State v. Jones

The primary issue on appeal is whether internal investigation files from a police department’s shooting review board hearing are discoverable to the criminal defendant involved in that particular shooting. Because we conclude that (1) the trial court found the files to be privileged without first reviewing the materials in camera, and (2) the State failed to demonstrate that nondisclosure of the files was “essential to effective law enforcement” under an exemption of the public disclosure act, we reverse. 1

FACTS

Appellant Abdul Jones was serving a sentence at the Snohomish County Jail when he…