State v. Hansford

Arthur Reese Hansford appeals from a conviction of attempted first-degree extortion on the ground there is no such crime.

Mr. Hansford was arrested at approximately 4:20 a.m. on August 8,1977, inside a Spokane home after he had gained entrance by kicking in the front door. At the time of his arrest, he was wearing plastic gloves on his hands and a nylon stocking pulled down over his head and face. He was armed with a sawed-ofF shotgun loaded with three slugs.

The arrest followed a stakeout at the residence after the police had learned of a plan to hold the family for reward. Mr. Hansford was…