the Appeal","paragraph_id":"para_170"},{"text":"To Address Solely the Issues She Had Addressed Below","paragraph_id":"para_171"},{"text":"The issue raised in this case is whether the Court of Appeals has the authority","paragraph_id":"para_172"},{"text":"to allow a nonparty to intervene in the criminal appeal, limited solely to the issues for","paragraph_id":"para_173"},{"text":"which they were allowed to intervene at the trial court level.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_174"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_175"},{"text":"7","paragraph_id":"para_176"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson argues that nonparties may not intervene in a criminal case.","paragraph_id":"para_177","court_paragraph":7},{"text":"Reply in Supp. of Discr. Rev. at 2. While this was once a general rule in Washington,","paragraph_id":"para_178"},{"text":"that is no longer the case.","paragraph_id":"para_179"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson cites State v. Bianchi, 92 Wn.2d 91, 92, 593 P.2d 1330 (1979).","paragraph_id":"para_180"},{"text":"In that criminal case, the newspaper Bellingham Herald moved to intervene at the trial","paragraph_id":"para_181"},{"text":"court level to obtain a copy of the affidavit of probable cause determination, which","paragraph_id":"para_182"},{"text":"had been placed under seal. The trial court granted the newspaper’s motion to","paragraph_id":"para_183"},{"text":"intervene for that limited purpose. Id.","paragraph_id":"para_184"},{"text":"This court reversed the trial court and held that intervention in a criminal case","paragraph_id":"para_185"},{"text":"is not allowed. Id. In Bianchi, we noted that there is no rule in the Washington Rules","paragraph_id":"para_186"},{"text":"of Criminal Procedure that allows a third party to intervene. Id. We stated that third","paragraph_id":"para_187"},{"text":"parties cannot have an interest in the determination of whether someone is innocent or","paragraph_id":"para_188"},{"text":"guilty. Id. at 94. We noted that the newspaper had other avenues to seek relief. Id. at","paragraph_id":"para_189"},{"text":"93. We accordingly held that the trial court erred in allowing the newspaper to","paragraph_id":"para_190"},{"text":"intervene in that criminal action.","paragraph_id":"para_191"},{"text":"The prohibition on a nonparty intervening in a criminal action has been relaxed.","paragraph_id":"para_192"},{"text":"In State v. Mendez, 157 Wn. App. 565, 569, 238 P.3d 517 (2010), adhered to","paragraph_id":"para_193"},{"text":"on remand, noted at 166 Wn. App. 1024 (2012), the Yakima Herald-Republic moved","paragraph_id":"para_194"},{"text":"to intervene at the trial court level to unseal certain records after the criminal trial was","paragraph_id":"para_195"},{"text":"finished but before the appellate process had run. The trial court granted the motion.","paragraph_id":"para_196"},{"text":"Id.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_197"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_198"},{"text":"8","paragraph_id":"para_199"},{"text":"On appeal, the defendant argued that intervention in a criminal matter is not","paragraph_id":"para_200","court_paragraph":8},{"text":"allowed. Id. at 570. The Court of Appeals noted that the legal landscape had changed","paragraph_id":"para_201"},{"text":"since Bianchi, and that nonparties are allowed by statute, court rule, and precedent to","paragraph_id":"para_202"},{"text":"be involved in criminal lawsuits. Id. at 574.","paragraph_id":"para_203"},{"text":"The factors the Mendez court considered apply to this case.","paragraph_id":"para_204"},{"text":"First, the Mendez court noted that the Bianchi court’s concern that third-party","paragraph_id":"para_205"},{"text":"involvement could disrupt a pending criminal case was not present there. The court","paragraph_id":"para_206"},{"text":"concluded, “The policy concerns present in Bianchi simply do not exist when the","paragraph_id":"para_207"},{"text":"criminal conviction is final.” Id. at 578. The same is true here. Mr. Thompson’s","paragraph_id":"para_208"},{"text":"criminal trial has concluded. Mr. Thompson appealed and is raising the argument that","paragraph_id":"para_209"},{"text":"the trial court erred by refusing to issue the subpoenas. Ms. Gates’ appellate","paragraph_id":"para_210"},{"text":"intervention is not adding new issues to this appeal. She is simply addressing the","paragraph_id":"para_211"},{"text":"same issue that she addressed in the trial court. Her involvement does not disrupt a","paragraph_id":"para_212"},{"text":"pending criminal case.","paragraph_id":"para_213"},{"text":"Second, the Mendez court recognized that the Yakima Herald-Republic could","paragraph_id":"para_214"},{"text":"have brought a mandamus action against the trial judge. Id. If that happened, then the","paragraph_id":"para_215"},{"text":"defendant might not have been allowed to intervene in that mandamus action. The","paragraph_id":"para_216"},{"text":"same is true here. Ms. Gates could have filed a separate civil action to protect her","paragraph_id":"para_217"},{"text":"daughter’s medical records. If she had, there would be some uncertainty as to whether","paragraph_id":"para_218"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson could intervene in that separate civil lawsuit.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_219"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_220"},{"text":"9","paragraph_id":"para_221"},{"text":"Third, the Mendez court noted that even if the defendant had been allowed to","paragraph_id":"para_222","court_paragraph":9},{"text":"intervene in such a civil action, he would not have the right to counsel at public","paragraph_id":"para_223"},{"text":"expense. Id. The court stated:","paragraph_id":"para_224"},{"text":"While third parties may prefer to bring a separate action for","paragraph_id":"para_225"},{"text":"tactical reasons, they are not required to do so for public policy reasons.","paragraph_id":"para_226"},{"text":"An indigent criminal defendant is better served when a sealing order is","paragraph_id":"para_227"},{"text":"challenged in the criminal case where the order was entered. This is the","paragraph_id":"para_228"},{"text":"simplest and most efficient mechanism for review of a sealed document","paragraph_id":"para_229"},{"text":"and is also the process most likely to result in full litigation of the merits","paragraph_id":"para_230"},{"text":"because the defendant will be taking part.","paragraph_id":"para_231"},{"text":"Id. at 579.","paragraph_id":"para_232"},{"text":"The same is true here. If Ms. Gates had brought a separate civil action to","paragraph_id":"para_233"},{"text":"protect the confidentiality of her daughter’s medical records, then Mr. Thompson,","paragraph_id":"para_234"},{"text":"even if he could intervene, would not have had an attorney appointed for him by the","paragraph_id":"para_235"},{"text":"State. Allowing third-party intervention in these limited circumstances ensures that","paragraph_id":"para_236"},{"text":"defendants will be able to participate in matters involving their criminal case.","paragraph_id":"para_237"},{"text":"We agreed with the Mendez court’s analysis in Yakima County v. Yakima","paragraph_id":"para_238"},{"text":"Herald-Republic, 170 Wn.2d 775, 246 P.3d 768 (2011). There, we expressly","paragraph_id":"para_239"},{"text":"modified our decision in Bianchi by holding that a third party may intervene, after","paragraph_id":"para_240"},{"text":"trial is complete, to review a trial court’s decision to seal documents. Id. at 781.","paragraph_id":"para_241"},{"text":"There, the newspaper moved to intervene in a criminal case after the trial had","paragraph_id":"para_242"},{"text":"finished, seeking to obtain copies of sealed documents. Id. at 799. The defendant","paragraph_id":"para_243"},{"text":"objected, citing Bianchi. Id. The trial court granted the newspaper’s motion. Id. We","paragraph_id":"para_244"},{"text":"affirmed, holding:For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_245"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_246"},{"text":"10","paragraph_id":"para_247"},{"text":"As the Court of Appeals in Mendez reasoned, Bianchi is factually","paragraph_id":"para_248","court_paragraph":10},{"text":"distinguishable. There the request to intervene was made pretrial while","paragraph_id":"para_249"},{"text":"in Mendez the Herald-Republic moved to intervene after the defendant","paragraph_id":"para_250"},{"text":"pleaded guilty. Additionally, as the court pointed out, many of the","paragraph_id":"para_251"},{"text":"considerations supporting our decision in Bianchi are no longer true.","paragraph_id":"para_252"},{"text":"First, after Bianchi was decided this court adopted GR 15 in order to","paragraph_id":"para_253"},{"text":"create “a uniform procedure for the destruction, sealing, and redaction of","paragraph_id":"para_254"},{"text":"court records.” GR 15(a). Although not explicit, subsection (e)(2) of the","paragraph_id":"para_255"},{"text":"rule anticipates that nonparties may move to unseal records in a criminal","paragraph_id":"para_256"},{"text":"case and provides for notice to affected parties. Second, both state and","paragraph_id":"para_257"},{"text":"federal