State v. Stockton

— Matthew Stockton appeals his conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm, arguing the trial court improperly permitted the prosecutor to question him about unrelated drug use. The State cross-appeals, contending the trial court erred by instructing the jury on Stockton’s necessity defense. Because Stockton’s prior drug use was inadmissible and the testimony unduly prejudiced the necessity defense on which the trial court properly instructed the jury, we reverse his conviction.

FACTS

On June 23, 1996, Gary Pounds looked out the window of his Everett apartment and saw three people fighting…