State v. Jeannotte

— We are asked to determine if a trial court may impose an exceptional sentence below the standard range on the basis of a failed defense when the jury has explicitly rejected such defense in rendering its verdict. We hold the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981 (SRA), RCW 9.94A, explicitly authorizes a trial court to treat a failed defense as a mitigating factor supporting an exceptional sentence below the standard range. We affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals with respect to Jean*849notte’s convictions, but reverse the sentencing aspect of the Court of Appeals’ decision, reinstating the trial…