courts that have considered this issue since Bianchi generally","paragraph_id":"para_258"},{"text":"favor limited intervention in such cases, despite the absence of express","paragraph_id":"para_259"},{"text":"language permitting intervention in the Federal Rules of Criminal","paragraph_id":"para_260"},{"text":"Procedure or the state procedural rules at issue. We also agree with the","paragraph_id":"para_261"},{"text":"policy reasons cited in Mendez supporting limited intervention—the","paragraph_id":"para_262"},{"text":"procedure allows the criminal defendant to be a necessary party and","paragraph_id":"para_263"},{"text":"allows for counsel for indigent defendants. Finally, Bianchi’s concern","paragraph_id":"para_264"},{"text":"with disrupting the pending criminal proceedings is not implicated once","paragraph_id":"para_265"},{"text":"the trial has ended.","paragraph_id":"para_266"},{"text":"We hold that a limited intervention to revisit a prior sealing","paragraph_id":"para_267"},{"text":"decision under GR 15(e) is a proper procedure for nonparties to use in a","paragraph_id":"para_268"},{"text":"criminal case when a trial has been completed and we modify Bianchi to","paragraph_id":"para_269"},{"text":"the extent it is contrary.","paragraph_id":"para_270"},{"text":"Id. at 800-01 (citations omitted).","paragraph_id":"para_271"},{"text":"In this situation, RAP 7.3 provided the Court of Appeals with the authority to","paragraph_id":"para_272"},{"text":"allow Ms. Gates to intervene for a limited purpose. RAP 7.3 provides in part:","paragraph_id":"para_273"},{"text":"The appellate court has the authority to determine whether a","paragraph_id":"para_274"},{"text":"matter is properly before it, and to perform all acts necessary or","paragraph_id":"para_275"},{"text":"appropriate to secure the fair and orderly review of a case.","paragraph_id":"para_276"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson argues that allowing intervention under RAP 7.3 would inhibit,","paragraph_id":"para_277"},{"text":"rather than secure, the fair and orderly review of this appeal. Suppl. Resp. Br. of Pet’r","paragraph_id":"para_278"},{"text":"at 10. Mr. Thompson does not explain, however, why Ms. Gates’ intervention at theFor the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_279"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_280"},{"text":"11","paragraph_id":"para_281"},{"text":"trial court level, which he did not oppose, is permissible and why that same","paragraph_id":"para_282","court_paragraph":11},{"text":"intervention at the appellate level becomes impermissible.","paragraph_id":"para_283"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson argues that on appeal he now faces two respondents and, in","paragraph_id":"para_284"},{"text":"effect, “‘two prosecutors.’” Id. at 11. However, this is no different from the situation","paragraph_id":"para_285"},{"text":"at the trial court level. Moreover, it is incorrect to characterize Ms. Gates as a second","paragraph_id":"para_286"},{"text":"prosecutor. Instead, Ms. Gates’ role in the appeal is limited in the same manner as it","paragraph_id":"para_287"},{"text":"was in the trial court: the only issue she may address is whether Mr. Thompson should","paragraph_id":"para_288"},{"text":"be allowed access to her daughter’s health care records. Justice Gordon McCloud","paragraph_id":"para_289"},{"text":"makes a similar argument in the dissent, pointing out that it is the prosecutor who","paragraph_id":"para_290"},{"text":"decides whether to bring an action and, if so, how that action is pursued. That is","paragraph_id":"para_291"},{"text":"correct. The prosecutor’s ability to decide strategy is not affected by our holding.","paragraph_id":"para_292"},{"text":"Instead, our holding provides the Court of Appeals with the discretion to allow a","paragraph_id":"para_293"},{"text":"person to continue seeking to protect health care records on appeal when they were","paragraph_id":"para_294"},{"text":"allowed to do so at the trial level.","paragraph_id":"para_295"},{"text":"The dissent acknowledges that Ms. Gates could have brought a separate civil","paragraph_id":"para_296"},{"text":"lawsuit to quash any attempt by Mr. Thompson to subpoena her daughter’s health care","paragraph_id":"para_297"},{"text":"records and that she had the right to appeal any adverse ruling. The dissent fails to","paragraph_id":"para_298"},{"text":"explain the functional difference to Mr. Thompson if Ms. Gates had brought a civil","paragraph_id":"para_299"},{"text":"action that quashed any subpoenas issued by the court in the criminal action. Justice","paragraph_id":"para_300"},{"text":"Gordon McCloud suggests that the civil action would only determine whether the","paragraph_id":"para_301"},{"text":"health care records are confidential, which she concedes is not a debatable question—For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_302"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_303"},{"text":"12","paragraph_id":"para_304"},{"text":"they are. Justice Gordon McCloud likewise assumes that the court in the civil action","paragraph_id":"para_305","court_paragraph":12},{"text":"would not consider the reasons Mr. Thompson is seeking those records. On the","paragraph_id":"para_306"},{"text":"contrary, a court faced with a motion to quash must consider all the arguments as to","paragraph_id":"para_307"},{"text":"why the subpoena should be issued, together with all arguments against the issuance","paragraph_id":"para_308"},{"text":"of the subpoena.","paragraph_id":"para_309"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson concedes that Ms. Gates had the right to intervene at the trial","paragraph_id":"para_310"},{"text":"court level to protect the confidentiality of her daughter’s medical records. Moreover,","paragraph_id":"para_311"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson agrees that Ms. Gates would have the right to appeal that issue if the","paragraph_id":"para_312"},{"text":"trial court had granted Mr. Thompson’s motion.","paragraph_id":"para_313"},{"text":"Had the court issued the subpoenas over the estate’s objection,","paragraph_id":"para_314"},{"text":"Ms. Gates could have moved the Court of Appeals for discretionary","paragraph_id":"para_315"},{"text":"review of that limited issue. RAP 2.3(a). Review under RAP 2.3 is, of","paragraph_id":"para_316"},{"text":"course, discretionary—but, “for meritorious claims, the discretionary","paragraph_id":"para_317"},{"text":"review screening should present no great obstacle to obtaining review.”","paragraph_id":"para_318"},{"text":"In re Det. of Petersen, 138 Wn.2d 70, 89, 980 P.2d 1204 (1999).","paragraph_id":"para_319"},{"text":"Suppl. Br. of Pet’r at 28-29.","paragraph_id":"para_320"},{"text":"The fact that Ms. Gates could seek discretionary review of an adverse ruling","paragraph_id":"para_321"},{"text":"supports her argument that she is allowed to intervene in this appeal.","paragraph_id":"para_322"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson asserts that Ms. Gates should not be allowed to intervene in the","paragraph_id":"para_323"},{"text":"appeal because if the Court of Appeals reversed then she could once again intervene at","paragraph_id":"para_324"},{"text":"the trial court level:","paragraph_id":"para_325"},{"text":"If Mr. Thompson prevails on appeal, Ms. Gates may again appear","paragraph_id":"para_326"},{"text":"in the trial court to oppose the subpoenas under CrR 4.8. Intervention as","paragraph_id":"para_327"},{"text":"a party to Mr. Thompson’s appeal is not necessary for her to assert her","paragraph_id":"para_328"},{"text":"interests. Nor is it supported by the law.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_329"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_330"},{"text":"13","paragraph_id":"para_331"},{"text":"Id. at 32.","paragraph_id":"para_332","court_paragraph":13},{"text":"It is difficult to understand why Ms. Gates should be allowed to protect her","paragraph_id":"para_333"},{"text":"interests at the trial court level but then not be able to protect those same interests on","paragraph_id":"para_334"},{"text":"appeal. Under Mr. Thompson’s view, if the matter returned to the trial court and the","paragraph_id":"para_335"},{"text":"trial court adversely ruled against Ms. Gates, she would be allowed to appeal that","paragraph_id":"para_336"},{"text":"decision. And yet, Mr. Thompson argues, Ms. Gates should not be allowed to protect","paragraph_id":"para_337"},{"text":"her interest when Mr. Thompson appeals. Neither logic nor policy requires that","paragraph_id":"para_338"},{"text":"outcome.","paragraph_id":"para_339"},{"text":"Mr. Thompson additionally argues that Ms. Gates’ interest was adequately","paragraph_id":"para_340"},{"text":"represented by the State and, thus, there was no need for her to intervene. The Court","paragraph_id":"para_341"},{"text":"of Appeals concluded differently. The Court of Appeals has the discretion to make","paragraph_id":"para_342"},{"text":"that decision.","paragraph_id":"para_343"},{"text":"Under our ruling today, a party that was allowed to intervene at the trial court","paragraph_id":"para_344"},{"text":"level does not have the automatic right to intervene at the appellate level. Instead, the","paragraph_id":"para_345"},{"text":"Court of Appeals has the discretion under RAP 7.3 to allow intervention if it believes","paragraph_id":"para_346"},{"text":"that intervention is necessary or appropriate to secure the fair and orderly review of","paragraph_id":"para_347"},{"text":"the case.