State v. Ellison

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Bjokgen, A.C.J.

Following a bench trial, the trial court found William H. Ellison guilty of second degree rape and second degree child molestation based on conduct against AE,1 the minor granddaughter of Ellison’s former wife. The court imposed a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of early release, based on a finding that Ellison had previously been convicted of two crimes defined in RCW 9.94A.030 as “most serious” offenses under the Persistent Offender Accountability Act (POAA), RCW 9.94A-.570. Ellison appeals, arguing that the trial court denied him the right of allocution and…