State Of Washington v. Patrick Parnel

¶1 Patrick L. Parnel appeals his conviction for second degree murder with an aggravating circumstance. Parnel argues that the trial court’s jury instruction on reasonable doubt requiring the jury to “articulate a reason for having a reasonable doubt” was improper. We hold that the trial court’s jury instruction and definition of “reasonable doubt” was proper. Thus, we affirm Parnel’s conviction.

FACTS

¶2 After the death of his newborn infant daughter, the State charged Patrick Parnel with first degree murder 1 with an aggravating circumstance. 2 At trial, the trial court provided the jury the…