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_348"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_349"},{"text":"14","paragraph_id":"para_350"},{"text":"IV","paragraph_id":"para_351","court_paragraph":14},{"text":"CONCLUSION","paragraph_id":"para_352"},{"text":"The trial court allowed Ms. Gates to intervene to protect the confidentiality of her","paragraph_id":"para_353"},{"text":"daughter’s medical records. Mr. Thompson agrees that Ms. Gates had the right to","paragraph_id":"para_354"},{"text":"intervene at the trial court level.","paragraph_id":"para_355"},{"text":"Ms. Gates wants to protect that same interest on appeal. She is seeking to","paragraph_id":"para_356"},{"text":"intervene solely to address that issue. Under RAP 7.3, the Court of Appeals has the","paragraph_id":"para_357"},{"text":"discretion to allow that limited intervention. Accordingly, we affirm the Court of","paragraph_id":"para_358"},{"text":"Appeals’ decision allowing Ms. Gates to intervene solely on the issue of whether the","paragraph_id":"para_359"},{"text":"trial court erred in denying Mr. Thompson’s motions to subpoena Ms. Gates-Jackson’s","paragraph_id":"para_360"},{"text":"medical records.","paragraph_id":"para_361"},{"text":"_______________________________","paragraph_id":"para_362"},{"text":"WE CONCUR:For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_363"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_364"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_365"},{"text":"1","paragraph_id":"para_366"},{"text":"No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_367","court_paragraph":1},{"text":"WHITENER, J. (dissenting)— Victims and survivors of victims are afforded","paragraph_id":"para_368"},{"text":"a “significant” role in our criminal justice system. RCW 7.69.010. However, this","paragraph_id":"para_369"},{"text":"role must be limited. The only two parties to a criminal appeal are the defendant and","paragraph_id":"para_370"},{"text":"the State, and upon motion, an appellate court may grant permission to file an amicus","paragraph_id":"para_371"},{"text":"curiae brief, but only if all parties consent or if the filing of the brief would assist the","paragraph_id":"para_372"},{"text":"appellate court. RAP 10.6. In this case, the only question for us to answer is whether","paragraph_id":"para_373"},{"text":"the trial court erred when it allowed the victim’s mother to intervene on the","paragraph_id":"para_374"},{"text":"defendant’s appeal and to file a brief as a party. Neither our constitution nor our","paragraph_id":"para_375"},{"text":"precedent and court rules allow such action. Accordingly, I dissent.","paragraph_id":"para_376"},{"text":"Lester Purdell Thompson Jr. was convicted for the murder of Destinie Gates-","paragraph_id":"para_377"},{"text":"Jackson, and he was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Thompson’s","paragraph_id":"para_378"},{"text":"defense at trial was that natural causes, not strangulation, may have been the cause","paragraph_id":"para_379"},{"text":"of Gates-Jackson’s death, and he retained forensic pathologist Dr. Carl Wigren to","paragraph_id":"para_380"},{"text":"advance his defense theory. Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 116-17, 492-94, 499-500. In","paragraph_id":"para_381"},{"text":"preparing his defense, Thompson issued subpoenas to obtain Gates-Jackson’s","paragraph_id":"para_382"},{"text":"medical records from multiple medical facilities. Rep. of Proc. (RP) (Jan. 28, 2022)For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_383"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_384"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_385"},{"text":"2","paragraph_id":"para_386"},{"text":"at 60; RP (Dec. 9, 2022) 107-15; CP at 495, 529-34, 606-10. Gates-Jackson’s","paragraph_id":"para_387","court_paragraph":2},{"text":"mother, Jeri Gates, on behalf of her daughter’s estate, did not move to intervene at","paragraph_id":"para_388"},{"text":"the trial level and through an attorney filed a notice of limited appearance, to object","paragraph_id":"para_389"},{"text":"to the issuance of Thompson’s subpoenas, and to request a protective order. CP at","paragraph_id":"para_390"},{"text":"519, 557, 616. Gates requested and the court granted her motion to deny Thompson’s","paragraph_id":"para_391"},{"text":"motions on privacy and confidentiality grounds. CP at 519, 528, 557, 580, 616; RP","paragraph_id":"para_392"},{"text":"(Dec. 9, 2022) at 121.","paragraph_id":"para_393"},{"text":"Thompson appealed his conviction and assigned error to the trial court’s order","paragraph_id":"para_394"},{"text":"denying his motions for subpoenas for Gates-Jackson’s medical records. In his","paragraph_id":"para_395"},{"text":"appeal, he renewed his motion for the subpoenas for Gates-Jackson’s medical","paragraph_id":"para_396"},{"text":"records. Gates then motioned the Court of Appeals to intervene to protect her","paragraph_id":"para_397"},{"text":"daughter’s privacy, asserting that her intervention was permitted under RAP 17.4(e).","paragraph_id":"para_398"},{"text":"ANALYSIS","paragraph_id":"para_399"},{"text":"This case involves a criminal appeal. Under our Rules of Appellate Procedure,","paragraph_id":"para_400"},{"text":"only “[a] person with a recognized interest in the subject matter of the motion may","paragraph_id":"para_401"},{"text":"submit a written answer to the motion.” RAP 17.4(e). The purpose of criminal","paragraph_id":"para_402"},{"text":"appeals is multifold: (i) “to protect against miscarriages of justice” by determining","paragraph_id":"para_403"},{"text":"whether a defendant received a fair trial, (ii) “correct anomalous applications of the","paragraph_id":"para_404"},{"text":"law in particular cases,” (iii) provide “legitimacy to the criminal justice system as aFor the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_405"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_406"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_407"},{"text":"3","paragraph_id":"para_408"},{"text":"whole,” and (iv) settle questions of law.1 The “recognized interests” of persons at a","paragraph_id":"para_409","court_paragraph":3},{"text":"defendant’s criminal trial does not extend to the defendant’s criminal appeal.","paragraph_id":"para_410"},{"text":"In Washington State, State v. Bianchi is the foundational case on the issue of","paragraph_id":"para_411"},{"text":"third-party intervention in a criminal case. 92 Wn.2d 91, 593 P.2d 1330 (1979). In","paragraph_id":"para_412"},{"text":"reversing the Court of Appeals’ decision to allow a newspaper to intervene in a","paragraph_id":"para_413"},{"text":"pending criminal case in order to challenge the sealing of the affidavit of probable","paragraph_id":"para_414"},{"text":"cause, we noted that there was “no rule, statute, or precedent” permitting a third","paragraph_id":"para_415"},{"text":"party to intervene in a criminal case. Id. at 91-95. We acknowledged that the press","paragraph_id":"para_416"},{"text":"had no “direct interest” in the outcome of the case and held, “The only purpose of a","paragraph_id":"para_417"},{"text":"criminal trial is the legal determination of the defendant’s guilt or innocence.” Id. at","paragraph_id":"para_418"},{"text":"92. Given the lack of press interest in the outcome, there was no justification for","paragraph_id":"para_419"},{"text":"“intervention and the disruption of the pending criminal proceedings inherent in the","paragraph_id":"para_420"},{"text":"intervention process.” Id. at 92-93. In 1989, after we decided Bianchi, this court","paragraph_id":"para_421"},{"text":"adopted GR 15. The rule provided a uniform procedure for the destruction, sealing,","paragraph_id":"para_422"},{"text":"and redaction of court records. GR 15(a). Simply put, GR 15 is another means for a","paragraph_id":"para_423"},{"text":"third party to challenge a sealing order, and the rule is applicable to both civil and","paragraph_id":"para_424"},{"text":"criminal cases. In a civil case, the court or any party may move to seal or redact the","paragraph_id":"para_425"},{"text":"1 Peter D. Marshall, A Comparative Analysis of the Right to Appeal, 22 DUKE J. COMPAR. & INT’L L. 1, 2-4 (2011),","paragraph_id":"para_426"},{"text":"https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/djcil/vol22/iss1/1/.