State v. Robinson

Respondent Robinson was arrested following a high-speed chase through the streets of Seattle. He was the sole occupant of the apprehended vehicle — a 1966 Cadillac — which had been stolen. Robinson was charged with taking a motor vehicle without permission of the owner, in violation of RCW 9.54.020. At trial, respondent’s defense consisted of the argument that he had borrowed the vehicle from a friend and was unaware that it had been stolen. Both respondent and the “friend” so testified at trial, but respondent was found guilty of the offense by a King County jury. He appealed his conviction.…