State v. Robinson

Defense counsel, aware that his former client could put herself at risk by testifying, chose not to call her as a witness. Because her testimony could have helped the defendant, the trial court erred in concluding that the conflict of interest did not adversely affect the attorney’s performance.

I

In early 1989, Seattle Police Detective Darryl Williams, working undercover, began buying methamphetamine from Steven Blair. Blair told Williams his suppliers were two women named "Bonnie and Mary Ann,” whom he frequently referred to as "the girls.”

On April 20, 1989, Detective Williams asked if Blair…