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_427"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_428"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_429"},{"text":"4","paragraph_id":"para_430"},{"text":"court record, and only the parties are entitled to reasonable notice of the motion. GR","paragraph_id":"para_431","court_paragraph":4},{"text":"15(c)(1). In a criminal case, “any interested person” may move to seal or redact the","paragraph_id":"para_432"},{"text":"court records, and notice must be given to various nonparties. Id. Gates is a nonparty","paragraph_id":"para_433"},{"text":"in Thompson’s criminal proceeding and she is also an “interested person” entitled to","paragraph_id":"para_434"},{"text":"notice, but under this rule she was limited to moving the court to seal or redact the","paragraph_id":"para_435"},{"text":"court record in order to protect her daughter’s privacy interest in the medical records.","paragraph_id":"para_436"},{"text":"However, she was not entitled to a protection order prohibiting Thompson from","paragraph_id":"para_437"},{"text":"obtaining the medical records he needed for his defense.","paragraph_id":"para_438"},{"text":"Subsequent to Bianchi, there were attempts to develop the third-party","paragraph_id":"para_439"},{"text":"intervention in the criminal law jurisprudence in our state. In State v. Cloud, the","paragraph_id":"para_440"},{"text":"defendant, Cloud, was convicted after a jury trial and his defense attorney was","paragraph_id":"para_441"},{"text":"discharged. 95 Wn. App. 606, 976 P.2d 649 (1999). Cloud with a new attorney","paragraph_id":"para_442"},{"text":"moved to set aside the jury verdict, alleging ineffective assistance of the trial defense","paragraph_id":"para_443"},{"text":"attorney. Id. at 608-09. The trial court allowed the defendant’s discharged trial","paragraph_id":"para_444"},{"text":"attorney to intervene in order to maintain his reputation. Id. at 610-11. The Court of","paragraph_id":"para_445"},{"text":"Appeals reversed the trial court’s error in allowing intervention. The court reasoned","paragraph_id":"para_446"},{"text":"that to allow intervention by a former attorney, to protect their reputation in a","paragraph_id":"para_447"},{"text":"posttrial proceeding, would “undercut” the fundamental value of the attorney-client","paragraph_id":"para_448"},{"text":"relationship and therefore the intervention was prejudicial. Id. at 614-16.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_449"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_450"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_451"},{"text":"5","paragraph_id":"para_452"},{"text":"Later in State v. Mendez, the Court of Appeals held that while Bianchi did not","paragraph_id":"para_453","court_paragraph":5},{"text":"impose a per se prohibition against third party intervention in a criminal case, it","paragraph_id":"para_454"},{"text":"would now be authorized in limited circumstances. 157 Wn. App. 565, 573-74, 238","paragraph_id":"para_455"},{"text":"P.3d 517 (2010), adhered to on remand, noted at 166 Wn. App. 1024 (2012). The","paragraph_id":"para_456"},{"text":"court found that “[t]hird party ‘intervention’ in a criminal case” was possible for","paragraph_id":"para_457"},{"text":"“interested persons” “to the limited extent authorized by the rule” and that “article I,","paragraph_id":"para_458"},{"text":"sections 10 and 22” of our constitution authorized intervention, at least to allow the","paragraph_id":"para_459"},{"text":"public to challenge a sealing order. Id. at 577.","paragraph_id":"para_460"},{"text":"In Yakima County v. Yakima Herald-Republic, this court agreed with the","paragraph_id":"para_461"},{"text":"policy reasons cited in Mendez supporting limited intervention. 170 Wn.2d 775, 801,","paragraph_id":"para_462"},{"text":"246 P.3d 768 (2011). We held that a limited intervention to revisit a prior sealing","paragraph_id":"para_463"},{"text":"decision under GR 15(e) is a proper procedure for nonparties to use in a criminal","paragraph_id":"para_464"},{"text":"case when a trial has been completed and we modified Bianchi to the extent it was","paragraph_id":"para_465"},{"text":"contrary. Id. Yakima Herald-Republic was a posttrial criminal case with a pending","paragraph_id":"para_466"},{"text":"appeal and the Yakima Herald-Republic moved to intervene for the limited purpose","paragraph_id":"para_467"},{"text":"of challenging the continued orders sealing the pleadings and other financial","paragraph_id":"para_468"},{"text":"documents. Id. at 783. Here, Gates’ motion to intervene in Thompson’s pending","paragraph_id":"para_469"},{"text":"appeal is for the limited purpose of asserting a privacy interest in his motion to obtain","paragraph_id":"para_470"},{"text":"the victim’s medical records to present his defense. GR 15 relief that is available isFor the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_471"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_472"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_473"},{"text":"6","paragraph_id":"para_474"},{"text":"limited to sealing or redacting the court records. It is not to be used to prohibit","paragraph_id":"para_475","court_paragraph":6},{"text":"Thompson’s use if relevant in his defense.","paragraph_id":"para_476"},{"text":"This case is factually distinguishable from Bianchi (privacy rights of a","paragraph_id":"para_477"},{"text":"decedent during an appeal versus First Amendment rights to access information","paragraph_id":"para_478"},{"text":"during a trial). 92 Wn.2d at 92. It is also distinguishable from Cloud (limited","paragraph_id":"para_479"},{"text":"intervention in defendant’s appeal versus protection of the counsel’s professional","paragraph_id":"para_480"},{"text":"interests) and from Yakima Herald-Republic (newspaper’s intervention was","paragraph_id":"para_481"},{"text":"posttrial, to access sealed court records based on freedom of information and the","paragraph_id":"para_482"},{"text":"public’s right to know). See Cloud, 95 Wn. App. at 613; Yakima Herald-Republic,","paragraph_id":"para_483"},{"text":"170 Wn.2d at 801. RCW 70.02.140 allows a personal representative of a deceased","paragraph_id":"para_484"},{"text":"patient to exercise all of the deceased patient's rights. Under this statute Gates, a","paragraph_id":"para_485"},{"text":"survivor of a victim and, therefore, “an interested party,” seeks to intervene in the","paragraph_id":"para_486"},{"text":"defendant’s appeal to prevent the defendant from accessing the private health","paragraph_id":"para_487"},{"text":"records of her deceased daughter, which he alleges are necessary to his defense.2 As","paragraph_id":"para_488"},{"text":"2 Chapter 70.02 RCW provides patients with the right to authorize and revoke access to their health information","paragraph_id":"para_489"},{"text":"records, as well as the right to correct those records. In the event that a person is deceased, their representative can","paragraph_id":"para_490"},{"text":"assert those rights. At the federal level, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 protects the","paragraph_id":"para_491"},{"text":"privacy and confidentiality of health information of deceased persons for 50 years after death and the person authorized","paragraph_id":"para_492"},{"text":"under applicable law to act on behalf of the decedent or the decedent’s estate can enforce those privacy rights. Health","paragraph_id":"para_493"},{"text":"Information of Deceased Individuals, U.S. DEP’T OF HEALTH & HUM. SERVS. (Sept. 19, 2013)","paragraph_id":"para_494"},{"text":"https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/health-information-of-deceased-","paragraph_id":"para_495"},{"text":"individuals/index.html [https://perma.cc/XJW9-N3ML].For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_496"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_497"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_498"},{"text":"7","paragraph_id":"para_499"},{"text":"a matter of first impression, the analytical frameworks presented by Bianchi, Cloud,","paragraph_id":"para_500","court_paragraph":7},{"text":"and Mendez indicate that Ms. Gates’ intervention in Thompson’s criminal trial is","paragraph_id":"para_501"},{"text":"permitted. However, these cases do not support Gates’ extending that limited","paragraph_id":"para_502"},{"text":"intervention in Thompson’s appeal. The parties to a criminal action are the State and","paragraph_id":"para_503"},{"text":"the defendant. The sole purpose of a criminal trial is to determine legally a","paragraph_id":"para_504"},{"text":"defendant’s guilt or innocence. Bianchi, 92 Wn.2d at 92. The primary purpose of a","paragraph_id":"para_505"},{"text":"criminal appeal is different: its focus is to determine whether the defendant received","paragraph_id":"para_506"},{"text":"a fair trial. At trial Gates was an “interested third party” with the limited right to","paragraph_id":"para_507"},{"text":"enforce her daughter’s privacy rights to the medical records. See Comaroto v. Pierce","paragraph_id":"para_508"},{"text":"County Med. Exam’r’s Off., 111 Wn. App. 69, 43 P.3d 539 (2002) (discussing that","paragraph_id":"para_509"},{"text":"a suicide note was a public record and was exempt from disclosure under the Public","paragraph_id":"para_510"},{"text":"Disclosure Act’s provision, and that relatives of the deceased had a protectable","paragraph_id":"para_511"},{"text":"privacy interest in the record). However, this limited role did not grant her “party”","paragraph_id":"para_512"},{"text":"status to Thompson’s criminal trial, nor did it extend those limited rights to","paragraph_id":"para_513"},{"text":"Thompson’s appeal of his conviction.","paragraph_id":"para_514"},{"text":"Washington law allows crime victims and survivors of victims of crimes","paragraph_id":"para_515"},{"text":"rights and a role within the criminal justice system. See, e.g., WASH. CONST. art. I,","paragraph_id":"para_516"},{"text":"§ 