State v. Jones

In June 1999, Clarence Jones, Jr., was convicted by jury trial of unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree in violation of RCW 9.41.040(l)(a). While Jones’ appeal was pending, the Washington Supreme Court decided in State v. Anderson, 141 Wn.2d 357, 5 P.3d 1247 (2000) that the legislature intended to prohibit only “knowing” possession by a felon of a firearm; hence, knowledge is an essential element of the crime that the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Because Jones’ jury was not instructed that knowledge is an element of the crime, Jones argues that the State was…