State v. J-R Distributors, Inc.

512 P.2d 1049, 82 Wash. 2d 584
CourtWashington Supreme Court
DecidedJuly 27, 1973
Docket42371-77, 42385, 42429
StatusPublished
Cited by126 cases

This text of 512 P.2d 1049 (State v. J-R Distributors, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Washington Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. J-R Distributors, Inc., 512 P.2d 1049, 82 Wash. 2d 584 (Wash. 1973).

Opinions

Preface

The majority opinion was written and submitted to the members of the court in mid-April 1973. While it was still under consideration the United States Supreme Court handed down Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15, 37 L. Ed. 2d 419, 93 S. Ct. 2607 (1973); Paris Adult Theatre I v. Slaton, 413 U.S. 49, 37 L. Ed. 2d 446, 93 S. Ct. 2628 (1973) and Kaplan v. California, 413 U.S. 115, 37 L. Ed. 2d 492, 93 S. Ct. 2680 (1973). Although the foregoing opinions of the United States Supreme Court have caused no change in, the result reached herein, it has been necesasry to reevaluate and revise certain language.

Stafford, J.

This opinion involves nine appeals consolidated under No. 42371. Eight of the appeals are from separate actions tried in King and Spokane Counties. Although there are numerous specific assignments of error in each case, they have been consolidated here because of a common constitutional attack upon RCW 9.68.010(1) and (2). In the ninth case the state appeals from the dismissal of a codefendant in one of the actions.

The large number of unique facts and resultant assignments of error do not lend themselves to a consolidated discussion of all issues. Thus, the cases will be discussed in three major divisions according to the legal and constitu[590]*590tional issues common to each. Division I is concerned with a dismissal of the state’s case; Division II is concerned with the sale of obscene materials; and, Division III deals with the exhibition of films in a public theater.

I

Dismissal of State’s Case

State v. Michael J. Kristek, No. 42375

Defendant Michael Kristek and codefendant Thomas Kelly were charged in King County with two counts of selling obscene material. Each count is concerned with the sale of a magazine. The first involves the sale of “Bedplay” and the second a sale of “E-Jac.” Defendant Kristek was alleged to have aided and abetted in both.

At the conclusion of the state’s case, Kristek moved to dismiss the action for lack of evidence. The trial court ordered the two counts against Kristek dismissed with prejudice because:

the state failed to present any evidence that the defendant . . . sold, or aided and abetted in selling, any magazines . , .
The state appeals.

The basic legal rule with which we are concerned is stated in State v. Zorich, 72 Wn.2d 31, 34, 431 P.2d 584 (1967):

a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence requires that the evidence be interpreted most strongly against the moving party and in the light most favorable to the opposing party, and whether the evidence is sufficient to submit the issue to the jury is a question of law for the court and no element of discretion is involved.

The central issue is whether, under the above rule, there was sufficient evidence that Kristek aided and abetted his codefendant in the sale of the two magazines. ■

The evidence most favorable to the state indicates that Kristek had been employed as a clerk and magazine wrapper at the Eros Book Store only a few days prior to arrest. His duties, however, had consisted solely of wrapping mag[591]*591azines in cellophane. The state concedes that codefendant Kelly was the store’s manager as well as the clerk at the time of the incident here in question.

On July 13, 1971, Detective Gruber, an undercover officer, entered the store. After browsing a short time, he took “Bedplay” from a shelf and asked Kelly, who was standing behind the counter, whether he had an unwrapped copy to look at. Upon receiving a negative answer, Gruber replaced the magazine and continued to browse.

Shortly thereafter Kristek entered the room for the first time. He was seen conversing with Kelly at the counter. Although the discussion was not wholly intelligible, Gruber heard some mention of “Bedplay” and “E-Jac” and also heard Kristek tell Kelly something to the effect that they were all like the cover.

Unlike the cover of “Bedplay”, which depicted sexual activity, “E-Jac’s” cover was a suggestive design. Gruber pointed to “E-Jac” and inquired generally of both Kelly and Kristek whether “E-Jac’s” contents were like the cover. In answer to the general question, Kristek spoke to Gruber for the first time, replying “No, they are like the cover on ‘Bedplay.’ ” At that point Gruber paid codefendant Kelly for “Bedplay”, took the magazine from Kelly and left the premises.

Detective Sanford, who had observed the transaction, introduced himself to Kelly and Kristek as a police officer. A short conversation ensued. During the conversation Gruber returned with “Bedplay” and asked Kelly and Kristek whether “E-Jac” was the same. Kristek said he didn’t know. After Detective Sanford left, Mr. Gruber said, picking up “E-Jac”, “isn’t this the one you said was really good before?” Kristek acknowledged that it was, but the vice squad had been present and that he, Kristek, wasn’t supposed to know what was inside the books. Gruber then purchased “E-Jac” from Kelly and left after a discussion with Kelly about other materials in the store.

Shortly thereafter Kelly and Kristek were arrested, [592]*592Kelly was charged with two counts of selling obscene materials and Kristek with aiding and abetting in such sales.

Assuming the truth of the foregoing evidence, the state’s action against Kristek was properly dismissed. There was insufficient evidence that he aided and abetted his codefend-ant in the sale of the two magazines.

In State v. Gladstone, 78 Wn.2d 306, 312-13, 474 P.2d 274, 42 A.L.R.3d 1061 (1970), quoting from Johnson v. United States, 195 F.2d 673 (8th Cir. 1952), we set forth the prerequisites to liability as an aider and abettor as follows:

[T]o find one guilty as a principal on the ground that he was an aider and abetter, it must be proven that he shared in the criminal intent of the principal and there must be a community of unlawful purpose at the time the act is committed. As the term “aiding and abetting” implies, it assumes some participation in the criminal act in furtherance of the common design, either before or at the time the criminal act is committed.

In short the word “abet” includes (1) knowledge of the perpetrator’s wrongful purpose, and (2) encouragement, promotion or counsel of another in the commission of the criminal offense. State v. Hinkley, 52 Wn.2d 415, 325 P.2d 889 (1958).

We find no such evidence or reasonable inference to be drawn therefrom in the facts before us. Although Kristek was employed by the bookstore, he was at the time merely a magazine wrapper; he was not a clerk. There is no evidence or reasonable inference to be drawn therefrom that he either sold, attempted to sell or assisted in delivery of the magazine during the transaction.

At best Kristek and Kelly were overheard mentioning “Bedplay” and “E-Jac” during a conversation.

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Bluebook (online)
512 P.2d 1049, 82 Wash. 2d 584, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-j-r-distributors-inc-wash-1973.