35; ch. 7.69 RCW. We have repeatedly interpreted crime victims’ and survivors","paragraph_id":"para_517"},{"text":"of crime victims’ rights. However, these interpretations have been limited to theirFor the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_518"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_519"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_520"},{"text":"8","paragraph_id":"para_521"},{"text":"rights within the context of criminal trials and sentencing and have not been extended","paragraph_id":"para_522","court_paragraph":8},{"text":"to criminal appeals. See, e.g., State v. Gentry, 125 Wn.2d 570, 628-29, 888 P.2d","paragraph_id":"para_523"},{"text":"1105 (1995) (explaining that Wash. Const. art. I, § 35 intended that a victim or","paragraph_id":"para_524"},{"text":"victim’s representative should be allowed to make a statement at sentencing “unless","paragraph_id":"para_525"},{"text":"there is a direct constitutional impediment” and holding that the U.S. Supreme","paragraph_id":"para_526"},{"text":"Court’s decision in Payne v. Tennessee, 501 U.S. 808, 111 S. Ct. 2597, 115 L. Ed.","paragraph_id":"para_527"},{"text":"2d 720 (1991), removed any per se federal constitutional bar to the admission of","paragraph_id":"para_528"},{"text":"victim impact statements); L.H. v. Dep’t of Lab. & Indus., 86 Wn. App. 512, 514,","paragraph_id":"para_529"},{"text":"940 P.2d 657 (1996) (interpreting the RCW’s residency requirement for the","paragraph_id":"para_530"},{"text":"provision of benefits); Koenig v. Thurston County, 175 Wn.2d 837, 844, 287 P.3d","paragraph_id":"para_531"},{"text":"523 (2012) (confirming that the constitution and RCW 7.69.030 give victims direct","paragraph_id":"para_532"},{"text":"access to the trial court to communicate independently prior to sentencing); State v.","paragraph_id":"para_533"},{"text":"MacDonald, 183 Wn.2d 1, 16, 346 P.3d 748 (2015) (highlighting that Washington’s","paragraph_id":"para_534"},{"text":"crime victims’ rights do not abrogate a defendant’s due process right and are not to","paragraph_id":"para_535"},{"text":"be considered in a vacuum but must be considered together with a defendant’s due","paragraph_id":"para_536"},{"text":"process right).","paragraph_id":"para_537"},{"text":"Gates undoubtedly has an interest in and is likely to be impacted if, on appeal,","paragraph_id":"para_538"},{"text":"Thompson’s sentence is reduced, his case is remanded for a new trial, or he is","paragraph_id":"para_539"},{"text":"released. However, Gates’ interest in Thompson’s criminal appeal is not a “directFor the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_540"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_541"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_542"},{"text":"9","paragraph_id":"para_543"},{"text":"interest,” nor is she an “interested party” to his appeal. The majority correctly points","paragraph_id":"para_544","court_paragraph":9},{"text":"out that Gates could have filed a separate civil action to protect her daughter’s","paragraph_id":"para_545"},{"text":"medical records. Majority at 8. However, what’s before us is a criminal appeal and","paragraph_id":"para_546"},{"text":"not a civil case. Unlike CR 24(b) where Gates may have the ability to intervene,","paragraph_id":"para_547"},{"text":"there is no legal authority available to do so through the criminal process. Civil and","paragraph_id":"para_548"},{"text":"criminal rules are different by design and necessity because of the discrete rights and","paragraph_id":"para_549"},{"text":"interests the court considers. The Washington Rules of Criminal Procedure do not","paragraph_id":"para_550"},{"text":"have a third-party intervention provision as do the Rules of Civil Procedure. There","paragraph_id":"para_551"},{"text":"is good reason for that distinction, and Gates has not shown why she should be","paragraph_id":"para_552"},{"text":"permitted, by improper analogy, to extend the limitations to allow intervention in a","paragraph_id":"para_553"},{"text":"defendant’s criminal appeal.","paragraph_id":"para_554"},{"text":"A criminal defendant has a constitutional guaranty of “the right to appeal in","paragraph_id":"para_555"},{"text":"all cases.” WASH. CONST. art. I, § 22. It is true that crime victims and crime victim","paragraph_id":"para_556"},{"text":"survivors play a “significant” role in the justice system and their participation is vital","paragraph_id":"para_557"},{"text":"to the “general effectiveness and well-being of the criminal justice system.” RCW","paragraph_id":"para_558"},{"text":"7.69.010. Our constitution and statutes regarding victim and survivor rights are","paragraph_id":"para_559"},{"text":"equally clear. Both Wash. Const. art. I, § 35 and RCW 7.69.030 provide for multiple","paragraph_id":"para_560"},{"text":"victim rights, including the right to make victim impact reports before the court or","paragraph_id":"para_561"},{"text":"provide a statement at sentencing. However, party status has not been a rightFor the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_562"},{"text":"State v. Thompson, No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_563"},{"text":"Whitener, J. (dissenting)","paragraph_id":"para_564"},{"text":"10","paragraph_id":"para_565"},{"text":"provided to victims in a defendant’s criminal case. Neither the constitution nor","paragraph_id":"para_566","court_paragraph":10},{"text":"statutes enumerate a victim’s or a victim survivor’s general rights to privacy, their","paragraph_id":"para_567"},{"text":"right to the privacy of medical records specifically, their right to seek interlocutory","paragraph_id":"para_568"},{"text":"appeal, or their right to intervene in a criminal appeal. Where a victim’s rights","paragraph_id":"para_569"},{"text":"impede a defendant’s due process rights, courts “must make every reasonable effort","paragraph_id":"para_570"},{"text":"to harmonize these distinct rights and to give meaning to all parts of the Washington","paragraph_id":"para_571"},{"text":"State Constitution.” MacDonald, 183 Wn.2d at 16. To the extent these rights cannot","paragraph_id":"para_572"},{"text":"be reconciled, federal due process rights supersede any rights arising under","paragraph_id":"para_573"},{"text":"Washington’s statutes or constitution. Id. The civil relief Gates seeks to protect, the","paragraph_id":"para_574"},{"text":"privacy rights in her daughter’s medical records, should not be injected into","paragraph_id":"para_575"},{"text":"Thompson’s right to appeal his criminal conviction. Gates has no constitutional or","paragraph_id":"para_576"},{"text":"statutory right to intervene in this criminal appeal. I would overrule the Court of","paragraph_id":"para_577"},{"text":"Appeals decision.","paragraph_id":"para_578"},{"text":"__________________________________","paragraph_id":"para_579"},{"text":"___________________________________For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_580"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.)","paragraph_id":"para_581"},{"text":"1","paragraph_id":"para_582"},{"text":"No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_583","court_paragraph":1},{"text":"GORDON McCLOUD, J. (concurring in dissent)—Lester P. Thompson Jr.","paragraph_id":"para_584"},{"text":"was convicted of murder. Jeri Gates is the mother of the victim. The Court of","paragraph_id":"para_585"},{"text":"Appeals granted Gates’ motion to intervene in the appeal of this criminal","paragraph_id":"para_586"},{"text":"conviction for the following reason: “because Gates is a more appropriate","paragraph_id":"para_587"},{"text":"representative than the State regarding the privacy and confidentiality of the","paragraph_id":"para_588"},{"text":"victim’s medical records.” Notation Ruling, State v. Thompson, No. 85515-8-I, at 2","paragraph_id":"para_589"},{"text":"(Wash. Ct. App. May 21, 2024).","paragraph_id":"para_590"},{"text":"This is incorrect. A third party, even a third-party victim (or, as in this case,","paragraph_id":"para_591"},{"text":"victim’s survivor), is not the “more appropriate representative than the State”","paragraph_id":"para_592"},{"text":"regarding any of the issues before the Court of Appeals on the appeal of a criminal","paragraph_id":"para_593"},{"text":"conviction. As Justice Whitener’s dissent explains, this is true for several reasons.","paragraph_id":"para_594"},{"text":"And I agree with the reasons listed by the dissent. But I write separately to detail a","paragraph_id":"para_595"},{"text":"few more.","paragraph_id":"para_596"},{"text":"First, as a society, we have made a decision that the criminal case is not a","paragraph_id":"para_597"},{"text":"dispute between the victim and the defendant, but a dispute between the State and","paragraph_id":"para_598"},{"text":"the defendant. That is why the prosecution is done in the name of the State, not inFor the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_599"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_600"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_601"},{"text":"2","paragraph_id":"para_602"},{"text":"the name of the victim or the victim’s representative. The prosecutor—part of the","paragraph_id":"para_603","court_paragraph":2},{"text":"executive branch of government—makes the decision about