State v. Van Zante

—Defendant, Melvin Van Zante, was convicted at jury trial of first-degree murder, RCW 9A.32.030(l)(a), and first-degree assault, RCW 9A.36.010(l)(a). He appeals the murder conviction. We affirm.

Van Zante and the deceased, Kathy Van Zante, were divorced in 1975 after a tumultuous, 14-year marriage. The Van Zantes continued to see each other after the divorce.

Prior to the divorce, Mrs. Van Zante began an extramarital relationship with James Pirsch. There was considerable *740animosity between Van Zante and Pirsch which continued after the divorce. In 1976 after a tavern argument, Van Zante fired a…