whether and how to","paragraph_id":"para_604"},{"text":"proceed in court, not the victim (or victim’s family). In fact, if the prosecutor has a","paragraph_id":"para_605"},{"text":"personal stake in the outcome of a criminal case, that is a good reason for that","paragraph_id":"para_606"},{"text":"prosecutor to recuse from the case—not for that prosecutor to dig in to pursue their","paragraph_id":"para_607"},{"text":"own personal ends. See, e.g., State v. Ladenburg, 67 Wn. App. 749, 751, 840 P.2d","paragraph_id":"para_608"},{"text":"228 (1992) (“If a prosecutor’s interest in a criminal defendant or in the subject","paragraph_id":"para_609"},{"text":"matter of the defendant’s case materially limits his or her ability to prosecute a","paragraph_id":"para_610"},{"text":"matter impartially, then the prosecutor is disqualified from litigating the matter . . .","paragraph_id":"para_611"},{"text":".” (citing State v. Stenger, 111 Wn.2d 516, 520-23, 760 P.2d 357 (1988))),","paragraph_id":"para_612"},{"text":"abrogated on other grounds by State v. Finch, 137 Wn.2d 792, 808-10, 975 P.2d","paragraph_id":"para_613"},{"text":"967 (1999); RPC 1.7 (existence of a significant risk that a lawyer’s representation","paragraph_id":"para_614"},{"text":"of a client will be materially limited by the lawyer’s personal interests creates a","paragraph_id":"para_615"},{"text":"conflict of interest), 3.7 (generally, a lawyer may not act as an advocate in a trial in","paragraph_id":"para_616"},{"text":"which they are likely to be a necessary witness).","paragraph_id":"para_617"},{"text":"Permitting the victim or victim’s representative to intervene because they","paragraph_id":"para_618"},{"text":"have a more pressing personal stake in the matter contravenes that fundamental","paragraph_id":"para_619"},{"text":"rule.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_620"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_621"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_622"},{"text":"3","paragraph_id":"para_623"},{"text":"Second, the criminal appeal—unlike the criminal trial—presents only one","paragraph_id":"para_624","court_paragraph":3},{"text":"question: whether the trial court committed legal error entitling the defendant to","paragraph_id":"para_625"},{"text":"trial or sentencing relief. The answer to that question must be based on a review of","paragraph_id":"para_626"},{"text":"the record of the proceedings in the trial court, not by letting third parties create a","paragraph_id":"para_627"},{"text":"fuller record in the appellate court. The victims’ rights amendment to the","paragraph_id":"para_628"},{"text":"Washington Constitution, article I, section 35, and the related victims’ rights","paragraph_id":"para_629"},{"text":"statute, RCW 7.69.030, seem to recognize this difference between the purpose and","paragraph_id":"para_630"},{"text":"structure of proceedings in the trial courts and the purpose and structure of","paragraph_id":"para_631"},{"text":"proceedings in the appellate courts: they both provide victims or their","paragraph_id":"para_632"},{"text":"representatives with rights to notice and an opportunity to be heard throughout","paragraph_id":"para_633"},{"text":"proceedings in the trial court—but not during proceedings in the appellate court.","paragraph_id":"para_634"},{"text":"We presume that when the legislature enacts a statute establishing several listed","paragraph_id":"para_635"},{"text":"rights but omitting other rights, the omission (in this instance, of appellate court","paragraph_id":"para_636"},{"text":"rights) was intentional. Perez-Crisantos v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 187 Wn.2d","paragraph_id":"para_637"},{"text":"669, 680, 389 P.3d 476 (2017) (“[W]here the legislature includes particular","paragraph_id":"para_638"},{"text":"language in one section of a statute but omits it in another, the exclusion is","paragraph_id":"para_639"},{"text":"presumed intentional.” (citing Millay v. Cam, 135 Wn.2d 193, 202, 955 P.2d 791","paragraph_id":"para_640"},{"text":"(1998))).For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_641"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_642"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_643"},{"text":"4","paragraph_id":"para_644"},{"text":"Permitting the victim or the victim’s representative to intervene to express","paragraph_id":"para_645","court_paragraph":4},{"text":"their more personal stake in the matter contravenes these fundamental rules of","paragraph_id":"para_646"},{"text":"appellate procedure, also.","paragraph_id":"para_647"},{"text":"Third (and closely related to the second reason, above), the issues for","paragraph_id":"para_648"},{"text":"decision in a criminal appeal are legal, not factual. For that reason, the appellate","paragraph_id":"para_649"},{"text":"court cannot consider new evidence that was not brought to the trial court’s","paragraph_id":"para_650"},{"text":"attention. Gates or her representative is very likely the “more appropriate","paragraph_id":"para_651"},{"text":"representative than the State” regarding how invasion of her daughter’s private","paragraph_id":"para_652"},{"text":"medical records would negatively affect Gates or her family. But they are not “the","paragraph_id":"para_653"},{"text":"more appropriate representative than the State[’s]” able legal counsel on the","paragraph_id":"para_654"},{"text":"appellate legal issue of whether disclosure of private records is nevertheless","paragraph_id":"para_655"},{"text":"necessary to protect the defendant’s constitutional rights to present a complete","paragraph_id":"para_656"},{"text":"defense, to confront and cross-examine accusers, or to obtain information that","paragraph_id":"para_657"},{"text":"might tend to negate guilt or mitigate punishment.","paragraph_id":"para_658"},{"text":"Permitting a third party such as the victim or the victim’s representative to","paragraph_id":"para_659"},{"text":"intervene to express their more personal stake in the matter on appeal is","paragraph_id":"para_660"},{"text":"inconsistent with this structure of the appellate process.","paragraph_id":"para_661"},{"text":"To be sure, our court rules explicitly recognize that third parties have a","paragraph_id":"para_662"},{"text":"limited right to participate in criminal cases in certain situations. But thatFor the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_663"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_664"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_665"},{"text":"5","paragraph_id":"para_666"},{"text":"permissible participation—which should not necessarily even be called","paragraph_id":"para_667","court_paragraph":5},{"text":"“intervention”1—always occurs in the trial court. In this case, for example, CrR","paragraph_id":"para_668"},{"text":"4.8(b)(4) explicitly provides a third party with the right to move to quash a","paragraph_id":"para_669"},{"text":"subpoena in the trial court in the criminal case. And that third party has the right to","paragraph_id":"para_670"},{"text":"seek immediate review of an adverse decision on such a motion to quash. RAP","paragraph_id":"para_671"},{"text":"2.3.2","paragraph_id":"para_672"},{"text":"But we have no court rule allowing a third party to intervene as a party to the","paragraph_id":"para_673"},{"text":"criminal appeal itself, on the side of the State, as a second prosecutor. The fact that","paragraph_id":"para_674"},{"text":"our court rules permit limited participation by third parties, like the third party in","paragraph_id":"para_675"},{"text":"this case in the trial court, but not in the appellate court, of course, indicates a","paragraph_id":"para_676"},{"text":"conscious policy choice in favor of limited participation at the trial court level, but","paragraph_id":"para_677"},{"text":"not at the appellate level. See, e.g., Perez-Crisantos, 187 Wn.2d at 680; State v.","paragraph_id":"para_678"},{"text":"1 Indeed, “[w]hether third party participation in a criminal case should be termed","paragraph_id":"para_679"},{"text":"‘intervention’ is a debatable question since authorized involvement is typically limited to","paragraph_id":"para_680"},{"text":"specific actions and is not the broader participation found in the civil rules.” State v.","paragraph_id":"para_681"},{"text":"Mendez, 157 Wn. App. 565, 579 n.9, 238 P.3d 517 (2010), adhered to on remand, noted","paragraph_id":"para_682"},{"text":"at 166 Wn. App. 1024 (2012).","paragraph_id":"para_683"},{"text":"2 In federal court, that third party would have an appeal under the collateral order","paragraph_id":"para_684"},{"text":"doctrine. In Washington, that third party has only the limited right to seek discretionary","paragraph_id":"para_685"},{"text":"review. See generally Ian Cairns, Beyond the Writ: Restoring the Protective Power of","paragraph_id":"para_686"},{"text":"RAP 2.3(b)(3), KING COUNTY BAR BULL., July 1, 2025,","paragraph_id":"para_687"},{"text":"https://www.kcba.org/?pg=News-Bar-","paragraph_id":"para_688"},{"text":"Bulletin&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=127562 [https://perma.cc/42LA-RDDJ].","paragraph_id":"para_689"},{"text":"There might well be good reasons for Washington to adopt the collateral order doctrine as","paragraph_id":"para_690"},{"text":"part of our Washington rules to give a third party in that limited situation the power to","paragraph_id":"para_691"},{"text":"appeal as a matter of right.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_692"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_693"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_694"},{"text":"6","paragraph_id":"para_695"},{"text":"George, 160 Wn.2d 727, 735, 158 P.3d 1169 (2007) (we interpret court rules “as","paragraph_id":"para_696","court_paragraph":6},{"text":"though they were drafted by the legislature” (citing State v. Greenwood, 120","paragraph_id":"para_697"},{"text":"Wn.2d 585, 592, 845 P.2d 971 (1993))).","paragraph_id":"para_698"},{"text":"The majority certainly has the authority to create such a procedure, as it does","paragraph_id":"para_699"},{"text":"in this case, despite our rules, as a matter of policy. But the majority’s decision to","paragraph_id":"para_700"},{"text":"create such a procedure in this case is a bad policy. It undermines the function of","paragraph_id":"para_701"},{"text":"the criminal appeal as a dispute between the criminal defendant and the voice of","paragraph_id":"para_702"},{"text":"the State as expressed through the people’s elected prosecutor, who is vested with","paragraph_id":"para_703"},{"text":"authority to make decisions about how to handle criminal cases. It ignores the fact","paragraph_id":"para_704"},{"text":"that our court rules allow such nonparty participation in the trial court, but not on","paragraph_id":"para_705"},{"text":"appeal, thus implying that we sought to confine party participation in general to","paragraph_id":"para_706"},{"text":"trial court proceedings in criminal cases. It ignores the fact that our appellate court","paragraph_id":"para_707"},{"text":"rules explicitly allow amicus, or “friend of the court,” briefing and oral argument","paragraph_id":"para_708"},{"text":"in the appellate court to address just the matters that the third party in this case","paragraph_id":"para_709"},{"text":"wants to address, RAP 10.6, but that those rules do not provide for intervention. It","paragraph_id":"para_710"},{"text":"misunderstands the implications of the fact that the victims’ rights amendment to","paragraph_id":"para_711"},{"text":"the Washington Constitution and Washington’s victim protection statutes—which","paragraph_id":"para_712"},{"text":"recognize that victims have the right to notice and an opportunity to be heard in the","paragraph_id":"para_713"},{"text":"trial court—created no new rights for victims or victim’s representatives in the","paragraph_id":"para_714"},{"text":"appellate process.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_715"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_716"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_717"},{"text":"7","paragraph_id":"para_718"},{"text":"The majority also stretches the holdings of State v. Mendez, 157 Wn. App.","paragraph_id":"para_719","court_paragraph":7},{"text":"565, 238 P.3d 517 (2010), adhered to on remand, noted at 166 Wn. App. 1024","paragraph_id":"para_720"},{"text":"(2012), and Yakima County v. Yakima Herald-Republic, 170 Wn.2d 775, 790, 246","paragraph_id":"para_721"},{"text":"P.3d 768 (2011), far beyond their foundations to defend its new rule. In Mendez, a","paragraph_id":"para_722"},{"text":"newspaper moved to unseal certain records in a criminal case under GR 15 after","paragraph_id":"para_723"},{"text":"the trial had ended. The trial court granted the motion and the Court of Appeals","paragraph_id":"para_724"},{"text":"affirmed. 157 Wn. App. at 579. We approved of Mendez’s analysis in Yakima","paragraph_id":"para_725"},{"text":"Herald-Republic. 170 Wn.2d at 801. The majority opines that the factors the","paragraph_id":"para_726"},{"text":"Mendez court considered in its decision to affirm apply with equal force here.","paragraph_id":"para_727"},{"text":"Majority at 8-10.","paragraph_id":"para_728"},{"text":"They do not.","paragraph_id":"para_729"},{"text":"First, the Mendez court determined that unsealing the records did not present","paragraph_id":"para_730"},{"text":"a risk of disruption to ongoing criminal proceedings. 157 Wn. App. at 578. The","paragraph_id":"para_731"},{"text":"majority claims that the same is true here. Majority at 8. But in Mendez, there was","paragraph_id":"para_732"},{"text":"no appeal pending. 157 Wn. App. at 568. The Mendez court specifically noted that","paragraph_id":"para_733"},{"text":"“[a] conviction that was not yet final due to an appeal might present different","paragraph_id":"para_734"},{"text":"disruption or disclosure concerns. We do not address that situation here.” Id. at 578","paragraph_id":"para_735"},{"text":"n.8.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_736"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_737"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_738"},{"text":"8","paragraph_id":"para_739"},{"text":"But we do address that situation here, in Thompson. In this case, Thompson","paragraph_id":"para_740","court_paragraph":8},{"text":"appeals the trial court’s decision to deny Thompson’s motion to issue subpoenas","paragraph_id":"para_741"},{"text":"for records that he argued are material to his defense, and the third party seeks to","paragraph_id":"para_742"},{"text":"intervene to argue against disclosure of those very records. In other words, the","paragraph_id":"para_743"},{"text":"issue that the third party seeks to address through intervention on appeal goes to","paragraph_id":"para_744"},{"text":"the substance of Thompson’s defense. By contrast, in Mendez, the sealed records","paragraph_id":"para_745"},{"text":"that the newspaper sought related to defense requests for expenditures of funds, not","paragraph_id":"para_746"},{"text":"to any substantive issues in the case. So unlike in Mendez, allowing Ms. Gates to","paragraph_id":"para_747"},{"text":"intervene on appeal does disrupt ongoing criminal proceedings. This factor from","paragraph_id":"para_748"},{"text":"Mendez thus does not support permitting third-party intervention on appeal in this","paragraph_id":"para_749"},{"text":"case. Instead, this factor weighs against it.3","paragraph_id":"para_750"},{"text":"3 In Yakima Herald-Republic, while the defendant’s appeal was pending, a","paragraph_id":"para_751"},{"text":"newspaper sought to obtain sealed records from the trial court under GR 15. 170 Wn.2d","paragraph_id":"para_752"},{"text":"at 784-85. We held that this was permissible, but our holding was narrow: we held that","paragraph_id":"para_753"},{"text":"“limited intervention to revisit a prior sealing decision under GR 15(e) is a proper","paragraph_id":"para_754"},{"text":"procedure for nonparties to use in a criminal case when a trial has been completed.” Id. at","paragraph_id":"para_755"},{"text":"801. Yakima Herald-Republic is distinguishable for many reasons—the limited","paragraph_id":"para_756"},{"text":"intervention was permitted in the trial court, not the appellate court; the rule involved was","paragraph_id":"para_757"},{"text":"different; and, like Mendez, it does not appear that the defendant’s appeal had anything to","paragraph_id":"para_758"},{"text":"do with the content of the sealed records or the fact of their sealing. By contrast,","paragraph_id":"para_759"},{"text":"Thompson sought records that he claims are necessary to present his defense, the forum","paragraph_id":"para_760"},{"text":"is now the appellate court, and the issues that the third-party intervenor will be permitted","paragraph_id":"para_761"},{"text":"to argue relate directly to the merits of Thompson’s appeal.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_762"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_763"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_764"},{"text":"9","paragraph_id":"para_765"},{"text":"Second, the Mendez court noted that the newspaper could have brought a","paragraph_id":"para_766","court_paragraph":9},{"text":"separate civil action to obtain the sealed records. In such a proceeding, the","paragraph_id":"para_767"},{"text":"defendant would not be appointed counsel and might not be permitted to intervene","paragraph_id":"para_768"},{"text":"at all. The Mendez court explained that “permitting the third party to seek","paragraph_id":"para_769"},{"text":"unsealing in the criminal case would allow the defendant to be heard and take part","paragraph_id":"para_770"},{"text":"in the action.” 157 Wn. App. at 578.","paragraph_id":"para_771"},{"text":"The majority contends that the same reasoning applies here. It defends its","paragraph_id":"para_772"},{"text":"new rule on the ground that it is really more protective of criminal defendants’","paragraph_id":"para_773"},{"text":"rights than what we have now because recognizing the third party’s right to","paragraph_id":"para_774"},{"text":"intervene at all levels of court proceedings in criminal cases will ensure that the","paragraph_id":"para_775"},{"text":"defendant benefits from the right to appointed counsel when these third-party","paragraph_id":"para_776"},{"text":"issues—such as disclosure of the victim’s medical records—are decided. The","paragraph_id":"para_777"},{"text":"majority explains on this point, “If Ms. Gates had brought a separate civil action to","paragraph_id":"para_778"},{"text":"protect the confidentiality of her daughter’s medical records, then Mr. Thompson,","paragraph_id":"para_779"},{"text":"even if he could intervene, would not have had an attorney appointed for him by","paragraph_id":"para_780"},{"text":"the State. Allowing third-party intervention in these limited circumstances ensures","paragraph_id":"para_781"},{"text":"that defendants will be able to participate in matters involving their criminal case.”","paragraph_id":"para_782"},{"text":"Majority at 9.For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_783"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_784"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_785"},{"text":"10","paragraph_id":"para_786"},{"text":"But that conclusion goes much further than Mendez or Yakima Herald-","paragraph_id":"para_787","court_paragraph":10},{"text":"Republic, which dealt only with GR 15 motions to unseal in the trial court. Further,","paragraph_id":"para_788"},{"text":"the majority’s assumptions about a hypothetical separate civil action that a third","paragraph_id":"para_789"},{"text":"party, such as a victim or survivor, might bring, and how they might impact the","paragraph_id":"para_790"},{"text":"criminal case, are wrong. If a hypothetical civil action were separately filed by","paragraph_id":"para_791"},{"text":"someone affected by decisions in a criminal case, that civil action might well","paragraph_id":"para_792"},{"text":"determine certain discrete civil law issues, such as whether patient medical records","paragraph_id":"para_793"},{"text":"(or corporate social media records, or cell phone location data, etc.) are","paragraph_id":"para_794"},{"text":"confidential. But that is not really at issue here—of course patient medical records","paragraph_id":"para_795"},{"text":"are confidential. The issues here, on the appeal of a criminal conviction, are","paragraph_id":"para_796"},{"text":"different and are tied to the facts of the criminal case. Those issues include whether","paragraph_id":"para_797"},{"text":"the patient’s right to privacy in her medical records trumps the criminal","paragraph_id":"para_798"},{"text":"defendant’s constitutional rights to due process, to a complete defense, to a fair","paragraph_id":"para_799"},{"text":"trial, and to confront and cross-examine accusers, given the specific facts of the","paragraph_id":"para_800"},{"text":"criminal case (such as the defendant’s particularized need for such records);","paragraph_id":"para_801"},{"text":"whether the victim’s privacy might be sufficiently protected by disclosure subject","paragraph_id":"para_802"},{"text":"to a protective order given the particular facts of the criminal case; and whether in","paragraph_id":"para_803"},{"text":"camera review of those records by the trial court judge is necessary for a fair","paragraph_id":"para_804"},{"text":"decision and a fair trial in the criminal case. Those seem like matters that must be","paragraph_id":"para_805"},{"text":"adjudicated in the criminal prosecution, where the right to counsel is guaranteed—For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_806"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_807"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_808"},{"text":"11","paragraph_id":"para_809"},{"text":"hence the existence of CrR 4.8(b)(4); they do not seem like matters that should be","paragraph_id":"para_810","court_paragraph":11},{"text":"adjudicated in a separate hypothetical civil case that purports to bind the judge in","paragraph_id":"para_811"},{"text":"the criminal case. In other words, the majority’s contention that it is creating a","paragraph_id":"para_812"},{"text":"procedure that is more likely to guarantee the criminal defendant an appointed","paragraph_id":"para_813"},{"text":"lawyer when critical case-specific issues are decided is incorrect.4","paragraph_id":"para_814"},{"text":"To be sure, the majority endorses a limited, measured, approach to","paragraph_id":"para_815"},{"text":"determining when a third party gets to intervene in appellate review of a dispute","paragraph_id":"para_816"},{"text":"that society places in the hands of the criminal defendant and the State—not in the","paragraph_id":"para_817"},{"text":"hands of the criminal defendant and the victim. I appreciate the limits on the right","paragraph_id":"para_818"},{"text":"to intervene that the majority adopts.","paragraph_id":"para_819"},{"text":"4 I also disagree with the majority’s unsupported assumption that a criminal","paragraph_id":"para_820"},{"text":"defendant’s appointed counsel is not entitled to participate in nominally civil proceedings","paragraph_id":"para_821"},{"text":"that run parallel to the criminal case and that threaten to decide critical issues in the","paragraph_id":"para_822"},{"text":"criminal case (here, the issue of admissibility of defense-proffered records). Actually,","paragraph_id":"para_823"},{"text":"when a criminal defense lawyer—appointed or retained—assumes the obligation to","paragraph_id":"para_824"},{"text":"represent a defendant against criminal charges, that lawyer must be prepared for many","paragraph_id":"para_825"},{"text":"collateral proceedings that could adversely impact the criminal case (consider, for","paragraph_id":"para_826"},{"text":"example, the criminal defense lawyer’s need to address parallel government civil","paragraph_id":"para_827"},{"text":"proceedings that might threaten the defendant’s Fifth Amendment rights, or the lawyer’s","paragraph_id":"para_828"},{"text":"need to consider and address immigration proceedings that might threaten all of the","paragraph_id":"para_829"},{"text":"defendant’s rights).For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_830"},{"text":"State v. Thompson (Lester P., Jr.), No. 103338-9","paragraph_id":"para_831"},{"text":"(Gordon McCloud, J., concurring in dissent)","paragraph_id":"para_832"},{"text":"12","paragraph_id":"para_833"},{"text":"I appreciate it—but I still disagree with it. It places too little value on the","paragraph_id":"para_834","court_paragraph":12},{"text":"legal system’s reasons for taking criminal prosecutions out of the hands of victims","paragraph_id":"para_835"},{"text":"and placing those prosecutions into the hands of the elected prosecutor, instead.","paragraph_id":"para_836"},{"text":"A third party, even a third-party victim or victim’s survivor, is not the “more","paragraph_id":"para_837"},{"text":"appropriate representative than the State” regarding any of the issues before the","paragraph_id":"para_838"},{"text":"Court of Appeals on the appeal of a criminal conviction.","paragraph_id":"para_839"},{"text":"I therefore concur in the dissent.","paragraph_id":"para_840"},{"text":"____________________________","paragraph_id":"para_841"},{"text":"____________________________For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.","paragraph_id":"para_842"}],"word_count":9374,"cites":["501 U.S. 808"],"cited_by":[],"sha256":"f52457f6db390621294ebb42afbd7013dbf596a793966fcb4040e97b9e082990","source_url":"https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/1033389.pdf","fetched_at":"2026-10-17T18:56:42.214+00:00","canonical":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/ai/judgments/us/wash-103-338-9-2025-08-28","risk_graph":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/risk?id=us:wash-103-338-9-2025-08-28","relations_graph":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/relations?id=us:wash-103-338-9-2025-08-28","changes":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/us-praxis/changes","agent":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/us-praxis/agent?id=us:wash-103-338-9-2025-08-28","verification":{"stored_sha256":"f52457f6db390621294ebb42afbd7013dbf596a793966fcb4040e97b9e082990","recomputed_sha256":"f52457f6db390621294ebb42afbd7013dbf596a793966fcb4040e97b9e082990","intact":true,"checked_at":"2026-10-17T19:49:50.469Z"}},"hash":"sha256:25329fa5943d19575efee1933c0dedea1e5e4658e7942239efc6016e8afea656","version":"legal-2026-10-17","expires":"2026-10-18T00:00:00.000Z","dependency":{"index_version":"legal-2026-10-17+legal-2026-10-17+2026-10-17T17:42:33","content_hash":"sha256:25329fa5943d19575efee1933c0dedea1e5e4658e7942239efc6016e8afea656","revalidate_after":"2026-10-17T20:49:50.650Z","max_copy_age_seconds":3600,"policy":"revalidate-required; attribution-preferred","changelog":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/dependency","verify":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/verify","stale_copy_invalid":true},"canonical":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:wash-103-338-9-2025-08-28","follow":[{"rel":"risk","href":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/risk?id=us:wash-103-338-9-2025-08-28"},{"rel":"relations","href":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/relations?id=us:wash-103-338-9-2025-08-28"},{"rel":"agent","href":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/us-praxis/agent?id=us:wash-103-338-9-2025-08-28"},{"rel":"obligations","href":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/obligation-chain"},{"rel":"changes","href":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/whats-new?jurisdiction=us"}],"disclaimer":"Source reference with official identifier. 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